The training contract

This is the biggest step in your graduate legal career: a fully-paid law qualification, then two years of training, split into four blocks of six-month seats. Two will be in our core areas – banking and corporate – but the rest is up for grabs. You might even work abroad or in a client office for six months. Your progress is up to you.

For application windows and programme dates please click here

What will I get paid?

Salary is important, and we want to reward you as you develop through your different seats.

First year: £48,500

Second year: £53,000

On qualification: £120,000

Who can apply?

Our direct Training Contract applications open once a year, and we understand that not everyone wants to complete a vacation scheme to obtain one. That’s not a problem, all we ask is if you are applying for a direct Training Contract that you have demonstrable legal work experience, so you are sure this is the career for you. 

Our direct Training Contracts are open to Finalists and Graduates of any subject, and you’ll need to have:

• at least a 2:1 (or equivalent),
• AAB at A level (or equivalent)

Application Process

• Upon submitting your online application form, you will be invited to complete a bespoke online test, a behaviour based gamification software, tailored to NRF.
• If you meet the minimum benchmark for our online test, your application will be screened against our criteria and if successful you will be invited to conduct a Teams video interview with a member of the Early Careers team. Passing this, you will be invited to an in person Assessment Centre in our London Office.

Before you start

Our Training Contract is one of the most varied among leading international firms with headquarters in London. The training contract is two years, broken down into four six-month seats. You will get the widest possible exposure to different practice areas and offices around the world, enabling you to make the best and most informed choice of qualification area. These include compulsory seats in Corporate and Banking. One of your seats will almost certainly be on secondment too – your first encounter with working in a new country, or maybe six months spent working in a client office. As you move from one milestone to the next, you’ll have a sizeable team at your back. A partner mentor to turn to and to learn from. A trainee buddy to teach you the ropes. And the whole trainee development team, to keep you on track from the point you receive your offer, until the day you qualify.

We offer up to 50 training contracts each year across two intakes – March and September. We pay all your fees for the Law Conversion Course (previously PGDL) and SQE, as well as provide maintenance grants to keep you going through the year.

Each trainee is paired with a Partner on starting your Training Contract, and they will be your mentor throughout the next two years. They will be there to offer support, and share their incredible depth of knowledge and experience of the firm. Your mentor will offer you everything from career insights to resolving any concerns you may have, as well as being a great sounding board.

When we hire you, we are making an investment. We ensure we all get the maximum return on this by providing the highest standards of training. Becoming an outstanding lawyer is about continuous development - we will make sure you are challenged and rewarded in equal measure.

Your training contract timeline

1 Begin SQE GDL/LPC

Taking about a year, you’ll study at law school with funding from us.

2 First seat

Here’s where you join us for real, in your first practice area, lasting six months.

3 Second seat

Another six months where you’ll move to sectors new – or even explore new countries.

4 Third seat

A third new area? Or maybe a secondment? There’s a lot to explore here.

5 Fourth seat

Working in your final sector or secondment, you’ll plan for the future too.

6 Qualification

The next stage of your development begins, as a newly qualified lawyer.