Law: what is open, and which schemes sponsor visas
City firms sponsor the training contract, but rarely the vacation scheme that is the only way in. Regional trainee pay can fall below the threshold.
What is open in law right now
146 of these 264 programmes publish timing for the 2027 cycle, and 12 close within three weeks. 2 recruit on a rolling basis and close when they are full. 108 publish no date at all.
- 5 October 2026A&O ShearmanTraining ContractTraining contractcloses in 3 days
- 5 October 2026Hogan LovellsTraining ContractTraining contractcloses in 3 days
- 5 October 2026Hogan LovellsWinter, Spring and Summer Vacation SchemesVacation schemecloses in 3 days
- 9 October 2026Carson McDowellSolicitor Training ProgrammeTraining contractcloses in 7 days
- 16 October 2026DechertLondon Vacation Schemes (Winter 2026 and Spring 2027)Vacation schemecloses in 14 days
- 16 October 2026DechertLondon Training Contract (September 2028 and 2029)Training contractcloses in 14 days
- 18 October 2026White & CaseTraining ContractTraining contractcloses in 16 days
- 19 October 2026Clifford ChanceThe ChallengeVacation schemecloses in 17 days
- 19 October 2026StronachsTrainee Solicitor ProgrammeTraining contractcloses in 17 days
- 19 October 2026TughansTrainee Solicitor SchemeTraining contractcloses in 17 days
- 23 October 2026DLA PiperTraining ContractTraining contractcloses in 21 days
- 23 October 2026DLA PiperSummer InternshipVacation schemecloses in 21 days
Every UK deadline we hold, in date order, including the other 134 in this sector
- 23
- Sponsors international grads
- 17
- Sponsors some tracks only
- 28
- Does not sponsor
- 196
- No published policy
SponsorsSponsors international grads
Clifford Chance
Training Contract
States it will sponsor Skilled Worker visas for training contract trainees
Slaughter and May
Training Contract
States it will provide visa sponsorship where required for trainees
Hogan Lovells
Training Contract
FAQ states the firm accepts applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship
Ashurst
Training Contract
States it will sponsor Skilled Worker visas for those who secure a training contract
DLA Piper
Training Contract
Sponsors the training contract; internship/vacation route requires existing right to work
Simmons & Simmons
Training Contract
Sponsors training contracts explicitly; states it does not sponsor vacation schemes
Latham & Watkins
Training Contract
Sponsors trainee visas; explicitly does not sponsor vacation scheme attendees
Sidley Austin
Training Contract
Sidley explicitly sponsors visas for vacation scheme applicants, the firm's sole route into the Training Contract
Travers Smith
Training Contract
Sponsors training contracts; explicitly states vacation schemes cannot be sponsored
Sidley Austin
Spring and Summer Vacation Schemes
Sidley Austin explicitly sponsors visas for successful vacation scheme applicants, one of the few firms researched to state this plainly.
RPC
Training Contract
RPC explicitly commits to Skilled Worker visa sponsorship once a training contract offer in the UK is accepted.
Stephenson Harwood
Training Contract
Stephenson Harwood commits directly to visa sponsorship for successful candidates and publishes exact opening and closing times to the hour.
Stephenson Harwood
Summer Vacation Scheme
Two paid summer vacation scheme windows in London, plus Dubai and Hong Kong cohorts, all under the firm's general sponsorship commitment.
Stephenson Harwood
Spring Vacation Scheme
A second, smaller vacation scheme window in April 2027 with the same sponsorship commitment as the summer scheme.
Charles Russell Speechlys
Training Contract
Charles Russell Speechlys states directly in its trainee FAQ that it welcomes international candidates and supports visa sponsorship, alongside a full published salary table.
Farrer & Co
Training Contract
Farrer & Co's FAQ confirms it sponsors visas for successful training contract candidates, with a clear salary and a published deadline that has already passed by this review date.
Forsters
Training Contract
Forsters sponsors visas for training contracts, though not for the vacation scheme most trainees come through, with a fully dated 2027 cycle.
Penningtons Manches Cooper
Training Contract
Penningtons Manches Cooper's FAQ confirms work visa sponsorship for trainee offers, though the published application window has already closed as of this review.
TLT
Training Contract
TLT funds the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice for its Scottish trainees and offers a maintenance grant, but its published application window has already closed for this cycle.
Watson Farley & Williams
Training Contract
Watson Farley & Williams accepts training contract applicants who need work permits, and its 2029 window runs from 9 October 2026 to 8 June 2027.
Lewis Silkin
Training Contract 2029
Lewis Silkin says it holds a sponsor licence and will support trainees with visas, subject to Home Office eligibility.
Debevoise & Plimpton
London Training Contract
Debevoise will help trainees obtain work permits and visas, at 55,000 pounds first year.
Greenberg Traurig
London Training Contract
Greenberg Traurig London holds a sponsorship licence and accepts applicants who need a work permit.
