New Threads

I feel obligated to warn future applicants about my experience with Kennedys’ SQE Graduate Apprenticeship recruitment process for the London PEC programme — an experience which has been, frankly, appalling from start to finish.

The process dragged on for nearly six months, involving an application form, online assessments, a video interview, an assessment centre, a senior associate interview, and finally a partner interview. Each stage demanded substantial preparation, commitment, and emotional investment. Candidates were repeatedly reassured that timelines would be communicated clearly and outcomes provided promptly.

The reality could not have been further from the truth.

Following the final partner interview, which was presented as the “final stage” after being told I had “excelled in all aspects” of the process up to that point, communications completely collapsed. Weeks passed without any updates, despite repeated assurances that “decisions would be made soon.”

Candidates were kept in the dark for over two months, with constantly shifting goalposts (“end of this week,” then “end of next week,” then “end of next week” again — repeated endlessly). No transparency. No accountability. No respect for the time and careers of the individuals who had invested so much in the process.

When an outcome finally came, it was a cold, generic rejection email offering no meaningful feedback whatsoever. No acknowledgment of the ridiculous delays. No apology for the emotional strain caused. No demonstration of the “values” Kennedys claims to promote.

After six months of effort, candidates — many of whom had adjusted their lives around the possibility of this opportunity — were discarded like afterthoughts.

This entire process reflects an astonishing level of incompetence, disorganisation, and disdain for candidates. It raises serious questions about how Kennedys values its people — if this is how they treat future lawyers, how can current employees and clients expect to be treated?

Given the experience, it is clear that Kennedys’ polished marketing is nothing more than a facade. Behind the branding lies a firm that does not respect time, commitment, or basic professional standards. Candidates deserve far better.

If you are considering applying to Kennedys, think twice. There are plenty of firms that not only offer excellent training but also treat candidates — and people generally — with basic human decency.

Hi all,

I’m hoping to hear from anyone who has experience (or knows someone) who qualified as a solicitor “early” by using existing Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) plus passing both SQE1 and SQE2, rather than completing a full two-year training contract/graduate scheme. (No one replied to this old thread)

Questions:

• Has anyone here qualified early this way, or know someone who has?
• How did your firm handle the transition? Did you move straight into an NQ (newly qualified) role, or did you face any challenges?
• Did you encounter any pushback from HR or supervisors about “completing the programme” versus qualifying as soon as you met the SRA requirements?
• If you had to leave your firm, how did you approach applying for NQ roles as an early qualifier?

Would really appreciate any insights, tips, or stories.

Hi everyone! I hope the weekend has been great! I created this thread to share some last-minute application tips. I hope it proves useful, and please let me know if you have any questions. I, and the rest of the team, will be more than happy to help!


1. Commercial awareness should be a constant habit, not a last-minute scramble


One of the biggest things I’ve realised is that commercial awareness isn’t something you just pick up the week before an interview. It’s a habit you have to build constantly.

Something that’s helped me is listening to podcasts — both finance-related ones and law-focused ones. When I’m listening to finance podcasts, I try to actively think about how what I’m hearing would link to a law firm’s work. Like, if they’re talking about market volatility, I think: how would that affect the type of advice clients need? When I listen to law podcasts, it’s a way of checking if the links I made in my head actually make sense. You also end up learning how trends are actually playing out in practice.

It’s not just about staying updated. It’s about training your brain to always be making connections.



2. Talk to people. Network, Network, Network!


Another thing that makes a huge difference is networking. Not just in the sense of collecting contacts, but actually having conversations with people — whether they’re also applicants, future trainees, trainees, associates, etc. When you speak to different people, you realise that every single stage of the process teaches you something. You pick up advice you genuinely won’t find online, and you can use it to strengthen your own approach. Schedule coffee chats, send LinkedIn messages, just put yourself out there.



3. Prioritise mental clarity as much as you prioritise getting applications done


It’s really easy to fall into the trap of thinking that being productive means constantly doing something. But honestly, your best work — the best versions of your applications — come from a place of clarity.

Take time for yourself. Go for walks. Spend time around people who actually uplift you. Do things that ground you outside of the application process.

It might seem unrelated, but everything you do to take care of your mental health directly impacts how well you show up when you sit down to draft, interview, or even just think strategically about your next steps.



4. Reflect properly after every application, even (especially) the ones that didn’t go your way


It’s so easy to just move on after submitting something or after getting rejected. But the people who improve the most are the ones who take a few minutes to reflect.

Ask yourself: what went well? Where did I struggle? Was there a point where I felt unsure, and if so, why?

