In this article, Saima Zainab, Graduate Legal Assistant in our Commercial Property team, explores prescriptive rights and explains what property owners need to know.
We are a growing and ambitious law firm, and our people are at the very heart of everything we do.
We have doubled in size in a few years and have plans to continue that growth. For that reason, we have put together what we believe is one of the best schemes for law graduates on the South Coast.
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The benefits
- Fully funded (SQE tuition and exam costs are paid)
- Additional paid time off to study (10 days per year)
- Very competitive salary
- Experience in multiple departments
- Work in a peer group with lots of other graduates
The Scheme
Launch your legal career with our three-year development programme.
Your journey begins with the first year as a Graduate Legal Assistant, where you’ll immerse yourself in real client work within the chosen department. From day one, you’ll gain hands-on experience, build confidence, and develop the practical skills that set you apart.
This first year is your opportunity to shine. By 1 May, we’ll confirm whether you’ll progress to the next stage of the programme. As you’ll have opportunities across our network of offices, a full driving licence is required to move forward.
If successful, you’ll step into the role of Trainee Solicitor for Years 2 and 3. You’ll rotate through a variety of seats, gaining broad exposure across the firm while building your expertise and professional network.
Alongside your training, we’ll support you through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). You’ll prepare for and sit SQE1 in your second year, followed by SQE2 in your third year - bringing you to full qualification as a Solicitor.
This is more than a training programme - it’s the start of your long-term career with us.
How to apply
If you're interested, please apply by sending your CV and covering letter to our HR & Operations Director Catharine Snow at csnow@frettens.co.uk.
Applications for our Graduate Scheme are now closed and will open in early 2027.
Who are we looking for?
From our experience, the best lawyers are not always those who got a first from a top university.
We are a people business first and foremost. Our job is to make law accessible and understandable to our clients. An excellent technical expert who can’t understand their clients’ needs and clearly explain the best course of action, is not always a good lawyer.
Yes, our lawyers are all experts in their field, but what sets our team apart is their excellent communication skills and ability to work successfully with clients and colleagues. These attributes are at the very top of the list of things we look for in our trainee recruitment process.
Training at Frettens
We asked three of our past Graduate Legal Assistants what their experience with the Graduate Scheme at Frettens was like.
"The salary is really good, especially when you consider that the course is paid for. Sometimes if you’re doing a training contract you have to take a pay cut, but this isn’t the case at Frettens."
"There’s a really strong support group at Frettens and a lot of people in the same boat as me who are also looking to progress."
"If you voice your opinions and communicate with people on where you want to go, Frettens will get you there. The firm also provide ample opportunity for you to speak your mind, especially in the regular career progression meetings."
Read the full article, where the scheme at Frettens is broken down in further detail, here.
Find out more from our past and current Graduates:
- Bethany Pinner: My experience with the Frettens Graduate Scheme
- James Privett: Do you feel supported?
- Zoe Burcombe: What are the people like?
- Harvey Paveley: What's the day-to-day like?
- Harvey Paveley: What advice do you have for those applying?
- Katelyn Webster: How to ace your application?
- Hannah Peasland: What are the benefits of the Frettens Graduate Scheme?
What is it like to work at Frettens?
We are a progressive and ambitious firm and have worked hard to create an environment that is flexible, fulfilling, and fun. That's why we've been accredited by Best Companies.
Last year, we received our highest ever results; ranking as a Top 5 Law Firm to work for and in the Top 10 best companies in the South West.
You can read more about our best companies results here.
At Frettens, you get the best of both worlds. You get to experience a broad range of private and commercial work, but also get to know all of your colleagues in a collaborative environment.
We are a full-service firm but aren’t a huge corporate. We currently have over 100 staff and believe we provide the best alternative to the large regional firms in the conurbation for both clients and colleagues.
Read more about what it is like to work at Frettens here.
