{"id":13542,"date":"2025-10-02T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/?post_type=profiles&#038;p=13542"},"modified":"2025-10-02T10:10:57","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T10:10:57","slug":"rpc","status":"publish","type":"profiles","link":"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/profiles\/rpc\/","title":{"rendered":"RPC"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","jurisdictions":[],"countries":[],"cities":[],"firms_companies":[],"universities_colleges":[],"lex_survey_questions":[],"publications":[798],"tc_location":[],"class_list":["post-13542","profiles","type-profiles","status-publish","hentry","publications-future-lawyers-2025-26"],"acf":[],"featured_image_urls":{},"appp_media":null,"appp":{"post_list":{"below_title":"<div class=\"lex-profile-list-intro\"><div class=\"letterhead\">\n            \n\t\t\t<h1 class=\"styled\">RPC<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t<img class=\"firm-logo\" height=\"200\" width=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/09\/RPC.jpg\" alt=\"RPC law firm logo\" \/>\n\t<meta class=\"swiftype\" name=\"image\" data-type=\"enum\" content=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/09\/RPC.jpg\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"contact-box\">\n<div class=\"address contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-building\"><\/i> Tower Bridge House, St Katharine's Way, London E1W 1AA<\/div><div class=\"web contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-globe\"><\/i> <a class=\"firm-website\" target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.rpclegal.com\/careers\/early-talent\/uk\/\">Visit website<\/a><\/div><div class=\"email contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-envelope\"><\/i> <a class=\"firm-email\" href=\"mailto: strikinglyreal@rpclegal.com?subject=Enquiry via lex100.com\">E-mail firm<\/a><\/div><div class=\"phone contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-phone\"><\/i> 020 3060 6000<\/div><div class=\"instagram contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-instagram\"><\/i> <a class=\"firm-instagram\" target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/lifeinalawfirm\/\">Instagram<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"badges\"><i class='fa fa-trophy' aria-hidden='true'><\/i> RPC is a The Legal 500 Future Lawyers Winner in 3 categories: <a href='\/future-lawyers\/survey\/future-lawyers-winners\/how-would-you-rate-the-client-secondment-opportunities-available\/' target='_blank'> Client secondments<\/a>,<a href='\/future-lawyers\/survey\/future-lawyers-winners\/how-would-you-rate-your-firms-work-from-home-or-hybrid-working-policy\/' target='_blank'> Work from home<\/a>,<a href='\/future-lawyers\/survey\/future-lawyers-winners\/how-would-you-rate-the-international-secondment-opportunities-available\/' target='_blank'> International secondments<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"apply-buttons\">\n<div class=\"grad_web\"><button class=\"grad-rec\" style=\"position:relative; height: 56px;\"><a style=\"padding-top: 15px; position: absolute; top: 0; right: 0; bottom: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; color: #fff;\" class=\"firm-grad-site\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rpclegal.com\/careers\/early-talent\/uk\/\">Visit Graduate Recruitment Site<\/a><\/button><\/div><div class=\"apply_link\"><button class=\"apply-now\" style=\"position:relative; height: 56px;\"><a style=\"padding-top: 15px; position: absolute; top: 0; right: 0; bottom: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; color: #fff;\" class=\"firm-apply-link\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rpclegal.com\/careers\/early-talent\/uk\/\">Apply Now<\/a><\/button><\/div><\/div>\n\n                    \n        <\/div><span class=\"profile-link\">View Profile<\/span><\/div>"},"post_detail":{"below_title":"<div class=\"letterhead\"><div class=\"letterhead\">\n            \n\t\t\t<h1 class=\"styled\">RPC<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t<img class=\"firm-logo\" height=\"200\" width=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/09\/RPC.jpg\" alt=\"RPC law firm logo\" \/>\n\t<meta class=\"swiftype\" name=\"image\" data-type=\"enum\" content=\"https:\/\/my.legal500.com\/future-lawyers\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/09\/RPC.jpg\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"contact-box\">\n<div class=\"address contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-building\"><\/i> Tower Bridge House, St Katharine's Way, London E1W 1AA<\/div><div class=\"web contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-globe\"><\/i> <a class=\"firm-website\" target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.rpclegal.com\/careers\/early-talent\/uk\/\">Visit website<\/a><\/div><div class=\"email contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-envelope\"><\/i> <a class=\"firm-email\" href=\"mailto: strikinglyreal@rpclegal.com?subject=Enquiry via lex100.com\">E-mail firm<\/a><\/div><div class=\"phone contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-phone\"><\/i> 020 3060 6000<\/div><div class=\"instagram contact\"><i class=\"fa fa-instagram\"><\/i> <a class=\"firm-instagram\" target=\"_blank\"  href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/lifeinalawfirm\/\">Instagram<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"badges\"><i class='fa fa-trophy' aria-hidden='true'><\/i> RPC is a The Legal 500 