Churchers Solicitors

Overview

Churchers Solicitors is a long-established regional law firm serving Hampshire and the Isle of Wight with a strong local community focus and a full-service practice mix. Founded in 1886 and built through strategic mergers and expansion (including acquisitions on the Isle of Wight), the firm emphasises practical, jargon-free advice across personal and business legal needs and positions itself on client care and accessibility. It operates multiple town-centre offices across the South Coast and holds Lexcel accreditation as an independent mark of practice and client-care standards.

• Headquarters: Fareham, 12 High Street
• Founded: 1886
• Offices: 12

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Family Law
• Private Client & Wealth
• Real Estate
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Criminal Law
• Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
• Employment
• Tax
• Commercial Contracts
• Corporate & M&A
• Housing & Social Housing
• Professional Negligence

Geographic Focus: Regional South Coast focus (Hampshire and the Isle of Wight) serving individuals, families and local businesses across multiple town-centre offices; strategy emphasises local accessibility and community relationships rather than international work.

Training Contract

Trainees usually complete three or four distinct seats across the firm's key departments. Seats may be undertaken at different offices to expose trainees to varied working environments and client bases. The firm's Training Partner (and Training Principal) works with each trainee to agree a bespoke training programme. The firm supports both the traditional LPC route (two-year training contract; firm funds the Professional Skills Course/PSC) and the SQE route (two years' Qualifying Work Experience; firm funds SQE2).

• Academic Requirements: Applicants must have achieved a Degree (whether or not in law) with a classification of at least a 2.1. The firm accepts non-law graduates. All roles require the right to work in the United Kingdom.

Seat Options

• Family Law
• Private Client & Wealth
• Residential Conveyancing
• Child Law
• Criminal Law
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Commercial Property

Sponsorship

Under the LPC/traditional route the firm funds the Professional Skills Course (PSC). The firm also states it may grant sponsorship for external studies where additional training needs are evaluated.

SQE Support

Churchers will fund SQE2 for candidates following the SQE route. The firm explains SQE2 assesses oral and written skills and confirms it will fund candidates through SQE2.

Mentorship

Each trainee is supported by the firm's Training Partner/Training Principal who agrees the training programme and provides ongoing supervision; interviews for trainee roles are conducted by Faye Evans (Partner) and Training Principal Partner Louise Jack. The firm emphasises mentoring and staff support and encourages trainees to be integrated in firm events and networking.

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What Churchers Solicitors Looks For

Key Competencies

• Intelligent
• Enthusiastic
• Eager to learn
• Open minded
• Proactive
• Resourceful
• Commercial awareness / ability to understand economic, political and commercial implications
• Client focus and awareness of social/personal impact
• Teamwork and adaptability
• Resilience and balance

Evidence Signals

• Strong academic record (minimum 2.1 degree)
• Relevant legal experience or work experience placements
• Clear, well-structured CV and covering letter (used as selection criteria for work experience)
• Demonstrable interest in the firm's core local practice areas (e.g., conveyancing, family law, Court of Protection, dispute resolution)
• Willingness to engage in community/charity activities and local networking

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Competitive salary
• Contributory pension / Pension Scheme
• Valuable Death in Service benefit / Life Assurance
• Extended sickness policy
• Free sight test and contribution towards glasses for VDU use
• Hybrid working options may be available (dependent on role, department and completion of probation)
• Menopause policy
• Additional annual leave for firm-wide office closure during Christmas week
• Start with 25 working days holiday per annum plus usual bank holidays (pro rata for part time staff)
• Holiday entitlement increases by 1 day per year after 5 years of service (role-specific reference to maximum 30 days)
• Paid professional subscriptions for qualifying staff
• Paid study leave / exam leave and dedicated support for sponsored professional qualifications
• Assistance with dental, optical, GP charges and various therapies through Healthcare Cash Back Scheme / Health Cash Plan
• Access to a wide range of digital and virtual wellbeing tools
• 24/7 access to health and stress-related support including Private GP appointments and counselling support
• Employee Support Programme
• Discounts on gym membership
• Perks at Work subscription (discount portal)
• Free or reduced legal costs for staff and close family members
• Free parking
• Complimentary tea, coffee and cold drinks in offices; complimentary fruit
• Workstation adjustments to suit needs
• Long service gifts and length of service acknowledgement
• Client referral gifts
• Opportunities to participate in charity fundraising and all-year-round staff social events (Christmas party, Summer party)

Wellbeing

Access to digital and virtual wellbeing tools, 24/7 private GP and counselling, Healthcare Cash Back Scheme, Employee Support Programme, health-related support and discounts on wellness services.

Awards & Recognition

• Lexcel accreditation (Law Society quality mark for excellence in legal practice management and client care)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The firm states a commitment to eliminating discrimination, actively promoting equality and diversity in policies, practices and procedures and complying with SRA diversity and equality policies. It publishes biennial workforce diversity data (link to SRA Diversity Questionnaire Summary 2025).

• Equality and Diversity commitment aligned to SRA diversity and equality policies
• Free legal advice telephone sessions for the community (including family law-focused sessions)
• Signed the Armed Forces Covenant
• Menopause policy

Pro Bono

Operates free 15-minute telephone legal advice sessions (noted for family law) and encourages staff participation in community and charity fundraising. The firm presents client-focused pro bono/helpful community sessions rather than a published hours target.

Innovation

Quick Application Angles

• Highlight regional commitment and community work: reference the firm’s long history in Hampshire and Isle of Wight, its multiple local offices and involvement in free legal advice sessions to show you understand their client base and community focus.
• If applying for conveyancing or property roles, mention specific residential and buy-to-let conveyancing experience (or interest), and familiarity with Land Registry processes and leasehold issues—a core part of their property offering.
• For trainee/internship applications, mention the firm’s training model and funding of PSC/SQE2: explain why the firm-funded SQE2/PSC support matters to your development and how you would make the most of tailored seat rotations across offices.
• Demonstrate client-care orientation: reference Lexcel accreditation and explain how you deliver client-focused communication and case management in plain language.
• If applying to Court of Protection, private client or probate teams, reference any relevant experience (e.g., deputyship work, wills/probate admin or work with vulnerable clients) and an understanding of statutory wills, deputy reporting and care-fee funding issues.