Cleaver Fulton Rankin Solicitors

Overview

Cleaver Fulton Rankin is a leading commercial law firm headquartered in Belfast with a long local heritage (established 1893) and a full-service offering for both commercial and private clients. The firm is market‑facing in Northern Ireland across corporate & M&A, banking & finance, real estate, dispute resolution and private client work and is routinely ranked in the top tiers for private wealth and other local practice areas. Distinctive features include an early investment in legal technology (the Belfast‑based Legal Technology Group and eDiscovery offering), a dedicated ESG Hub and a structured responsible business programme (EcoVadis Silver rating and Climate Action commitments). The firm works with an island‑wide network (a close association with a Dublin practice) and maintains strategic links with City of London and international firms to support cross‑border work.

Headquarters: Belfast, 50 Bedford Street
Founded: 1893
Offices: 1

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

Banking & Finance
Commercial Contracts
Construction & Engineering
Corporate & M&A
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Environment & Planning
Employment
Immigration
Intellectual Property
Data Protection & Privacy
Real Estate
Energy & Natural Resources
Charities & Not-for-Profit
Public Law
Private Client & Wealth
Insolvency & Restructuring
Regulatory & Compliance
Professional Negligence
Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
Private Equity & Venture Capital
Technology & Digital
Infrastructure & Projects

Geographic Focus: The firm’s core market is Northern Ireland with headquarters in Belfast; it acts for local family businesses and SMEs as well as international corporates, banks and public sector bodies operating in NI. Cleaver Fulton Rankin operates an ‘all‑island’ service through a close association with a Dublin practice and maintains strategic links with City of London and international firms for cross‑border instructions. The Legal Technology Group also positions Belfast as a near‑shore delivery hub for e‑d

Training Contract

Application Deadline: 21 February 2025

Mentorship

The firm provides structured one‑to‑one mentorship in apprenticeship placements (monthly meetings to review academic progress and development) and highlights broader people management frameworks (Investors in People accreditation and HR‑led development). Mentoring is used for early‑career apprentices and internal development activities.

Programmes & Schemes

Ulster University Higher-Level Apprenticeship (Accounting with Management)

Partnership with Ulster University to support a four‑year apprenticeship route — the firm hosts apprentices in its Finance & Accounts team (four days per week), provides dedicated one‑to‑one mentorship, monthly progress reviews and on‑the‑job experience aligned to academic learning.

Duration: 4 years

Notable Matters

Advising InfraStrata on the acquisition of Harland & Wolff Heavy Industries

Acted on the acquisition of Harland & Wolff Heavy Industries for London‑based energy firm InfraStrata; cited by the firm as a high‑profile regional industrial transaction and nominated for deal awards.

Corporate & M&A

Millicent Pharma acquisition of Femring business and assets from Teva

Advised Millicent Pharma (backed by Carlyle Capital) on the acquisition of the business and assets associated with manufacture of Femring from Teva — a strategic pharmaceutical sector acquisition referenced in the firm's deal nominations.

Corporate & M&A

AIB financing for acquisition of Silverwood Business Park

Acted on lender‑side financing provided by AIB for the acquisition of Silverwood Business Park; the transaction was shortlisted in banking‑funded deal categories and demonstrates the firm's banking & finance and real estate financing capability.

Banking & Finance

Advising on Northern Ireland’s first Affordable Rent programme

The Banking & Finance team advised on the launch of Northern Ireland’s first Affordable Rent programme for social housing delivery, providing financing and transaction support for the initiative.

Banking & Finance

Advising on funding for establishment of a Belfast cyber security centre

Advised on funding arrangements related to the establishment of a Belfast cyber security centre (corporate/real estate/tech financing work for a global technology client).

