Applications will open on Wednesday 25th March
Flex Trainee is the industry-leading way to pursue the SQE route to qualification in-house
The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) route was designed to open up the legal profession to a much wider and more diverse range of people. It represents a significant opportunity for historically under-represented aspiring solicitors to complete Qualifying Work Experience within in-house legal teams.
Our Flex Trainee programme helps aspiring solicitors make the most of this opportunity. We hire individuals from under-represented socioeconomic backgrounds, put you through an intensive 'Readiness Programme', and place you with a thriving in-house legal team for on-the-job Qualifying Work Experience. On top of that, we provide funding for prep courses for your exams through our partners at Barbri, and for the SQE exams themselves (subject to conditions being met).
It's a challenging but incredible opportunity!
Flex Legal operates two annual cohorts:
- Spring: Includes a Readiness Programme in March, with client secondments beginning in April.
- Autumn: Includes a Readiness Programme in October, with client secondments beginning in November.
For our Autumn 2026 cohort, the Readiness Programme runs from 12th–30th October, with client secondments starting on 2nd November 2026.
Please email trainee@f-lex.co.uk with any questions you may have on the application process.
What Flex Trainees receive:
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- A salary of £32,000 in London or £28,000 elsewhere.
- 12 or 24 month Qualifying Work Experience secondment with a top in-house legal team (past clients include: ASOS, Trustpilot, Natwest, The Crown Estate, and Mondelez).
- Access to SQE1 and SQE2 preparation courses (additional courses subject to T&Cs) and your first sitting of each SQE exam.
- A bespoke Readiness Programme before you start to allow you to hit the ground running.
- An in-house supervisor who meets with Flex every month to review your progress.
- Regular 1:1 support and coaching from the Flex Team.
- Introductions to mentors across the legal industry.
- Exclusive access to industry networking events.
- Access to our SQE Journal to help you easily track your Qualifying Work Experience progress.
- Other benefits include private health care, a cycle-to-work scheme and nursery benefits.
The Flex Trainee application process
When applications open the job will become available on our careers site. Please take a look through our 11-step application process before applying to become a Flex Trainee.
How it works
Whether you are looking to join Flex Legal as a Flex Trainee and be seconded to a leading in-house legal team or you are already working in-house and want to gain Qualifying Work Experience where you are, we have a route for you.
Flex Trainee
You are employed by Flex Legal and seconded to an in-house legal team for 12 or 24 months.
- Eligibility: Must meet our social mobility criteria and hold a 2.1 UK Qualifying Law Degree.
- What's included: Your pathway depends on your current qualifications and your placement length.
| If you have... | 12-Month Placement | 24-Month Placement |
| No SQE1 or LPC | Focus on SQE1 study and exams while recording 12 months of QWE. | Year 1: SQE1 study/exams. Year 2: SQE2 study/exams. Complete 24 months QWE. |
| SQE1 or LPC Completed | Focus on SQE2 study and exams while recording 12 months of QWE. | Year 2: SQE2 study and exams. Complete 24 months of QWE. |
| SQE1 (or LPC) & SQE2 Completed | Focused entirely on gathering 12 months of QWE. | Focused entirely on gathering 24 months of QWE. |
A Note on Qualification: Candidates on 12-month contracts may qualify upon completion, provided they have 12 months of prior QWE and have passed the necessary SQE assessments. Following your placement, you may rejoin the "trainee-in-waiting" pool to be considered for new 12-month opportunities. Extensions may be available subject to performance and client requirements.
We accept applications twice a year for our two cohorts - Spring and Autumn. When applications open the role will become available on our careers page.
Flex Talent Development
Flex Talent Development is for anyone already working as a legal professional within an in-house team who wishes to gain Qualifying Work Experience and receive additional support from our experienced Flex Trainee team. This initiative allows employers to enrol their own aspiring trainees onto the Flex Trainee programme, giving them the tools they need to take full advantage of the SQE route to qualification.
During the programme:
- Use the Flex SQE tool to efficiently record your QWE.
- Attend regular 1:1s to monitor professional and academic progress.
- Attend regular professional development sessions.
- Funded SQE prep courses and exams through Barbri (subject to conditions).
- Gain access to a cohort of other trainees at the same stage of their journey.
You cannot apply to the Talent Development programme, but If you are interested in understanding more please email trainee@f-lex.co.uk. We also suggest you speak to your current employer about their ability to support you.
