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Bevan Brittan
A national law firm combining established healthcare, housing and public sector expertise with commercial work for businesses and other organisations.
About Bevan Brittan
Bevan Brittan advises public bodies such as NHS, businesses and other organisations from offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds and London. Healthcare, housing and local government are central to its practice, alongside work in construction, energy, higher education and financial services.
Its lawyers advise on commercial transactions, property, employment, disputes, regulation and public law. These areas frequently overlap: a hospital development can involve property, construction and procurement advice, while a council regeneration project can raise questions about governance, funding and service delivery.
For prospective trainees, the firm offers opportunities to work on matters connected with public services and the organisations that deliver them. A strong application should show an interest in these clients alongside an understanding of their financial, operational and regulatory pressures.
The two-year training contract comprises four six-month seats. Departments include Health & Care; Commercial & Infrastructure; Litigation, Advisory & Regulatory; Employment, Pensions & Immigration; and Property. Each seat comes with a supervisor and buddy, supported by the Early Talent team. Seat preferences are considered alongside business needs and qualification requirements.
Future trainees receive funding for the PGDL where required, SQE preparation and assessments. SQE preparation is undertaken with the College of Legal Practice. A £7,000 maintenance bursary is available for candidates studying the PGDL or SQE, including part-time students. Retrospective reimbursement is not offered, and applicants who have already completed the LPC are considered individually.
Practice areas & rankings
Bevan Brittan has 33 ranked practice areas in Chambers UK 2027, including eight Band 1 rankings. These cover administrative and public law, healthcare, local government, mental health providers, healthcare employment, London real estate and social housing in two regions.
The rankings reflect the firm’s established public services expertise alongside its commercial and property capabilities. Regional distinctions matter: a ranking for one office or region should not be presented as applying automatically across the firm.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Ranked Band 1 for Healthcare: Public and Third Sector, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2027, Bevan Brittan advises organisations delivering and commissioning health services. Its work includes care delivery, governance, regulatory challenges and operational risk. The practice brings together legal issues affecting patients, staff and providers, often against a background of financial constraints and public scrutiny.
Ranked Band 1 for Administrative & Public Law: Mainly Public Sector & Charities, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2027, the team advises on lawful decision-making, policy and procedure. Clients include councils, healthcare organisations, regulators, education bodies and housing associations. Its work includes judicial review proceedings and advice intended to reduce the risk of decisions being challenged.
Ranked Band 1 UK-wide in Chambers UK 2027, the local government practice advises councils on governance, commercial contracts, procurement, employment, property and regeneration. It also supports service restructuring and alternative delivery arrangements. The work requires lawyers to understand statutory responsibilities, financial pressures and the interests of communities and other stakeholders.
Ranked Band 1 in the South West and North East & Yorkshire in Chambers UK 2027, Bevan Brittan advises housing providers on development, governance and operational matters. Its housing work connects property and regeneration with regulation, commercial arrangements and partnerships involving public bodies. This provides scope to explore both the delivery of new housing and the management of existing services.
Awards
Legal Advisors of the Year, PublicHealthInvestor Awards 2025
Recognised for the firm's advisory work for public sector health and care clients.
Legal Advisors of the Year, TransactionalHealthInvestor Awards 2024
Law Firm of the Year (National)Bristol Law Society Annual Awards 2024
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
Apply through the online application form. The deadline currently published on the official website for the 2027 vacation scheme is 12 January 2027. Direct training contract applications are due to reopen in early 2027. Most trainee places are filled through the vacation scheme.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, although all applications submitted by the deadline are considered. Candidates can apply to only one vacancy per recruitment cycle. Eligible applicants include penultimate-year and final-year law students, final-year non-law students, graduates and career changers.
Explain why the firm’s clients and work interest you. For example, an interest in healthcare could lead into questions about regulation, workforce pressures or delivering new facilities. An interest in housing could connect with development, governance or regeneration. Show what you have investigated and why it matters to you.
Use varied examples demonstrating teamwork, responsibility and sound judgement. Paid work, volunteering, caring responsibilities and university activities can all provide useful evidence. Legal work experience is not required. Address the precise question and explain your own contribution rather than describing only the team’s achievement.
Bevan Brittan: quick answers
How much does Bevan Brittan pay trainees?
Bevan Brittan pays first-year trainees £38,000, rising to £41,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Bevan Brittan earn £72,000.
When are the Bevan Brittan application deadlines?
2027 summer vacation scheme opens 5 Oct 2026 and closes 12 Feb 2027 · 2029 training contract opens 8 Feb 2027 and closes 8 Mar 2027 Deadlines can change and popular schemes may close early, so check the live application deadlines tracker.
How many trainees does Bevan Brittan take on?
Bevan Brittan takes on around 15 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What grades do you need to apply to Bevan Brittan?
To apply to Bevan Brittan you will generally need a 2:1 degree. At A-level, Bevan Brittan asks for ABB. Requirements can flex where there are mitigating circumstances, so always check the firm's own criteria if your grades differ.
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