Some tracksSponsors some tracks only
CMS
Training Contract
Will endeavour to sponsor, but regional first-year pay sits below the general salary threshold
Pinsent Masons
Training Contract
Sponsors London trainees only; regional office salaries sit below the threshold
Bird & Bird
Training Contract
Offers 'reasonable assistance' with sponsorship rather than a firm guarantee
Mishcon de Reya
Training Contract
Offer is conditional on obtaining work authorisation; vacation scheme is not sponsored
Burges Salmon
Training Contract
Sponsors visas for confirmed Training Contract offers, explicitly does not sponsor vacation scheme or work experience placements
Slaughter and May
Summer Work Experience Scheme
Slaughter and May does not sponsor a visa for the scheme itself but will sponsor a Skilled Worker visa once you have a training contract offer.
Slaughter and May
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.
Freshfields
UK Summer Vacation Scheme
Freshfields requires vacation scheme applicants to already hold the right to work, and a student visa only works outside term time
Clifford Chance
SPARK
Clifford Chance's SPARK first-year programme requires candidates to already be eligible to work in the UK, though the paid days themselves are compensated.
Bird & Bird
Spring and Summer Vacation Schemes
Bird & Bird requires vacation scheme applicants to already have the right to work in the UK, reserving visa help for those who go on to a training contract.
Pinsent Masons
Vacation Placement
Pinsent Masons can only sponsor Skilled Worker visas for its London vacation placement, not for Birmingham, Manchester or Leeds.
Mishcon de Reya
Vacation Scheme
Mishcon de Reya does not cover visa costs for the vacation scheme itself but reviews each applicant's ability to qualify for the right to work, with sponsorship possible after a training contract offer.
Mishcon de Reya
First Year Open Day
Mishcon de Reya's first-year open day sits under the same individually-assessed right-to-work policy as its vacation scheme.
TLT
Trainee Solicitor / Vacation Scheme
TLT accepts sponsorship applications but says only some of its offices clear the Skilled Worker salary threshold for a new entrant trainee.
Bevan Brittan
Vacation Scheme
Bevan Brittan holds a sponsor licence and welcomes international applicants, but eligibility depends on Skilled Worker salary thresholds the firm does not publish directly on its own site.
JMW Solicitors
Trainee Solicitor 2027 Intake
JMW welcomes applicants needing visa sponsorship but decides case by case after selection; training starts 6 September 2027.
Debevoise & Plimpton
London Vacation Scheme
Debevoise does not sponsor vacation scheme candidates but does sponsor trainees who secure a training contract.
NoDoes not sponsor
Travers Smith
Vacation Scheme
Travers Smith states plainly that vacation scheme participants are not eligible for sponsorship under the firm's sponsor licence.
Simmons & Simmons
Easter and Summer Vacation Schemes
Simmons & Simmons sponsors visas for training contracts but explicitly not for vacation schemes or other events.
Simmons & Simmons
Spring Insight Scheme
Simmons & Simmons applies the same no-sponsorship policy to its two-day Spring Insight Scheme for first-year students as it does to its vacation schemes.
Burges Salmon
Vacation Scheme
Burges Salmon states it cannot sponsor visas for work experience placements, only for candidates who have already secured a job offer.
DLA Piper
Summer Internship
DLA Piper states plainly it cannot sponsor a visa for the Summer Internship itself, only for a subsequent trainee solicitor offer.
Norton Rose Fulbright
Winter and Summer Vacation Schemes
Norton Rose Fulbright states directly that it cannot offer sponsorship for vacation schemes, reserving it for the London training contract.
Norton Rose Fulbright
First Year Open Day
Norton Rose Fulbright's unpaid First Year Open Day only reimburses travel, and the firm's blanket no-sponsorship-for-schemes policy applies here too.
Latham & Watkins
Spring and Summer Vacation Schemes
Latham & Watkins tells applicants outright not to apply to its vacation scheme unless they already have the right to work in the UK, since it cannot sponsor visas for attendees.
Latham & Watkins
First-Year Spring Scheme
Latham & Watkins' three-day First-Year Spring Scheme carries the same no-visa-sponsorship policy as its main vacation schemes.
Clyde & Co
London Vacation Scheme
Clyde & Co states it cannot sponsor visas for its programmes and only does so for London training contracts.
Clyde & Co
Bright Futures Programme
Clyde & Co's Bright Futures pipeline programme for first-year students carries the same blanket no-visa-sponsorship policy as the main vacation scheme.
Freshfields
Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme, six years to qualified
Freshfields says its solicitor apprenticeship is for UK national school leavers, not international candidates.
A&O Shearman
Solicitor Apprenticeship, London, Level 7
A&O Shearman requires three years of UK residency and permanent right to work for the whole six years, citing the apprenticeship levy funding rules.
DLA Piper UK
Solicitor Apprenticeship, Level 7
DLA Piper requires three years of prior UK residency and permanent right to work under Level 7 apprenticeship levy funding rules.
Dentons
Vacation Scheme
Dentons states outright that it cannot sponsor a visa for its Vacation Scheme, and the scheme is the sole route into its London, Milton Keynes, Scotland and Dublin training contracts.
Dentons
Trainee Solicitor Programme
Direct training contract applications are closed for the UK and Dublin; the only route in is the unsponsored Vacation Scheme, though a separate Middle East route stays open.
Farrer & Co
Vacation Scheme
Farrer & Co explicitly does not sponsor visas for its vacation scheme, even though it sponsors the training contract the scheme feeds into.
