Frequently Asked Questions
You're interested in a career in law - it's a big decision and naturally you have some questions. Here are some of the questions we are most frequently asked by people considering a career with us.
Recruitment
How do I apply?
The application form (which covers both Work Placement and Training Contract applications) is available on the link to the left of this page.
The closing date for Training Contracts starting in September 2010 is 31 July 2008. The closing date for work placement applications is the end of January each year and we have filled all available places for 2008. The 2009 work placement application process will open again in October 2008.
Is there a stereotypical Dickinson Dees lawyer?
The firm comprises an unusually broad range of individuals from different backgrounds. There are certain qualities you must have to succeed here: intellect, energy, dedication to the job, an imaginative approach to problem solving and the ability to get on with other people.
But don't you limit recruitment to a small number of universities?
No. We recruit from a wide range of universities, and well beyond the North East of England. Take at look at Our Trainees to see the diverse range of universities and subjects our current trainees have come from. We look at the total person. We're interested in what you can offer, and not simply the university you're at.
Also we don't restrict applications to current undergraduates or even recent graduates. As long as they have the qualities we're interested in, we welcome applications from people who have pursued a different career first.
Work Placements
What is the structure of your work placements?
Our work placements are part of the recruitment process for training contract but are also aimed at giving potential trainee solicitors a good idea of what it is like to work at Dickinson Dees. Our placement weeks are aimed at those who are in the penultimate year of a law degree, the final year of a non law degree or beyond those stages
We shortlist down to around 125 applicants who will be asked to complete online aptitude tests followed by an interview during February and March for the 40 places available. We give successful applicants the opportunity to choose which two departments they wish to spend time in. The placements are for one week, with two days in each of two departments and an assessment day. For those who are offered a work placement week, we pay travel expenses to Newcastle and an expenses allowance of £200.
The closing date for work placement applications is the end of January each year and we have filled all available places for 2008. The 2009 work placement application process will open again in October 2008.
Are my chances of a training contract limited if I have not been on a work placement?
We have a limited number of places for our work placement programme and therefore we cannot offer placements to all the people we would like to. Those who are unsuccessful in obtaining a work placement place should not be put off applying to us for a training contract.
GDL (CPE)/LPC Details
Does Dickinson Dees have any preferences for the institution at which applicants study for the GDL (CPE)/LPC?
Not really. Unlike some firms, we don't require future trainees to attend a particular law school. But we do know some courses better than others and have great confidence in them - such as the courses at the College of Law, BPP, University of Northumbria and at Nottingham Trent University. Wherever you go, we ask you to remember that we are a commercially focussed firm, and to select electives accordingly.
Salaries/financial assistance
What financial assistance does Dickinson Dees give to prospective trainees studying for the GDL (CPE)/LPC?
We pay fees for our future trainees for the GDL (CPE) and for the LPC. We also offer a maintenance grant to help you through your studies.
Is it possible to defer starting training for 12 months?
Although we cannot guarantee agreeing to postpone the beginning of your training contract, provided you let us know when we offer you a place, then we will consider any requests to defer.
Training
What degree of choice do you have over the seats in which you work during training?
You are asked for preferences before each allocation (including the first seat). Whilst every effort is made to accommodate individuals requests, some areas are oversubscribed and it may not always be possible to meet the needs of everyone. However, we usually manage to keep the vast majority of our trainees happy.
How do you deal with the Professional Skills Course?
We run a bespoke Professional Skills Course for our trainee solicitors which has been developed jointly between us and the College of Law. The programme is spread over the two years of the Training Contract and has been designed to be of as much practical use in the work place as possible.
What other training is offered?
As well as the Professional Skills Course we also run Departmental Inductions which coincide with the seat rotations. We also have a dedicated Training Department which runs courses and organises training for the entire firm, and appropriate courses are always available to trainee solicitors.
Will it be 2 years of photocopying or will I get the chance to really contribute to projects during training?
We have invested too much in your recruitment and training for you to spend your time photocopying. Of course, you cannot expect to run your own case load from the very beginning of your training contract but you will certainly be contributing to assignments and you will be an important member of your group. Our style is learning by doing. Your individual responsibility for handling aspects of cases or transactions will increase rapidly as your knowledge and experience grows and you will soon be dealing with clients and other professionals outside the firm.
Would I be able to do any of my training abroad?
Currently, we send two trainees a year to our associated Brussels office for up to three months. We select the lucky people after inviting presentations from all interested trainees.
What degree of choice do you have over the area you join on qualification?
All trainees are invited to apply for the newly qualified positions available and go through an objective selection process. Generally, nearly all qualifying trainees are accommodated into the group of their first choice.
We hope that we have answered any questions you might have about Dickinson Dees and our recruitment process but if you have any other queries, please click here to email the Graduate Recruitment Team.