This guide shows you how to build an entry-level contract solicitor CV with relevant experience so UK hiring managers see your fit quickly. You will learn how to structure your CV, highlight transactional and contract-related experience, and tailor language for contract solicitor roles in the UK.
Building a Contract Attorney resume?
Skip the blank page. Start with a template built for this role, then tailor it for each job you apply to.
Tip: use the template as a starting point, then swap in your own numbers and project names.
What UK employers look for in an entry-level contract solicitor
UK employers want you to read, draft, and manage contracts with attention to risk and detail. They also look for evidence of prior contract work, through placements, law clinics, pro bono projects, or vacation schemes.
Demonstrate practical skills such as contract drafting, contract review, negotiation support, and clear client communication, with concrete examples where possible. Showing familiarity with common contract types, relevant UK statutes, and contract lifecycle management tools will help your CV stand out.
If you are applying to public or NHS bodies, highlight any exposure to public procurement or service agreements.
CV structure to use
Use a clear, single-column CV layout with sections for personal details, profile or summary, experience, education, skills, and professional credentials. In the UK, the education section should include your degree, university, and classification, and can also mention A-levels or GCSEs if you are early in your career.
Keep the CV to one page if you have under five years of professional experience; two pages may be acceptable for more extensive experience. Use bold headings to guide the reader.
Put the most relevant contract experience near the top of the Experience section so a recruiter sees it within seconds. Use consistent dates (DD/MM/YYYY) and job titles, and avoid graphics that may not be read by Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Header and contact information
Include your full name, a professional email address, city and country, and a UK phone number. If you have a LinkedIn profile or a professional profile on a law society site, include a short URL so employers can verify credentials quickly.
Do not include your full home address or personal data that is not relevant to hiring, and avoid unprofessional email handles.
If you are qualified or eligible to practise in England and Wales, add a line like 'Qualified: Solicitor, England & Wales, Year' in the header. In addition, note that you will usually need the right to work in the UK, and that some employers will require disclosure of your right-to-work status.
UK employment rights also include 28 days of statutory annual leave entitlement and pension auto-enrolment; you can discuss these aspects during interviews.
Professional summary or objective (with example)
Write a two- to three-sentence professional profile if you have practical contract experience to show. Use an objective if you are shifting practice areas and want to explain your interest in contract work and how your background maps to the role.
Example: Entry-level contract solicitor with vacation scheme experience drafting NDAs and vendor agreements, strong legal research skills, and hands-on exposure to contract lifecycle management tools. Adapt the example by replacing scheme projects with internships, pro bono matters, or externships.
How to present experience when you have limited paid roles
Frame internships, placements, law clinics, pro bono projects, and relevant coursework under an Experience or Relevant Experience heading and treat them like roles. For each item, start with the role, organisation, and dates (DD/MM/YYYY - DD/MM/YYYY), then list two to four bullet points detailing achievements and responsibilities.
Focus on outcomes and the types of contracts you've supported (NDAs, supplier or service agreements). If you have limited paid work, emphasise transferable skills from academics and voluntary projects.
Mention UK job boards such as Reed, Indeed UK, Totaljobs, and LinkedIn when applying.