Survey Results - Trainee feedback on Payne Hicks Beach LLP

The lowdown - Trainees (in their own words) on Payne Hicks Beach LLP

This section of Payne Hicks Beach’s profile has been edited to remove incorrect feedback, which was wrongly attributed to the firm. These errors have now been corrected.

Why did you choose this firm over any others? ‘The type of work the firm does and the boutique feel’, ‘it has interesting specialisms’, ‘the departments on offer, quality of work, quality of clients, and the work/life balance’, ‘for the historic nature of the firm, its reputation for giving trainees lots of client contact, its stellar lawyers and the beautiful surroundings of the Inn’, ‘I chose Payne Hicks Beach for its outstanding reputation and unique client base. People only had good things to say about the firm, and the gorgeous office was a bonus!’

Best thing about the firm? ‘The friendly atmosphere, the varied work, the hands-on approach to training’, ‘excellent work and friendly colleagues’, ‘most other lawyers and very friendly and supportive’, ‘the location, and the kind and supportive people in my team’, ‘the interesting work and the collegiate, supportive environment. There is a keen focus on training us to be commercially-astute and solutions-driven lawyers’, ‘the work/life balance’

Worst thing about the firm? ‘There are some IT issues’, ‘the departments seem to exist separately and there could be more internal communication’, ‘negative feedback can sometimes be delivered insensitively’, ‘the remuneration could be better, as could the legal tech available’, ‘the lack of a ‘break-out’ room; there is nowhere to eat other than your desk’

Best moment? ‘Working on a pro bono case with a meaningful outcome’, ‘in my litigation seat, I was effectively given my own small case to run. It involved making a legal application of a type which is generally uniformly rejected. However, I spent a lot of time gathering evidence to support our application, and in the end we were successful. It was a wonderful surprise and everyone in the team was really pleased for and with me, as of course was the client. I felt proud to have achieved that on my own’, ‘being given a huge amount of responsibility to handle a matter which involved a great deal of outward, client-facing communication’

Worst moment? ‘Being unable to reach colleagues when requiring support’, ‘being in a seat I disliked and not getting enough work for weeks on end – the days were long and dull’

 

The Legal 500 Future Lawyers verdict on Payne Hicks Beach LLP

Payne Hicks Beach offers trainees a distinctive combination of top-quality work, a supportive culture, and a heritage steeped in private client excellence. Many are drawn to the firm’s reputation and practice areas, particularly in niche specialisms such as reputation management, alongside its full-service offering. The “fantastic working environment,” “sensible work-life balance,” and the “beautiful location” of the offices also contribute to why trainees choose PHB over City rivals. For those seeking a balance between high-level exposure and a more personal training experience, the firm holds strong appeal. The training itself is consistently described as “much higher quality”. Supervision is a highlight, with many citing the supportive culture and exceptional quality of learning. Compared to larger City firms, PHB stands out for its work-life balance and the ability to be meaningfully involved from day one, though some note that the firm’s IT systems and WFH policies lag behind competitors. The “quality of the work” is repeatedly identified as one of the best things about the firm, with trainees benefitting from the “exceptional client base” and gaining access to interesting, often high-profile clients. There is also a strong sense that colleagues “really care about the work they do and the service they provide.”. The drawbacks are relatively practical: lower NQ salaries compared to similar firms and technology that “is in need of modernisation.” Despite this, trainees emphasise that the standard of work and culture outweigh these shortcomings. Highlights of the training contract include preparing for and attending a five-day inquest involving a media personality, running matters independently, and working on a high-profile private mediation — experiences that provide both responsibility and excitement early on. The lows are less dramatic, with long hours and occasional weekend work described as the exception rather than the norm. On hybrid working, trainees report being encouraged to spend most of their time in the office, a policy many actually value for the “osmosis” it provides in terms of learning and supervision. Upon qualification, more flexibility is offered. For those who want high-quality private client work, early responsibility, and a supportive culture without sacrificing work-life balance, Payne Hicks Beach is a strong fit.

A day in the life of... Isobel Frankis, trainee, Payne Hicks Beach LLP

Isobel Frankis, Payne Hicks Beach LLP

Departments to date: Property; Family; Private client

9.00am: I arrive at the office. I usually aim to arrive between 8.30 and 9.00am, depending on how busy my day ahead is likely to be, and whether I have any early training sessions or meetings to attend. My morning is free today, so I check through my inbox to see whether anything urgent has come in since I logged off yesterday and update my to-do list.

Trainees across the firm are encouraged to be in the office every day and (although the early(ish) starts took a little getting used to) it is hugely beneficial being able to discuss matters and talk through questions in person with other people in the department.