Future Lawyers Winner in 3 categories: <a href='\/future-lawyers\/survey\/future-lawyers-winners\/how-would-you-rate-the-client-secondment-opportunities-available\/' target='_blank'> Client secondments<\/a>,<a href='\/future-lawyers\/survey\/future-lawyers-winners\/how-would-you-rate-your-firms-work-from-home-or-hybrid-working-policy\/' target='_blank'> Work from home<\/a>,<a href='\/future-lawyers\/survey\/future-lawyers-winners\/how-would-you-rate-the-international-secondment-opportunities-available\/' target='_blank'> International secondments<\/a><\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"apply-buttons\">\n<div class=\"grad_web\"><button class=\"grad-rec\" style=\"position:relative; height: 56px;\"><a style=\"padding-top: 15px; position: absolute; top: 0; right: 0; bottom: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; color: #fff;\" class=\"firm-grad-site\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rpclegal.com\/careers\/early-talent\/uk\/\">Visit Graduate Recruitment Site<\/a><\/button><\/div><div class=\"apply_link\"><button class=\"apply-now\" style=\"position:relative; height: 56px;\"><a style=\"padding-top: 15px; position: absolute; top: 0; right: 0; bottom: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; color: #fff;\" class=\"firm-apply-link\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rpclegal.com\/careers\/early-talent\/uk\/\">Apply Now<\/a><\/button><\/div><\/div>\n\n                    \n        <\/div><\/div><div class=\"survey-scores\"><h2 style=\"color: #111;\">Trainee Feedback<\/h2>\r\n<ul style=\"list-type:none; color: #111;\">\r\n<li style=\"width:70.6%\">70.6<span class=\"score-title\">Satisfaction<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:74.4%\">74.4<span class=\"score-title\">Work quality<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:74.4%\">74.4<span class=\"score-title\">Client contact<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:78.2%\">78.2<span class=\"score-title\">Quality of client contact<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:77.4%\">77.4<span class=\"score-title\">Client secondments<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:67.6%\">67.6<span class=\"score-title\">Work\/life<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:69.8%\">69.8<span class=\"score-title\">Social life<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:%\">83.9<span class=\"score-title\">Vac. Scheme<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:58.5%\">58.5<span class=\"score-title\">Confidence<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:56.2%\">56.2<span class=\"score-title\">Remuneration<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:72.1%\">72.1<span class=\"score-title\">Inclusiveness<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:70.7%\">70.7<span class=\"score-title\">International<\/span><\/li><li style=\"width:79%\">79<span class=\"score-title\">Approachability<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><div class=\"profile-content-1\"> \n<article id=\"post-13542\" class=\"post-13542 profiles type-profiles status-publish hentry publications-future-lawyers-2025-26\">\n\t\n\t<header class=\"entry-header\">\n\t\t\n\t<\/header><!-- .entry-header -->\n\n\t<div class=\"entry-content\">\n\n<div class=\"survey-results tab-listing\">  \n   \n        \n<h2>Survey Results - Trainee feedback on <span class=\"highlight-firm\">RPC<\/span><\/h2>\n\n           <style>\n#chartdiv {\n  width: 100%;\n  height: 800px;\n}\n\n<\/style>\n            \n  <!-- Resources -->\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.amcharts.com\/lib\/4\/core.js\"><\/script>\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.amcharts.com\/lib\/4\/charts.js\"><\/script>\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.amcharts.com\/lib\/4\/themes\/animated.js\"><\/script>\n            \n<!-- HTML -->\n<div id=\"chartdiv\"><\/div>\n        \n<!-- Chart code -->\n<script>\n\/\/ Themes begin\nam4core.useTheme(am4themes_animated);\n\/\/ Themes end\n\n\/\/ Create chart instance\nvar chart = am4core.create(\"chartdiv\", am4charts.XYChart3D);\n\n\/\/ Add data\nchart.data = [{\n  \"question\": \"Satisfaction\",\n  \"result\": \"70.6\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How would you rate your overall job satisfaction?\" \n},{\n  \"question\": \"Expectations\",\n  \"result\": \"\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How far has the firm lived up to your expectations?\" \n},{\n  \"question\": \"Work quality\",\n  \"result\": \"74.4\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How would you rate the quality of work you are given?\" \n},{\n  \"question\": \"Client contact\",\n  \"result\": \"74.4\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How would you rate your amount of client contact?\" \n},{\n  \"question\": \"Work\/life\",\n  \"result\": \"67.6\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How happy are you with your work\/life balance?\" \n},{\n  \"question\": \"Social life\",\n  \"result\": \"69.8\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How good is your firm\u2019s social life?\" \n},\n\n\n\n{\n  \"question\": \"Vac. Scheme\",\n  \"result\": \"83.9\",\n  \"explanation\": \"If you did a vacation scheme with your firm, how would you rate it?\" \n},\n\n\n\n{\n  \"question\": \"Confidence\",\n  \"result\": \"58.5\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How confident are you that you will be kept on at the end of your training contract?