We have designed the Training Contract to give you the breadth of experience you need to emerge as a confident business adviser. You will have a number of rotations which will give you the opportunity to explore our business, working in our practice areas, with the opportunity to also undertake client and international secondments. We aim to offer you the flexibility to drive your Training Contract forward in a way that best suits you.
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When you start each seat, you'll have in-depth training in that practice area. This will bring you up to speed with the issues and challenges you're likely to face. You'll also have a supervisor in each seat and have regular meetings with your dedicated Graduate Development Specialist.
The Clifford Chance Academy, a pioneering resource which develops innovative learning tools, will also provide you with fundamental support throughout your career.
Courses are taught by respected internal and external experts. There are even talks from clients to put your learning into context.
You'll also have a range of other people to turn to for support throughout your Training Contract. The Graduate Development Team, your supervisor, the legal support manager, resource manager and your monitoring partner will all be available to act as mentors and advisers on a full range of subjects.
Helen Martin, our Graduate Development Manager, talks to Morette Jackson, Director of Business Development at the University of Law, about our new and exciting SQE plans outlining what you can expect from the new programme.
We are proud of our partnership with the University of Law to deliver our bespoke, innovative and dynamic new SQE programme.
It has been designed not only to prepare you rigorously for the academic aspects of the SQE, but you can also be confident that you will emerge with the fundamental skills and technical excellence required to meet the challenges of working as a lawyer at Clifford Chance.
In addition to receiving intensive SQE 1&2 exam prep, you will also participate in the Clifford Chance Plus programme, which is a bespoke experience designed by our lawyers in collaboration with the University of Law.
Through our unique and innovative approach, you will have access to world-class resources that have been expertly designed to ensure that you are exclusively prepared for the exciting journey that lies ahead.
We have implemented innovative learning technology and predictive analytics, placing diversity and inclusion at the heart of the programme.
This will enable us to provide each individual with the most comprehensive support available.
We remain committed to ensuring that you are working with the very best course providers to guarantee first-class training.
Through our collaboration with the University of Law, we are confident that we are going to deliver exactly that.
As well as covering your course fees, we will provide you with £17,000 maintenance for the SQE.
We know that talented lawyers can come from any academic discipline. If you studied a subject other than law at university but have decided that this is the career for you, you’ll need to take the PGDL, which will introduce you to the legal world and its major practice areas. We will cover your course fees and provide maintenance of £12,500 for individuals completing the PGDL in London and £10,000 for individuals completing the course outside London. Following this, you will then undertake SQE prep.
Our Training Contract is open for individuals who are able to start in 2025 and/or February 2026, typically penultimate year law, final year students and graduates.
We don't, it must be noted, recruit on a rolling basis, but look at all applications after the closing date. Before you apply, have you visited our Events hub? Here you'll find opportunities to equip you with the skills, knowledge and networks to succeed no matter where you are on your journey.
Applications open: 17 August 2022
Applications close: 8 December 2022 at 11.59pm
Assessment dates: w/c 16 and 21 January 2023
Selection process: Two interviews, including a written case study element.
Our assessment centre will take place in-person, with an option to interview virtually in some circumstances e.g. if you have a long way to travel.
The assessment centre will consist of a case study including a written exercise, one commercial based interview with a Partner which will include discussions around the case study, and one competency based interview with a Senior Associate.
Our interviews will be completely paperless. This is part of our commitment to contributing to a greener way of recruiting and in line with signatory status of the Sustainable Recruitment Alliance.
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First-year trainee: £50,000
Second-year trainee: £55,000
Newly qualified lawyer: £125,000
You can also expect to enjoy a comprehensive benefits package – one that includes:
We are committed to your professional development. Read more about our seat allocation process, training, structured professional development and on-the-job learning opportunities at the firm.
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We have opportunities to join us in our Middle East offices. To find out more and to apply, visit the site below.
Please note that you cannot apply for both a Middle East and a London Training Contract in the same academic year.
Middle East Careers
