Training Contract Application Deadlines 2023/24 [Training Starting 2026]

Samridhi Jain

Distinguished Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Feb 18, 2022
72
41
[FOR VACATION SCHEME DEADLINES, CLICK HERE]

Hello everyone!

With the application season for Training Contracts upon us, I have created this thread to track the deadlines for different law firms.

Below, you will find a list of firms currently open or opening soon, including their closing date.

Keep in mind that this list will be updated regularly and I am making sure we have a verified source for each firm.

May 2023​

Opening DateClosing DateStart inFirm NamePrerequisites and Eligibility
29 May 20239 July 20232026Norton Rose FulbrightFinalists and graduates of all subjects

July 2023​

Opening DateClosing DateStart inFirm NamePrerequisites and Eligibility
3 July 202313 August 20232025Latham & WatkinsNone

September 2023​

Opening DateClosing DateStart inFirm NamePrerequisites and Eligibility
1 September 202330 November 2023 at 11:59pm2026Slaughter and MayOpen only for (Law/Non Law) Finalists and Graduates
1 September 202310 December 20232026SkaddenApplications for a TC can only be made through a place on the Vacation Schemes
1 September 202316 January 20242026Gibson DunnApplications for a TC can only be made through a place on the Vacation Schemes
4 September 202323 November 20232025
2026
Clifford ChanceNone
14 September 202312 January 20242026Bird & BirdNone
25 September 202319 July 20242026MacfarlanesNone

October 2023​

Opening DateClosing DateStart inFirm NamePrerequisites and Eligibility
1 October 2023TBC2026FieldfisherNone
1 October 202331 July 20242026Stephenson HarwoodNone
1 October 202331 March 20242026Mayer BrownNone
2 October 202317 November 20232026Allen & OveryFinal- or penultimate-year students or graduates from all universities with any degree. For the March 2026 start date, non-law students who have successfully completed the GDL / PGDL course are also eligible;
2 October 202314 December 20232026LinklatersNone

December 2023​

Opening DateClosing DateStart inFirm NamePrerequisites and Eligibility
December 2023June 20242026DentonsPenultimate year law students, all final year students, and graduates;

January 2023​

Opening DateClosing DateStart inFirm NamePrerequisites and Eligibility
1 January 2024TBC2026Reed SmithNone
8 January 202429 March 20242026 - 2027 (Exact date to be confirmed)AshurstNone

February 2023​

Opening DateClosing DateStart in Firm NamePrerequisites and Eligibility
1 February 20241 April 20242026Baker McKenzieNone

March 2023​

Opening DateClosing DateStart inFirm NamePrerequisites and Eligibility
March 2024Not Specified2026Eversheds SutherlandNone


Please feel free to drop any queries or suggestions to best utilise this thread. All the best!
Hi, has this been updated to reflect the new deadlines/ updates @Niyati Nagda ? :)
 

LehmanBrothersRiskManagementIntern

Legendary Member
Premium Member
Aug 23, 2023
187
489
Anyone heard from HFW ? Still not heard a thing.., .
I haven’t heard back. I think they are just lying and have already held ACs for spring and summer. The spring vac scheme is literally next month. They just can’t be bothered to provide an outcome, it’s too much time and effort for grad rec to copy and paste emails to candidates. A lot firms do this, that’s why I’m assuming that it’s a pfo for me.
 

Sim96

Star Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
M&A Bootcamp
Jul 11, 2020
35
11
Hi, @Niyati Nagda . Thank you for your very helpful list! There were some unforseeable circumstances with my health, and I am just now in a position to make applications.
Aim: Secure a TC asap (2024/25/26) in the Regions/London (a training-oriented firm)
1. For this, what is the best route to follow - what would you have done? (Ie any specific locations to target, any alternate positions like paralegal/vacs scheme to follow?) e.g. in Hertfordshire, trainees are recruited just a year in advance or in the same year as their joining date.
2. What is the most popular opening date for TCs and VCs (is it -)? Is my only option now to aim for the VC/TC opening dates that lead to the TC 2027?