\" \n},{\n  \"question\": \"Remuneration\",\n  \"result\": \"56.2\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How satisfied are you with your financial remuneration?\" \n},{\n  \"question\": \"Inclusiveness\",\n  \"result\": \"72.1\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How would you rate the inclusiveness of your workplace environment?\" \n},\n\n\n{\n  \"question\": \"International\",\n  \"result\": \"70.7\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How would you rate the international secondment opportunities available?\" \n},\n\n\n{\n  \"question\": \"Approachability\",\n  \"result\": \"79\",\n  \"explanation\": \"How approachable are your supervisors?\" \n}];\n\n\/\/ Create axes\nvar categoryAxis = chart.yAxes.push(new am4charts.CategoryAxis());\ncategoryAxis.dataFields.category = \"question\";\ncategoryAxis.numberFormatter.numberFormat = \"#\";\ncategoryAxis.renderer.inversed = true;\n\nvar valueAxis = chart.xAxes.push(new am4charts.ValueAxis()); \n\nvalueAxis.title.text = \"Survey Score (\/100)\";\nvalueAxis.min = 0;\nvalueAxis.max = 100;\n\n\/\/ Create series\nvar series = chart.series.push(new am4charts.ColumnSeries3D());\nseries.dataFields.valueX = \"result\";\nseries.dataFields.categoryY = \"question\";\nseries.name = \"Income\";\nseries.columns.template.propertyFields.fill = \"color\";\nseries.columns.template.tooltipText = \"{explanation} {valueX}\";\nseries.columns.template.column3D.stroke = am4core.color(\"#fff\");\nseries.columns.template.column3D.strokeOpacity = 0.2;\n<\/script>\n\n\n<\/div>        \n        \n           \n\t\t\n\t\t    <h2 class=\"tab-listing\">The lowdown - Trainees (in their own words) on <span class=\"highlight-firm\">RPC<\/span><\/h2>\n        <p><p><strong>Why did you choose this firm over any others?<\/strong> \u2018Insurance focus, based in Bristol and a well-established culture of approachability\u2019, \u2018it was sold as a non-hierarchical place with interesting work and a great work-life balance\u2019, \u2018having worked at the firm as a Paralegal, I found that the firm lived up to its culture and wanted to continue my career there&#8217;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best thing about the firm?<\/strong> \u2018The culture. There are a few scary characters like in any job, but the overwhelming majority of colleagues are approachable, enthusiastic to support you and your training\u2019, \u2018the trainee cohort is by far the best thing about the firm\u2019, \u2018the people\u2019, \u2018good client secondment opportunities\u2019<\/p>\n<p><strong>Worst thing about the firm?<\/strong> \u2018In Bristol, the renumeration for trainees\/NQs is getting increasingly worse, especially when you consider salaries at comparable Bristol firms\u2019, \u2018I think the pay is slightly below market\u2019, \u2018the hours and the amount of administrative work trainees are asked to do\u2019<\/p>\n<p><strong>Best moment?<\/strong> \u2018Difficult to choose between getting involved in a criminal prosecution case and getting to experience a very different type of proceedings, or attending a mediation which settled at the very last minute\u2019, \u2018I am going to Hong Kong on secondment for my last seat\u2019, \u2018going to court is always really good fun\u2019, \u2018attending trial\u2019<\/p>\n<p><strong>Worst moment?<\/strong> \u2018Misunderstanding a partner&#8217;s instructions resulting in a late night to correct a bundle that didn&#8217;t need correcting\u2019, \u2018very intense period of adjustment when you first start\u2019, \u2018submitting work and having it started afresh\u2019, \u2018bundles\u2019<\/p>\n<\/p>\n                \n               \n      <h2 class=\"tab-listing\" id=\"verdict\">The Lex 100 verdict on <span class=\"highlight-firm\">RPC<\/span><\/h2>\n       \n        \n      \n             \n        <p>    \n\t<p>RPC attracts trainees with its distinctive culture, insurance focus, and a healthy approach to work-life balance. Several joiners had already worked at the firm before training, one noting: \u201cHaving worked at the firm as a paralegal, I found that the firm lived up to its culture and wanted to continue my career there.\u201d The training experience is often described as \u201cmore relaxed and modern,\u201d with trainees \u201ctrusted with managing [their] own workload, given a high level of support when needed and made to feel that [their] contributions are valuable.\u201d The Bristol office benefits from a \u201cgreat close-knit trainee cohort\u201d thanks to its small intake, while others highlight \u201cvery high levels of responsibility and client contact.\u201d But there are frustrations too. One reports: \u201cWe often work far longer hours than trainees at US and Magic Circle firms for a fraction of the salary.\u201d \u00a0Another commented that \u201cpoor retention rates over the last few years make it stressful\u2026 you can be a great trainee and still not get an NQ role.\u201d The best thing about RPC is, overwhelmingly, the people. \u201cThe culture,\u201d one summarises, \u201cthere are a few scary characters like in any job, but the overwhelming majority are approachable and great to work with.\u201d Others praise \u201creally good quality of work given to junior employees\u201d and a trainee cohort that is \u201cby far the best thing about the firm.\u201d The hybrid policy also wins approval: \u201cIt\u2019s complete freedom to WFH whenever\u2026 you are treated like an adult and trusted to get on with your work.