Forsters
Vacation Scheme
Forsters will not sponsor a visa for its one week vacation schemes, though international students already able to work during the scheme dates can still take part.
Ashfords
Training Contract
Ashfords states outright it cannot currently sponsor candidates without existing right to work in the UK, alongside a fully dated 2029 recruitment calendar.
Ashfords
Summer Scheme
Three summer scheme weeks across Exeter and Bristol share the firm's blanket no-sponsorship policy, with exact scheme and assessment centre dates published.
Collyer Bristow
Training Contract
Collyer Bristow states outright that visa sponsorship is currently not available for its training contract.
Payne Hicks Beach
Training Contract
Payne Hicks Beach states plainly that it does not hold a licence to sponsor overseas students, ruling out the visa route entirely.
Pinsent Masons
Training Contract
Pinsent Masons states outright that it cannot sponsor a visa for trainee solicitors in Glasgow, Edinburgh or Aberdeen, only in London.
Withers
London vacation schemes
Withers says it cannot sponsor visas for its London vacation schemes.
Covington & Burling
London Vacation Schemes
Covington does not sponsor visas for its London vacation schemes.
Express Solicitors
Graduate Scheme
Express Solicitors says it is not approved by the Home Office to support visa applications.
Tees
vacation scheme
Tees says it cannot offer sponsorship, so its vacation scheme needs existing UK right to work.
Tees
training contract
Tees recruits trainees through its vacation scheme and says it is unable to offer sponsorship.
Not publishedNo published policy
Linklaters
Training Contract
No published visa-sponsorship statement found on the firm's own careers pages
Freshfields
Training Contract
UK FAQ is silent on sponsorship even though the firm publishes visa answers for Hong Kong and Singapore
A&O Shearman
Training Contract
No published visa-sponsorship statement found on the firm's own careers pages
Herbert Smith Freehills
Training Contract
No published visa-sponsorship statement found; UK trainee FAQ blocked automated access this session
Norton Rose Fulbright
Training Contract
No published visa-sponsorship statement found on the firm's own careers/graduates pages
Eversheds Sutherland
Training Contract
No published visa-sponsorship statement found; site blocked automated access this session
Osborne Clarke
Training Contract
No published visa-sponsorship statement found on the firm's own careers pages
Taylor Wessing
Training Contract
No published visa-sponsorship statement found; site blocked automated access this session
Kirkland & Ellis
Training Contract
No firm-stated sponsorship policy found; holding a sponsor licence is not the same as a stated policy
White & Case
Training Contract
No firm-stated sponsorship policy found; site blocked automated access this session
Baker McKenzie
Training Contract
No firm-stated UK sponsorship policy found; global careers page has no UK trainee track visible
Gibson Dunn
Training Contract
No firm-stated UK sponsorship policy found; careers page has no London-specific trainee track visible
Weil Gotshal
Training Contract
No firm-stated UK sponsorship policy found
Paul Hastings
Training Contract
No firm-stated UK sponsorship policy found
Bristows
Training Contract
Bristows publishes no visa sponsorship policy for its training contract
Macfarlanes
Training Contract
No firm-stated visa-sponsorship policy found on the firm's own careers pages
Addleshaw Goddard
Training Contract
No firm-stated visa-sponsorship policy found on the firm's own careers pages
Fieldfisher
Training Contract
No firm-stated visa-sponsorship policy found; site blocked automated access on every attempt this session
Linklaters
Winter, Spring and Summer Vacation Schemes
Linklaters publishes pay and eligibility for its vacation schemes but does not state a visa sponsorship policy for the schemes themselves on its main careers pages.
Freshfields
UK First Years Insight Scheme
Freshfields' two-day first-year insight scheme does not publish a visa sponsorship or right-to-work statement.
A&O Shearman
Summer Vacation Scheme
A&O Shearman publishes pay and dates for its Summer Vacation Scheme but no visa sponsorship statement was found on its careers site.
Clifford Chance
The Challenge
Clifford Chance has replaced its standalone London vacation scheme with a three-day insight event called The Challenge that can fast-track top performers to a training contract assessment day.
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer
Spring and Summer Vacation Schemes
HSF Kramer publishes pay and 2027 scheme dates but no visa sponsorship statement was found on its vacation scheme page.
Macfarlanes
Winter and Spring Vacation Schemes
Macfarlanes publishes pay and 2027 scheme dates but no visa sponsorship statement was found on its vacation scheme page.
Macfarlanes
First Year Insight Scheme
Macfarlanes pays £525 for its five-day first-year insight scheme but does not publish a visa sponsorship statement for it.
Ashurst
UK Winter Vacation Scheme
Ashurst (now trading as Ashurst Perkins Coie) pays £650 a week for its Winter Vacation Scheme but does not publish a visa sponsorship statement on the scheme page.
Ashurst
UK Summer Vacation Scheme
Ashurst Perkins Coie's Summer Vacation Scheme pays £650 a week with no visa sponsorship statement published on the scheme page.
Osborne Clarke
Vacation Scheme
Osborne Clarke pays £550 a week for its Summer Vacation Scheme but no visa sponsorship statement was found on the scheme page.
