Timeline for law students
This timeline applies to you if you are studying law at university. It runs from the start of your penultimate year at university.
September–November 2011
Research law firms and choose which firms may best suit you. Attend law fairs and other careers events. This calendar of campus visits may be useful. Learn about the summer vacation schemes and training contracts on offer from your preferred firms. See our application process for important information.
December 2011–January 2012
Apply for summer vacation schemes.
Our deadline for summer vacation scheme applications is 31 January 2012. We hold vacation scheme interviews from the beginning of January – February,
and offer places to students after each assessment day – we do not wait until the end of the application process.
Summer 2012
Take part in the summer vacation scheme, if possible.
Start applying for training contracts as early in the summer as possible but wait until you have your penultimate year exam results first. Our deadline
for applications is 31 July 2012 and all training contract assessment days will take place in August 2012.
August 2013
Start your Legal Practice Course (LPC).
August 2014 or February 2015
Start your training contract.
First 6 months
Your first seat, gaining experience in a particular practice area. After 3 months you will start to discuss your next three seats with us.
6–12 months
Your second seat. During this seat you can apply for a client secondment or a placement abroad.
12 months
Your third seat. This might involve gaining experience in another practice area or, if your application was successful, taking up a client secondment or international placement.
18 months
Your fourth seat. If your application is successful, and you haven’t already been on a placement or secondment, you can spend this final period on secondment with a client, working in an international office or consolidating your training with a final London-based seat.
2 years
You have completed your training contract and you have qualified as a solicitor. You will continue to enhance your knowledge, skills and experience. Our training scheme and our lawyer development programme take you from associate to senior associate, and support your career plans for high level roles like counsel or partner.
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