Legal Trainee Positions – Exciting Opportunity
Hart Reade Solicitors (Eastbourne, Hailsham and Polegate) are recruiting for legal trainees to join our busy team. This is an exciting and rare opportunity to work, learn and train alongside our experienced team of lawyers and study for legal qualifications.
The successful candidates will be required to have good written and spoken English and the confidence and ability to communicate well with clients, colleagues and other external contractors. Much of what we do requires strong IT skills but training will be provided on the various systems and online services we use.
Qualifications required:
- 3 A levels at Grade B or above (or predicted Grades) or equivalent.
- 7 GCSEs (including English and Mathematics) – 6 and above. An A-Level in Law would be preferred but is not essential.
We may consider lower grades for an exceptional candidate; we are equally interested in your attitude, aptitude, commitment, and willingness to learn.
There are now various routes available to qualification including apprenticeships, training as a legal executive, and also potentially progressing through to the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE).
This is an entry-level role that will suit candidates looking for an alternative to university. It is a golden opportunity for non-graduates to earn, work for and train with a law firm and become a lawyer. We are therefore looking for candidates who can clearly demonstrate their drive, passion and ambition to develop and build a successful legal career with us.
We are happy to provide support to candidates who demonstrate the above and commit to qualifying as a Lawyer over a number of years whilst being an effective and valued member of our team. We have a strong track record of progressing talent within the business with a number of our current Partners starting out as trainees of the firm.
Candidates must be motivated and enthusiastic, and it is essential they are prepared to work hard, both in the office and with their external studies. Attention to detail is essential
We offer a friendly, supportive and professional working environment and an excellent salary and benefits package.
Our office hours are 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday. The roles are based in our Eastbourne office, but you may be required to work at our Polegate and Hailsham offices as required.
Closing date: Thursday 20 August 2026
No agencies please
Commercial Property Lawyer
Hart Reade LLP has an exciting opportunity for a full time Commercial Property Lawyer to join our busy practice.
We welcome applications from:
- qualified Solicitors or Chartered Legal Executives
- those who are currently working in commercial property law (on a path to qualification) and are looking to progress.
Candidates must be technically sound with a practical and up to date knowledge of property law. This is an exciting role with a workload consisting of a mixture of commercial property transactions, commercial leases and the buying and selling of businesses, all under the supervision of the Head of Commercial.
We are looking for someone with excellent skills in communication, client care, use of IT (preferably with some experience of using a case management system) and with a keen attention to detail. You should be pro-active, highly organised and driven with the ability to market yourself and the practice. Networking will be a key skill to nurture our existing contacts as well as forging new business links within the communities we serve.
In return you will be joining a thriving Lexcel and Conveyancing Quality Scheme accredited law practice. We offer a friendly, supportive and professional working environment; along with career progression and an excellent salary, benefits and bonus package.
Civil Litigation Lawyer – Eastbourne
Hart Reade LLP has a rare opportunity for a full time Civil Litigation Lawyer to join our busy practice.
Applicants will ideally need to have at least 2 years PQE as a Solicitor or Chartered Legal Executive.
This is an exciting role dealing with a broad range of civil litigation including:
- Property disputes
- Landlord and tenant
- Commercial disputes
- Employment
Candidates will be required to have good written and spoken English and the ability to communicate well with clients, colleagues and other external contacts. We pride ourselves on the client care we provide; therefore, candidates should be experienced as above and confident and personable both on the telephone and face to face.
You should have good IT skills and be competent in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook and Excel). Experience of using a case management system would be an advantage but not essential as training will be provided.
You should be pro-active, highly organised, with a keen attention to detail and driven, with the ability to market yourself and the practice. Networking will be a key skill to nurture our existing contacts as well as forging new business links within the communities we serve.
In return you will be joining a thriving Lexcel accredited law practice. We can offer a supportive and professional working environment; along with career progression and an excellent salary, benefits and bonus package.
To Apply
If you would like to be considered for the above positions, please send your up to date CV and covering letter to Mrs. B Ticehurst, HR & Administration Manager, Hart Reade LLP, 104 South Street, Eastbourne BN21 4LW, bticehurst@hartreade.co.uk.
Equal opportunities and Privacy Notice
Hart Reade LLP are an equal opportunities employer and all applications will be considered from suitably qualified candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.
Hart Reade LLP take your privacy very seriously. Please read our Recruitment Privacy Notice as it contains important information about the personal data we hold about you, how we collect it, and how we will use and may share information about you during the application process.
