Find out how Mishcon de Reya approaches its application process.

There are five stages to the application and recruitment process: Application Form, Bright Apply, Situational Judgement Test and Assessment Centre which consists of an interview and case study, before the vacation scheme.

Application Form

The process kicks off with an online form asking about academics, work experience and extracurricular activities. Mishcon typically asks for applicants to have a 2:1 degree minimum and ABB at A-Level, but there is some wiggle room for the right candidate. All types of extracurricular activities are valued, including participation in sports, work experience and legal and non-legal volunteering.

Bright Apply

This year's application process includes an exciting new addition. Mishcon de Reya has partnered with Bright Network on an Alpha trial of their new AI screening tool, Bright Apply. The Bright Apply tool has been created to give candidates a chance to better contextualise their applications. Bright Apply uses information from candidates' applications to start a conversation, resulting in a tailored interview for all applicants and allowing candidates the opportunity to showcase their potential. Instead of writing a long application form, candidates take part in a virtual interview where they can expand on their experiences, motivations, and why Mishcon de Reya is the right fit. This process produces a transcript, with each transcript carefully reviewed by the firm's team. The Early Careers team continue to make all screening decisions.

So far, feedback on the platform has been positive. Almost three quarters of students gave the experience 4 or 5 out of 5 in an anonymous survey, while over nine out of 10 (93%) of student responses said the AI chat responses felt personalised and relevant to them. The interview is untimed and has multiple practice elements, so candidates are comfortable with the interface and given a fair opportunity to showcase their potential, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity.

Situational Judgement Test

Mishcon use a Situational Judgement Test as part of their recruitment process. This consists of a blend of scenario-based, numerical and verbal questions. The assessment has been designed to look for candidates who apply their intellect and creativity to a variety of work-related situations. Whilst the test is an assimilation of a day in the life of a junior lawyer, the questions will not require any prior knowledge or experience in law.

Assessment Day

The firm has previously conducted their assessment day assessments, a case study and an interview, in their London offices where you will meet with several senior fee earners, members of the firm's People Team and have time to meet their current trainees.

Case Study

The case study will require candidates to read through provided materials and prepare to have a discussion about the study with an assessor. We’re looking for candidates with strong commercial knowledge and ability to understand the issues presented during the case study. In line with our core values, we are looking for those who are able to think creatively when coming up with innovative solutions to the issues posted in the case study.

Interview

The interview is a chance for interviewers to learn more about the candidate and their reasons for wanting to train at Mishcon. You’ll meet with a combination of assessors who could be fee earners or members of the People Team to discuss your online application and answer some competency and situational-based questions.

Vacation scheme

Vac schemers at Mishcon do real work-related tasks and learn more about the firm’s legal departments by speaking to current trainees, training principals and other fee earners. You’ll sit with a practice group and have a supervisor, as well as attend sessions with the early careers team and undergo individual and a group assessment. The Academy Tech and Knowledge teams will also host training sessions on core technologies and how to conduct legal research.

The group assessment is structurally similar to the case study completed at the assessment day but is completed as a group instead. The teams will prepare and present a solution to a complex client scenario to a panel of assessors.

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