Training timeline - Hong Kong

The journey from application to qualification. Our relationship with our trainees starts long before their first day of their training contract.

Here we explain the step-by-step process.

1. Apply for a vacation scheme
Attendance of our vacation scheme is not a pre-requisite to be a Herbert Smith trainee, however, it is a great introduction to life as a trainee at our firm. We recommend that law students apply in their penultimate year. Existing degree holders can apply at any time. If your application is successful, you will be invited to our Hong Kong office where you will be interviewed by our vacation scheme partner

2. Attend a vacation scheme
During your placement you will sit in the same room as a partner or senior associate and be given real work for real clients. Formal and informal social events are arranged for you to meet others on the vacation scheme as well as partners, associates and trainees. By the end you should have a good idea of whether law is the career for you – and whether that might be at Herbert Smith. 

3. Apply for a training contract
We recommend that law students apply in their penultimate year and existing degree holders can apply at any time.

4. Attend a training contract interview
Successful candidates will have two interviews.  Each interview will be with a Partner and take approximately 45 minutes. 

5. Become a future joiner
From the moment you accept a training contract with us, you become part of the firm. As a future joiner we involve you in the life of the firm by keeping in regular contact and inviting you to events throughout the year.

6. Complete the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) conversion exam if you are a non-law degree holder or holder of a law degree from outside Hong Kong
This is the conversion exam for non-law degree holders from Hong Kong and those with a law degree from outside Hong Kong. The course is the first stage of your academic training towards becoming a qualified solicitor.

7. Apply for a place on the PCLL
The PCLL is a vocational training course that will help you develop greater awareness of the fundamental legal and practical skills required by lawyers working in a firm such as Herbert Smith. It covers areas such as the application of contract and company law to clients, the conduct of negotiations and legal drafting.

We support our future trainees during this period by paying fees and providing a maintenance grant. 

8. Attend the PCLL
We recommend that our future trainees attend the PCLL at one of the following providers: City University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong.  

We support you during this time by paying your fees and providing a maintenance grant.

9. Your training contract
Herbert Smith is well known for the quality, balance and variety of its training contract. During the two years you will rotate around four seats, each lasting six months. You can also apply to work in one of our PRC offices and/or our London office.