Overview

Field Seymour Parkes (FSP) is a long-established regional full-service law firm based in Reading, founded in 1987. The firm positions itself as a Thames Valley-focused adviser delivering pragmatic, solution-driven advice to both businesses and private clients across corporate, real estate, private client, technology and sector-specialist teams. FSP combines hands-on client contact (nearly 150 people based in one office) with full-service capability and an international network membership to handle cross-border work for clients in the South East and beyond.

Headquarters: Reading, 1 London Street
Founded: 1987
Lawyers: c.150 (total staff based in one office)
Trainees: 6-8 (at any one time); typically recruit 1-2 trainees each September and March (see training for how
Offices: 1

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

Agriculture & Rural
Banking & Finance
Charities & Not-for-Profit
Commercial Contracts
Construction & Engineering
Corporate & M&A
Dispute Resolution & Litigation
Employment
Immigration
Insolvency & Restructuring
Intellectual Property
Private Client & Wealth
Private Equity & Venture Capital
Real Estate
Environment & Planning
Technology & Digital
Tax
Family Law
Data Protection & Privacy

Geographic Focus: Strongly Thames Valley / South East regional focus with a single, modern Reading office serving local and regional businesses (including landed estates, agriculture and tech companies). The firm works for national and international clients via direct instructions and through its international network membership, enabling cross-border capability without additional overseas offices.

Training Contract

FSP offers a two-year training contract (or graduate solicitor apprenticeship route). Trainees usually complete four seats of six months each (total four seats over two years). Seat allocations seek to reflect individual interests; second-year trainees are given priority when allocating seats that align with preferred post-qualification roles. Trainees have mid-seat and end-of-seat reviews and regular contact with supervisors; the firm provides both in-house and external training modules and emphasises early client contact and commercial skills.

Trainee Intake: Typically recruit 1-2 trainees each September and March; the firm typically recruits around 4 trainee solicitors to start across the two annual intakе
Academic Requirements: Candidates must possess a minimum of a 2:1 honours degree (or equivalent). Work experience applicants: minimum 130 UCAS points (or equivalent) and Maths and English GCSEs grade C or above (or equivalent).
Application Deadline: 2026-05-31

Seat Options

Corporate
Family & Matrimonial
Real Estate
Residential Conveyancing
Business Services (Commercial, IP & Technology, Employment, Dispute Resolution)
Wills, Tax & Trusts

SQE Support

FSP runs a Graduate Apprenticeship Scheme paired with an apprenticeship training partner (University of Law) for SQE routes; the firm accepts trainees who have completed the SQE1 & SQE2 or the LPC prior to commencing the training contract. Apprenticeship scheme provides qualifying work experience combined with SQE preparation through the University of Law (no public details on fee coverage or paid

International Opportunities

The firm promotes international capability via membership of an international network (Globaladvocaten) and handles cross-border matters, but the website does not publish a formal trainee secondment programme or fixed overseas secondment destinations.

Mentorship

All trainees receive supervisory support with mid- and end-of-seat reviews, named supervisors for each seat, regular contact with supervisors and broader mentoring from the team. The programme includes structured reviews and additional training opportunities; the firm encourages trainee involvement in firm activities and provides pastoral support via firm wellbeing resources.

Apply on the Field Seymour Parkes LLP website →

Programmes & Schemes

Work Experience Programme

A summer Work Experience Programme (four days) giving university students (first year and above) insight across Corporate, Business Services (Commercial, IP & Technology, Employment, Dispute Resolution), Real Estate, Residential Property, Wills, Trusts & Estates and Family teams. Participants undertake group activities, practical exercises, role plays and networking; the programme is held at the Reading office and is used as part of the firm's early-career recruitment pipeline.

Duration: 4 days

Apply →

FSP Graduate Apprenticeship Scheme

Graduate apprenticeship route (a little over two years) delivered with an apprenticeship training partner (the University of Law). Apprentices combine qualifying work experience at FSP with SQE1 & SQE2 preparation and assessments to qualify as solicitors. The scheme was launched early in the SQE roll-out and is intended to broaden access to qualification.

Duration: a little over two years

Apply →

Notable Matters

FSP advises Earth Capital Limited on investment into Ace Aquatec (series investment)

FSP's venture capital/private equity team advised cleantech investor Earth Capital Limited on an investment into Ace Aquatec, the Dundee-based welfare-first aquaculture technology company. The matter supports Ace Aquatec’s continued international expansion (UK, Europe, Canada, South America and South East Asia) and the acceleration of development for products including the Biomass Camera; the company had previously raised over £10m since its Series A. Partner Penelope Garden led the work for FSP

Private Equity & Venture Capital

FSP advises Sulham Estate on Section 106 Agreement and biodiversity net gain (Sulham Woodmeadows)

FSP advised Sulham Estate on the negotiation and exchange of a Section 106 Agreement with West Berkshire Council relating to habitat creation and enhancement at Sulham Woodmeadows, permitting off-site sale of biodiversity net gain (BNG) units and approving a 30-year Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan. Hazel Eccles and Laura Czapski led on the complex agricultural, planning and land management aspects of the transaction.