Technology & Digital

What Cleaver Fulton Rankin Solicitors Looks For

Key Competencies

Commercial awareness
Teamwork and collaboration
Client focus and practical problem solving
Adaptability and willingness to embrace legal technology
Commitment to responsible business and ESG
Attention to detail and resilience
Sector interest/experience (real estate, banking, construction, energy, tech)

Evidence Signals

Demonstrable commercial work experience or internships in relevant sectors (banking, real estate, construction, tech)
Experience or interest in legal technology / eDiscovery projects
Pro bono and community engagement (CSR activity)
Apprenticeship or vocational qualifications where relevant (finance/accounting apprenticeships)
Practical transaction experience (M&A, financings, property deals) or involvement in client projects

Benefits & Wellbeing

Hybrid working model / flexible working introduced
Enhanced employee benefits package
Training and development opportunities (Investors in People accredited)
Dedicated one-to-one mentorship for apprentices
Employee Engagement Group and Diversity & Inclusion Committee
CSR Day (staff given time to support charities/causes)
On-site defibrillator and RevivR CPR training for staff
Participation in Business in the Community NI and Climate Action Pledge
Legal Technology Group and access to legal‑tech projects (eDiscovery)
Regular wellbeing and employee engagement activities, charity fundraising

Wellbeing

The firm runs wellbeing initiatives supported by an Employee Engagement Group, was shortlisted for a 'Wellbeing at Work' award and has provided CPR training and an on‑site defibrillator. It highlights mental and physical wellbeing measures alongside staff engagement activities.

Awards & Recognition

EcoVadis Silver Medal (2026)
Chambers Band 1 for Private Wealth Law and Private Wealth Disputes (2026 High Net Worth Guide)
Legal 500 multiple Top Tier practice recognitions (various years)
Bronze Diversity Charter Mark (Diversity Mark)
Silver Diversity Mark accreditation (firm reference to Silver accreditation / five targets)
Investors in People standard accreditation; international awards finalist (2020)
Shortlisted for 'Wellbeing at Work' (Responsible Business Awards 2022)
Shortlisted for 'Excellence in Innovation' (Belfast Telegraph Business Awards 2022)
Multiple nominations at insider deal awards (Deal of the Year, Corporate Law Firm of the Year)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

The firm has set five core diversity and inclusion targets as part of its Silver Diversity Mark accreditation and maintains a Diversity & Inclusion Committee to drive progress. It also holds Diversity Mark accreditation (Bronze journey noted) and commits to annual review and public reporting on progress.

Diversity and Inclusion Committee
Employee Engagement Group
Five core diversity and inclusion targets (as part of Silver Diversity Mark)
Bronze Diversity Charter Mark (awarded)
Silver Diversity Mark (accreditation referenced)
Shortlisting and promotion of LGBTQ+ leadership (Jude Copeland shortlisted for LGBTQ+ Champion)
CSR Day and regular charity fundraising/donation activities
Participation in Business in the Community NI

Pro Bono

Cleaver Fulton Rankin operates a responsible business programme that includes CSR Days (time for staff to support charities), regular fundraising and donation activity, and partnerships with local charities; the firm also highlights community‑facing initiatives such as making its defibrillator available for public use and supporting local charitable causes.

Innovation

The firm has embedded innovation into its strategy via a dedicated Legal Technology Group offering managed document review and eDiscovery from a Belfast delivery hub, combining legal project managers and technology to provide cost‑effective high‑volume document review solutions. The Innovation team supports internal specialist legal teams and near‑shore work for English/Welsh law firms; the firm also promotes ESG‑focussed legal services through its ESG Hub and public sustainability reporting.

Legal Technology Group (launched August 2021)
End-to-end eDiscovery / document review services
ESG Hub (firmwide advisory hub)
Appointment of an Innovation and Legal Technology Director (Kerry McCloy)
Signing the Greener Litigation Pledge
Participation in courts/Law Society law‑tech discussions and chairing Law Tech sub‑groups

Quick Application Angles

Emphasise interest or experience in legal technology and eDiscovery — reference the firm’s Legal Technology Group and how tech improves client outcomes.
Demonstrate commitment to responsible business/ESG (mention the ESG Hub, EcoVadis Silver award or Climate Action Pledge) and explain how you would add value to those initiatives.
Reference relevant sector experience (real estate, banking, construction, private wealth or energy) and specific matters such as the Harland & Wolff acquisition or the Affordable Rent programme where appropriate.
For apprenticeship or finance roles, highlight vocational study or practical accounting experience and readiness for a mentored, office‑based placement (the firm runs a Higher‑Level Apprenticeship with one‑to‑one mentorship).