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RPC
An international law firm combining established insurance and disputes expertise with commercial, technology, retail and media practices.
About RPC
RPC, formally Reynolds Porter Chamberlain, was established in London in 1903. Its practice combines insurance, commercial advice and dispute resolution, with particular sector interests in retail, technology and media.
The firm advises businesses on transactions, commercial relationships, regulatory issues and disputes. Its insurance work includes defending professional negligence claims and advising insurers on complex coverage matters. Its wider contentious practice encompasses commercial litigation, reputation management and disputes involving technology businesses.
RPC’s international network includes London, Bristol, Hong Kong, Singapore and a New York office opened in October 2026. The latest expansion supports insurance clients dealing with claims involving US exposures.
For prospective trainees, the distinction between London and Bristol matters. London offers experience across insurance and broader commercial or disputes teams, while Bristol’s programme is predominantly focused on insurance.
Both programmes comprise four six-month seats. London trainees complete at least one Insurance seat and one Corporate & Commercial or Disputes seat. Bristol trainees rotate mainly through Insurance, with the option of one rotation in Corporate & Commercial or Disputes. Client and overseas secondments may be available.
Support includes a supervising partner, an associate, a mentor and the Early Talent team. Trainees receive informal feedback alongside formal reviews every three months.
Future trainees study at the University of Law, completing the PGDL where required and the Masters in Legal Practice incorporating SQE preparation. Funding covers course fees and examinations, with maintenance grants of £12,000 for study in London and £10,000 outside London. Applicants who have completed the LPC can also be considered.
Practice areas & rankings
RPC has 29 ranked practice areas in Chambers UK 2027, including 11 Band 1 rankings. These span professional negligence, commercial contracts, corporate M&A, reputation management, media, retail, banking litigation and contentious tax fraud.
Its rankings reflect both its insurance heritage and the breadth of its commercial practice. Recognition varies by practice and geography, including separate professional negligence rankings for London and the South West.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Ranked Band 1 in London and Band 1 for Professional Negligence: Mainly Defendant in the South West in Chambers UK 2027, RPC defends claims against professionals and advises their insurers. Its work involves lawyers, accountants, financial advisers, brokers and construction professionals. Matters can combine substantial financial exposure with regulatory and reputational concerns.
Ranked Band 1 UK-wide in Chambers UK 2027, RPC has an established defendant practice advising newspapers, broadcasters, publishers and media insurers. Work includes defending defamation proceedings and advising before publication or when an injunction is threatened. Related issues include privacy, harassment, data protection and copyright.
Ranked Band 1 UK-wide in Chambers UK 2027, RPC advises on business-critical commercial agreements. Its clients include businesses in retail, media, marketing and technology, alongside financial services organisations. The practice provides a useful way to explore how lawyers translate a client’s business objectives into workable contractual arrangements and manage risk across commercial relationships.
Ranked Band 2 in London in Chambers UK 2027, RPC handles disputes involving commercial contracts, shareholders and joint ventures. Its work includes cross-border cases and litigation involving banking and financial services. The practice also has experience defending substantial group actions, including claims involving technology businesses.
Awards
Legal Services Provider of the YearInsurance Insider Honours 2026
Dispute Resolution Team of the YearLexisNexis Legal Awards 2026
Trainee Scheme of the YearLexisNexis Legal Awards 2026
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
Apply online for the London summer scheme or a direct training contract. The summer scheme is the main route into the London programme, although a separate direct application window is also published.
Applications for the 2027 London summer schemes run from 1 October 2026 to 11 January 2027. The schemes take place from 14–25 June and 28 June–9 July 2027, with pay of £550 per week. Successful applicants can progress towards training contracts starting two years later.
Bristol direct training contract applications run from 1 October 2026 to 15 March 2027. The London direct window runs from 15 March to 21 June 2027. Both concern 2029 starts.
Law students can apply in their penultimate or final year, non-law students in their final year, and graduates can apply at any time.
Tailor your explanation to the office. For Bristol, demonstrate an informed interest in insurance and professional risks work. For London, explain how the combination of insurance, commercial advice and disputes fits your interests.
Use specific examples showing collaboration, initiative and commercial judgement. When discussing a business issue, explain who is affected, what they want to achieve and how legal advice could help. Current application questions, word limits and rolling-review arrangements remain unconfirmed.
RPC: quick answers
How much does RPC pay trainees?
RPC pays first-year trainees £50,000, rising to £55,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at RPC earn £100,000.
When are the RPC application deadlines?
Summer scheme 11 Jan 2027 · Bristol training contract 15 Mar 2027 · London training contract 21 Jun 2027 · Solicitor apprenticeship 25 Jan 2027 Deadlines can change and popular schemes may close early, so check the live application deadlines tracker.
How many trainees does RPC take on?
RPC takes on around 15 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What tests does RPC use in its applications?
After the application form, candidates complete RPC’s bespoke online early talent assessment, introduced in September 2025. It combines behavioural, cognitive and motivational exercises to explore strengths, problem-solving ability and motivation. Candidates receive a personalised feedback report. Use the preparation hub provided with the assessment guidance. Practise analysing unfamiliar information, identifying assumptions and evaluating possible responses to workplace situations. Read each task’s instructions carefully rather than relying on older RPC test guidance.
What grades do you need to apply to RPC?
To apply to RPC you will generally need a 2:1+ degree. Requirements can flex where there are mitigating circumstances, so always check the firm's own criteria if your grades differ.
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