Training Contracts for Law Students in the UK

How to secure a training contract

A training contract is a two-year paid placement at a law firm that qualifies you as a solicitor under the traditional route. With the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), the training contract is being supplemented — and eventually replaced — by the Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) route, though many large firms continue to offer structured training contracts. At most large London firms, the primary route to a training contract is through the vacation scheme — firms expect most training contract hires to have completed their vac scheme first. Smaller and regional firms may offer direct training contract applications. Training contracts at top firms are extremely competitive, with acceptance rates below five percent at some City firms. Applications typically open one to two years before the contract start date — meaning undergraduate students often apply in their penultimate or final year for a contract starting after their LPC or SQE2 preparation.

Frequently asked questions