Osborne Clarke
Insight Scheme
Osborne Clarke's two-day Insight Scheme for first-year students runs over Easter with no visa sponsorship statement published.
CMS
Insight Programme
CMS pays £475 a week for its Insight Programme, a week-long scheme that can fast-track candidates to a training contract assessment day, but no visa sponsorship statement was found.
Hogan Lovells
Winter, Spring and Summer Vacation Schemes
Hogan Lovells has merged with Cadwalader to form Hogan Lovells Cadwalader, and the combined firm sponsors visas for training contracts but does not publish a policy for the vacation scheme itself.
Skadden
Vacation Scheme
Skadden pays £500 a week for its vacation scheme but no visa sponsorship statement was found on the firm's UK careers page.
Weil
Spring Vacation Scheme
Weil pays £750 a week for its Spring Vacation Scheme, with half payable in advance, but no visa sponsorship statement was found on its application process page.
Milbank
Vacation Scheme
Milbank pays £550 a week for its first-ever two vacation schemes in spring 2027, but the firm's FAQ does not address visa sponsorship.
Clifford Chance
Paralegal Apprenticeship, Level 3
Clifford Chance only says apprentices must already have the right to work in the UK, and does not address visa sponsorship at all.
Slaughter and May
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.
Eversheds Sutherland
UK Solicitor Apprenticeship, Level 7, six years
Eversheds Sutherland says nothing about visa sponsorship or UK residency for its solicitor apprenticeship.
Norton Rose Fulbright
Paralegal Apprenticeship, Level 3
Norton Rose Fulbright does not mention visa sponsorship, right to work, or residency anywhere on its paralegal apprenticeship page.
Irwin Mitchell
Apprenticeships
Irwin Mitchell only asks for the right to work in the UK by the start date and does not mention visa sponsorship.
Burges Salmon
Legal Apprenticeship, Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship
Burges Salmon publishes academic entry requirements but says nothing about visa sponsorship or residency.
Shoosmiths
Solicitor Apprenticeship, six years
Shoosmiths is redesigning the programme for an Autumn 2027 relaunch and has not published eligibility or sponsorship detail yet.
Fieldfisher
Vacation Scheme
Fieldfisher publishes exact dates for its two week vacation scheme but says nothing about visa sponsorship anywhere on the page.
Fieldfisher
Pathways to Practice Insight Scheme
A one week paid insight scheme for first year undergraduates from underrepresented backgrounds, with a published application window but no sponsorship statement.
Weightmans
Trainee Solicitor
Weightmans publishes exact trainee pay by location but only a vague reopening window for applications and no trainee-specific sponsorship statement.
DWF
Vacation Scheme
DWF publishes no sponsorship policy for its vacation scheme
DWF
Training Contract
DWF confirms training contract applications are open across England, Scotland and Belfast but publishes no dates, salary or sponsorship position.
Kennedys
London and Manchester Spring Vacation Scheme
Kennedys names its 2027 vacation scheme as the primary route to a 2028 training contract but gives no close date or salary and no sponsorship statement.
Kennedys
Training Contract
Kennedys funds the SQE course and maintenance grant for future trainees but publishes no salary figure, exact date or sponsorship position for the training contract.
RPC
London Summer Scheme
RPC sponsors Skilled Worker visas for trainees but says only that Summer Scheme applicants need the right to work, which is a requirement rather than a refusal.
Stephenson Harwood
Solicitor Apprenticeship
A six year, fully funded solicitor apprenticeship in London with a published salary ladder but no stated sponsorship position for apprentices specifically.
HFW
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.
HFW
Training Contract
HFW publishes a clear trainee salary and maintenance grant but says nothing about visa sponsorship anywhere on its training contract page.
Reed Smith
Vacation Scheme
Reed Smith publishes an exact application window down to the hour but leaves its own visa sponsorship FAQ answer empty, pointing only to 'Get in touch'.
Reed Smith
Direct Training Contract
Reed Smith's direct training contract route, for candidates who have already passed SQE1, is closed now and reopens in spring 2027 with no sponsorship statement published.
Reed Smith
Solicitor Apprenticeship
A precisely dated 2027 apprenticeship application window with no published salary or sponsorship position.
Squire Patton Boggs
UK Trainee Solicitor Program
Squire Patton Boggs recruits every future trainee through its one week Summer Vacation Scheme, with a written application deadline that appears to predate the current cycle.
Dentons
Solicitor Apprenticeship
A well established six-year apprenticeship with a published salary and exact dates, but no stated sponsorship position.
Gowling WLG
Vacation Scheme
Gowling WLG confirms its usual September to November application window but had not republished exact 2027 dates at the time of checking, and its pages say nothing about visa sponsorship.
Gowling WLG
Training Contract
Gowling WLG publishes clear trainee salaries for London and Birmingham but no visa sponsorship position anywhere on its training contract page.
Charles Russell Speechlys
Placement Scheme
A one week paid placement scheme with exact dates and pay in three offices; the firm's general sponsorship answer is written around the training contract rather than this scheme specifically.
Howard Kennedy
Training Contract
Howard Kennedy gives no salary, no exact date and no sponsorship position anywhere on its trainee pages, and its FAQ list has no visa question at all.
