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Vacation schemes

AuthorJemma Smith, senior editor
Posted on

Giving you an insight into what it's like to work within a law firm, vacation schemes provide crucial work experience, as well as the opportunity to impress legal employers who often recruit trainees from vacation schemes

What is a vacation scheme?

A vacation scheme is a short work experience programme offered by law firms to aspiring solicitors and current law students.

Typically lasting between one and two weeks, a vacation scheme provides valuable insight into life at a commercial law firm and the work undertaken by its lawyers.

'Vacation schemes give participants the opportunity to develop their legal and professional skills, gain hands-on experience through real work and networking opportunities, and learn more about a firm's culture, practice areas and clients,' says Cristina Gutierrez, early talent senior adviser at Winston Taylor. 'They also allow firms to get to know candidates beyond their written application and assess their suitability for a future training contract. As a result, many law firms use vacation schemes as a key route for recruiting their future trainees.'

What do vacation schemes involve?

You'll meet partners, associates, solicitors and trainees and find out more about:

  • the culture of the firm
  • the structure of work and training
  • what cases and transactions actually involve.

It's also a good opportunity to gain a better understanding of the skills and personal qualities that the firm is seeking and what they mean in practice. Learn more about the skills you need to succeed in law.

The structure of law vacation schemes varies with each firm, but generally you'll be assigned a supervisor and a buddy and rotate within two practice groups. You'll get the opportunity to:

  • observe solicitors giving legal advice
  • sit in on client meetings
  • shadow lawyers
  • work on live cases and transactions.

There may also be workshops, seminars and presentations for you to attend and, depending on the size of the firm, some social events.

When do vacation schemes take place?

'Most law firm vacation schemes are held during the spring (April-May) and summer (Jun-July) university breaks,' explains Cristina. 'We run programmes during both of these periods, giving students the chance to experience our culture, gain exposure to high-quality client work and build an understanding of what a career at the firm could look like.'

While spring and summer schemes are by far the post popular option some firms also run vacation scheme placements in the winter (Nov-Jan).

Which firms offer vacation schemes?

All firms listed below run vacation schemes or legal work experience placements. When choosing a scheme, it's important to do your research to ensure it meets your needs. If you require more information about a programme before making an application, contact the firm directly.

This is just a selection and is by no means an exhaustive list. If you're interested in a particular firm, check on their website to see if they run vacation schemes or legal placements.

How many vacation schemes should I complete?

There isn't a magic number in regard to schemes, and you're not restricted in the number you can complete - the more experience you get the better. Cristina offers this advice 'rather than applying to as many firms as possible, it's often better to take a targeted approach and focus on the firms that genuinely interest you.'

'Create a shortlist of firms that align with your interests, values and career goals. From there look at a firms practice areas, clients, culture and what makes it different. This will help you decide where you're most likely to thrive.

Recruiters can tell when a candidate has taken the time to understand the firm and explain clearly why they want to join. Applications that stand out are often those that show genuine motivation, rather than those that have been sent to multiple firms.'

What are vacation scheme entry requirements?

Firms set their own requirements and as such they may vary depending on where you're applying, so it's best to check with individual firms before making your application. Some state a preferred grade, with many asking for you to be on track to achieve at least a 2:1.

'From an academic perspective, Winston Taylor look for a minimum of AAB at A-level (or equivalent) and at least a 2:1 degree classification in any subject,' says Cristina. 'However, we recognise that academic results don't always tell the full story, so if there are personal circumstances that have impacted your grades, we encourage you to explain this when submitting your application.'

Undergraduates, graduates and postgraduates are welcome to apply for many schemes. Undergraduate law students need to be in their second or final year to apply, although some firms run schemes specially targeted at first year students.

Remember, vacation schemes aren't just open to those studying law, non-law students can also apply but in this instance, you'll need to be in your final year of study.

'Most of all, we look for individuals who demonstrate curiosity, determination, adaptability, a collaborative nature and an interest in understanding our clients’ businesses and sectors,' adds Cristina.

What are the vacation scheme application deadlines?

Schemes with the biggest firms are usually at Easter, Christmas or during the summer of law undergraduates' penultimate year (or the final year for non-law students). Many of the larger firms open for applications in the autumn and may have pre-Christmas closing dates for their spring and summer schemes.

An increasing number of firms are also providing vacation schemes or virtual work experience for first-year students.

