Penningtons Manches Cooper Training Contract 2028

How Penningtons Manches Cooper recruits

Direct training contract starting 2029 (applications 5 January to 12 March 2027). 5 stages, from Penningtons Manches Cooper's own careers pages, checked 2026-10-03. Test providers are named only where Penningtons Manches Cooper names them.

1. 1

   Application form

   Application form

   Online application form with Rare's contextual survey. Long written questions have been replaced by the AI interview.

   “Our training contract recruitment process consists of five stages: [...] Application form”

   Source
2. 2

   Voice-based AI interview (BrightApply)

   Other stage

   Conversational voice-based video interview on the BrightApply AI platform, replacing written application questions. No word limit.

   • AI platform (BrightApply)

   “Complete a voice-based video interview through our AI-powered platform, BrightApply, designed to help us better understand your motivations, strengths and potential.”

   Source
3. 3

   First-round competency interview

   Phone interview

   Competency interview with an early careers team member; the training contract page describes it as a telephone interview.

   • early careers team member

   “A competency-based interview with a member of the early careers team.”

   SourcePractise this interview
4. 4

   Written exercise

   Written exercise

   Written assessment of typical trainee tasks. No legal knowledge needed.

   “A written assessment designed to reflect typical trainee tasks. No prior legal knowledge is required.”

   Source
5. 5

   Final training contract interview

   Partner interview

   Usually in-person interview with a partner and an early careers team member, including a presentation on a legal case study.

   • partner and early careers team member

   “An interview with a partner and a member of the early careers team, including a presentation based on a legal case study. This stage is typically conducted in person.”

   SourcePractise this interview