Russell-Cooke
Training Contract
Russell-Cooke publishes exact dates, ten training contract places and a clear salary, but its FAQ list has no visa sponsorship question at all.
Russell-Cooke
Vacation Scheme
Russell-Cooke's 2027 vacation scheme shares the training contract's exact application window, but pay and sponsorship are not published on the graduate recruitment overview page.
Michelmores
Training Contract
Michelmores publishes a recruitment timeline for its Spring Assessment Day route, but the close and assessment dates predate the stated open date and no salary or sponsorship position is given.
Michelmores
Vacation Scheme
Michelmores runs vacation schemes in Exeter and Bristol with a similarly inconsistent published timeline and no salary or sponsorship information.
Foot Anstey
Direct Training Contract Application
Foot Anstey publishes a precise application window for its direct training contract route but gives no salary or visa sponsorship position.
Foot Anstey
Aspire Vacation Scheme
A one week paid vacation scheme open to all, with an exact application window but no published salary figure or sponsorship position.
Blake Morgan
Training Contract
Blake Morgan describes its training contract structure in detail but routes applications through a general vacancies page with no dedicated dates, salary or sponsorship information.
Birketts
Summer Vacation Scheme
Birketts publishes a clear weekly allowance and hires most trainees through its vacation scheme, but its application-process page describes a 2026 scheme that has already run, with no visa sponsorship statement anywhere.
Mills & Reeve
Summer Vacation Scheme
Mills & Reeve publishes exact dates, salaries by region and PGDL/SQE study funding, but its 'sponsorship' FAQ is about course fees, not a UK work visa.
Stevens & Bolton
Training Contract
Stevens & Bolton publishes trainee salary and degree requirements but says nothing about visa sponsorship for international candidates.
HCR Law
Training Contract
HCR Law sets out a clear annual application window and degree requirement but publishes no salary figure and no sponsorship policy for international candidates.
Lester Aldridge
Training Contract
Lester Aldridge gives exact application dates for its next intake and covers SQE costs, but only asks for the right to work in the UK without saying whether it sponsors visas.
Paris Smith
Training Contract and Vacation Placement
Paris Smith gives precise 2027 deadlines and fully funds SQE prep, but does not mention visa sponsorship anywhere on its careers page.
Blandy & Blandy
Training Contract
Blandy & Blandy's application window for this cycle is already closed, and the page says nothing about salary or visa sponsorship.
Moore Barlow
Graduate Trainee Programme
Moore Barlow's graduate trainee programme is closed for submissions right now, and neither salary nor visa sponsorship appears on the page.
Browne Jacobson
Trainee Solicitor Pathway
Browne Jacobson renamed its training contract the Trainee Solicitor Pathway but its careers pages give no dates, salary or sponsorship detail for the Nottingham office or any other site.
Capital Law
Trainee Solicitor
Capital Law has a live Cardiff trainee solicitor vacancy advertised through to the end of November, but only says pay is competitive and says nothing about visa sponsorship.
Hugh James
Training Contract
Hugh James recruits its trainees mainly through a Summer Placement Scheme two years ahead of the contract starting, but the site gives no salary or sponsorship information.
Acuity Law
Future Lawyers
Acuity Law's Future Lawyers applications open the day after this research was done, covering three separate routes in, but salary and sponsorship are not stated.
JCP Solicitors
Trainee Solicitor
JCP Solicitors describes a two year rotational trainee programme but currently has no open vacancy and no published salary or sponsorship position.
Blackadders
2028 Traineeship Programme
Blackadders has its 2028 traineeship applications open right now across four Scottish offices, but publishes no salary or sponsorship information.
Harper Macleod
Traineeship
Harper Macleod's 2026 traineeship round is closed and 2027 details are not out yet, with no salary or sponsorship information published in the meantime.
Gillespie Macandrew
Legal Traineeship
Gillespie Macandrew's 2028 legal traineeship window has already closed, and the firm gives no salary or sponsorship position for the candidates it does take.
Lindsays
Traineeships and Early Careers
Lindsays runs a traineeship programme across its five Scottish offices but the careers overview page gives no dates, salary or sponsorship detail.
Berry Smith
Training Contract
Berry Smith says it regularly has opportunities for graduates seeking a training contract, but gives no dedicated page, dates, salary or sponsorship information.
CMS
Scotland Training Contract
CMS publishes exact trainee salaries for its Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow offices and opens applications the day after this research, but says nothing about visa sponsorship.
Stronachs
Trainee Solicitor Programme
Stronachs pays above the Law Society of Scotland's recommended trainee rates and its 2028 intake closes in five days, but gives no exact figure and no sponsorship position.
Turcan Connell
Traineeship
Turcan Connell covers PEAT1 Diploma fees for trainees but its next traineeship round will not open until late summer 2027, and sponsorship for international candidates is not addressed.
Balfour+Manson
Traineeship
Balfour+Manson's page still says applications for 2027 traineeships are open, but the deadline it quotes, 27 July 2026, has already passed.
Ledingham Chalmers
Traineeship
Ledingham Chalmers routes trainees in through its internship programme, but the 2028 round is closed and the next one is only promised to appear soon, with no salary or sponsorship detail either way.