Deadlines for vacation schemes tend to fall before the end of the year, several months ahead of training contract applications. However, the best advice is to research early, as increased competition for places means that vacation schemes may be brought forward.

Firms may be quite specific about what sort of applications they want and when, such as final-year non-law students at Easter and penultimate-year law students in the summer.

Will a vacation scheme help me get a training contract?

Yes, firms often recruit for their training contracts from their pool of vacation schemers.

This is because a vacation scheme provides invaluable hands on experience and insight into the workings of a particular law firm, putting you in an advantageous position when applying for training contract as you’ve already worked at the firm, experienced its culture and made contacts.

'At Winston Taylor, completing a vacation scheme is the route to securing a training contract,' says Cristina.

Do I have to complete a vacation scheme or training contract?

If you can't get on a vacation scheme, all is not lost. Attend insight days and events or complete some virtual work experience. Alternatively, apply for paralegal opportunities or use your time to do pro bono work to demonstrate your interest in the legal profession and to develop your commercial awareness.

Alternatively, do some work experience in another sector or get a part-time job. While this may not provide you with specific legal experience, it will still:

  • build soft skills
  • demonstrate your proactive, determined nature
  • give you real life examples to use in interviews.

Remember, qualifying via the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE) means that you no longer have to complete a training contract. You'll still need to do two years qualifying work experience (QWE) but this can be completed in a number of ways.

While it's expected that many firms will continue to run traditional training contracts, you can also qualify as a solicitor through:

  • completing a placement as part of a sandwich year
  • volunteering in a student law clinic
  • working as a paralegal.

How do I apply for a vacation placement?

Law firms receive hundreds of applications, and because of this not all will wait until the deadline to shortlist applicants. Starting early and getting help with your application gives you the best chance.

Draw up a list of firms you'd like to apply to and schedule time to research the organisation. Most large and mid-sized firms have multi-stage application processes, which start with registration and an online application form. Smaller firms require a completed online application form, or a CV accompanied by a cover letter.

Whatever documents you send, this is your opportunity to explain why you want the vacation scheme and what you'll be bringing to the firm.

Get help and advice on writing your legal CV and cover letter.

You may also need to attend a one-to-one or panel interview where you could be asked questions including:

  • Why do you want to be a solicitor?
  • Who are our main competitors?
  • What stories in the business press have caught your eye?

You should prepare responses beforehand and ensure you have examples to draw upon. Take a look at the 9 questions you might be asked in a law interview.

Will I be paid on a vacation scheme?

Most firms pay something, even if it's just expenses. The amount that firms pay varies so check with them before applying.

For example, currently per week you will be paid:

  • Baker McKenzie - £518
  • Clyde & Co - £520
  • Hogan Lovells Cadwalader - £500
  • Latham & Watkins - £500
  • RPC - £500
  • Travers Smith - £750
  • Weil - £750.

You should receive at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW) in the UK if you're performing the role of a worker. From April 2026, this is £10.85 for 18 to 20 year olds. Those aged 21 and over should receive the National Living Wage (NLW) of £12.71.

What makes a good vacation scheme application?

  • Know what's happening in the legal profession e.g. firm mergers, partner moves, new client panel wins and law firm revenues and profitability.
  • Allow plenty of time to research the firm, practice areas and high-profile cases. Focus on one application at a time and ask your university's careers services to review it before sending.
  • Be clear about why you want a law career. It's a challenging option and you need resilience and determination; demonstrate your passion and be confident that you are committed to this career.

How do I make the most of my vacation scheme?

Show enthusiasm throughout the scheme. Go above and beyond the requirements - this will get you noticed for the right reasons, as will being proactive and asking for work if you have time on your hands.

Get involved with practical, legal tasks and demonstrate a willingness to contribute to the work of the departments that you're based in. Offer to help if you're able but keep a record of the work you've done and who you've done it for.

Take the opportunity to speak to people of interest. Ask as many questions as you can - you want to walk away from the scheme with a greater understanding of the firm and its practice areas, as well as its culture.

Use your buddy to find out what life at the firm is really like for a trainee and take every opportunity to get inside hints and tips from the employees that you spend time with.

'The biggest piece of advice I can give would be to approach the scheme with curiosity and a willingness to get involved,' says Cristina.

'The candidates who make the strongest impression aren't necessarily the ones who know the most law. They're the ones who are curious, ask good questions, show a genuine interest in the work and take the time to get to know the people around them.'

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Written by Jemma Smith, senior editor

Prospects · August 2026