You don't need to overthink it or beat yourself up — it’s about getting curious. Those small bits of self-awareness add up massively over the course of a cycle. If you’re learning a little after each experience, you’re automatically improving your odds.


5. Understand that small consistent steps beat occasional massive efforts every time


It’s tempting to think you need to have these big "grind" days where you send 5 applications or study commercial news for 4 hours straight. But honestly, what moves the wheel is small, consistent steps.

One LinkedIn message today.

One podcast episode tomorrow.

One paragraph drafted the next day.

When you work steadily, you build momentum, and momentum is way more powerful than waiting for motivation to strike.

Trust that the small things you do every day are building towards the big results you want. Keep going. You are closer than you think…!

Hi all,

Just had a few questions about the Essentials for Practice Course?

1. How is it exactly examined?
2. Is it as challenging as the SQE or is it relatively straightforward?
3. Any other general tips about it would be very helpful!

Thanks

Hi everyone!

This is my first post here so apologies if I've put it in the wrong place. I’m currently weighing offers from both Ashurst and Baker McKenzie ('BM'), and I’d really appreciate any insight/advice from those who have experience with either (or both!) firms. I know I’m incredibly lucky to be in this position and I'm grateful to even have a choice, but now I'm here I'm struggling to decide.

I've put together a rough comparison list, and would be extremely appreciative if anyone could weigh in on any of these areas:

Type and Calibre of Work

My understanding of BM is that its work is mostly multi-jurisdictional, being a global firm operating in 46 countries. Meanwhile, my understanding of Ashurst is that it's much more UK-focused, sitting on the UK government's legal panel for example. Is there a perception that one or the other is more 'prestigious' (i.e. would I be wrong to think that Ashurst would be better known in London, but BM better known globally? And would this have any impact on future career progression i.e. lateralling down the line?).

Training

Both firms take between 30-40 trainees. BM requires you take a transactional and contentious seat, whilst Ashurst requires a transactional seat and a seat in Banking & Finance/Capital Markets. Does anyone have any further insights into the training I could expect at these firms? I don’t know where I want to qualify yet, so specific strength in practice areas is unlikely to hugely impact my decision.

Work/Life Balance

BM has 25 days annual leave and target hours of 1700, whilst Ashurst has 27 days leave and a target of 1600. However, I've heard anecdotally that 'silver circle' firms essentially work 'magic circle' hours, so I'm struggling to compare the two here.

Culture

I've met people from both firms, and they all seem lovely! This makes it hard to differentiate here.

Career Progression

Does anyone have any insight into what career progression looks like at these firms? As the larger firm BM obviously has more partners/senior associates, but I'd imagine you'd be competing with a greater pool of people for promotions?

International Secondments

I'd assume that BM has far greater opportunity for international secondments, given it has 77 offices? Saying that, I've remember reading somewhere that 1/3 of Ashurst trainees go on international secondment.

Remuneration

BM offers an NQ salary of £140,000, and Ashurst £125,000. I was curious if anyone knew what further salary progression/bonuses look like at either of the firms? If you start on a higher NQ salary, I'd imagine this is reflected in associate pay too? I've heard salary bunching is quite common at the associate level, so wanted to check for this.

Do let me know if i've missed any key points, and thanks in advance for any insights — looking forward to hearing what you all think!

Hello,

I am new to this forum community and very excited to get involved ! I am looking forward to contributing and learning from the community.

Hi all, this is my first time writing on this forum and I'm seeking advice on my legal education journey. I was studying law at a decent (but non RG) London University however I decided to leave halfway through my first year because of unavoidable personal circumstances. I come from an immigrant background so making this decision was extremely difficult and the response from my family honestly accelerated the circumstances surrounding my leaving. I have taken a considerable amount of time out of my studies, during which I secured a 6 month internship at a specialised civil law firm as well as completed virtual work experiences with Forage, I wholeheartedly want to study Law and I'm committed to it as a career path. I would love to complete an LLB but because of the time I have already lost and family pressure I'm looking at doing an accelerated LLB as a non graduate. I previously posted my query on Reddit and received some harsh but well meaning advice on how this is practically impossible and I should just re-apply to the standard LLB at a good university or a RG. I understand this opinion but with my A levels A*,B,B,B I was not able to secure admission into RGs in my first cycle and I cannot see why this would change especially as I'm competing with newer cohorts. The universities that offer a 2 year LLB which I meet entry requirements for are University of Hertfordshire, University of Law, University of South Wales and University of Northampton, I know that stereotypically these universities may not rank the best for securing TCs in major firms but I'm willing to work hard and try my luck. Which University would you advise I would have a higher chance of securing a job with? I am also looking at applying to a better University for a post graduate LLM which has always been part of my plan even before dropping out in 1st year (the main reason why I am not too fussed on these Universities not being the most prestigious). Another thing to add I might have to leave the UK altogether if I cannot return to my studies soon because of my family hence why I'm considering accelerated courses. Thank you and I'm open to anyone's advice on this.

