Training Contract
Markel Law - Trainee Solicitor Programme
Financial Services
Salary:
Competitive
Manchester
2522
Position Start Date:
September 2028
Application deadline:
29/05/2026
Markel Law is one of the UK’s leading insurance centric law firms which is authorised and regulated by the SRA. With lawyers ranked in the Legal 500 we are experts in civil and commercial litigation, employment law, regulatory law and casualty.
We operate out of offices in Manchester, Leeds and London. Our clients comprise of businesses, individuals, and associations across a broad spectrum of industries. The work we do is challenging, complex and varied. We aim to be leading sector specialists providing high quality, efficient and client focussed legal services.
As part of the Markel family we have the enviable position of having the financial robustness of a Fortune 500 company whilst still being small enough to care about every client and empower our people.
We are looking for the optimists. The visionary problem-solvers who believe that life’s greatest ambitions shouldn’t fade in the wake of all the things that could go wrong. The people willing to work hard together to protect our clients in their times of need against their largest and most complex legal challenges, and have fun doing it. It’s a promise to serve others that we’ll hold on to forever, and we’d like you to help us keep it.
Markel Law is the independent law firm of Markel International. Markel International is an international insurance company with offices in 17 countries, across the UK, Europe, Canada, and Asia Pacific. Markel International is a division of Markel Corporation (NYSE – MKL), a US based Fortune 500 company, which operates a leading speciality insurer and owns an impressive portfolio of products and services businesses, employing in excess of 20,000 people worldwide.
Our win-win-win philosophy means our employees win by creating fulfilling careers, our customers win by finding protection against life’s biggest risks, and our shareholders win by earning good returns on their capital. Our culture is guided by a creed we call the Markel Style, which ensures that our greatest qualities endure across generations of people who have been a part of Markel.
Our Markel Law Trainee Solicitor scheme is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours you will need to kick start your career in law as you work towards becoming a qualified solicitor. During your training contract you will work closely with our solicitors, providing legal support and assistance as you work across a number of ‘seats’ in the firm. You’ll have the opportunity to gain experience in both contentious and non-contentious work types across our specialist areas, civil and commercial litigation, crime and regulatory, employment and casualty.
You will also benefit from exposure to an unparalleled insight into the inner workings of a global insurer with the opportunity to study for globally recognised insurance industry qualifications, something which will differentiate you from other newly qualified solicitors.
We want to ensure that you have the opportunity to gain exposure across a number of processes and practices to give you a broad understanding of our business and how we operate. This will include, but is not limited to:
● Attend and Participate in Client meetings;
● Draft correspondence, witness statements and other legal documentation;
● Assist in managing relationships with clients and the Insurer;
● Perform legal research tasks;
● Attend hearings in a variety of Courts and Tribunals;
● Prepare trial and hearing bundles;
● Participate in team meetings, attend networking events and contribute to business development;
● Keep up to date with law and practice, attend internal courses;
● General administrative and legal support.
In addition to on-the-job experience, you will also have a structured learning and development plan, in line with the SRA Practice Skills Standards
● Successful candidates will be valuable and integral members across the business, with the opportunity to be working across civil and commercial litigation, crime and regulatory, employment and casualty.
● Immerse yourself in the inclusive and welcoming company culture, by participating in regular socials.
● Be part of a tailored and developed program, based on feedback from current/previous trainees.
● Participate in presentations to progress and develop your skills.
● All qualifications are fully funded, including the Chartered Institute of Insurance qualification, obtained alongside the LPC / SQE.
● Markel are committed to you and your career, inputs are encouraged and discussed and you’ll be well supported with training and development opportunities as you progress at Markel.
● The opportunity to work closely alongside Solicitors on a variety of work, leading to a broader understanding of the business and an opportunity to accelerate your career.
● Markel encourages career development by offering 1-1 mentorship and supervision to help employees reach their personal targets.
● Competitive starting salary with an excellent package - including; private medical insurance, your own financial coach, hybrid work structure, gym discounts, cycle-to-work scheme, motor breakdown cover, income protection and additional countless benefits that will be shared at the first stage of the process!
● Do you have a Law degree, or conversion, 2:1 classification or above? (achieved or predicted)
● Are you in your second or final year of study (any degree), on track for a 2:1 classification or above and now looking to embark on a Law career?
● Do you have 3 A Levels, grade B or above? (or equivalent qualification)
● Proven eligibility to work in the UK.
● Is patient, proactive, resilient and hard-working looking for a long-term career in law.
● Is a strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills who is able to work independently as well as part of a team.
● Is an organised individual with the ability to prioritise tasks efficiently and handle large workloads.
● Displays clarity of thought, as well as strong attention to detail.
● Is able to maintain high standards of accuracy and demonstrate initiative & self-discipline.
● Is a driven and ambitious candidate who is committed to their learning and development.
Pursuit of excellence
● Consistently provides quality work products
● Adapts behaviour to reflect the style of others to foster effective working relationships
● Finds the most efficient and practical means of overcoming challenges
Customer focus
● Actively looks for solutions to customer problems
● Seeks to further knowledge of customer needs
● Builds relationships with customers and responds to needs by demonstrating tact, empathy and professionalism
Business results
● Seeks the best and most direct option to accomplish tasks
● Demonstrates effective organisation skills
● Applies logic and draws accurate conclusions from information
Collaboration
● Helps others succeed
● Approaches change in a positive manner
● Listens for and acts on key information
Strong foundations
● Holds self and others accountable to ethical standards
● Takes ownership and accountability for own development
● Shows accountability and resilience in achieving goals
It only takes 30 seconds to register your interest in this role, and we’ll support you throughout the full application process!