\u201d On the downside, pay is a recurring issue. \u201cThe remuneration, particularly in Bristol,\u201d one laments, \u201cis getting increasingly worse, especially compared to comparable firms.\u201d Others cite \u201cNQ pay progression,\u201d \u201clong hours,\u201d and \u201can extremely burdensome\u201d qualification process. Trainees still find highlights in their work \u2014 from \u201cattending a mediation which settled at the last minute\u201d to \u201cgoing to Hong Kong on secondment\u201d and \u201cnegotiating a settlement that was 5% of the original claim.\u201d Client secondments are called \u201cvery positive\u201d and \u201cinvaluable,\u201d offering \u201cresponsibility from day one.\u201d Overall, RPC is a firm where culture, flexibility, and responsibility shine.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n        \n             \n                \n        \t\t<p>        \n              \n\n\n           \n        \n         \t\t \n\t\t <h2 id=\"ditl\">A day in the life of... Lydia Robinson, trainee solicitor<\/h2>\n\t\t <p>\t\t <p><strong>Departments to date:<\/strong> Professional and financial risks (insurance); Media<\/p>         \n\t\t \t\t <p><strong>University: <\/strong>\n\t\t \t\t York\t\t \t\t <\/p>\n\t\t         \n\t\t <p><strong>Degree:<\/strong> Law<\/p>    <\/p>  \n\t\t <p><p>As a trainee in the media team at RPC, no two days are the same. The below is a sneak peek of a typical Tuesday, the team\u2019s \u2018anchor\u2019 day in the office. It highlights some typical trainee tasks, but each day has varied significantly over my six-month seat.<\/p>\n<p><strong>7.00am:<\/strong>\u00a0I usually wake up around 7am on an office day. I\u2019ve (thankfully) sorted my lunch the night before, giving me enough time to be out the door by 8am to avoid the rush on the Northern Line. I quickly check my emails before getting on the tube to see if anything has come in that needs to be dealt with in the morning and book my desk for the day (picking a window seat overlooking the Tower of London).<\/p>\n<p><strong>8.45am:<\/strong>\u00a0I get to the office, grab a coffee and chat to people in my team as they come in for the day. I like to get in earlier so I\u2019m ready to start working by 9am, but the working day \u2018officially starts\u2019 at 9.30am at RPC.<\/p>\n<p><strong>9.00am:<\/strong>\u00a0I make a start on my first task for the day, which is researching case law on disclosure orders for some training the team are delivering to a client (particularly on ways in which a third party might be compelled by the court to provide documents they have that are relevant to an ongoing dispute). I feel confident on the points of law I need to pull out after a catch up I had with an associate in my team last week.<\/p>\n<p><strong>9.30am:<\/strong>\u00a0The media team has its weekly capacity meeting on Tuesdays. We spend half an hour running through what we\u2019re each up to and any developments on our matters. We spend the second half of the meeting discussing the items for this fortnight\u2019s edition of Take 10, our fortnightly bulletin of recent media law updates, which I put together yesterday with the help of the team\u2019s paralegal. I take notes of the wider team\u2019s thoughts on the recent developments in media law ahead of drafting the stories later this afternoon. The team meetings are a great way to maintain awareness of developments in the law from people who have worked on the cases we\u2019re discussing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>10.30am:<\/strong>\u00a0After the capacity meeting ends, I get back to my research on disclosure orders. I summarise my findings and send it over to an associate for review.<\/p>\n<p><strong>11.00am:<\/strong>\u00a0I join a client call where the partner is discussing the merits and next steps in a claim that\u2019s recently been issued against our client. In the call, we go through a chronology of the case, ask questions to fill in any knowledge gaps and advise the client on next steps. I take a full note of what we discuss and am on hand in the call with any relevant documents. As a trainee you\u2019re often asked to attend client calls to take a detailed note, meaning you get good exposure to clients and understand their key concerns. In a disputes team such as media, this helps you learn about different litigation strategies; for example cases are likely to differ hugely from pushing for a quick settlement or fighting them to trial.<\/p>\n<p><strong>11.30am:<\/strong>\u00a0I take a quick break to chat to one of the associates in my team in the kitchen.<\/p>\n<p><strong>11.40am:<\/strong>\u00a0I come back to my desk to make a start on my next task: creating a chronology of the underlying events of a matter I\u2019m working on. We\u2019re looking to understand the factual background of an article published by our client that\u2019s subject to a pre-action complaint (this means that the complaint has not been formally issued as a claim in court and so the focus is often on understanding whether this is something that can be resolved before proceedings are formally issued). I start by reviewing other news reporting and social media posts from the relevant time to add to the chronology. Reviewing news reporting and social media posts can be a lengthy task but I\u2019ve been given a helpful time indicator by the matter team to only spend an hour on this initially. Conversations like that are a helpful way of learning how to manage your workload as a trainee.