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AllAboutLaw
Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright

Next deadline

Direct Training Contract (2028 start) · 31 Oct 2026

(5 days)

Apply now
In their own words

Extraordinary ambition, shared.

Snapshot

Firm type

Silver Circle

UK offices

London, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

International offices

More than 50 offices worldwide, including Amsterdam, Beijing, Brussels, Dubai, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Houston, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Milan, Munich, New York, Paris, Riyadh, San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Tokyo

Training contract places

50

Vacation scheme places

60

First-year salary

£56,000

Second-year salary

£61,000

Newly qualified salary

£140,000

Trainee retention

95%

SQE support

Full SQE 1, SQE2 and PGDL funding, and maintenance grant

Visa sponsorship

Yes

International secondment

Yes

Client secondment

Yes

Guaranteed secondment

Not disclosed

Recruitment route

Vacation scheme only

Rolling recruitment?

No

Seat structure

4 six-month seats

Can trainees repeat a seat?

No

Can trainees express seat preferences?

Yes, preferences are considered

Trainee salary basis

Reviewed annually

Non-law applicants

Actively welcomed

Career-changer applicants

Actively welcomed

Remote working

Formal flexible working policy

Holiday allowance

25 days

Minimum academic requirements

AAB at A-level and on track for, or achieved, a 2:1 in any degree

Typical start time

9:30am

Typical finish time

5:30pm, which could vary dependent on team and workload

Wellbeing support

Includes mental health first aiders, subsidised gym and private GP

SQE and PGDL maintenance grant

Yes

PGDL funding

Yes, full funding

Retrospective SQE or PGDL funding

None

Diversity networks and partnerships

Includes Advance, Breathe, Compass, Family Matters, Origins, Pride, Shine and WiN, alongside partnerships and commitments including PRIME, SEO, Aspiring Solicitors and RARE

% BAME partners

12%

% female partners

33%
Before you apply

Before you apply, ask yourself:

Does it appeal to you to train somewhere with genuine strength across a wide spread of areas, aviation, energy, project finance, asset finance, rather than one obvious signature specialism?

Would you value working at a firm with active employee networks spanning areas including social mobility, LGBTQ+ inclusion, disability, race and ethnicity, and gender?

Would you be comfortable applying for the training contract through the vacation scheme, as NRF does not currently offer a direct training contract route?

Next deadline

Direct Training Contract (2028 start)

31 Oct 2026

(5 days)

View job

Deep dive

Explore this firm in detail

What makes it different

Your progress is up to you.

What this could mean for you
You can express preferences for your seats and secondments, giving you opportunities to take an active role in shaping your training as your interests develop. With 50 trainees a year spread across dozens of practice areas, how clearly and persistently an individual trainee advocates for what they want has a real effect on where they end up.

You’ll have the same partner mentor throughout your two-year training contract, providing consistent support and a point of contact for advice at every stage.

What this could mean for you
Alongside your seat-specific supervisors, you’ll have the same partner mentor throughout your training contract, giving you a consistent source of guidance as you rotate between teams and creating a greater level of stability.

Underpinning the core values of our firm, our networks help to raise awareness and foster a culture that allows our people to be themselves at work.

What this could mean for you
The firm’s diversity and affinity networks are a core part of the business rather than as an optional add-on. You’ll have opportunities to connect with colleagues through networks covering areas including social mobility, mental health, faith, families and carers, race and ethnicity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, disability and gender.

All practice areas

AntitrustBanking and financeCorporate / M&ASecuritisationCapital marketsDerivativesESGEnvironmentalTechnologyData, privacy and cybersecurityIntellectual propertyLitigationDispute resolutionProjectsEnergyInfrastructureEmploymentEmployee benefitsPensionsReal estateReal estate and projectsHospitalityRisk and complianceBusiness restructuringRestructuringTaxPrivate wealth
Who it may suit

Before you apply, ask yourself:

  • Does it appeal to you to train somewhere with genuine strength across a wide spread of areas, aviation, energy, project finance, asset finance, rather than one obvious signature specialism?
  • Would you value working at a firm with active employee networks spanning areas including social mobility, LGBTQ+ inclusion, disability, race and ethnicity, and gender?
  • Would you be comfortable applying for the training contract through the vacation scheme, as NRF does not currently offer a direct training contract route?

This firm may suit candidates who…

  • Want broad international exposure across areas including commercial, finance, energy and infrastructure work.
  • Value having the same partner mentor throughout the two-year training contract alongside seat-specific supervision.
  • Would value being part of a large annual trainee cohort supported by structured training and development.
  • Want real exposure to legal technology and innovation work alongside conventional legal practice, given the firm's dedicated NRF Transform function.

Things to consider

  • International and client secondments are available on a competitive basis, with opportunities varying according to business needs.
  • Training contract recruitment currently takes place through the vacation scheme rather than a separate direct application route.
  • Hybrid-working arrangements can vary between seats, with some supervisors expecting trainees to spend more than the minimum two days per week in the office.
  • Trainees complete four different six-month seats, so practice areas cannot be repeated during the training contract.
Work-life reality

Work-life balance varies by team, seat and transaction cycle. This section is designed to help you understand the pattern, not reduce the experience to a score.

Seat variation

Four seats of six months each; no repeats; preferences are "taken into account" but not guaranteed.

Flexibility

The firm operates a hybrid-working model of two days in the office, two days at home and one flexible day, although arrangements can vary by seat.

Holiday allowance

25 days.

Office attendance

A minimum of two days per week in the office, although attendance can vary depending on the seat, team and workload.
Application process

Online application form

(1 - 2 hours)

Arctic Shores test

(35 - 40 minutes)

Video interview

What happens

This is a pre-recorded interview.

Assessment centre

(Full day)

Vacation scheme

(Two weeks)

Opportunities
Direct Training Contract (2028 start)

Norton Rose Fulbright

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5 days leftCloses 11:59pm, 31 Oct 2026

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