RPC

Overview

RPC is a UK-based full service law firm with particularly strong market positions in corporate & commercial work and technology, media and entertainment (TMT) sectors, alongside a notable insurance and professional negligence practice in the South West. The firm combines a City presence in London with a regional base in Bristol and has an international footprint in Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore). RPC is ranked across a wide range of practice areas and is often instructed on complex commercial, media/TMT and insurance matters, giving it a reputation for sector-focused, specialist advice.

• Headquarters: London
• Trainees: 15
• Offices: 4

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Corporate & M&A
• Technology & Digital
• Media & Entertainment
• Professional Negligence
• Insurance & Reinsurance
• Retail & Consumer
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Data Protection & Privacy
• Financial Services & Regulation
• Employment
• Intellectual Property
• Tax

Geographic Focus: Strong UK focus with major City activity in London and a significant regional presence in the South West (Bristol). The firm maintains international offices/hubs in Hong Kong and Singapore to service Asia‑facing and cross‑border matters, complementing its UK practice.

Training Contract

• Starting Salary: £50,000
• NQ Salary: £100,000
• Trainee Intake: 15
• Qualification Rate: 82%
• 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: 7%

Client Secondments

Chances of client secondment: 21%

Programmes & Schemes

What RPC Looks For

Key Competencies

• Minimum 2:1 degree (academic standard required)
• Commercial awareness (especially relevant for TMT, media and retail matters)
• Teamwork and peer support
• Client service orientation and communication skills
• Resilience and the ability to manage demanding work in a fast‑paced environment

Evidence Signals

• Relevant commercial work experience or internships (TMT/media/retail/insurance exposures)
• Participation in vacation schemes or previous firm insight events
• Practical legal experience such as paralegal work or client‑facing roles
• Demonstrable teamwork (work, societies, sports) and peer support examples
• Apprenticeship or alternative qualification route experience where applicable

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Year 1 trainee salary: £50,000
• Year 2 trainee salary: £55,000
• NQ salary: £100,000
• PGDL grant: £12,000
• SQE grant: £12,000
• Annual leave: 25 days
• Annual target hours: No targets
• Chances of secondment abroad: 7%
• Chances of client secondment: 21%
• Average start time c. 09:05 and average finish c. 18:45 (indicative)

Awards & Recognition

• Legal 500: multiple practice area rankings including 8 Tier 1 practice areas
• Chambers: the firm is ranked across numerous practice areas (multiple ranked departments)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Innovation

Insider/legal market data shows a modest Legal Tech score (C), indicating the firm uses technology in its service delivery but is not rated among the market leaders for legal tech.

Quick Application Angles

• Highlight genuine interest in TMT/media or retail sectors — RPC has multiple Tier 1/Tiered rankings in TMT and media sub‑sectors so sector‑specific commercial examples will stand out.
• Mention the apprenticeship offering and the firm's expansion into London if relevant — the firm publicly promotes its solicitor apprenticeship programme and alternative qualification routes.
• Use the firm’s training strengths in your application: insider ratings give RPC an A for training and an A* for partner approachability — emphasise examples of learning quickly, taking responsibility and working with senior lawyers.
• If applying for summer schemes, reference a recent sector issue or article from the firm’s thinking/trainee blog to show commercial curiosity (media/TMT or insurance topics are particularly relevant).
• If eligible for financial support, note awareness of RPC’s published PGDL/SQE grants (both £12,000) as it signals understanding of the firm’s routes and support for trainees/apprentices.