Downs Solicitors LLP

Overview

Founded in Dorking in 1836, Downs Solicitors LLP is a long-established, full-service regional law firm rooted in Surrey with four offices across the county. The firm describes itself as a multi-disciplinary practice serving both individuals and businesses, accredited under the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS) and ranked in The Legal 500. Downs highlights a client-focused, collegiate approach and retains specialist teams across dispute resolution, employment, private client, property and corporate matters. The firm combines local market strength with an international network (Cicero) to support cross-border work.

• Headquarters: Dorking, 150-156 High Street
• Founded: 1836
• Lawyers: 57 (17 partners + 40 other lawyers)
• Partners: 17
• Offices: 4

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Employment
• Private Client & Wealth
• Real Estate
• Corporate & M&A
• Insolvency & Restructuring
• Commercial Contracts
• Family Law
• Data Protection & Privacy
• Professional Negligence
• Tax
• International Arbitration

Geographic Focus: Strong local/regional focus across Surrey (Cobham, Dorking, Godalming, Reigate) serving individuals, SMEs, entrepreneurs and local businesses. Full-service capability domestically with international coverage via the Cicero - League of international lawyers (trusted partner firms across 30+ countries) to support inward and outward cross-border work.

Training Contract

Downs offers a training contract structure with seat lengths generally of 3–6 months. Seat rotations are tailored to trainees’ interests and skills across the firm's departments and offices. Trainees are mentored throughout their training and are given significant responsibility, including direct client contact and file management. The firm will consider prior Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) to reduce the training period where appropriate.

• Academic Requirements: Degree in Law, Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) or have passed SQE1.

Seat Options

• Corporate & M&A
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Employment
• Private Client & Wealth
• Real Estate
• Insolvency & Restructuring
• Family Law
• Commercial Contracts
• Data Protection & Privacy

Mentorship

Trainees will be mentored throughout their training; the firm states trainees are supported and encouraged in a collegiate environment and receive line management and mentoring during each seat.

Apply on the Downs Solicitors LLP website →

Programmes & Schemes

Notable Matters

What Downs Solicitors LLP Looks For

Key Competencies

• Excellent communication skills
• Analytical ability
• Interpersonal skills and client-facing aptitude
• Commercial awareness
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Proactive and client-focused mindset
• Commitment to a long-term legal career in a regional law firm
• Personality and fit with a personable, collaborative culture

Evidence Signals

• Law degree, GDL/PGDL or passed SQE1
• Previous legal, paralegal or qualifying work experience (QWE)
• Demonstrable client-care experience or examples of strong interpersonal skills
• Evidence of commercial awareness or experience with business clients
• Community involvement or extracurricular activities that demonstrate empathy and relationship-building

Benefits & Wellbeing

• 25 days holidays
• Sick pay
• Life assurance coverage of three times your annual salary
• Private medical insurance for all staff
• Medical cash plan (dental, optical and certain therapies claims)
• Private pension with Scottish Widows (firm contributes 3%, staff contribute 5%)
• Fresh fruit delivered to the office weekly
• Flexible and remote working options
• Access to professional mental health support via private medical insurance
• Social events and team get-togethers (walking competitions, crazy golf, outdoor activities)

Wellbeing

Access to private medical insurance and associated wellbeing services, mental health support, promoted staff social activities, and regular wellbeing-focused initiatives.

Awards & Recognition

• Accredited under The Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS)
• Highly ranked in The Legal 500 (multiple practice rankings)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We are committed to equal opportunities

• Long-term sponsorship of Dorking Rugby Football Club (men’s, women’s and youth teams)
• Sponsorship of Ashtead Cricket Club
• Support for local sports clubs and events (Dorking Bowling Club, Reigate Tunnel Beer Festival - Ale for Aid)
• Support and involvement with Loveworks foodbank (funding eggs and supporting East Egg Hunt in Reigate)
• Participation in Hello Dorking activities and Dorking BID events
• Sponsorship of Circular Dorking Year of Reading
• Headline sponsorship of Cobham Literary Festival
• Support for schools and colleges (careers events, workshops, donations)
• Support for Adopt a Grandparent charity
• Provision of pro-bono legal updates and free workshops for local business groups, hospices and care homes
• Pro-bono property and planning advice for community projects (e.g., Dorking Bandstand)

Pro Bono

The firm provides pro-bono legal work and free legal updates for local business groups, offers free workshops in hospices and care homes (Brigitte Trust and Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice), and has advised on community projects such as the reinstatement of the Dorking Bandstand. The team also undertakes ad-hoc fundraising and community support activities.

Innovation

The firm uses digital tools such as an online conveyancing calculator and upgraded secure online payment systems (3DS2) and implemented home-working IT solutions for staff. There is an IT Director and internal technology support, but the site does not list proprietary legal-tech platforms or named innovation programmes.

Quick Application Angles

• Emphasise your knowledge of and commitment to the Surrey market and local community: reference the firm’s long history (founded 1836), local sponsorships (e.g., Dorking RFC) or community work to show cultural fit.
• If applying to private client or conveyancing seats, highlight practical property or wills/probate experience — Cobham and Dorking offices are known for residential conveyancing and private client work.
• Draw attention to interpersonal skills and client contact examples: Downs values personality, direct client engagement and teamwork, so give concrete examples where you managed client communication or sensitive matters.
• Show flexibility and ability to work across departments — mention any multi-disciplinary projects or experience in both business and personal law to mirror the firm’s full-service model.
• Mention any SQE progress or QWE clearly (SQE1 passed or relevant prior experience), as the firm specifically accepts candidates with a Law degree, GDL or SQE1 and considers QWE when appropriate.