TWO new trainee solicitors have joined a Colchester law firm.

John Fawcett and Stephanie Bussell join second year trainees Sophie Harper and Claire Hunt at Birkett Long.

All four are based in the Colchester office, in Crouch Street, and will move around the various division to develop understanding in all forms of law.

Mr Fawcett is working in the rural and residential property team, Ms Bussell in the wills, trusts and probate team, Ms Harper in the commercial and corporate finance team and Ms Hunt in the dispute resolution team.

Adrian Livesley, managing partner at Birkett Long, said: “Having new blood in the organisation is essential. Young, bright people bring a fresh approach and renewed vitality to us. These four trainees have already achieved a lot to get to this point and had huge competition to get this far.”

Trainees spend time with four departments during their two-year contract with Birkett Long, each seat typically lasting around six months.

Mr Livesley added: “They get to see how each area of law works and expand their legal knowledge and skills before qualifying. It also gives them a better ability to know in what kind of law they want