Graduate Recruitment in the UK
Graduate Recruitment in the UK
Recruitment & Application Process
If you are applying as an undergraduate, you should have a strong academic record. To us that means 340 UCAS points at A-level (or equivalent) and being on target for a 2:1 (or equivalent) degree result or higher. Should you not meet these criteria, you are still eligible to apply, but will need to demonstrate exceptional strength across all of our competencies in your application form. The subject of your degree, however, is not important and we accept applications from both law and non-law students and graduates. It is your potential to become a lawyer that is important to us, rather than your knowledge of law itself.
Approximately 40 - 50% of our trainee intake is from a non-law background. The subject of your degree, however, is not important and we accept applications from both law and non-law students and graduates. It is your potential to become a lawyer that is important to us, rather than your knowledge of law itself.
If you are in your final year of undergraduate study, studying for a postgraduate degree or have already graduated, we aim to communicate the outcome of your training contract assessment day to you within 24 hours of your assessment day. Otherwise, we will communicate our decision from 1st September of your final year of undergraduate study, in line with SRA guidelines. However, in the case of vacation scheme applications we aim to let you know as quickly as possible whether we are making an offer - irrespective of your year of study.
Please use the following link as a guide to application dates.
We allow one application per vacancy every 12 months (based upon an academic year). You are welcome to apply for a vacation scheme and training contract in the same 12-month period.
Unfortunately, as we receive such a high number of applications, it is only possible to provide feedback to those who have attended an assessment day. We hope that our website and hints and tips videos will provide you with additional support and guidance.
Please click here for a guide to application dates.
We are unfortunately not able to offer assessment days outside of those listed on the website, so please ensure you are available on the listed days prior to submitting your application.
No, unfortunately due to our tight schedules we have to stick to our deadlines.
Absolutely, Clifford Chance has no limit on the time between when you have graduated and when you submit your application.
Yes, we currently run two four week summer vacation placements. Our summer vacation schemes are aimed at penultimate-year students from any discipline. You will be involved in live projects, with the support of a closely integrated team of qualified lawyers and trainees. You will also participate in a variety of training exercises, free law sessions, and social and networking events. As well as a salary of £350 per week, you'll have full use of our outstanding facilities, including the staff restaurant, swimming pool and state-of-the-art fitness centre.
Each year we have approximately 50 - 60 students on our vacation scheme.
The criteria is the same as for our training contracts. Places are limited; therefore there is a lot of competition - please ensure that you apply in plenty of time.
It isn't necessary for you to complete a vacation scheme or work experience placement with us or any other law firms to secure a training contract here.
We require all of our future trainees to have passed the LPC exams and modules at their first attempt.
There are no restrictions regarding where you study for the GDL; however we do encourage you to complete it at The College of Law, Moorgate, where you will complete your LPC. Details of universities and colleges offering GDL courses are available on the Solicitors Regulation Authority website.
If you are still participating in the course when you apply for your Training Contract, we will reimburse part or all of your fees depending on the stage you are at with your studies. We encourage individuals to discuss this with the Graduate Recruitment or Development teams for further clarification. You may also be eligible to receive pro-rated maintenance payments.
The Graduate Development team provide ongoing support from the point at which a Training Contract offer is accepted, through to qualification at the end of the Training Contract. All prospective trainees are encouraged to maintain contact with the Firm prior to the start of the Training Contract and the Graduate Development team is on-hand to respond to any queries at any stage prior to starting with the Firm. Throughout the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or for individuals following the QLTS route, an e-newsletter is regularly sent with updates and useful information from the team. An event will be organised prior to the start of the LPC and social events organised throughout the LPC course. The Graduate Development team make regular visits to the LPC students at college and encourage individuals to come to speak to them about any aspects of their studies or future Training Contract.
All non-EU nationals will require a visa to undertake work in the UK. Our Graduate Development and HR Advice teams will assist individuals requiring a visa, prior to the start of their employment, providing guidance and support on the application process at the time. A visa may also be required to work in some international offices and our International Assignments team assist our Trainees with this process.
Please be aware that your training contract will be conditional on you being eligible to work in the UK for the duration of your training contract.
Over the two years of your training contract, you will complete four rotations in our practice areas. The purpose of doing a number of seats is to give you a broad experience across our business and the opportunity to work with different teams and clients, and potentially in different jurisdictions. When it comes to the seat allocation process, after meeting each group to discuss their business requirements, the Graduate Development team will invite you to identify a number of groups which are of particular interest to you. These will then be discussed with you during your individual career development meetings with the Graduate Development team. While taking into account the needs of each business group and a number of other factors, we will try to allocate you to one of your preferred groups during each seat allocation process. All trainees should expect to gain experience in our three core practice areas of Finance, Capital Markets and Corporate.
At Clifford Chance our aim is to retain the best people. For 2012, our retention rate was 83%.
Absolutely, Clifford Chance can provide the application in alternative formats. Please contact us on +44 (0) 20 7006 3003 or email with details of the alternative format that you require.
Clifford Chance will be more than happy to work with you to ensure any reasonable adjustments are made to the recruitment process. Please contact the Graduate Recruitment team on +44 (0) 20 7006 3003 to discuss your requirements in more detail.
If the FAQs have not answered your question, please call us on: +44(0) 20 7006 3003 or email at: recruitment.london@cliffordchance.
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