Who we're looking for
We are incredibly keen to help as many aspiring solicitors to gain QWE as possible, but we do still have minimum entry criteria.
To apply for any Flex Trainee cohort, you must meet all of the following criteria
- Social Mobility: You must meet our social mobility criteria, which are based on the Social Mobility Commission's framework. You will be asked questions about your economic circumstances whilst growing up during the application process.
- Academic Requirements: You must have completed a UK Qualifying Law Degree from a course listed on the SRA website, and have achieved a grade of 2.1 or above. If mitigating circumstances prevented you from meeting the 2.1 requirement, please provide details in your application for our consideration.
- SQE exam status: We now accept candidates at all stages of their SQE academic journey and will consider applications from; Those who have not started their SQE exams. Those who have completed and passed the SQE1 or LPC. Those who have already completed and passed both the SQE1 & SQE2, and just require QWE.
- Right to Work: Successful candidates will be required to demonstrate their right to work in the UK. Unfortunately, we are not able to provide visa sponsorship at this time.
How challenging is the Flex Trainee programme?
It's well-known that the legal profession is demanding.
Through the Flex Trainee scheme, there will be periods when you are expected to juggle work commitments with fairly intense study.
During your secondment, you will be seconded to our clients and we expect you to bring your best effort to that experience. The SQE exams are widely regarded as challenging, and will really put your legal abilities to the test. We expect you to keep up with your studies while fulfilling your obligations to your host client - your success on the Flex Trainee scheme will require you to deliver on both the professional and academic aspects of the scheme.
This being said, we want you to succeed! Both Flex Legal and our clients will provide you with regular, on-going support along the way. Alongside supervision at your place of work, Flex Legal will provide you with a dedicated mentor, coaching, continuous support, and access to the UK’s best SQE preparation courses. If you are ready to take on the challenge, we'd love to hear from you.
What happens at the end of your placement?
Your next steps are shaped by your qualification status and career goals. Whether you’re ready to qualify or need more time, we’re here to support you.
You have met all requirements to qualify
Congratulations on this significant achievement! Once you have passed your exams and completed your QWE, we will support you with your submission to the SRA.
- Historically, the majority of our qualifying trainees are retained by their host organisation.
- If you choose to move on, or retention isn't an option, we will help you identify and apply for New Qualified (NQ) roles, providing guidance on the market and salary expectations.
You need more time or experience
If your initial 12-month contract ends and you still require further QWE or need to complete exams:
- You can rejoin our "Trainee in Waiting" pool to be considered for new 12-month trainee opportunities to complete your journey.
- Some placements may be extended based on your performance and the client’s ongoing needs.
If you reach the end of a 24-month placement but aren't yet in a position to qualify:
- Some host organisations may choose to retain you in a paralegal capacity while you complete your final steps.
- If retention isn't an option, we remain on hand to provide bespoke support - from CV workshops and interview prep to insights into the market - to help you decide on your next best steps.
Flex Trainee Stories
Diana Marsh: From Flex Paralegal to NQ Success
flex trainee stories
How Flex kickstarted Tom's career at Mondelez
Testimonials
“It feels amazing to have finally achieved my goal of qualifying. It feels surreal and I’m truly thankful to God! I’m super happy to have achieved such a milestone, it’s made my family proud, and I am excited to try and help others to do the same.”
Jordan, Flex Trainee
Testimonials
“I am now 6 months into my Qualifying Work Experience and Flex continuously provides support with monthly check-in meetings with supervisors, as well as organising events and training sessions for us all, and genuinely being there for any question big or small. I am looking forward to continuing the SQE alongside the help and support from such a great team.”
Chloe, Flex Trainee
Testimonials
“This opportunity is making my dreams of qualifying come true and provided me two opportunities: to train in-house which is very rare for junior lawyers, and to build my legal and commercial network. I am so excited that such an opportunity is available to socially mobile students because at times it can feel like your chance will never come.”
Maab, Flex Trainee
Testimonials
“The thought of going into such a big business and being their first ever trainee was a little daunting at first - but the Readiness Programme Flex delivered definitely helped me to hit the ground running. One of the things which stands out to me from the programme was elevator pitches, which we practised so much!”
Saad, Flex Trainee
Testimonials
“Whilst most of the team was on annual leave during this summer, I had a moment of realisation of how far I had come in the few months of training in relation to my confidence to deal with matters from start to finish. I have definitely exceeded my own expectations.”