Complete Guide to Law Training Contract Applications 2027
Everything a law student or career changer needs to know about securing a training contract — deadlines, application strategy, Watson Glaser, interview preparation and what to expect during your two-year qualification.
Used by students applying to Clifford Chance, Linklaters, Freshfields and 30+ other firms
In this guide
- 1What a training contract is
- 2The 2027 training contract timeline
- 3The application
- 4Free CV checkerFREE TOOL
- 5Online tests
- 6Free psychometric practiceFREE TOOL
- 7The interview — partner meetings and competency questions
- 8Free HireVue practiceFREE TOOL
- 9The assessment day — what to expect
- 10Firms and deadlines
- 11Frequently asked questions
Section 1
What a training contract is
A training contract is a two-year period of supervised legal training at a law firm that you must complete before qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales. During these two years you will typically rotate through four six-month "seats" in different practice areas — for example, corporate, litigation, real estate, and finance.
At Magic Circle firms, the training contract is an intensely structured experience: formal training, live client work from day one, regular feedback from supervisors, and increasingly complex responsibility as you progress. Upon successful completion, you qualify as a solicitor and are typically offered an associate position.
The training contract is often secured 2–3 years before it starts. Most students apply during their penultimate year (via vacation scheme) and begin the training contract after completing their degree and any required legal qualifications (SQE or LPC). Direct training contract applications — without first completing a vacation scheme — are possible but significantly more competitive at top firms.
Training contract salaries at Magic Circle firms are among the highest in any graduate programme: £50,000–£56,000 in the first year, rising in the second year, with qualification salaries of £100,000–£150,000 at the largest London firms.
Duration
2 years (four 6-month seats)
First year salary (Magic Circle)
£50,000–£56,000
Qualification salary
£100,000–£150,000 at Magic Circle firms
Primary route
Vacation scheme → training contract offer (80–95% conversion)
Direct application rate
1–2% acceptance at top firms
Start date
Typically September 2028 or March 2029 (applied for in 2026)
Section 2
The 2027 training contract timeline
Training contracts starting in 2028/2029 are recruited for during 2026/2027. The primary route is through vacation schemes — see our vacation scheme guide for the full process. Direct training contract applications follow a similar but slightly later timeline.
Research firms, develop commercial awareness, attend open days and virtual events. If you are targeting a vacation scheme route, begin preparing your applications now.
Apply for vacation schemes at your target firms. This is the primary route to a training contract at Magic Circle and Silver Circle firms.
Some firms accept direct training contract applications from candidates who have not completed a vacation scheme. These windows are typically shorter and more competitive.
Complete your vacation scheme. Performance during the placement is the primary basis for training contract offers.
Offers are typically communicated within 2–4 weeks of the vacation scheme ending. Direct TC applicants may receive offers later in the year.
If required, complete your qualifying legal exams. Many firms sponsor the SQE and cover course fees.
Your two-year training contract starts. First seat allocation is typically communicated 1–2 months before the start date.
Section 3
How to apply for a training contract
Your CV
Training contract CVs follow the same principles as vacation scheme CVs, with an emphasis on academic credentials, commercial awareness, and legal or commercial experience:
Academic record is the foundation. A-Level grades, degree classification, and university all matter. Most Magic Circle firms filter on these criteria before reading the rest of your CV.
Legal experience: vacation schemes, mini-pupillages, law clinic, pro bono work, legal internships. If you have completed a vacation scheme elsewhere, reference it.
Commercial experience: any exposure to business environments, even outside law. Consulting work, finance internships, business-related society roles.
Skills: research, drafting, mooting, debating, languages (especially for international firms), any evidence of written communication ability.
Cover letter
Training contract cover letters follow the same three-paragraph structure as vacation scheme applications:
Why commercial law? Demonstrate understanding of the commercial solicitor role — advising businesses, managing transactions, navigating regulations.
Why this firm? Reference specific practice areas, deals, training structure, or international presence. Show you have done the research.
Why you? Connect your experiences to the skills a trainee needs. Be specific and evidence-based.
Application questions
Training contract application questions often probe deeper than vacation scheme questions:
Commercial depth: "Analyse a recent deal involving this firm and discuss its significance." — Research the firm's deals page and pick something specific. Show analytical thinking.
Career motivation: "Why do you want to qualify as a solicitor at this firm?" — The answer should show you understand the 2-year training contract, the seat rotation system, and the firm's specific approach to training.
Problem solving: "How would you advise a client facing [scenario]?" — You do not need legal knowledge for these. They test structured thinking and commercial judgement.