Agriculture & Rural

FSP advises Manhattan Associates Limited on new offices in Winnersh Triangle

FSP acted for Manhattan Associates Limited on arrangements for new offices in Winnersh Triangle, advising on the real estate/occupier aspects of the relocation and associated property documentation. The matter demonstrates the firm's corporate real estate capability for international technology clients.

Real Estate

FSP advises on the sale of Carb’n-Off Limited to HSL Compliance Holdings Limited

FSP acted on the sale of Carb’n-Off Limited to HSL Compliance Holdings Limited, advising on the corporate sale process and related transactional documentation. The engagement was announced in April 2026.

Corporate & M&A

What Field Seymour Parkes LLP Looks For

Key Competencies

Enthusiasm and pragmatism
Commercial awareness
Teamwork and approachability
Client-care orientation
Academic rigour (2:1 degree typically)
Resilience and adaptability
Attention to detail
Interest in regional/sector specialisms (eg. agriculture, landed estates, technology)

Evidence Signals

Relevant work experience (commercial or private client placements)
Participation in the firm’s Work Experience Programme or similar schemes
Clear examples of commercial awareness (e.g. involvement in business societies, commercial internships)
Degree class (2:1 or higher) and UCAS/GCSE evidence for early-stage programmes
Sector-specific experience for specialist teams (eg. farming/agricultural experience for Agriculture & Rural roles)
Demonstrable interest/experience in legal technology or IP for Commercial, IP & Technology seats

Benefits & Wellbeing

Core working hours policy (flexible start and end times)
Hybrid working
Performance-related discretionary bonus scheme
Eligibility to join the company pension scheme (enhanced enrolment)
Enhanced family leave policies (maternity and paternity)
Life assurance
Income protection
Employee assistance programme (EAP)
Virtual GP 24/7 service
Cycle to work scheme
Season ticket loans
Professional subscription fees covered
Recruitment bonus scheme
Training and development opportunities (in-house and external)
Digital gym for live and on-demand fitness classes
Mental wellbeing support from qualified counsellors and clinician-led programmes
Mental health eLearning content (clinician-led)
Nutritional wellbeing pathways and recipe content
Shopping discounts and employee discount platform

Wellbeing

Extensive wellbeing support including an employee assistance programme, virtual GP service, access to fully qualified counsellors/clinically trained psychotherapists, digital fitness classes, mindfulness and meditation programmes and clinician-led mental health resources.

Awards & Recognition

Lexcel Reaccreditation 2026
Investors in People Gold accreditation
Legal 500: Tier 1 – Private client (Personal tax, trusts and probate) – Thames Valley, Berks, Oxon, M4/M401

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion policy
Equal opportunities monitoring for recruitment
Work experience diversity monitoring
FSP Foundation (local charitable initiatives)

Pro Bono

The firm supports many charitable local initiatives including activity routed through the FSP Foundation; the website references active involvement with local not-for-profit organisations and trustee/director participation by team members.

Innovation

FSP emphasises the importance of legal technology and commercial awareness in its training and development programme. The firm references modern, client-focused processes and highlights trainees will develop awareness of legal technology; it also benefits from international network relationships to support cross-border, tech-enabled transactions.

Quick Application Angles

Emphasise regional knowledge and Thames Valley commercial awareness — reference local sector issues (eg. rural land, BNG / biodiversity projects) such as FSP’s Sulham Woodmeadows Section 106 work when applying to Real Estate or Agriculture teams.
If applying to Corporate / PE/VC or Technology teams, reference hands-on VC/transactional experience and familiarity with tech/IP issues — FSP advised Earth Capital on the Ace Aquatec investment, so demonstrate interest in cleantech/scale-up transactions.
Highlight cultural fit with the 'Family FSP' ethos: show you are pragmatic, team-oriented and client-focused; give examples of active participation in clubs, charities or team-led projects to evidence this.
For work experience and early-career roles, meet the explicit academic/eligibility criteria (130 UCAS points for work experience; 2:1 degree for training) and state any prior exposure to the firm (work experience, local events or networking) — the firm values applicants who understand the reality of legal work.

Field Seymour Parkes LLP