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Leigh Day
A specialist claimant law firm representing individuals and communities in human rights, employment, injury, environmental and group litigation.
About Leigh Day
Leigh Day is a specialist claimant firm representing individuals, communities and groups seeking compensation, accountability or changes in how organisations act. Its work includes medical negligence, personal injury, employment discrimination, human rights, environmental disputes and international group litigation.
The firm acts in cases involving public bodies, employers and major companies. Its practice combines individual claims with litigation affecting substantial groups of people, including cases involving consumer products, workplace rights and alleged wrongdoing overseas.
For prospective trainees, the appeal lies in the substance of claimant representation: investigating evidence, understanding a client’s circumstances and pursuing a practical remedy. Strong applicants should connect their interest in justice with an informed understanding of litigation and client care.
Leigh Day currently recruits trainees internally from its paralegal workforce. Joining as a paralegal is therefore the relevant starting point for external applicants interested in qualifying with the firm.
The two-year trainee programme comprises two seats, allowing sustained involvement in cases. Practice options include Clinical Negligence, Employment and Discrimination, Human Rights, International and Group Litigation, and Personal Injury.
Training takes place in London, Manchester and Leeds. London offers a general stream and a Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence stream. Manchester offers seats across departments, while Leeds currently provides opportunities in Personal Injury, Clinical Negligence, and International and Group Litigation.
The programme provides structured supervision and practical case experience. Most candidates study for the SQE part-time while working as paralegals. Published funding information indicates that the firm covers one sitting of each SQE examination, with preparation-course bursaries available to candidates meeting social mobility criteria. General preparation-course funding is not guaranteed, and resits are at the candidate’s expense.
Practice areas & rankings
Leigh Day has 22 ranked departments in Chambers UK 2027. Band 1 practices include claimant public law, civil liberties and human rights, environmental claims, group litigation, international human rights, inquests and product liability. It also holds Band 1 clinical negligence rankings in London and the North West.
The firm won Administrative and Public Law Team of the Year at the Chambers UK Awards in February 2025. The award recognised its representation of individuals, charities and campaign groups challenging public bodies.
At the Northern Powerhouse Awards 2026, Leigh Day won Client Service Excellence. Personal injury senior associate William Broadbent also won Insurance Leading Associate of the Year. These awards recognise both the firm’s client service and individual work within its claimant practice.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Ranked Band 1 for Civil Liberties & Human Rights and Administrative & Public Law: Traditional Claimant, both UK-wide in Chambers UK 2027, Leigh Day represents individuals and organisations challenging public bodies. Its public law work includes judicial review proceedings concerning government decisions and failures to act. The practice connects detailed legal analysis with matters affecting people’s rights and access to public services.
Ranked Band 1 UK-wide in Chambers UK 2027, Leigh Day represents individuals and communities in claims involving alleged wrongdoing overseas. Its international work includes human rights and environmental matters involving major companies and other powerful organisations. Cases can require extensive factual investigation, coordination across jurisdictions and close communication with affected communities.
Ranked Band 1 for Clinical Negligence: Mainly Claimant in London and the North West in Chambers UK 2027, the firm represents patients and families affected by serious failures in medical care. Its work includes birth injuries, delayed diagnosis, brain and spinal injuries, amputations and fatal claims. Investigating medical evidence and supporting clients through difficult circumstances are central to the practice.
Ranked Band 1 for Employment: Employee & Trade Union in London in Chambers UK 2027, Leigh Day represents workers in disputes concerning their treatment at work. Its services include discrimination and equal pay claims, including litigation involving groups of employees. This provides scope to explore how individual experiences can connect with wider workplace practices.
Awards
Administrative and Public Law Team of the YearChambers UK Awards 2025
Recognising its representation of individuals, charities and campaign groups challenging public bodies.
Client Service ExcellenceNorthern Powerhouse Awards 2026
Insurance Leading Associate of the YearThe Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards 2026
Won by personal injury senior associate William Broadbent.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
Leigh Day currently recruits trainees only from existing paralegals. There is no minimum service requirement: paralegals can apply for the trainee programme from their first day at the firm. Recruitment typically takes place in spring or summer for a September start.
External candidates should apply for a suitable paralegal vacancy and follow its specific application instructions. A paralegal appointment does not guarantee a training contract.
Tailor the application to the department and role. Explain why its clients and cases interest you, then demonstrate the research, organisation and communication skills needed to support that work. An interest in human rights should be supported by evidence of careful investigation and practical commitment.
Use examples showing accuracy, resilience and sensitivity when dealing with people. Paid work, volunteering, academic research and community activities can all provide relevant evidence. Explain what you did and how your actions helped resolve a problem or support someone.
Leigh Day: quick answers
How much does Leigh Day pay trainees?
Leigh Day pays first-year trainees £36,000, rising to £38,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Leigh Day earn £52,000.
When is the Leigh Day vacation scheme deadline?
No vacation scheme · trainee recruitment runs internally each spring and summer for a September start Deadlines can change and popular schemes may close early, so check the live application deadlines tracker.
How many trainees does Leigh Day take on?
Leigh Day takes on around 15 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What grades do you need to apply to Leigh Day?
To apply to Leigh Day you will generally need a 2:1+ and relevant experience degree. At A-level, Leigh Day asks for BBB. Requirements can flex where there are mitigating circumstances, so always check the firm's own criteria if your grades differ.
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