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Section 5
The Watson Glaser — the gatekeeper for law firm applications
The Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Test is used by virtually every major law firm. It is the single most common reason for rejection at the screening stage. Specific preparation makes a measurable difference.
Watson Glaser Critical Thinking
30 minutes, 40 questionsProviders: Pearson TalentLens
Five sections testing logical reasoning: inferences, recognition of assumptions, deduction, interpretation, and evaluation of arguments. Each requires strict analytical reasoning — personal knowledge must be set aside.
Verbal reasoning
17–20 minutes, 15–20 questionsProviders: SHL
Used alongside Watson Glaser by some firms. Standard True/False/Cannot Say format.
Situational judgement
25–30 minutesProviders: SHL, custom
Professional services scenarios testing judgement and values alignment.
Preparation tips
Complete at least 3 full Watson Glaser practice tests before your first live attempt.
The "evaluation of arguments" section trips up most candidates — practise distinguishing between logically strong and weak arguments regardless of your personal views.
Time is tight: 45 seconds per question on average. Do not spend more than a minute on any single question.
Read each passage carefully but quickly. The answer is always contained within the text provided.
Practice a psychometric test
The Watson Glaser tests a type of reasoning you rarely practise at university. Doing one practice test before the real thing is the single most impactful preparation step. Try one below.
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Section 7
The interview — partner meetings and competency questions
Training contract interviews at law firms are typically conducted live (in person or video) rather than pre-recorded. The interviewer is usually a partner or senior associate who will assess your motivation, commercial awareness, and communication skills over 30–45 minutes.
The tone is more conversational than banking interviews but the expectations are high. Partners are assessing whether you are someone they would trust to represent the firm in front of clients.
Common question types
Why commercial law?
Show understanding of what commercial solicitors actually do — advising businesses on transactions, disputes, and regulatory compliance.
Why this firm?
Reference specific practice areas, deals, training structure, or international opportunities. Be specific enough that the answer would not work for a competitor.
Commercial awareness
"Tell me about a recent legal or business development." — A deal, regulation, or case from the last 3 months with analysis of its commercial significance.
Competency
Teamwork, leadership, attention to detail, resilience. STAR structure with specific, honest examples.
How firms score your answers
Commercial thinking — Do you understand how law firms make money and how legal work drives business outcomes?
Communication clarity — Can you explain complex ideas simply and listen carefully?
Genuine motivation — Does your interest in this firm and this career feel authentic?
Professional presentation — Would a client trust you?
Intellectual curiosity — Do you ask good questions?
Practice a HireVue question
Even if your firm conducts live interviews, practising on camera builds the same core skills: structuring answers under time pressure, managing nerves, and articulating your motivation clearly. Try one question below.
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Section 9
The assessment day — what to expect
Most Magic Circle and Silver Circle firms run assessment days that combine a partner interview with practical exercises:
Partner interview
30–45 minutesMotivation, commercial awareness, competency questions. More conversational than HR interviews but still structured.
Group exercise
30–45 minutesDiscuss a business scenario with 4–6 other candidates and reach a recommendation. Assessors evaluate contribution quality, listening, and collaboration.
Written exercise
45–60 minutesDraft a client letter, summarise legal issues, or advise on a scenario. Tests structured thinking and writing clarity — not legal knowledge.
Presentation (some firms)
10–15 minutesPrepared or impromptu presentation on a commercial topic. Structure and clarity matter most.
How to stand out during the week
Research the firm's recent deals in the week before. Read their press releases and any coverage in The Lawyer.
In the written exercise: structure is everything. Introduction, key points, conclusion. Write less but write well.
Be warm and professional with everyone — other candidates, trainees, receptionists.
Prepare questions for the partner that show commercial curiosity about the firm's strategy.
Section 10
Training contract deadlines by firm
Most training contracts are secured via vacation schemes (see separate guide). Direct TC application windows vary by firm.
| Firm | Programme | Opens | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clifford Chance | Training Contract | Via vacation scheme (June 2026) | Get alerted |
| Linklaters | Training Contract | Via vacation scheme (June 2026) | Get alerted |
| Freshfields | Training Contract | Via vacation scheme (July 2026) | Get alerted |
| Slaughter and May | Training Contract | Direct applications accepted year-round | Get alerted |
| Herbert Smith Freehills | Training Contract | Via vacation scheme (August 2026) | Get alerted |
| Hogan Lovells | Training Contract | Via vacation scheme (September 2026) | Get alerted |
| Ashurst | Training Contract | Via vacation scheme (September 2026) | Get alerted |
| White & Case | Training Contract | Via vacation scheme (September 2026) | Get alerted |
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