HFW early careers: how to get in
Last checked 2026-10-04 against HFW's own careers pages. Every stage below links to where it was read. GoRizzume is independent and not affiliated with HFW. How we check
At a glance
- Training Contract (September and March intake)training contractNo published deadlineVisa sponsorship: Not published7 stages
- Vacation Scheme (London)vacation schemeRolling, closes when filledVisa sponsorship: Not published6 stages
Training Contract
How HFW recruits
Current London cycle (page undated). 7 stages, from HFW's own careers pages, checked 2026-10-04. Test providers are named only where HFW names them.
The application
Application form
Online application covering academics, work experience, and short answers on extracurriculars, motivation for law and HFW, and a commercial topic. Reviewed on a rolling basis.
“The recruitment process for Training Contracts and Vacation Schemes is the same, assessing all applications on a rolling basis.”
Virtual assessment centre
Assessment centre
Second stage: a virtual assessment centre of about seven hours including breaks, with up to eight candidates.
- about 420 minutes
“The second stage of our recruitment process for vacation schemes and training contracts is a virtual assessment centre. The assessment centres typically last for seven hours, including breaks, and we invite up to eight candidates to each one.”
Written exercise
Written exercise
At the assessment centre: analyse a short document and write a short advice letter to a fictional client. No legal knowledge tested.
“You are given a short document to analyse, and are tasked with writing a short letter of advice to a fictional client.”
Group exercise
Group exercise
At the assessment centre: a group discussion of a commercial scenario, agreeing advice for a client.
“The group exercise is a discussion around a commercial scenario.”
Online ability test (Watson Glaser)
Online tests, Watson Glaser
At the assessment centre: an online Watson Glaser critical thinking test. The firm suggests a practice test beforehand.
“An online ability test: We use a test called the Watson Glaser because this is a test that is shown to have “predictive validity””
Associate interview
Other stage
At the assessment centre: interview with one or two Associates based on the application form, with competency and commercial awareness questions.
“An interview: with one or two of our Associates. We use your application form as the basis for this interview.”
The Partner interview
Partner interview
Final stage for trainees: interview with two London Partners, more commercial, including analysis, problem-solving and professional ethics questions.
“The Partner interview is the final stage of our recruitment process for Trainees. This interview is with two Partners from our London office.”
Vacation Scheme
How HFW recruits
Current London cycle (page undated; vacation schemes and training contracts recruited together). 6 stages, from HFW's own careers pages, checked 2026-10-04. Test providers are named only where HFW names them.
The application
Application form
Online application covering academics, work experience, and short answers on extracurriculars, motivation for law and HFW, and a commercial topic. Reviewed on a rolling basis.
“The recruitment process for Training Contracts and Vacation Schemes is the same, assessing all applications on a rolling basis.”
Virtual assessment centre
Assessment centre
Second stage: a virtual assessment centre of about seven hours including breaks, with up to eight candidates.
- about 420 minutes
“The second stage of our recruitment process for vacation schemes and training contracts is a virtual assessment centre. The assessment centres typically last for seven hours, including breaks, and we invite up to eight candidates to each one.”
Written exercise
Written exercise
At the assessment centre: analyse a short document and write a short advice letter to a fictional client. No legal knowledge tested.
“You are given a short document to analyse, and are tasked with writing a short letter of advice to a fictional client.”
Group exercise
Group exercise
At the assessment centre: a group discussion of a commercial scenario, agreeing advice for a client.
“The group exercise is a discussion around a commercial scenario.”
Online ability test (Watson Glaser)
Online tests, Watson Glaser
At the assessment centre: an online Watson Glaser critical thinking test. The firm suggests a practice test beforehand.
“An online ability test: We use a test called the Watson Glaser because this is a test that is shown to have “predictive validity””
Associate interview
Other stage
At the assessment centre: interview with one or two Associates based on the application form, with competency and commercial awareness questions.
“An interview: with one or two of our Associates. We use your application form as the basis for this interview.”
Visa sponsorship
Training Contract
HFW publishes a clear trainee salary and maintenance grant but says nothing about visa sponsorship anywhere on its training contract page.
“Our trainees join on a salary of £52,000.”
Vacation Scheme
HFW runs spring and summer vacation schemes on a rolling basis each year but does not give exact dates, pay or a sponsorship position.
“Applications for our vacation scheme open in October each year. Places are filled on a rolling basis so we would encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.”
HFW on the Home Office sponsor register
This is general information, not immigration advice. Check gov.uk and the employer's own FAQ before you apply: rules change.
Common questions
- What is the HFW training contract application process?
- HFW's own careers pages describe 7 stages: The application, then Virtual assessment centre, then Written exercise, then Group exercise, then Online ability test (Watson Glaser), then Associate interview, then The Partner interview.
- Which assessment providers does HFW use?
- HFW names Watson Glaser on its own careers pages.
Related guides
Other schemes we track
Deadlines, stages and tests for each scheme. Not affiliated with any firm.
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GoRizzume is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by HFW or by Watson Glaser. Names are used only to identify HFW's recruitment process. Practice in GoRizzume is original material written in the style of common assessment formats, not the employer's or provider's actual tests. Processes change, so always check HFW's official careers site before applying.
Sponsorship data: Home Office register + job ad wording. Not immigration advice, verify on gov.uk. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. How we check this data.