Ramsdens Solicitors
Overview
Ramsdens Solicitors is a leading, multi-award-winning regional full-service law firm founded in Huddersfield in 1870. The firm operates a client-centric model with a strong Yorkshire footprint — 11 offices across the county — and a broad practice mix spanning private client, real estate, corporate, employment, dispute resolution and specialist clinical negligence teams. Ramsdens emphasises accessible, local expert advice supported by structured training routes (traditional training contract and a Graduate Entry Legal Apprenticeship) and a long-standing reputation in directory rankings and sector awards.
- Headquarters: Huddersfield, Oakley House (1 Hungerford Road)
- Founded: 1870
- Partners: 40+
- Trainees: 15 (7 graduate apprentices and 8 traditional trainees) (as of Mar 2025)
- Offices: 11
Values & Culture
Practice Areas
- Agriculture & Rural
- Corporate & M&A
- Real Estate
- Employment
- Dispute Resolution & Litigation
- Insolvency & Restructuring
- Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
- Private Client & Wealth
- Healthcare & Life Sciences
- Family Law
- Commercial Contracts
- Data Protection & Privacy
- Tax
Geographic Focus: Regionally focused across Yorkshire with 11 physical offices (Dewsbury, Huddersfield, Elland, Halifax, Holmfirth, Leeds, Mirfield, Slaithwaite, Wakefield, York) and broad capability to serve clients nationwide via remote meetings (Zoom, email). The firm positions itself as delivering 'big firm' quality at regional prices and works with local businesses, owner-managed firms and national practitioners on transactional and contentious matters.
Training Contract
Traditional training contracts run over two years and consist of four seats. Trainees rotate through a variety of departments and are given client-facing responsibility from early in the contract, with structured reviews and mentoring. The Graduate Entry Legal Apprenticeship runs for two years and eight months (c. 30 months): apprentices work four days a week and spend one day a week studying with BPP University of Law. Apprentices typically remain in one department for a minimum of 12-18 months before any rotation is considered.
- Trainee Intake: 15 (7 graduate apprentices and 8 traditional trainees) (as of Mar 2025)
- Academic Requirements: Traditional route: three A-Levels BBB+ together with a minimum 2:1 and have completed LPC or SQE 1&2 on commencement of the Training Contract (or equivalent). Graduate Entry Legal Apprenticeship: three A-Levels BBB+ together with a 2:1 honours degree in law or a 2:1 honours degree in a non-law subject plus a pass on a GDL/PGDL. Applicants who have commenced study of the LPC, CILEx, SQE or other (i
- Application Deadline: 2026-01-31
Seat Options
- Child Law
- Clinical/Medical Negligence
- Real Estate
- Corporate and Commercial
- Court of Protection
- Employment
- Family
- Dispute Resolution
- Personal Injury
- Private Wealth & Succession
- Residential Conveyancing
Sponsorship
The firm offers opportunities to apply for study sponsorship and has supported staff through professional qualification routes (examples include full funding of CILEX study). The firm also pays role-based professional membership fees.
SQE Support
Graduate apprentices study with BPP University of Law (one day per week) as part of the Graduate Entry Legal Apprenticeship; the firm describes study sponsorship opportunities and in-house support for professional qualifications, but does not publish specific SQE exam-fee or grant amounts.
Mentorship
Each trainee has a dedicated Trainee Supervisor who acts as trainer, mentor and guide for the duration of the seat. The firm operates an 'Open Door' policy, regular one-to-one meetings and annual appraisals, supplemented by in-house and external training courses. Trainees are encouraged to network and represent the firm at careers events and local outreach activities.
Programmes & Schemes
A practical, hands-on summer vacation scheme giving students the opportunity to work in live roles (not just shadowing). Candidates are expected to commit to the full summer period (some flexibility for pre-booked holidays). The scheme places candidates within departments (example placements in Corporate & Commercial) where they draft correspondence, meet clients and receive feedback from solicitors. Successful participants may progress into the firm's graduate apprenticeship or training pathways.
- Duration: Flexible across May/June start dates with contract end dates late August to September
- Deadline: 2026-03-20
A work-based route to qualification that leads to qualification as a solicitor while employed by the firm. Apprentices work four days per week and study one day per week with BPP University of Law; the programme is c. 2 years 8 months. Apprentices initially work closely with support staff before progressing to substantive fee-earning work and are typically retained into permanent roles following successful completion and qualification. Minimum entry requirements are three A-Levels BBB+ and a 2:1 degree (law or non-law with GDL).
- Duration: 2 years 8 months
- Deadline: 2026-01-31
Notable Matters
Ramsdens acted for commercial and corporate specialists Myton Law on its merger with national law firm Weightmans LLP, supporting Myton Law through the transaction to expand its client offering and capabilities. The firm led advisory work on the merger mechanics and client transition.
Corporate & M&A
Ramsdens advised and acted for the sellers on the sale of Total Foodservice Solutions Ltd (including four subsidiaries). The transaction was reported as a c. £21m acquisition, with Ramsdens delivering sell-side corporate and transactional support.
