Career Insight: NCA Trainee Solicitor
Source: gov.uk (2025-04-27)

An NCA trainee provides an insight into their training within the National Crime Agency (NCA)

The National Crime Agency (NCA) (https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/) plays a key role in the fight against serious and organised crime in the UK. As a trainee within NCA Legal you will get the opportunity to work on a wide range of issues, from seizing assets to advising on live operations.

As a trainee you will normally undertake four seats across the two years, with exposure to a huge breadth of work. The order of the seats is subject to change depending on NCA Legal priorities, but will be designed to ensure you get the maximum out of each.

Within our Civil Litigation Team, you will have the opportunity to work on a range of matters which could include judicial reviews, civil claims, inquests and public inquiries, and to work with colleagues across the Agency. Often these are high-profile cases and inquiries. During my seat I spent time in the Court of Appeal, working with senior KCs and was given an opportunity to work on my own caseload supervised by a senior lawyer. While this early responsibility may seem daunting, NCA Legal fosters a culture of collaboration and encouragement that quickly builds your confidence.

Within our Financial Disruptions Litigation Team, you will work on a collection of high-profile asset recovery cases. These are usually fast-paced, and offer a great opportunity for trainees to work closely with senior lawyers and counsel at an early stage. Cases often involve forfeiture of high-value assets such as property, bank accounts and recently crypto assets, and provide trainees with an opportunity to work alongside international partners.

Trainees have a number of options for their third seat, including a chance to be seconded outside the Agency. Past trainees have worked in the Home Office to gain policy experience, advising ministers on the passage of bills through Parliament. Other trainees, like myself, have used their third seat to gain experience in a different team within NCA Legal. These include our Commercial and Employment Team, who advise on employment matters including tribunals, and advise the Agency in relation to its commercial dealings, including compliance with new public procurement legislation. Another is our Disruptive Actions Litigation Team, who advise on disruptions to criminal activity including civil orders and sanctions.

Finally, trainees will complete a seat in our Data and Operational Advisory Team, who provide legal advice to teams across the Agency. This means that the caseload in this seat can be incredibly broad, allowing you to advise on ongoing operations, international liaison, extradition and data sharing. In this seat you will come to understand the incredible range of work the NCA undertakes, and how your role in NCA Legal is pivotal to achieving the Agency’s objectives to protect the public from serious and organised crime.

Training at the NCA is a totally unique experience. It offers you the opportunity to develop a wide breadth of legal knowledge and experience, in novel and often high-profile matters – and importantly, within a training culture that ensures you will be supported, challenged and valued.