<\/p>\n<p><strong>12.30pm:<\/strong>\u00a0I head down to the Dockside Lounge, RPC\u2019s multi-purpose event space, to meet the trainees for lunch. I can normally expect to find a group of the trainees there at lunch and chat about our weekends and our plans for the week.<\/p>\n<p><strong>1.30pm:<\/strong>\u00a0I come back from lunch and make a start on drafting the articles for Take 10. I review my notes from our discussion this morning and make a start reading the first judgment for inclusion and writing a draft that picks out the key points.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3.00pm:<\/strong>\u00a0A senior associate in my team asks for some help pulling together an exhibit for an application we\u2019re making for a trial of preliminary issues on meaning. We have a quick chat about the background, and I collate the relevant documents before creating a bundle, a common trainee task which involves preparing documents for court.<\/p>\n<p><strong>5.00pm:<\/strong>\u00a0The associate has reviewed my research on disclosure orders from this morning. We chat about next steps for creating client training slides.<\/p>\n<p><strong>5.15pm:<\/strong>\u00a0I start my draft of the second article for Take 10. It\u2019s a consultation Ofcom has released under its obligations under the Online Safety Act. I review the c50-page document and start summarising it into a client-friendly format. Take 10 becomes a great way of staying up-to-date with recent developments and after having read widely around key legal developments, you become a great source of information for the rest of your team.<\/p>\n<p><strong>6.30pm:<\/strong>\u00a0I finish my work and prepare my to-do list for tomorrow. This helps me work out what my day might be like and means I have a better understanding of what my capacity might look like in case I get any last-minute work requests in the morning. I submit my time to our time recording system, pack up for the day and leave the office.<\/p>\n<p><strong>7.15pm:<\/strong>\u00a0I meet some friends from university for a catch-up on my way back home. We chat about our days and share what we\u2019ve all been up to. I head home shortly after before another day in the office on Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p>I\u2019ve really enjoyed my time in media due to the varied workload, the degree of responsibility given to trainees, a small and friendly team, but mostly the interesting cases that come in everyday and the legal context they\u2019re set in. Media is a disputes seat, meaning most of my time is spent working towards a court deadline, but I\u2019ve also enjoyed working on a range of pre-action complaints and advisory matters. My six months in the team has set me up well in the long term for a varied legal career, but also in the short term for my next seat in commercial and banking litigation, another of the RPC key disputes teams.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\t\t \n        \n                <h2 id=\"about\">About the firm<\/h2>\n        <p><p><strong>List of clients:<\/strong> Google, Howden, ABInbev, LINK, EY, Financial Times, Fidelis, Newcastle United Football Club<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>List of deals\/cases in which the firm has been recently involved:<\/strong> Acting for <strong>Google<\/strong> in a series of high-profile collective proceedings before the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal concerning the Google Play Store on Android. The claims allege abuse of dominance in app distribution and in-app payment markets. Collectively, these proceedings involve tens of millions of UK Android users and app developers, with disputed damages exceeding \u00a31bn. The cases are being case managed together and are scheduled for trial in October 2026. RPC is leading Google\u2019s defence, including coordinating international strategy across related litigation and regulatory investigations in the US, Australia, Israel, Portugal, and the Netherlands. <strong>Lead Partners,<\/strong> David Cran, Chris Ross and Rathi Thiagamoorthy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Defending the <strong>Financial Times<\/strong> in a libel claim brought by former hedge fund manager, Crispin Odey, over two articles reporting on allegation that Odey sexually assaulted or harassed more than 20 women between 1985 and 2021. Odey seeks claiming reputational damages, including special damages of \u00a379m, one of the highest value defamation claims to be brought in this jurisdiction in recent years. <strong>Lead Partner,<\/strong> Alex Wilson.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Acting for <strong>Professor Carolyn Roberts<\/strong> as the proposed Class Representative in the first environmental competition collective action in the UK. The claims allege that six major water companies abused their dominant market positions by under-reporting pollution incidents to regulators, resulting in overcharging of household customers. Following the Competition Appeal Tribunal\u2019s refusal to certify the collective proceedings, we successfully obtained permission from the Court of Appeal to appeal the decision, with a hearing now pending. <strong>Lead Partner,<\/strong> Zoe Mernick-Levene.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Representing <strong>Fidelis<\/strong> in complex litigation arising from the retention of leased aircraft in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. The claims, brought by the world\u2019s largest aircraft lessors under Contingent\/Possessed Aviation Insurance Policies and operator policies, span multiple jurisdictions. RPC is defending Fidelis in the English Courts while coordinating strategy on related international claims. The case involves intricate issues around war-risk coverage, Russian law, state actions, and extensive expert evidence. <strong>Lead Partner,<\/strong> Naomi Vary.