Training contract – September 2026/March 2027 (penultimate year law students, law finalists and law graduates)

Applications for our September 2026/March 2027 training contracts for penultimate year law students, law finalists and law graduates open on 3rd June 2024.

About Slaughter and May

Slaughter and May has a global reputation for providing outstanding legal services. The strength of our practice is reflected in the multi-jurisdictional nature of our work and our international client base. The firm is a trusted adviser to some of the largest companies in the world, advising on complex cross-border deals every single day.

Our Training Contract 

Our training contract is designed to offer you the breadth of experience and training needed to become a multi-specialist, equipped to advise on a broad range of legal matters. We think that this multi-specialist approach makes for a far more fulfilling career - it provides challenge and interest, exactly what great minds need.

All trainees complete at least two six-month seats in our Corporate and M&A and Financing groups. Subject to gaining some contentious experience, you choose where to spend your remaining time. It can be divided into two or three specialist areas or focused on one. Our specialist groups include: Competition;  Disputes and Investigations; Financial Regulation; Pensions; Employment and Incentives; Real Estate; Technology, Digital, Data and IP;  Tax and Sustainability and Climate Change.

Our overseas offices and close working relationships with market-leading law firms in other jurisdictions mean there are opportunities for trainees to apply for a secondment in their second year. Recent destinations include: US (NYC), France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Singapore, Australia and Hong Kong. We also offer some exciting opportunities for client secondments in and around London that eligible trainees can apply for. 

How to apply

Our training contract application process is straightforward - we simply ask for a CV and a cover letter, which are submitted through a short application form. There are no online tests and no other stages to complete before successful candidates are invited to an interview.

You can find hints and tips on putting together your CV and cover letter here. 

We encourage candidates to submit their application as early as possible during an application window. Training contract offers will be made on a rolling basis. We are unable to guarantee the availability of places as we progress with these interviews.

What we are looking for

Our trainees come from a range of universities – it is the quality of the candidate, not the university that is important to us. 

We like people with:

• commercial awareness and an interest in and commitment to commercial law

• a sharp intellect

• independent thought and curiosity

• energy, spark and commitment

• the ability to relate to others

• common sense and judgement

• integrity

• a range of interests outside of the law

• an interesting take on things

• resolve and resilience

• a good sense of humour

• a willingness to take on responsibility

• a global outlook

We use the Rare Contextual Recruitment System across all our trainee recruitment activity. The system helps us to identify high potential candidates by putting applicants’ grades and achievements in the context of their social and educational background.

Diversity and Inclusion 

Diversity and Inclusion is an integral part of how we do things as a firm. We believe that a supportive and inclusive workplace drives collaboration and enhances business performance. We are looking to employ the brightest minds regardless of what or where they studied. Traditional approaches to D&I are often skewed towards initiatives helping diverse individuals to “fit in” and succeed; we focus on examining and adjusting the system for greater acceptance of different leadership styles and ways of working.   

Application deadlines

Training contract – September 2026/March 2027 (penultimate year law students, law finalists and law graduates)

Applications open on Monday 3 June 2024 and close on Friday 3 July 2024.