The Legal Cheek View
Founded at the turn of the millennium, Express Solicitors has grown from its Manchester roots into a serious contender in the personal injury space, boldly aiming to become “the best personal injury firm in the UK.”
The firm has been steadily building its reputation as a leading PI practice capable of competing with established players such as Irwin Mitchell, Fieldfisher, and Leigh Day. And it’s going swimmingly so far: most recently available financials show turnover has jumped to £88.5 million, rising from £70.6 million, with revenues growing for a sixth consecutive year. Most recent revenue per partner (RPP) figures sit comfortably above £1.3 million.
The growth doesn’t stop at financials either. Express has been snapping up smaller firms as part of its expansion strategy, including HNK Solicitors and Manchester-based Graham Coffey & Co., and with backing from a Swiss private equity firm now in the mix, further acquisitions look very much on the cards. Ambitions this size clearly require the right raw material, so it’s no surprise the firm likes to get in early, with prospective applicants able to earn their first taste of Express by winning the Tort Prize at select universities.
In terms of the training contract itself, Express does things a little differently. Aspiring PI professionals will first need to join as litigation assistants on the firm’s graduate scheme, working under a fee-earner for at least 14 weeks. Alongside more formal training, workshops and seminars, graduates get the opportunity to work on live files and receive feedback, before potentially progressing to a fee-earning role as a litigation executive. During this time, readiness to undertake the trainee solicitor qualification is also assessed.
The consensus on Express’s training is that it is excellent, with “hands on supervision” and “assistance whenever you need it.” The firm picked up the Princess Royal Training Award in recognition of its “outstanding” graduate programme, becoming the first law firm to receive this royal seal of approval. One trainee told us: “The training received from the training team is of a really high level. Everything is explained fully and recorded on Teams to be referred to on the LMS, which is really helpful. Quality feedback is given on my day-to-day tasks which helps me improve my professional skills.”
That said, there were some grumbles about the generic nature of parts of the formal training, which “doesn’t really help when applying to specific and unique tasks”, while some wished for more coverage of “technical areas of law.” Most of the learning is done online, though external providers visit occasionally, with “highly experienced barristers” providing valuable feedback. Caseloads are currently reported to be around 35,000.
The work on offer covers four key areas: medical negligence, road traffic accidents, accidents at work, and public liability (from assault compensation to dog bites and horse-riding accidents). The day-to-day is described as “challenging but rewarding,” with some lower-value claims being more repetitive in nature. “Sometimes the work can be repetitive as that is just the nature of the industry. On the whole though, we are given access to good quality cases and trusted to progress those to settlement,” summarised one recruit. Progression throughout the training contract is also strong. As one trainee put it: “Since becoming a trainee I have been given the opportunity to work on higher value cases. This has coincided with my issued cases progressing to a level I’ve not worked on previously, meaning I have been completing and learning new parts of the area of law on a regular basis.”
Express trainees don’t have too much of a toil, with most finishing around 17:30. Insiders don’t feel pressure to stay beyond what’s necessary, though PI work can be understandably stressful. That said, the odd late night does crop up: “I will stay late sometimes, especially if working from home, and will log on the occasional Saturday. However, I would never avoid plans in my personal life to work a weekend. I am content with the amount I work and don’t believe it takes over or prohibits me from enjoying my personal life.”
Another recruit reports that their work-life balance improved after the firm introduced a three days in office, two days from home policy. Equipment such as extra screens and monitors is available upon request, and the tech offering at home and in the office is described as “very advanced” and “constantly being adapted and improved by the IT department.” The firm’s case management system, Proclaim, receives particular praise.
So too do colleagues. “The peers at Express are what makes the firm so enjoyable to work for. I’ve built lifelong friendships and we are all very supportive of one another, including during exams and stressful work days,” said one recruit. “I could not ask any more of my peers. There is not one person off-limits to provide help, guidance, or advice. I feel fully supported personally and professionally,” praised another.
On the whole, the same is true of the partners, though some describe the experience as more “hit and miss.” The firm’s open-door policy helps trainees feel comfortable with superiors who seem happy to engage with questions and concerns: “No number of questions is too many and all my superiors are more than open to furthering my personal and professional development.”
The firm’s £4.4 million office space in Wythenshawe, Manchester, comes equipped with an onsite gym, showers, a rooftop garden and pool, and foosball and ping-pong tables. It continues to impress, even if there are lingering complaints about the lack of a canteen and the coffee machines being strictly partner-only.
The social scene consists of annual Christmas and summer parties, with a departmental social budget allowing for additional events throughout the year. “Great socials throughout the year, able to attend and get to know people” was the short-but-sweet verdict from one current recruit.
Perks include birthday leave, free tea, coffee and fresh fruit, summer and Christmas parties, a social budget, Easter eggs, and commission on billing targets. The firm’s regular sporting activities are a highlight for many. “The firm goes above and beyond to hire out a football pitch for us to play on once a week. When I first joined, it was over lockdown and I began to feel like I hadn’t really met any of my colleagues. This quickly changed when I started playing football. The lads I met through football are now some of my closest friends, which may not have been the case if the firm hadn’t arranged it,” recalled one footie-loving recruit. Netball is also popular, and everyone gets a day off on their birthday.