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Acting for <strong>Newcastle United Football Club<\/strong> in relation to a multi-faceted dispute with HMRC stemming from an enquiry into agents&#8217; fees that started with a dawn raid. This matter has included advice on the dawn raid and criminal investigation (which HMRC later dropped), a judicial review of the legality of search warrants, substantive appeals in relation to VAT, NICs and PAYE liability and litigation related to the ability of HMRC to retain and use seized documents from a criminal raid for other purposes, which is currently before the Supreme Court. <strong>Lead Partner,<\/strong> Adam Craggs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Advised <strong>Greenpeace<\/strong>, Greenpeace International and nine Greenpeace activists against a claim in unlawful means conspiracy issued by Shell UK Limited and Fluor Limited seeking c.$1m in damages, one of the largest legal threats Greenpeace has faced to date and impacting its fundamental Article 10 and 11 ECHR rights. <strong>Lead Partners,<\/strong> Rupert Cowper-Coles, Jake Hardy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Advised <strong>MOH Nippon plc<\/strong> on its admission to the LSE Main Market, MOH is the first Japanese company to list on the London Stock Exchange (LSE).\u00a0 We advised on all elements of the listing including ensuring full compliance with UK listing regulations, preparing necessary documentation and filings and advised on governance structures. <strong>Lead Partners,<\/strong> James Channo and Nigel Collins supported by Janice Chan (Senior Associate), Hadrian Leung (Associate), Rachel Stanley (Associate).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>We acted on the disposal by the administrators of a partially completed 30-acre development site in Cheshunt, home to the former Tesco HQ, with an estimated development value of \u00a3620m. The Cheshunt development was intended to contain 1,725 homes, schools and public transport links, but the builder went into financial collapse during the redevelopment. <strong>Kroll<\/strong> stepped in as administrators, with RPC representing them on all aspects of the interim management and sale of the site. <strong>Lead Partner, <\/strong>Liz Alibhai, supported by Ben Malone (Senior Associate)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Advised <strong>Howden<\/strong>, the global insurance and employee benefits intermediary, on its agreement to acquire Barnett Waddingham, one of the UK\u2019s leading professional services consultancies specialising in risk, pensions, investment and insurance. The acquisition will double the size of Howden\u2019s employee benefits business, with around 4,000<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Other offices: <\/strong>Bristol, Hong Kong, Singapore.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Who we are: <\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong>At RPC, you can be you. In an environment that\u2019s real. Strikingly real.<\/p>\n<p>Do you want a career in a firm that values personality as much as professionalism? For us, business success comes from building human relationships and thinking creatively to achieve the right outcomes.<\/p>\n<p>So, if you value character over conformity, the unique over the uniform, and ambition over apathy, let\u2019s talk.<\/p>\n<p>RPC is here to help you really thrive.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What we do:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Our lawyers are market leaders. Our clients are often household names. And together we achieve award-winning results. Results that have seen RPC regularly voted amongst the best for commercial advice across our sectors of specialism.<\/p>\n<p>Our business is built on mutual respect and trust. That\u2019s where you come in. From day one, you\u2019ll collaborate with our Partners; you&#8217;ll have contact with clients; and you&#8217;ll be given real responsibility. As a Trainee, you could be assisting with large-scale global disputes, or offering business-critical commercial advice.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What we&#8217;re looking for in a trainee:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Although proven academic ability is important (we require a 2.1 degree or above, not necessarily in law) we value personality, diversity, flexibility, commitment, energy, collaboration and commerciality just as highly.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What you\u2019ll do:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>As a Trainee, we believe you\u2019ll deliver your best if you\u2019re free to be you. And that means being able to ask questions openly, being supported to develop your strengths, and having the right opportunities to grow. Our offices are non-hierarchical and open plan which means you&#8217;ll be sitting alongside or close to our Partners and Associates. What&#8217;s more, our dynamic working principles empower everyone at RPC to shape how they split their time working in and out of the office; balancing their own preferences, supporting each other and delivering exceptional client service. Whether you\u2019re handling complex insurance claims, resolving large-scale global disputes, or providing commercial advice and transactional support, your opinions will be listened to and respected.