FAQs

When is the deadline for training contract applications for March 2012/September 2012?
31 July 2010.

How many trainee solicitors join each year?
Our London office aims to recruit around 85 trainees a year who start in either September or March.

When should I apply for a training contract?

• Non-law students should apply in their final year
• Law students should apply in their penultimate or final year
• Graduates can apply at any time

When can I expect to be interviewed?

• We interview non-law students from January 2010
• We interview law students in September and October in their final year
• We offer all students on our vacation schemes an opportunity to be interviewed whilst on the scheme for a training contract if they are either going into their final year, or have already graduated

How do I apply?
By completing our online application form.

How many places are there on your vacation schemes?

Up to 125 places in total on our 2009/2010 vacation schemes as follows:

• 25 places on our winter scheme 
• 25 places on our spring scheme
• 25 places on each of our four two-week summer schemes

When are the vacation schemes taking place?

• Winter: 7 – 18 December 2009 
• Spring: 22 March – 1 April 2010
• Summer (1): 21 June - 2 July 2010
• Summer (2): 12 - 23 July 2010
• Summer (3): 2 - 13 August 2009

The applications for this year's vacation schemes have now closed.

Is it worth applying for a training contract if I haven’t been on a vacation scheme with the firm?
Yes, definitely. We recognise that we are unable to offer vacation scheme places to as many students as we would like and welcome applications from other students.

Can I apply for a training contract if I haven’t studied law as a degree?
Yes. On average, over 45% of our trainee intake is from non-law degree students. This helps to ensure our intake is as diverse as possible.

Do we recommend a GDL provider?
Yes. We request that all GDL students apply to BPP in London, Manchester or Leeds.

Do you offer a maintenance grant/fees bursary?
Yes. We pay all GDL/LPC course fees and a maintenance grant in three termly instalments. We also pay the SRA student membership.

How much will trainees be paid during the Training Contract?
£37,500 in year one rising to £42,500 in year two. In addition they will be entitled to 25 days holiday in each of their first two years, rising to 27 upon qualification. In addition, trainees receive other benefits including private medical insurance, pension, subsidised membership to Virgin Active gym, interest free season ticket loan, life assurance, permanent health insurance, group personal accident insurance and profit share.

When will trainees have the opportunity to go on secondment?
Trainees are given the opportunity to request an international or client secondment. Most opportunities are available for our second, third and fourth-seat trainees.

We offer the following international/client secondments:

There are international secondment opportunities in:

There are client/secondment opportunities at:

** The secondments to the High Court are dealt with separately and not as part of the secondment allocation rounds. They tend to be shorter in duration and are not guaranteed to be available every six months.

Is it difficult to get a secondment?
Approximately 80% of trainees who want to, will get to go on a secondment.

What is the retention rate of trainee solicitors upon qualification?
Of those trainees that applied for a position upon qualification in the last round (September 2009) 79% were offered. Taking into account those who did not apply, were unsuccessful or turned down the role, our actual retention rate is 74%.

Will you help me secure a work permit if I need one?
Yes. We will use our own internal resource plus any external expertise to assist them in an application for a work permit for UK or international placements. Non-EU nationals will need Work Permits to undertake a training contract. Work Permits may also be required for certain foreign seats.

Will I have the opportunity to train as a solicitor advocate?
Yes. You will undertake training in solicitor advocacy during your LPC and also as part of the Professional Skills Course in their training contract. Trainees will have the opportunity of applying for a secondment to the Advocacy Unit as well as qualifying into litigation to obtain full rights of audience.