9.30am: I get started on drafting a codicil to a will and amending a letter of wishes. The legal director who set the task has shared several precedents with me and came to my desk yesterday to explain the documents, so I feel confident preparing first drafts before returning them for her review.

11.00am: My supervisor and I discuss a letter to a client that I prepared for her earlier in the week, which she has returned to me with amendments and comments. She talks me through the reasoning behind her amendments, and I use the feedback to make some further changes to other letters I am working on. I have found that people throughout the firm are happy to share feedback on, and explain their improvements to, the work you do for them.

1.00pm: I head downstairs to the staff lunch which the firm provides every week and meet up with the other trainees. The firm’s departments are based in separate buildings around New Square, and so we catch up on how we are all getting on in our new seats. Before we go back to our desks for the afternoon, we go for a quick walk around Lincoln’s Inn Fields.

2.00pm: I started drafting a discretionary trust deed yesterday and I need to finalise it before returning my first draft to a legal director for their review and comments. I have only recently started my seat in private client, and this is the first time I have worked on a deed of this kind. I take my time working through the draft to ensure it meets the client’s requirements, and that I can explain my drafting decisions to the legal director.

4.30pm: I spend the rest of the afternoon preparing and amending some lasting powers of attorney. My supervisor has asked me to attend a meeting she is having with the clients next week and I make sure to read through the background to the file so that I will have sufficient context when making the attendance note at the meeting. Trainees are often asked to take attendance notes, whether in client meetings, at court, or in consultations with counsel, and it is always a great opportunity to observe how partners and associates at the firm advise and interact with clients.

5.30pm: I check through my to-do list again and send a couple of emails in relation to ongoing matters I am assisting on.

6.20pm: On occasion I will need to stay late at the office when I am having a busy day, or if there are urgent deadlines to meet, but this evening I am able to log off and head to the pub with another trainee in my cohort.

About the firm

The firm: Payne Hicks Beach is a Lincoln’s Inn firm established in 1730 providing a full range of legal services to domestic and international private and commercial clients.

Chairman of the management board: Robert Brodrick.

Who we are: Payne Hicks Beach is a medium-size London law firm with a global reach, a 300-year history at the same location in Lincoln’s Inn and a thoroughly 21st-century approach to client service. The firm provides solution-led advice and legal services to domestic and international private and commercial clients including individuals, families, businesses and trustees. Much of the firm’s work has an international element, building on strong links with the US, Canada, Scandinavia, the Middle East and Far East, the main offshore centres, Switzerland and other European countries. Work is regularly handled in French, Italian, Danish and Arabic. The firm consistently ‘punches above its weight’ in the complexity of the clients it serves and matters it handles, and specialist advisers work in close-knit teams to deliver a seamless service across all its practice areas. Trainees invariably feel part of the team from the moment they arrive.

What we do: The firm’s reputation has been built on family and private client work as one of the few UK firms that provides these services at the highest level. Its commanding position in these areas is complemented by an excellent reputation for contentious trusts, dispute resolution, privacy and media law, company and commercial law, employment, residential and commercial property, and citizenship and immigration work. Despite its position in the market, Payne Hicks Beach’s lawyers pride themselves on the confidentiality and discretion with which they conduct their work, not least because the firm’s clients include many household names, as a result of which the firm is one of London’s best kept secrets.

What we’re looking for in a trainee: Applicants should have an excellent academic record (a 2(1) degree is a minimum), a high degree of drive and determination, and will need to demonstrate an ability to analyse problems accurately, to be creative in finding practical commercial solutions and communicating these clearly, as well as a flair for building relationships.

What you’ll do: Trainees spend time in each of four departments, with their preferences being taken into account in this rotation so far as possible. With only one trainee per department, they play an important role, with a high level of responsibility, real work and supervised client contact from the outset.

Trainees are subject to regular assessment, and engage in the required Professional Skills courses, as well as in-house training. However, with the firm’s team outlook and open-door policy they also have access to help and support from colleagues who are acknowledged experts in their fields.

Perks: Private medical insurance; permanent health insurance; dental cover; life assurance scheme; health assessment; contributory pension scheme; cycle to work scheme; season ticket loan; Gymflex; staff introduction bonus; holiday purchase scheme.

Sponsorship

Full GDL, LPC and SQE funding and a maintenance grant each year of study. BPP Law School is the firm’s preferred provider.

Seat options

Dispute resolution; family; employment; private client; property; citizenship and immigration; and corporate.

Tips from the recruiter

  1. Steer clear of the generic; keep your responses concise; and make sure that you proofread them.
  2. Take the time to research the firm: demonstrate that you understand its profile and ethos and why these appeal to you.
  3. If you are selected to come for an assessment day, please be yourself: authenticity is very important at PHB.

Diversity and inclusion

Please visit www.phb.co.uk/careers/diversity for information.