RPC

Overview

RPC is a UK-headquartered full-service law firm with a strong reputation in technology, media & telecoms (TMT), insurance/professional negligence and corporate & commercial work. The firm is widely ranked across directory tables (multiple Tier 1 practice areas) and combines London-focused city capability with a significant South West presence. RPC operates internationally from key hubs in Hong Kong and Singapore and positions itself as a commercially-focused adviser on complex regulatory, media, tech and insurance matters.

• Headquarters: London
• Trainees: 14
• Offices: 4

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Corporate & M&A
• Commercial Contracts
• Technology & Digital
• Media & Entertainment
• Insurance & Reinsurance
• Professional Negligence
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Employment
• Banking & Finance
• Tax
• Intellectual Property
• Regulatory & Compliance
• Real Estate

Geographic Focus: RPC's core market is the UK with primary strength in London and a significant South West (Bristol) footprint. The firm operates internationally from Hong Kong and Singapore, supporting cross-border TMT, media and financial services work across Asia and the UK.

Training Contract

• Starting Salary: Year 1: £48,000; Year 2: £52,000
• NQ Salary: £95,000
• Trainee Intake: 14
• Qualification Rate: 83%
• Academic Requirements: Minimum degree requirement: 2:1. Minimum A-level requirement: No minimum.
• Application Deadline: 2026-06-22

Sponsorship

PGDL/GDL grant: £12,000; SQE grant: £12,000.

SQE Support

SQE grant: £12,000.

International Opportunities

Chances of secondment abroad approximately 17%. The firm has offices in Hong Kong and Singapore which provide international capacity.

Client Secondments

Approximately 17% chance of a client secondment.

Apply on the RPC website →

Programmes & Schemes

What RPC Looks For

Key Competencies

• Commercial awareness
• Teamwork and peer collaboration
• Attention to detail
• Strong communication skills
• Resilience and client-focus
• Interest in technology, media and regulatory issues

Evidence Signals

• Relevant commercial or media/technology work experience
• Demonstrable teamwork (e.g. mooting, societies, group projects)
• Pro bono or client-facing experience
• Academic performance (minimum 2:1 degree)
• Evidence of commercial awareness and sector interest (TMT/insurance/media)

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Trainee salary Year 1: £48,000
• Trainee salary Year 2: £52,000
• Newly qualified (NQ) salary: £95,000
• PGDL/GDL grant: £12,000
• SQE grant: £12,000
• Annual leave: 25 days
• No annual target hours (no billable/chargeable hours target)

Awards & Recognition

• Legal 500: 48 ranked practice areas; 8 Tier 1 practice areas (including Commercial Contracts; Media: Advertising & marketing; Media: Digital content & social; Media: Theatre, publishing and other media; Media: Video games; Professional negligence (South West); Reputation management; Retail & consumer)
• Legal 500: Tier rankings across 48 practice areas (Tier 1 to Tier 5 coverage)
• Chambers: Ranked across multiple practice areas (20 ranked departments)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

• Solicitor apprenticeship programme (celebrating fifth anniversary) which the firm cites as part of widening access

Innovation

The firm receives mid-to-strong internal ratings for legal tech and innovation (Legal Tech grade B; insider/legal-tech score indicates mixed performance), indicating investment in technology but lower than some peers.

Quick Application Angles

• Make a direct link between your commercial interest in TMT/media and RPC's Tier 1 media and technology work — reference media, digital content or video games experience where relevant.
• Emphasise teamwork and peer collaboration: the firm scores A*/A on peer support and training, so concrete examples of collaborative client work or team-based achievements will resonate.
• Reference the apprenticeship and widening-access activity (the firm has expanded its solicitor apprenticeship programme and celebrated a fifth anniversary) to show alignment with the firm's access and development ethos.
• Highlight readiness for client-facing, high-quality work and resilience: RPC is rated highly for quality of work and partner approachability, so examples of substantive responsibility or client-facing tasks will stand out.
• If applying for international opportunities, mention interest in Asia work—RPC has Hong Kong and Singapore offices and c.17% chance of an overseas secondment.