Aberdein Considine
Legal Traineeship
Aberdein Considine, now trading online as AC&Co, has its 2028 traineeship open with a firm deadline next month, but publishes no salary or sponsorship position.
Tughans
Trainee Solicitor Scheme
Tughans covers all training fees and offers a competitive starting salary for its 2027 Belfast intake, but never states a figure or a sponsorship position.
Carson McDowell
Solicitor Training Programme
Carson McDowell requires a conditional, non-waitlisted IPLS offer to apply for its 2027 intake, and publishes no salary or sponsorship information.
Mills Selig
Training Contract
Mills Selig is recruiting trainees to start in September 2027 but requires an IPLS application and publishes no salary or sponsorship position, while its vacation scheme is currently suspended.
Arthur Cox
Trainee Programme
Arthur Cox describes a trainee programme built around individual trainee interests, including its Belfast office, but the pages checked give no dates, salary or sponsorship information.
A&L Goodbody
ALG Belfast Trainee Programme
A&L Goodbody runs three named programmes out of its Belfast office but the pages checked give no dates, salary or sponsorship detail for any of them.
Fladgate
Vacation Scheme and Training Contract
Fladgate pays a maintenance grant during SQE study and accepts 2:2 graduates, but its careers page never addresses visa sponsorship for international candidates.
Wiggin
Training Contract
Wiggin publishes strong trainee salaries but its September 2028 intake is closed and the September 2029 page has no dates yet, with no sponsorship statement either way.
Kingsley Napley
Training Contract
Kingsley Napley funds the SQE and pays maintenance grants during study, and its 2029 intake reopens in December 2026, but sponsorship is never mentioned.
Harbottle & Lewis
Training Contract
Harbottle & Lewis describes a well supported two year training contract but the pages checked give no application dates, salary or sponsorship information.
Sheridans
Training Contract
Sheridans mainly promotes existing paralegals into training contracts rather than recruiting graduates directly, and the page has no salary figure or sponsorship position.
Lee & Thompson
Funded Training Programme
Lee & Thompson funds a three year SQE training programme run with the College of Legal Practice, but recruits almost entirely from its own vacation scheme, and gives no salary or sponsorship detail.
Taylor Rose
SQE Trainee Placement 2027
Taylor Rose is recruiting for four 26 month SQE trainee placements starting with the April 2027 course, but salary, degree requirements and sponsorship are all unstated.
Thrings
Training Contract
Thrings' recruitment portal has a Training Contract job category but no vacancies are currently listed, so there is no active cycle, salary or sponsorship information to check.
Trowers & Hamlins
Training contract
Trowers & Hamlins opens direct training contract applications for 2029 and 2030 on 1 October 2026, closing at 11.59pm on 4 January 2027.
Trowers & Hamlins
Summer Vacation Scheme 2027
Trowers & Hamlins runs two paid summer vacation schemes in June 2027 across Birmingham, Exeter, London and Manchester, paying £520 a week in London.
Watson Farley & Williams
Spring and Summer Vacation Schemes 2027
Watson Farley & Williams pays £450 a week for its two-week London vacation schemes, with a 6 January 2027 deadline for the 2027 schemes.
Sullivan & Cromwell
2027 spring and summer vacation schemes
Sullivan & Cromwell is taking applications for its 2027 London spring and summer vacation schemes until 30 November 2026.
Sullivan & Cromwell
U.K. Trainee Solicitors Programme
Sullivan & Cromwell takes about 15 London trainees for 2029 on £70,000 rising to £75,000, with applications open only from 3 to 31 May 2027.
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
Vacation scheme
Simpson Thacher recruits every London trainee through four two-week vacation schemes paying £1,500, and spring and summer 2027 applications close on 20 December.
Gateley
Training Contract and Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship
Gateley recruits trainees two years ahead; applications open in October and close in January, but its early-careers page says nothing about visas.
Bates Wells
Training Contract
Bates Wells recruits trainees for a 2029 start, with applications opening 1 December 2026 and closing 2 April 2027.
Bates Wells
Vacation Scheme 2027
Bates Wells vacation scheme applications opened 1 October 2026 and close 4 January 2027.
Bates Wells
Solicitor Apprenticeship
Bates Wells solicitor apprentices join in September 2027; applications opened 1 October 2026 and close 4 December 2026.
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP)
London Training Contract 2028/29
BCLP London training contracts for 2028/29 open 19 October 2026 and close 31 May 2027.
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP)
London Vacation Schemes 2027
BCLP runs two-week London vacation schemes in 2027, with applications opening 19 October 2026 and closing 4 January 2027.
Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton
Vacation Schemes
Cleary hires its London trainees only through paid two-week vacation schemes, with applications open from 21 September 2026.
Cooley
Spring and Summer Programmes
Cooley London two-week programmes run 5 to 16 April and 28 June to 9 July 2027, paid at 550 pounds a week.
Withers
Training Contract 2029
Withers recruits London trainees for 2029 and applications opened today.
Covington & Burling
London Training Contract
Covington hires London trainees from its Summer Vacation Scheme for a September 2029 start.
Broadfield
Training Contract
Broadfield is recruiting UK trainees for September 2028, applications open now until 14 February 2027.
Broadfield
Vacation Scheme
Broadfield runs a two-week paid June 2027 vacation scheme in London, Reading and Southampton.
