Charles Russell Speechlys

Overview

Charles Russell Speechlys is a large UK-based full-service law firm with a significant regional and international footprint. The firm has 67 ranked practice areas and is recognised with 19 Tier 1 practice rankings across regions and practice lines, reflecting particular strength in private client, agricultural and regional commercial litigation and real estate work. It offers a substantial training pipeline (25 training contracts) and a market-competitive trainee and NQ pay structure (first-year trainee £52,000; second-year trainee £55,000; NQ £93,000). The firm's directory rankings and large number of ranked departments (58 ranked departments) underline a broad capability across corporate, real estate, private client, dispute resolution and employment work.

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Agriculture & Rural
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Real Estate
• Corporate & M&A
• Employment
• Family Law
• Immigration
• Private Client & Wealth
• Tax
• Commercial Contracts
• Fraud & Investigations
• Charities & Not-for-Profit
• Regulatory & Compliance

Geographic Focus: Strong UK regional presence with notable activity across London, the South East and the South West (reflected in regional practice rankings). Also operates internationally across multiple countries (15 offices in 11 countries). The firm's strategy blends regional depth with international capability for cross-border corporate, private client and dispute work.

Training Contract

• Starting Salary: Year 1: £52,000; Year 2: £55,000
• NQ Salary: £93,000
• Trainee Intake: 25
• Academic Requirements: Minimum degree: 2:1; Minimum A-levels: AAB
• Application Deadline: 2027-01-15

Sponsorship

PGDL grant: £10,000; SQE grant: £10,000

SQE Support

SQE grant: £10,000

International Opportunities

18% chance of secondment abroad

Client Secondments

5% chance of client secondment

Programmes & Schemes

What Charles Russell Speechlys Looks For

Key Competencies

• Commercial awareness
• Academic excellence (2:1 degree and AAB A-levels indicated)
• Client service orientation
• Teamwork and peer collaboration
• Resilience and time management

Evidence Signals

• Commercial or sector-specific work experience
• Pro bono or client-facing experience
• Academic performance (2:1 and AAB)
• Evidence of teamwork or leadership in society/project contexts
• International experience (relevant for secondments)

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Trainee salary Year 1: £52,000
• Trainee salary Year 2: £55,000
• NQ salary: £93,000
• PGDL grant: £10,000
• SQE grant: £10,000
• Annual leave: 25 days
• Annual target hours: 1,500
• Average start time: 09:02
• Average finish time: 18:33
• Profit per equity partner (reported): £695,000

Awards & Recognition

• Legal 500: 67 ranked practice areas
• Legal 500: 19 Tier 1 practice rankings
• Chambers & Partners: 58 ranked departments
• Insider trainee ratings: Training A*; Quality of Work A*; Peer Support A*; Partner Approachability A*; Work Life Balance A; Legal Tech A; Perks A; Office A; Social Life A*; Eco Friendliness A*

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Innovation

Insider ratings give the firm a strong score for legal technology (A), indicating investment and capability in legal tech and innovation across the business.

Quick Application Angles

• Reference the firms strong regional and private client credentials (Legal 500 Tier 1 work across agriculture, contentious trusts and regional commercial litigation) when demonstrating sector fit.
• Highlight commercial awareness and numerical impact on deals or client outcomes given the firm's emphasis on mid-market M&A and commercial litigation.
• Mention the firms trainee support and funding (PGDL and SQE grants of £10,000) and link how this investment would support your professional development.
• If you have legal tech experience or interest, reference it: the firm scores highly for legal tech (insider grade A), so practical examples of using tech to improve processes will stand out.
• Note the international mobility element (18% chance of secondment abroad) when explaining any relevant international experience or language skills.