@Jessica Booker sorry I hope it is okay that I tagged you- may I ask - what is the best way to frame a question to graduate recruitment to get a straightforward answer on if there are still spaces left (eg TC window opened earlier last year and deadline is in May-July 2024)?
I asked a Silver Circle firm "as the deadline is very close, please can you advise if there is still space for more TC applications to be considered and if you encourage me to apply?" and they replied "yes of course"
 
Last edited:

Jessica Booker

Legendary Member
TCLA Moderator
Gold Member
Graduate Recruitment
Premium Member
Forum Team
Aug 1, 2019
14,650
20,345
Hi, @Niyati Nagda . Thank you for your very helpful list! There were some unforseeable circumstances with my health, and I am just now in a position to make applications.
Aim: Secure a TC asap (2024/25/26) in the Regions/London (a training-oriented firm)
1. For this, what is the best route to follow - what would you have done? (Ie any specific locations to target, any alternate positions like paralegal/vacs scheme to follow?) e.g. in Hertfordshire, trainees are recruited just a year in advance or in the same year as their joining date.
2. What is the most popular opening date for TCs and VCs (is it -)? Is my only option now to aim for the VC/TC opening dates that lead to the TC 2027?

@Jessica Booker sorry I hope it is okay that I tagged you- may I ask - what is the best way to frame a question to graduate recruitment to get a straightforward answer on if there are still spaces left (eg TC window opened earlier last year and deadline is in May-July 2024)?
I asked a Silver Circle firm "as the deadline is very close, please can you advise if there is still space for more TC applications to be considered and if you encourage me to apply?" and they replied "yes of course"
If applications are open, I would just apply - I wouldn't worry about them still having space as they would close applications early if they had filled the roles.
 

desperateTCseeker1998

Legendary Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Jan 1, 2023
287
249
[FOR VACATION SCHEME DEADLINES, CLICK HERE]

Hello everyone!

With the application season for Training Contracts upon us, I have created this thread to track the deadlines for different law firms.

Below, you will find a list of firms currently open or opening soon, including their closing date.

Keep in mind that this list will be updated regularly and I am making sure we have a verified source for each firm.

May 2023​

Opening DateClosing DateStart inFirm NamePrerequisites and Eligibility
29 May 20239 July 20232026Norton Rose FulbrightFinalists and graduates of all subjects

July 2023​

Opening DateClosing DateStart inFirm NamePrerequisites and Eligibility
3 July 202313 August 20232025Latham & WatkinsNone

September 2023​

Opening DateClosing DateStart inFirm NamePrerequisites and Eligibility
1 September 202330 November 2023 at 11:59pm2026Slaughter and MayOpen only for (Law/Non Law) Finalists and Graduates
1 September 202310 December 20232026SkaddenApplications for a TC can only be made through a place on the Vacation Schemes
1 September 202316 January 20242026Gibson DunnApplications for a TC can only be made through a place on the Vacation Schemes
4 September 202323 November 20232025
2026
Clifford ChanceNone
14 September 202312 January 20242026Bird & BirdNone
25 September 202319 July 20242026MacfarlanesNone

October 2023​

Opening DateClosing DateStart inFirm NamePrerequisites and Eligibility
1 October 2023TBC2026FieldfisherNone
1 October 202331 July 20242026Stephenson HarwoodNone
1 October 202331 March 20242026Mayer BrownNone
2 October 202317 November 20232026Allen & OveryFinal- or penultimate-year students or graduates from all universities with any degree. For the March 2026 start date, non-law students who have successfully completed the GDL / PGDL course are also eligible;
2 October 202314 December 20232026LinklatersNone

December 2023​

Opening DateClosing DateStart inFirm NamePrerequisites and Eligibility
December 2023June 20242026DentonsPenultimate year law students, all final year students, and graduates;

January 2023​

Opening DateClosing DateStart inFirm NamePrerequisites and Eligibility
1 January 2024TBC2026Reed SmithNone
8 January 202429 March 20242026 - 2027 (Exact date to be confirmed)AshurstNone

February 2023​

Opening DateClosing DateStart in Firm NamePrerequisites and Eligibility
1 February 20241 April 20242026Baker McKenzieNone

March 2023​

Opening DateClosing DateStart inFirm NamePrerequisites and Eligibility
March 2024Not Specified2026Eversheds SutherlandNone


Please feel free to drop any queries or suggestions to best utilise this thread. All the best!
The Reed Smith link takes me to the Hong Kong TC. Am I correct that they don't have a direct TC route for UK?
 

About Us

The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

Newsletter

Discover the most relevant business news, access our law firm analysis, and receive our best advice for aspiring lawyers.