My journey to becoming a trainee

My interest in the legal profession started when I studied A-level law at college. I went on to study law at the University of Hull between 2020 and 2023, during this time I secured a training contract with Gosschalks. After graduating, I completed my SQE1 before joining the firm earlier this year and I will sit my SQE2 before qualifying as a solicitor in 2026.

I am currently undertaking my second seat in the Commercial Property Department after completing my first seat in the Employment Department.

What to expect during your training contract at Gosschalks:

During the course of a training contract, you will have the opportunity to sit in four different seats. Gosschalks has structured their training contracts so that a trainees’ fourth seat is in the department they wish to specialise in once they have qualified. I think this approach is hugely beneficial as it ensures that trainees can focus on the area of law they have committed to and have a smooth transition post-qualification.

You will find that the work varies immensely across each seat. For example, the Commercial Property Department is primarily transactional, in this seat there is a focus on assisting clients by advising on, negotiating, and handling legal aspects of buying, selling, leasing, financing, and developing commercial real estate. In contrast, the Employment Department is often contentious, involving workplace disputes such as unfair dismissal, discrimination claims, and contract breaches. Experiencing different departments is invaluable for a trainee when it comes to deciding where to qualify. By the end of the process, you will be able to identify your strengths, interests and working styles to understand which area of law suits you best.

What a typical day in the life looks like:

Due to the fast-paced nature of the job, there is no typical day as a trainee. Each day and department vary based on the issues that arise. In my current seat I may be given the opportunity to assist the fee-earners in my department by:

Researching legal issues: Due to the precise nature of the law I am often given research tasks to assist my colleagues to ensure that any advice subsequently given to the client is accurate and reliable. In this department, I have found myself researching issues relating to the Party Wall Act, adverse possession and how changes to Stamp Duty affect different property transactions. As a trainee I enjoy researching legal issues as it provides an opportunity to deepen my legal knowledge and explore different areas of the law, helping to build a well-rounded understanding of commercial property law.

Submitting applications to the Land Registry: A large part of my role as a trainee in this department is preparing and submitting applications to the Land Registry to progress a variety of matters for clients. This may include registering a new lease, transferring ownership of a property or register. Even though the process may seem like a routine administrative task, it plays a key role in securing a client’s legal interests. Such work is crucial to contributing to a client’s success and by completing this work, I get the satisfaction of knowing my work has a real impact.

Answering client queries: Due to the technical nature of property law we receive a lot of queries from clients who need our assistance with complex or niche issues needing clarification. For example, a client may need confirmation of their property boundaries or restrictive covenants affecting their property. As a trainee I am often tasked with resolving these queries by reviewing the title deeds and obtaining the relevant documents. In some cases, it involves examining the original deeds and historical records, sometimes dating back to the 1800’s, to clarify ownership or contractual obligations. I find this aspect of my work particularly interesting as it provides an insight into how historical agreements continue to shape modern transactions.

Drafting documents: Another key aspect in my role as a trainee solicitor is supporting my department by drafting key documents. Such work varies depending on the nature of the clients’ needs but may include drafting replies to Commercial Property Standard Enquiries (CPSEs) to provide buyers with key information about the property being purchased, drafting a statement of truth in support of an application to the Land Registry and drafting a lease report to summarise key information about important provisions contained within the lease. As a trainee I enjoy drafting documents because it provides tangible proof of my progress. Each time I am tasked with drafting, the process becomes easier and more familiar, boosting my confidence in my skills.

Gosschalks has a very sociable culture with regular events that allow me to build relationships with colleagues outside of the office. Once my working day has finished, I may find myself with the option of attending team dinners and other social activities with the rest of my team and colleagues from around the firm

Skills you will develop during your training contract:

Completing a training contract is a challenging but rewarding experience, during which you will gain invaluable hands-on experience, and will develop the essential skills needed to qualify and succeed in the legal profession. You will develop strong analytical and problem-solving abilities by assessing complex legal issues and providing practical solutions. Through drafting legal documents and attending client meetings, you will refine your written and verbal communication skills. Exposure to different practice areas also enhances your adaptability and teamwork, while managing workloads improves time management and attention to detail.

In summary:

Overall, life as a trainee solicitor at Gosschalks is fast paced, challenging, and incredibly rewarding, offering countless opportunities to learn, develop key skills, and gain invaluable hands-on experience. Each day brings new challenges and insights that shape the route to qualification.

More about the author: Danielle Kennedy