Application Process
When are you recruiting for?
We are currently recruiting for trainees who will commence with the firm in September 2029.
How can I let you know about any mitigating circumstances/exam results once I have submitted my written application form?
Please submit any additional information to your application via the supplementary information tool. When you log into your account you will find information about the supplementary information tool on the home page.
Do you recruit on a rolling basis?
We do not review applications on a rolling basis, so you have until the deadline of 24 January 2027 to complete the form.
When will I know the outcome of my Thrive Assessment?
If you achieve a score that meets the threshold, you will be notified by email and invited to submit a written application.
When will I know the outcome of my written application?
We try to let all candidates know the outcome of their application one month after the deadline. Please note, sometimes it may take longer because each application form is reviewed thoroughly.
Can I receive feedback on my written application?
Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to offer individual feedback on written application forms.
What costs are covered for insight days, events and assessment days?
For those travelling to attend any of our assessment days, we will reimburse expenses up to a maximum value of £100. We cannot reimburse for taxis or cost of petrol. However, if you have a disability that limits your public transport options, please contact the team to discuss travel arrangements.
Can I receive feedback after assessment day and/or vacation scheme?
We do offer feedback to candidates if they attend one of our assessment days and are ultimately unsuccessful in progressing to a vacation scheme. We also offer feedback to vacation scheme candidates who are unsuccessful at obtaining a training contract with the firm.
All candidates who attend the five assessment days are considered collectively for a place on the vacation scheme. This means that candidates are not informed of the outcome until the end of March. Feedback is also provided to unsuccessful candidates at that time.
Similarly, with regards to the vacation schemes, we only have one process per year and offer the 15 training contracts to the highest performers across the two schemes, so we wait until the after the summer scheme in July to extend the offers and give feedback to unsuccessful candidates from both schemes.
Do you have a minimum grade requirement?
Yes, we do have a minimum requirement. Candidates must achieve AAB at A-level and a 2:1 at university. We review all application forms holistically and will take mitigating circumstances into account.
Am I allowed to defer for a year?
We will take any requests to defer training contract start dates into consideration.
Do you take on international students?
Yes, we accept applications from international students.
I am qualified in another jurisdiction—should I apply for a training contract?
No. You cannot apply for the training contract. In order to qualify into the UK, we recommend you complete the SQE 1 and 2. You must speak to the SRA if you are eligible for any exemptions. If you have at least two years legal professional experience, you do not need to do qualifying work experience, as the SRA will recognize your existing qualification and experience and offset this against doing a training contract. You will then be eligible to apply laterally for associate positions. Please email your CV to [email protected] and we will respond to let you know whether there are any suitable vacancies that you can apply for.
I am a qualified lawyer in a different jurisdiction, but I do not have two years professional experience—what do I do?
If you do not have the requisite experience, you could obtain a paralegal role and gain the relevant two years professional experience that way. Once you have completed SQE 1 and 2, you will then be eligible to apply for lateral associate positions. If a qualified lawyer is granted an exemption from SQE 2, we may also require them to demonstrate their English or Welsh language competence.
Law School
Do you have a preferred Law School?
All our future trainees complete the SQE and PGDL Conversion Course (if applicable) at BPP Law School (London).
Training Contract
Will I be placed in my preferred practice areas for my seats?
While we will take your seat preferences into account, and are always happy to discuss these, we cannot guarantee that you will be placed in all your preferred practices.
I am interested in an international and/or client secondment—what is available?
We offer both client and international secondment opportunities, which are dependent on business needs. These secondments provide trainees with valuable exposure to a range of commercial issues, key individuals, and the workings of different legal teams. If one of these secondments becomes available, then we will open the opportunity to all our trainees but reserve the right to select the trainee with the most appropriate experience.