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Perks <\/strong><strong>: <\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Along with a competitive annual salary, you\u2019ll be offered a creative and comprehensive package of benefits.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019re all unique. And that\u2019s why RPC\u2019s benefits package is too. We respect we\u2019re all real people with passions, families and lives away from our desks. We encourage that. So, we offer you the chance to tailor your benefits, giving choice and flexibility to everyone who works here.<\/p>\n<p>Our benefits package covers almost everything, from wellness festivals and social events to extra annual leave, and family and wealth-related rewards.<\/p>\n<\/p>         \n              \n      <h2 class=\"tab-listing\" id=\"other\">Diversity and Inclusion<\/h2>\n\t  \n      <div id=\"diversity\"><p><strong>Rachel Pears, Associate Director \u2013 Responsible Business &amp; Employment Counsel<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Why is having a diverse workforce important?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In a nutshell: diversity of thought. Who wants their lawyer to think inside the same box as everyone else? All of our experiences inform our perspectives, judgements, relationships. And we want those elements to be as creative, different and reflective of society as possible.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>What initiatives does the firm have in place to ensure it recruits a diverse workforce?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We have used Rare\u2019s contextualised recruitment tool since 2015, which enables us to consider a more diverse range of candidates for our apprentice and training contract opportunities using social mobility metrics. We are able to understand the context within which a candidate has achieved what they have.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>We also entered a partnership with Aspiring Solicitors in 2018. AS works to increase diversity in the legal profession through a series of programmes aimed at underrepresented groups.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The firm offers legal and business apprenticeships (including solicitor, paralegal and finance apprenticeships) across our UK offices.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We also participate in a number of additional diversity initiatives at the early talent stage including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Black Excellence in Law with Target Jobs<\/li>\n<li>Bridging Barriers for Career Insight Days<\/li>\n<li>10,000 Black Interns Programme<\/li>\n<li>Bright Network Diverse Legal Leaders<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>How has the firm been working to improve diversity in senior\/leadership positions?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a complex issue that doesn\u2019t, unfortunately, have an easy quick fix. But we are committed to improving the make-up of our senior positions and believe we are on the right track.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We are invested in a number of different initiatives to drive further diversity at the top. A few examples of this:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>We signed up to the Law Society\u2019s Women in Law Pledge pursuant to which we pledged to reach 30% women in our partnership, and in 2022 we reached this goal. As part of this commitment the firm implemented a tailored and specific 15-point Gender Balance Plan to identify the areas where barriers to gender balance may occur. We are now working towards complete gender parity in our Partnership as soon as possible.<\/li>\n<li>We run a number of programmes through our learning and development team to support our lawyers from training to partnership.<\/li>\n<li>We believe that data tells a compelling story and so we analyse our demographics information to look at promotion and attrition figures for certain groups \u2013 for example from an ethnicity or gender perspective.<\/li>\n<li>We are very supportive of flexible and agile working at all levels. We offer enhanced pay and benefits for anyone taking certain forms of parental leave (maternity, paternity, shared, adoption, etc) and we offer a maternity leave returners programme to support our female talent transition back to work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>How do you avoid diversity becoming a box-ticking exercise?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You have to go about it meaningfully and authentically. Don\u2019t sign a charter or a pledge and then move on to the next. Create accountability. Consider how you can create tailored action plans for your organisation. Have passionate and engaged people driving it forward. Don\u2019t try to tackle every challenge at the same time. Listen to your people. We all have something to learn.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>What assurances would you give to individuals who want to apply for a training contract but feel hesitant to do so because of their gender\/sexual orientation\/ethnicity\/background\/disability\/any other diversity-related reason?