hey! I was just wondering if anyone in the past has applied for this/if anyone would be happy to share advice on how to ensure this is successful - I'm great at the watson glaser but terrible at written answers. I've applied to a lot of VSs at international firms and I know they're very competitive but the written questions are my weak point, so it'd be great to hear from others (and helpful for others). thanks!

it should just be one page, outline why linklaters and why commercial law, and it should be:

• specific to the firm
• specific to you

the application form advises:
'

• Brief overview of academic, extra-curricular and work achievements
• Why are you interested in a career in commercial law?
• Why Linklaters?'

I am a PGDL student approaching my summative exams. I am wondering how I can improve my accuracy for the MCQs as I amrunning out of practice questions. How did other students find the summatives, having done them? Do the exam questions closelyfollow the ones you are given in practice? The ones in the textbook seem significantly easier than the assessment level ones. Really worried that I won't be prepared.

Hello everyone, I was wondering if anyone else had been allocated online proctored SQE2 examinations for the 3 days of written tasks. I just received this as part of my reasonable adjustment, but it seems vastly over the top (not that I am complaining). Has anyone had the same or, even better, completed online proctored SQE2 written exams?

Hi all,

I’ll be starting the MA Law Conversion course part-time at the University of Law later this year. Unfortunately, the firm I currently work for doesn’t offer funding for the course, which is a significant factor for me as I come from a lower-income background.

Unfortunately, I've also already taken out a postgraduate loan when I began studying at BPP in 2023. I dropped out a few months into the course due to issues with the university such as mismanagement, admin, and frequent phone calls threatening to remove me from the course because I couldn’t provide my undergraduate results at the time, as they were delayed due to the marking boycott and strikes (For context, I graduated in July 2023 but didn't receive my final degree classification until January 2024).

As a result, I’ll be applying for training contracts in hopes of securing some funding. I’ve spent some time improving my CV in preparation and would really appreciate any feedback, so I can give myself the best possible chance of securing a TC. I’ve redacted and changed some details to remain anonymous.

The only potential concern I have is that I scraped a pass in one of my second-year modules. Will this limit the firms I can apply to?

My top firms are DLA Piper, BCLP, Clifford Chance, Addleshaw Goddard, and Pinsent Masons. Do I realistically have a chance, or should I manage my expectations?

Many thanks in advance!

Hi! Super grateful to have been offered a place on the Clifford Chance SPARK Scheme. I was wondering if anyone could describe their experience of the scheme, what the best things to do as a candidate are during the scheme, and what the exit interview process for TC is like (I haven’t been able to find much on this!). I really like the firm so want to get in!

Hi, I have to choose my essentials for practice pathway for the SQE LLM (I'm self-funding). BPP give you 3 options: commercial, corporate and general pathways.

Does anyone who secured a training contract while sulf-funding have any advice for choosing a pathway? Or, if one is preferred/used by most city law firms for their future trainees?

I'm going to choose between the commercial and corporate pathways - leaning towards corporate right now but I'm still unsure... Essentially, will a law firm consider only students who chose the commercial pathway for training contracts as that's what they make their future trainees do at BPP?

Should I reach out to grad rec at law firms I'm interested in applying to and ask them if they have a preference/requirement? I can't find much information online so anything would be helpful!

I think I already know what people are going to say to this, but here goes. Basically, I've recently been getting a strong desire to apply for more/different Training Contracts, even though I already have one at a good City firm. I switched to law quite late (just before graduating) and only applied to a few places (no MC or even top US firms) and secured a direct TC at a good Silver Circle outlet. I accepted quickly, then just stopped trying.

I don't want to sound ungrateful, to anyone on here or to the firm I have a TC at. I know how hard these things are to get, and part of me knows that a lot of my dissatisfaction is ego-driven. But ever since starting the GDL I've met loads of people at MC firms, White & Case, Kirkland, etc, and part of me knows that if I'd tried harder, I could have got a more prestigious TC. I also worry that it is going to affect my future career/ exit opportunities. I don't know if switching TCs is even possible, or whether there's some sort of SRA restriction (it would make sense if there was).

I've met a couple of people that have switched TCs, but they did it before starting the GDL. Does anyone have any experience with this/general advice?