Corporate & M&A
Ramsdens advised on a management buy-out for Mobus Fabrics Group (case study listed on the firm's case studies archive), providing corporate and commercial transactional support to effect an MBO.
Corporate & M&A
Ramsdens acted on Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) structures as part of owner exit strategies (case studies available), advising on the corporate, tax and employee benefit aspects associated with implementing EOTs.
Corporate & M&A
What Ramsdens Solicitors Looks For
Key Competencies
- Ambition and drive
- Can-do attitude
- Commercial awareness
- Teamwork and openness
- Client-care focus
- Good IT skills
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Organisation, time management and resilience
Evidence Signals
- Relevant legal work experience (vacation scheme, paralegal or legal assistant experience)
- Practical client-facing experience (attending client meetings, drafting court documents)
- Completion of LPC or SQE modules (traditional route) or engagement with graduate apprenticeship routes
- Involvement in community/volunteering and extracurricular activities demonstrating commitment and interpersonal skills
- Examples of initiative in business development or networking (careers events, university fairs)
Benefits & Wellbeing
- Annual salary review (all staff, based on firm performance)
- Bonus scheme (applicable to all staff, based on firm performance)
- Workplace pension auto-enrolment; firm matches contributions up to 5% (enhanced pension scheme for some staff)
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
- 24 days holiday plus statutory bank holidays (additional days for long service; pro-rated part-time)
- Employee Assistance Programme (independent, confidential counselling and referral services for employees and immediate family)
- Opportunities for hybrid working and flexible working patterns (dependent on role)
- Life assurance (3 x annual salary)
- One paid volunteering day per year for charity
- Team activity groups (Ramsdens Ramblers, football, netball)
- Annual winter ball and summer gatherings
- Professional development and access to learning and development opportunities
- Professional membership fees paid (role-based)
- Discounted legal services for employees and close family
- Client introduction incentives (department dependent)
- Staff introduction scheme (up to £2,000 bonus)
- Salary sacrifice schemes (Cyclescheme and options for new electric or hybrid car purchase)
Wellbeing
24/7 well-being support and an Employee Assistance Programme providing confidential counselling and referral services; the firm runs wellbeing events and supports mental health awareness and fundraising activities.
Awards & Recognition
- Recognised as a 'Leading Firm' in the Legal 500 2026
- Recognised as a 'Leading Firm' in the Legal 500 2025
- Winners – Conveyancing firm of the year – National, The British Conveyancing Awards 2024
- Winners – Probate Provider of the Year – North & Midlands, British Wills and Probate Awards 2024
- Highly Commended – Probate Law Firm of the Year – National, Probate Industry Awards 2025
- Shortlisted – Law Firm of the Year, Modern Law Private Client Awards 2025
- Ranked in the Kirklees Top 100 Companies 2025/26
- Winners – Best Probate Law Firm, North, UK Probate Research Awards (multiple years)
- Winners – Law Firm of the Year (11-30 partners), Yorkshire Legal Awards 2011/12, 2015/16, 2017 (and other years listed)
- Ranked in The Times Best Law Firms 2023
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Ramsdens is committed to promoting all forms of equality and inclusion, including around gender pay gap issues. The firm publishes a Gender Pay Gap Report, conducts workforce diversity surveys and provides an Equality and Diversity Policy on request.
- Workforce diversity survey 2025
- Gender Pay Gap Report (published annually; 2023/24 report available)
- Paid volunteering day for charity for all staff
- Local office charity adoption and local CSR champions
- Engagement with local education partnerships (work experience, school careers events)
Pro Bono
The firm supports community and charitable work through an annual paid volunteering day, fundraising and sponsorship activities. Recent examples include trainees raising £2,200 for the Manuel Bravo Project, staff raising funds for Ruddis Retreat (£807), participation in Macmillan Coffee Morning (over £500 raised) and other local fundraising activities; the firm also donates to local food banks and supports local youth theatre hardship funds.
Innovation
The website highlights the firm's recognition for effective use of social media and technology in past award cycles (for example shortlisted/Highly Commended for technology and social media categories). The firm does not publish detailed, named legal-tech platforms or internal tools on the public pages provided.
- Shortlisted / Highly commended entries for 'Best Use of Technology' and 'Best Use of Social Media' in industry awards (historic)
Quick Application Angles
- Reference the firm's regional focus and community work — highlight why working in Yorkshire matters to you and give examples of local engagement or regional commercial awareness.
- If applying for the apprenticeship route, reference the Graduate Entry Legal Apprenticeship and your ability to combine work and study (mention familiarity with BPP-style study or prior vocational experience).
- For corporate/commercial applications, mention relevant recent matters such as the Myton Law merger with Weightmans or the sale of Total Foodservice Solutions Ltd (c. £21m) to show commercial awareness of the firm's deal work.
- Emphasise practical experience: the firm values candidates who have completed vacation schemes, paralegal or legal assistant roles and who demonstrate direct drafting or client contact experience.
- Demonstrate cultural fit with Ramsdens’ core values (Trust, Service, Local, Experts, Value) by giving concrete examples of teamwork, client care and local engagement in your application.
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