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>While the legal sector (like most sectors) has a way to go in diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, we are certainly moving in the right direction. Most firms (RPC included) have made huge strides forward with a multitude of programmes, networks and initiatives to support people from minority or underrepresented groups. There are also plenty of people like me to challenge the norm. I am a great believer that most skills are transferrable and people who have overcome difficult hurdles in their life are some of the most resilient people you\u2019ll ever meet. Be confident in who you are and how much you have to offer.<strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n            \n      \n            \n                 \n            \n              \n       \n                 \n        \t<\/div><!-- .entry-content -->\n\n\t\n<\/article><!-- #post-## --><\/div><div class=\"profile-content-2\">   \r\n\r\n<div id=\"profile-contents\">\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"widget-title\">Contents<\/h2>\r\n\r\n<ul class=\"contents\">\r\n<li><a href=\"#verdict\">The verdict<\/a><\/li> <li><a href=\"#ditl\">A day in the life of...<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#about\">About us<\/a><\/li>  <li><a href=\"#diversity\">Diversity and Inclusion<\/a><\/li>          \r\n<li><a href=\"#facts\">Facts and figures<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\r\n        \r\n<\/div> \r\n\r\n\r\n<div id=\"application-process\">\r\n \r\n<h2 class=\"widget-title\">Application process for RPC<\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>How <\/strong><strong>:<\/strong> Online at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rpclegal.com\/careers\/early-talent\/\">https:\/\/www.rpclegal.com\/careers\/early-talent\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s involved in application <\/strong><strong>:<\/strong> Recruitment for our Training Contracts begin with an online application form, followed by our new online early talent assessment, introduced in September 2025.<\/p>\n<p>This assessment has been designed specifically for RPC, following in-depth analysis of the attributes needed to succeed as a trainee solicitor here. It explores your strengths, problem-solving ability, and motivations through a blend of behavioural, cognitive and motivational exercises \u2014 giving us a well-rounded picture of your potential. At the end, you will also receive a personalised feedback report to support your development.<\/p>\n<p>If you are shortlisted, you will then be invited to an in-person assessment day in April (Bristol) \/ August (London) . This includes a variety of exercises designed to help us understand your strengths and potential. You will also meet some of our Partners, Associates and Trainees, giving you a real insight into our unique culture. If you are successful following the assessment day, your training contract will start two years later.<\/p>\n<p>So, if you\u2019re a creative thinker who wants a career that values personality as much as professionalism, we want to hear from you.<\/p>\n<p><strong>When:<\/strong> By 22 June 2026 London; 16 March 2026 Bristol\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n <div id=\"vacation-schemes\">\r\n  \r\n <h2 class=\"widget-title\">Vacation schemes at RPC<\/h2>\r\n<p><strong>Summer:<\/strong> Scheme 1: 15\u201326 June 2026  (apply by 12 January 2026)<\/p>\r\n  <p><strong>Summer:<\/strong> Summer Scheme 2: 29 June\u201310 July 2026 (apply by 12 January 2026)<\/p>\r\n  \r\n    \r\n    \r\n<div id=\"salary\"> \r\n \r\n  <h2 class=\"widget-title\">Salary at RPC<\/h2>\r\n  <p><strong>First year salary:<\/strong> \u00a348,000 London \u00a342,000 Bristol<\/p>  <p><strong>Second year salary:<\/strong> \u00a352,000 London \u00a344,000 Bristol<\/p>  <p><strong>Newly qualified salary:<\/strong> London: - Corporate &amp; Commercial \/ Disputes NQ - \u00a395,000  Insurance NQ - \u00a385,000 Bristol:  \u00a360,000<\/p>\r\n\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n <div id=\"facts-figures\">\r\n \r\n  <h2 id=\"facts\" class=\"widget-title\">Facts and figures<\/h2>\r\n  <p><p><strong>Total partners:<\/strong> 122<\/p>\n<p><strong>Other fee-earners:<\/strong> 443<\/p>\n<p><strong>Total trainees:<\/strong> 35<\/p>\n<p><strong>Trainee places available for 2028 <\/strong><strong>:<\/strong> 15<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/p>\r\n  \r\n<\/div>\r\n \r\n      \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<!--\t  \r\n\r\n    \r\n<h2 class=\"widget-title\">If  were a fictional character it would be\u2026<\/h2>\r\n        \t\t\r\n<br><\/br>\r\n<br><\/br> -->\r\n\r\n   \r\n\r\n<div id=\"videos\">\r\n\r\n       \r\n<iframe title=\"RPC London Summer Scheme\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Yz9iMu-CXdQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\r\n<iframe title=\"Georgia Durham\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/h_ALsa5AhZQ?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>        \r\n<iframe title=\"Joe Akwaboa\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/s57rdYVv3ts?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<div style=\"position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.25%; overflow: hidden; margin-bottom: 20px;\"><iframe src=\"\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"auto\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" style=\"position: absolute;\"><\/iframe><\/div>\r\n\r\n<div style=\"position: relative; 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