Not all routes to qualification look the same. Arun started as a Paralegal and is now a Trainee Solicitor in our Banking & Finance team. In this blog, Arun shares their experience of the NQ+ route, offering insight into building early responsibility, client exposure and developing specialist expertise from the outset.

Published: 17 June 2026
Author: Arun Johal, Trainee Solicitor

What is the NQ+ route?

If you are exploring a legal career, you have likely come across the traditional training contract model, where trainees rotate through different seats before applying for a newly qualified (NQ) role.

The NQ+ route takes a more focused approach. Rather than moving between multiple teams, you spend the majority of your training contract within one team and work towards a defined NQ role from the outset.

In practice, this means building depth in a single area, rather than gaining a broad overview across several.

What does that mean day-to-day?

Working in one team for an extended period gives you a different perspective.

In Banking & Finance, it has meant getting involved in transactions early and following them through to completion. Over time, you develop a clear understanding of how deals are structured, managed and delivered.

My day-to-day work includes:

• supporting transaction management
• drafting corporate authorisations and security documents
• assisting with signing and completion processes

Alongside this, I have developed a strong understanding of how the team operates, including the pace of work, the clients we support and the commercial context behind each transaction.

Early responsibility

One of the key benefits of the NQ+ route is the level of responsibility from an early stage.

Having previously worked as a Paralegal in the team, I was able to build on that experience and take on more responsibility as a trainee. This has included managing elements of transactions and working closely with colleagues across offices nationally.

I have also had early exposure to clients, which has been invaluable. It has helped me understand not just the legal aspects of a transaction, but how our work supports clients’ wider objectives, and what they expect from their advisers.

Preparing for qualification

The transition to qualification feels more gradual on the NQ+ route.

Because you are working towards a specific role throughout, responsibility increases steadily over time. By the point of qualification, you already have a strong grounding in the team’s work and how you contribute to it.

Rather than stepping into something entirely new, it feels like a natural progression.

Final thoughts

There is no single route to qualification, and the NQ+ pathway reflects the flexibility now available.

For me, it has provided the opportunity to build on existing experience, take on responsibility early, work closely with clients, and develop specialist expertise in Banking & Finance.

If you already have a clear sense of the area you would like to work in, it can be a valuable route to explore.

Explore more of our recent blogs for insights and inspiration. If you have questions, our FAQ page is a great place to start.

Still curious or need advice? We would love to hear from you – email us at joinus@shoosmiths.com and our team will be happy to help.