Apprenticeships
The Law Firm of The Future www.plexuslaw.co.uk
Introduction Welcome to the Plexus Law Leeds & Manchester Legal Apprenticeship Recruitment Programme. It’s an exciting time for young people considering a career in law, as the routes into the profession expand. At Plexus Law, we recognise that the traditional route into law via University is not for everyone and that’s why we are one of the early adopters of the Legal Apprenticeship route. Since September 2012, we have recruited twelve apprentices who are undertaking their two year Apprenticeships with us in our Leeds and Manchester offices. We will next be recruiting Apprentices for our Leeds and Manchester offices in September 2014. This brochure will give you an insight into our Group as a whole, our legal divisions and the type of work we undertake in a variety of locations throughout the UK. At present, our Apprenticeship Recruitment Programme is only active at our Leeds and Manchester offices.
The Law Firm of The Future www.plexuslaw.co.uk
Training Programme As an Apprentice with Plexus Law, you undertake a two year ‘on the job’ training programme. During this time, you will be rotated around four teams within the business to gain experience with different aspects of our legal work, administration and business support teams, such as Finance. Alongside support and management from your immediate Team Leader, as an Apprentice, you will have an external mentor who meets with you approximately once a month to provide additional guidance and support. As a Legal Apprentice with us, you undertake an NVQ Level 2 in Legal Business Administration, which provides you with the foundation for a legal career. In addition, you attend in-house training programmes on legal and skills topics. As you progress through the programme, subject to individual performance and business needs, there may be the opportunity for you to consider further qualifications for example, a higher level NVQ or a part time law degree.
The Law Firm of The Future www.plexuslaw.co.uk
Why did you choose an Apprenticeship? Emma Due to increased fees, I didn’t consider University to be an option, so the opportunity to obtain qualifications whilst gaining hands-on experience working within a business environment was ideal. Ailish I decided to become a Legal Apprentice because the Scheme seemed like a good opportunity, and an alternative to University with potentially the same outcome. Shauna I think the Apprenticeship Scheme shows the practical side of law, something which a University can’t always teach. I also liked the idea of earning money at the same time and I believed doing something like this is pretty unique as not many other law firms offer a programme like this.
The Law Firm of The Future www.plexuslaw.co.uk
Charlotte I decided to become a Legal Apprentice because it gives me the opportunity to learn things that I can put straight into practice. For me, this is a much easier way of learning and also helps me understand how a law firm works. Tom Being offered a practical job in a real work environment has helped me display other qualities which are not reflected in Grades or UCAS points. Being an A+ student doesn’t automatically give you these skills; they can only be learned through experience. Sophie I decided to become a Legal Apprentice after finding out more about the different career routes. This seemed like the best option to progress within a legal career. Dan I wanted to be earning and gaining experience as soon as I could.
What do you do on a day to day basis? Note to Candidates: When reading this section, we assume you will have limited legal knowledge. Don’t worry – if you are successful in joining us, we will help you understand all the essential terms during the comprehensive induction and training programme.
Sophie I am currently working in the Disease Team. In a typical day I mostly carry out administrative tasks. I mainly deal with the post and carry out CRU and chaser tasks. I also perform tasks relating to the master files within the team. This involves updating the files when new information comes in, making new files and re-organising them. Emma I currently work within the First Response Unit. A typical day consists of opening new files, liaising with the Court, Claimant Solicitors and handling and producing legal documents. Ailish I am in the Finance Team. My role varies from day to day and I move around within the team; Office, Purchase Ledger, Billing and Client side. These involve different tasks from banking to billing. Dan I am in an Auto Litigation Team, working in the Settlement Unit. I mainly log CRU, court orders, court directions, chase CRU and book Counsel.
The Law Firm of The Future www.plexuslaw.co.uk
Shauna I am currently working in the Casualty Team. The team processes claims brought against their client’s insured. On a day to day basis I log the post and set tasks for other fee-earner’s or myself, I complete tasks on our case management system and I speak with the Court,, Claimants’ Solicitors, and clients to request information or answer questions. I also deal with new instructions and pass them onto my Team Leader. Charlotte I am currently working in the Costs Team where my average day consists of incepting new files, sending out invoices, logging the post and sometimes applying for applications from the Courts. Tom I’m currently working within the Motor Team. A typical day involves incepting new files onto the case management system, dealing with Third Parties who have been involved in an incident, chasing tracker reports, driver reports and the general running of the administration side of the team.
What is the highlight of your time so far? Dan EVERYTHING (literally everything - I love this place). Every day is fun and I learn new things every day. Ailish Being trusted to complete tasks on my own, and making friends with people around the office, as well as in my team. This made me feel welcome and made it easier for me to speak out if I had an issue. Charlotte I don’t really have a particular highlight. Everything that I am doing is a completely new experience to me because I have come straight from college into full time work. Emma
Tom
The support available from my colleagues, mentor and fellow apprentices is my highlight. This has helped my transition from college into a legal environment and I am looking forward to my progression within the firm.
My time so far at Plexus Law has been great. The first few days are always daunting when you start somewhere new, but this feeling soon went away. New people are always starting so you’re never the ‘new kid’ for long. You feel more respected when you’re in the workplace, as apposed to being in college, and your work is too.
Shauna
Sophie
I don’t really have a highlight of my time so far. Every day is so different, so it is hard to choose one individual highlight.
I don’t have a particular highlight at Plexus Law so far as it has all been a new experience and learning opportunity.
The Law Firm of The Future www.plexuslaw.co.uk
What we are looking for? We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who want a career in law. You should have 4 GCSE’s at grade C or above (including Maths and English). Subjects and grades at A-level are less important than strong interpersonal and communication skills, a positive work ethic, a desire to learn, effective organisation skills, an eye for detail and common sense.
Recruitment Process Our recruitment process has two stages: 1. Submission of an application form and covering letter, via our online portal. 2. An Assessment Centre consisting of: • Group exercise • Numerical test • Written exercise • One to one interview
The Law Firm of The Future www.plexuslaw.co.uk
Meet Us We will hold open evenings for parents and students in February 2014 in both our Leeds and Manchester offices. The evenings will cover information about Plexus Law and the Scheme and will provide you with the opportunity to meet some of our employees (including our Legal Apprentices). If you wish to attend please complete the online registration form, by clicking below. Once you have sent us your form, we will contact you when the dates are finalised.
How and when to apply We will open the application process in March 2014. Step 1: Complete the application form. Step 2: Attach a covering letter detailing why you wish to become a Legal Apprentice and why you would like to work at Plexus Law. Step 3: We will be holding assessment centres in May 2014 and will be making offers to successful candidates in June 2014. If you are selected for a Legal Apprenticeship, you will be invited to start with Plexus Law in September 2014.
Click here to complete a form and register your interest:
Register interest The Law Firm of The Future www.plexuslaw.co.uk
Plexus Law is a trading name of Parabis Law LLP, a Limited Liability Partnership. Incorporated in England & Wales. Reg No: OC315763. Registered office: 8 Bedford Park, Croydon, Surrey CR0 2AP Parabis Law LLP is authorised and regulated by the SRA.