K&L Gates
London Trainee Solicitor
K&L Gates London trainee applications for August 2028 closed on 31 July 2026.
Dechert
London Vacation Schemes
Dechert's London winter scheme closes 16 October 2026 and its spring scheme closes 31 December 2026.
Dechert
London Training Contract
Dechert hires London trainees only via its winter and spring vacation schemes.
TWM Solicitors
Training Contract
TWM offers three to six training contracts a year with fully funded SQE preparation, applications open 2 November 2026.
TWM Solicitors
Summer and Autumn Vacation Schemes
TWM's 2027 vacation schemes are paid and two weeks long in Guildford.
Brabners
Training Contract
Brabners recruits trainees two years ahead and prints no current deadline.
Brabners
Vacation Scheme
Brabners says its next vacation scheme applications open in winter 2026.
Higgs LLP
Training Contract
Higgs says 2027 training contract recruitment opens in November 2026.
Higgs LLP
Spring Vacation Scheme
Higgs runs a Spring Vacation Scheme each March or April; no deadline is printed.
Leathes Prior
Training Contract
Leathes Prior's trainee assessment day application deadline is 11 November 2026.
Leathes Prior
Vacation Scheme
Leathes Prior's Easter vacation scheme closes 17 February 2027 and summer closes 21 July 2027.
Howes Percival
Graduate Training Contract
Howes Percival's published training contract deadline of 20 June 2026 has passed and no later date is printed.
Howes Percival
Vacation Scheme
Howes Percival's last printed vacation scheme deadline was 31 March 2026.
Katten Muchin Rosenman
London Summer Vacation Scheme 2027
Katten opens its 2027 London Summer Vacation Scheme in autumn 2026 and says nothing on its page about visa sponsorship.
Katten Muchin Rosenman
London Training Contract
Katten offers two London training contracts a year, reached only through its Summer Vacation Scheme, and does not mention visa sponsorship.
Vinson & Elkins
London Spring and Summer Vacation Scheme 2027
Vinson & Elkins runs one-week London vacation schemes in 2027 and its page says nothing about visa sponsorship.
Vinson & Elkins
London Training Contract
Vinson & Elkins pays London trainees £60,000 in year one (2024 figure) and recruits only from its vacation scheme; sponsorship is not mentioned.
Willkie Farr & Gallagher
London Spring and Summer Vacation Schemes 2027
Willkie's 2027 London vacation schemes are open for applications, and the firm hires trainees only through them; visa sponsorship is not mentioned.
Winston Taylor
2027 London Spring Vacation Scheme
Winston Taylor's London Spring Vacation Scheme 2027 closes on 30 October 2026; no visa statement is published.
Winston Taylor
2027 London Summer Vacation Scheme
Winston Taylor's London Summer Vacation Scheme 2027 closes on 30 November 2026; no visa statement is published.
Lanyon Bowdler
Training Contract
Lanyon Bowdler takes four to six trainees a year across Shropshire, Herefordshire, Wales and Telford, with a 2028 deadline of end of December 2026; sponsorship is not mentioned.
Nockolds
Training Contract
Nockolds, a Bishop's Stortford and London firm, offers a four-seat training contract but publishes no dates or sponsorship statement.
Nockolds
Summer Vacation Scheme
Nockolds runs a one-week July vacation placement with a 31 March deadline; the page does not mention visas.
Burnetts
Solicitor Training Contract
Burnetts, in Cumbria and Newcastle, is taking applications for its 2029 training contract intake until 30 June 2027.
Womble Bond Dickinson
Training Contract Programme
Womble Bond Dickinson says 2028 training contract applications are closed and has published no later cycle or visa statement.
Accutrainee
Trainee Solicitor
Accutrainee recruits trainee solicitors for qualifying work experience all year round on secondments to law firms and in-house teams.
Audley Chaucer
Training Contracts
Audley Chaucer, an Esher firm, invites training contract applications by CV and says nothing about dates or visas.
Clarion
Training Contract
Clarion's current training contract round has closed, and applications for the September 2028 intake open in January 2027.
Davis Polk & Wardwell London LLP
London Training Programme
Two-year London training programme for September 2029 starters, first-year salary £65,000, with applications open until 30 November 2026.
Dawson Cornwell
Training Contract
Niche London family law firm offering a two-year training contract starting September 2028, applications by 31 July 2027.
Dean Wilson LLP
Trainee Solicitor Programme 2028
Brighton firm Dean Wilson opens applications for its 2028 trainee solicitor programme on 19 October 2026.
Gaby Hardwicke Solicitors
Training Contracts
Sussex-coast firm offering traditional four-seat training contracts to SQE applicants, with the 2027 deadline already closed.
Freeths
Direct Entry Programme: Legal Placement
Paid one-week legal placements in July 2027 for penultimate-year law undergraduates, leading to a trainee offer, applications close 4 February 2027.
Hill Dickinson
Training Contract
Two-year training contract starting September 2029 across six UK offices, applications open 1 October 2026 until 10 January 2027.
Hill Dickinson
Internship Programme
Four paid four-week summer 2027 internships aimed at widening-access candidates, applications 1 October to 15 November 2026.
