Slaughter and May early careers: how to get in
Last checked 2026-10-24 against Slaughter and May's own careers pages. Every stage below links to where it was read. GoRizzume is independent and not affiliated with Slaughter and May. How we check
At a glance
- Training Contracttraining contractCloses in 1 dayVisa sponsorship: Sponsors5 stages
- Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme, six years (LLB Law and Legal Practice degree plus SQE)apprenticeshipOpenVisa sponsorship: Not published2 stages
- Summer Work Experience Schemevacation schemeOpenVisa sponsorship: No3 stages
- Spring Forward Programmespring weekOpenVisa sponsorship: Some tracks
Training Contract
How Slaughter and May recruits
Training contract applications, 2026 to 2027 recruitment (2027 schemes close 4 December 2026). 5 stages, from Slaughter and May's own careers pages, checked 2026-10-03. Test providers are named only where Slaughter and May names them.
Applications may close early once places are filled, so apply well before any published deadline. Source
Online application form with CV and cover letter
Application form
Online form with full exam results, plus a CV (max two sides) and a one-page cover letter. No online tests are mentioned anywhere in the process.
“You will be asked to provide some personal details (including a full breakdown of all your examination results) and to attach your cover letter (or your responses to questions if applying for the Spring Forward programme or Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme) and CV.”
Written exercise
Written exercise
One-hour typed report on a fictional business under strategic review, from 5 or 6 pages of material. No legal knowledge needed.
- about 60 minutes
“On arrival at our offices on the day of your interview, you will be given a written exercise to complete. This written exercise requires no legal knowledge and you will not be expected to prepare in advance. [...] You will be given one hour to complete this exercise and we will provide a laptop for you to type your answer.”
Partner interview, including article discussion
Partner interview
Interview with two partners (or partner and senior counsel), built around a current affairs article read for about 15 minutes beforehand, plus motivation.
- two partners, or a partner and a senior counsel
“The partner interview will be with two partners, or a partner and a senior counsel. [...] After completing the written exercise, you will be given a short current affairs article to read for approximately 15 minutes. You may take notes during this time and bring both the article and your notes into the interview.”
Chat and tour with a current trainee
Other stage
Unassessed office tour and chat with a current trainee.
“After the partner interview, one of our current trainees will give you a tour of the office.”
HR interview
Final interview
Short meeting with a recruitment team member reflecting on the day, the CV and motivation.
- Recruitment team member
“Our interview process ends with a short meeting with a member of the Recruitment team. You will be asked to reflect on the written exercise and your interview with the partners, and there will be some discussion about your CV and your motivation for applying to us.”
Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme, six years
How Slaughter and May recruits
Solicitor Apprenticeship 2027 (applications 12 October 2026 to 6 January 2027). 2 stages, from Slaughter and May's own careers pages, checked 2026-10-03. Test providers are named only where Slaughter and May names them.
Online application form with CV and question responses
Application form
Online form with GCSE and A-level results, CV and written responses to questions.
“You will be asked to provide some personal details (including a full breakdown of all your examination results) and to attach your cover letter (or your responses to questions if applying for the Spring Forward programme or Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme) and CV.”
Interview
Final interview
In-person interview in London during a fixed window, 8 March to 2 April 2027. Format not described.
“Interviews for our solicitor apprenticeship programme take place in person at our London office during a fixed interview period.”
Summer Work Experience Scheme
How Slaughter and May recruits
Summer work experience 2027 (applications close 4 December 2026). 3 stages, from Slaughter and May's own careers pages, checked 2026-10-03. Test providers are named only where Slaughter and May names them.
Applications may close early once places are filled, so apply well before any published deadline. Source
Online application form with CV and cover letter
Application form
Online form with full exam results, plus a CV (max two sides) and a one-page cover letter. No online tests are mentioned anywhere in the process.
“You will be asked to provide some personal details (including a full breakdown of all your examination results) and to attach your cover letter (or your responses to questions if applying for the Spring Forward programme or Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme) and CV.”
Interview
Final interview
In-person interview in London; virtual for applicants on a year abroad. Format of the scheme interview is not described separately.
“Our training contract and summer work experience scheme interviews take place in person at our London office.”
Training contract interview at end of scheme
Partner interview
Scheme attendees are offered a training contract interview at the end of the scheme; the scheme itself is not formally assessed.
“Yes, we offer training contract interviews at the end of our summer schemes.”
Visa sponsorship
Training Contract
States it will provide visa sponsorship where required for trainees
“Where a visa is required, the firm will provide sponsorship.”
Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme, six years
Slaughter and May only requires the right to work in the UK for the six years, and says nothing about visa sponsorship.
“You must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the 6 year programme.”
Summer Work Experience Scheme
Slaughter and May says it does not provide visa sponsorship for its summer work experience scheme.
“No, if you do not hold a British or Irish passport, any offer to attend our work experience scheme will be conditional on you having permission to enter or remain in the UK with an immigration status that permits work.”
Spring Forward Programme
The first-year Spring Forward programme carries the same no-sponsorship-for-the-scheme policy as the firm's other early careers routes.
“Do you provide visa sponsorship for your summer work experience scheme or Spring Forward programme? No”
Slaughter and May 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 Slaughter and May training contract application process?
- Slaughter and May's own careers pages describe 5 stages: Online application form with CV and cover letter, then Written exercise, then Partner interview, including article discussion, then Chat and tour with a current trainee, then HR interview.
- Does Slaughter and May sponsor visas for graduates?
- States it will provide visa sponsorship where required for trainees
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 Slaughter and May. Names are used only to identify Slaughter and May'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 Slaughter and May'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.