Herrington Carmichael
Training Contract
Two-year training contract at Farnborough and Reading with intakes each March and September, no application dates printed.
Lawrence Stephens
Trainee Solicitor
Lawrence Stephens is taking applications for its September 2027 trainee intake but its early careers page says nothing about visas.
Shakespeare Martineau
Training Contract
Shakespeare Martineau has filled its training contract places until 2028 and has not yet published the next application window.
Shakespeare Martineau
Summer Intern Programme
Shakespeare Martineau runs a three week summer internship, but 2027 applications have not opened.
McDermott Will & Schulte
Trainee Contract
McDermott's UK careers site advertises a trainee contract with a smaller cohort but publishes no dates or visa position.
Orrick
London Vacation Scheme 2027
Orrick's London vacation scheme for summer 2027 is the main route to a training contract, and applications are open until 31 December 2026.
Orrick
London Training Contract
Orrick offers a direct training contract route in London for those who cannot attend its vacation scheme, with applications closing 31 March 2027.
mfg Solicitors
Training Contract
mfg Solicitors is accepting applications for September 2028 training contracts until 31 January 2027, and says nothing about visas.
Laceys Solicitors
Graduate Training Programme
Laceys will take applications for its September 2029 graduate roles from 1 January 2027 to 31 March 2027, and publishes nothing on visas.
Thomson Snell & Passmore
Training Contracts at Thomson Snell & Passmore
Thomson Snell & Passmore has opened applications for September 2029 training contracts and says nothing about visas.
Winckworth Sherwood
Training contract
Winckworth Sherwood recruits eight trainees a year via an assessment day and its 2028 round has already closed.
Cripps
Trainee solicitor programme
Cripps training contract applications open on 5 October 2026.
Jones Day
London Vacation Schemes
Jones Day recruits almost all London trainees via vacation schemes and says it has a Skilled Worker licence for a very limited number of candidates.
Mayer Brown
London Training Contract
Mayer Brown London training contract, two years and four seats, funded SQE.
Mayer Brown
London Vacation Schemes
Mayer Brown 2027 Spring and Summer vacation schemes opened on 1 September 2026.
Walker Morris
Vacation scheme
Walker Morris 2027 vacation scheme applications open 22 October 2026.
Goodwin
Trainee Solicitor Programme
Goodwin London 2029 trainee applications run 4 September to 4 December 2026, 55,000 pounds first year.
Goodwin
Vacation Scheme
Goodwin London two-week vacation scheme runs 5 to 16 April 2027, applications close 4 December 2026.
Arnold & Porter
London Trainee Solicitor programme
Arnold & Porter pays PGDL/SQE fees and recruits two years in advance.
Boodle Hatfield
Training Contract
Boodle Hatfield's 2028 training contract window closed on 14 June 2026.
Fried Frank
London Training Contract
Fried Frank's 2028 London training contract window closed on 22 May 2026.
Shepherd and Wedderburn
Traineeships and Legal Summer Placements
Shepherd and Wedderburn recruits trainees through paid summer placements two years in advance.
Ropes & Gray
London Trainee Solicitor and Vacation Scheme
Ropes & Gray recruits about 15 London trainees a year via vacation schemes.
Wedlake Bell
Training Contract
Wedlake Bell 2029 training contracts open 1 November 2026 and close 3 May 2027.
Wedlake Bell
Summer Vacation Scheme 2027
Wedlake Bell 2027 summer vacation scheme runs 21 June to 9 July 2027; applications close 11 January 2027.
Wilkin Chapman
Training Contract
Wilkin Chapman Rollits training contracts for 2028 and 2029 open 1 November 2026 and close 31 January 2027.
Davis Blank Furniss
Law Training Contracts
Davis Blank Furniss recruits up to four trainees twice a year, in March and September.
DMH Stallard
Training Contract
DMH Stallard applications for a September 2027 training contract close on 31 January 2027.
Edwin Coe
Summer Vacation Scheme
Edwin Coe 2027 applications open 2 November 2026 and close 31 January 2027.
Geldards
Training Contract 2027
Geldards says its 2027 training contract applications are not live yet.
Girlings
Training Contract
Girlings next training contract window runs 1 February to 30 April 2027 for a September 2028 start.
Hawkswell Kilvington
Training Contract / qualifying work experience
Hawkswell Kilvington takes CV and covering letter applications for its construction law training contract.
Peters & Peters
Training Contract
Peters & Peters is taking applications for 2028 and 2029 training contracts until 28 February 2027.
McGuireWoods
London Trainee Solicitor
McGuireWoods London recruits one trainee a year; applications close 31 October 2026.
Rayden Solicitors
Training Contract
Rayden's next training contract window is expected to open in March 2027.
Ringrose Law
Summer Vacation Scheme
Ringrose Law offers up to three two-week summer vacation scheme places in Lincoln.
Capsticks
Legal Summer Vacation Scheme 2027
Capsticks 2027 vacation scheme runs 21 June to 2 July 2027, applications close 13 December 2026.
Mewburn Ellis
Trainee Patent Attorney Programme
Mewburn Ellis says its 2027 trainee patent attorney intake goes live in the Autumn, with the 2026 round closed.
Other sectors
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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.