Hi everyone, sorry for the brash title.

English is my second language- I can speak it clearly sometimes and I can write it clearly, but often when I am in pressured situations, I can only think/talk in my native language. I have never done any interviews before, let alone video interviews and I am nervous because when the questions come up, what if my mind draws a complete blank?

Has anyone completed a video interview before? If so, how was it? If anyone has passed this, how ? If anyone is from graduate recruitment and has assessed video interviews, what do you look for? If anyone has done/assessed an interview for anything before, I would very much appreciate your tips/general input.

At what point do you know that you are over-explaining/under-explaining? What are some examples of some questions that I can prep? Oh, and also this interview is for an internship at an audit firm, very similar to a commercial law firm in terms of the work that is done in regulation, restructuring proposals, risk and due diligence.

Like the people say over here, how cooked am I ?

Hello,

I was just looking for some advice on the extent that my grades will limit me (individual module results).

In my first year of university, I made the biggest mistake of my life in missing an exam - I wrote down the incorrect time, and so missed an exam I was otherwise confident for. As a result, my re-sit was capped at a pass (40).

I was just wondering the extent that these undergraduate grades will hold me back. Should I, for example, limit my applications to a certain type of firm? My area of interest lies in commercial law, and I want to work on larger deals.

Any help on this would be much appreciated. I have felt very disheartened at my undergraduate grades since deciding to career change into law.

I'm due to start the SQE this September and haven't decided whether I should do it in-person or online.

Just for some context, I am extremely lucky to have secured a TC and my firm will sponsor fees and provide a maintenance grant. However, I'm not in a position where my family would be able to support any of my additional costs (whether that be travel, accommodation, etc.) and given that London is expensive, I've considered studying for the SQE virtually to save costs and time.

During my undergrad, I rarely attended/watched lectures and relied on self-study. I was able to absorb the material better by reading and devising my own study plan, and ultimately ended up graduating with a first. I know, however, the SQE is going to be challenging and I have started to refresh my knowledge of the undergrad material in preparation for September. I also appreciate it would be great to meet my cohort beforehand to make those connections ahead of my TC. But in light of how expensive it is to live in London, and given the fact I would waste a lot of time commuting to and from campus, would it be such a bad idea to study the course remotely?

I'd be really interested to hear from those who studied (or are currently studying) remotely and in-person, and any recommendations - thanks in advance!

Hello

I hope you are doing well.

I have applied for admission for the roll of Solictor and in completing the character and suitability assessment I did not disclose anything.

However I received an email from the SRA saying that something in my regulatory history has highlighted an issue.

I was not aware of anything but done some memory refreshing and some 12 years ago i disclosed to the SRA i had a criminal conviction and was going through there character and suitability assessment ( before you started the LPC) and they were asking me questions etc at the same time my university flagged me to the sra for Apparently forging an email or something.

The SRA then sent me email etc I engaged i denied the forged email at the time i was going through serious mental health issues and other issues such as bereavement’s suicidal thoughts etc and other issues. The SRA discounted their investigation .

I have dyslexia and ADHD

Now 12 years later i have genuinely forgotten about this issue untill now.

Can anyone advice .

Do SRA still hold records

Is my careear over, it was 12 years ago and nothing came from it. No judgement no order no fine . No further action

As of the email:
They said they will add me to a triage and reply in 14 days for update.

What are the next steps!

Thanks

I have been invited to a Harbottle and Lewis assessment centre.

I was wondering if anyone had done an assessment centre at Harbottle before and would be able to give me some advice? If not, some general advice about any of these activities would be great as well.

Thanks!

Hi,

I am just researching where a law firm can open their next office. By way of background the law firm strengths are in energy (whole spectrum), financial services, life sciences, tech, has a strong US presence, few offices in Europe, Singapore and 3 in Middle East. I have been thinking about India as a location for a law firm to open the office- however the more I read the strict rules the more I question whether it is practically viable? Is anyone able to assist?

Thanks in advance

I have been invited to an assessment centre with Hay & Kilner and was just wondering if anyone has any advice how to research and prepare for these in general and if there is any advice for the firm specifically?

Just received withers strengths based obline assessment, had anyone completed this and proceeded to the next stage?

Any chance could someone give me some advice or what values are withers looking for.

Thanks so much!

Anyone with any insight into Mishcon's assessment centre ?

Hi, I am a business undergraduate who is now completing the PGDL with ULaw. I have recently changed to the MA Law (SQE1) due to funding and so I am due to start the course for the SQE September 2025. I have been advised by my employability team that some firms do not take trainees if they have already completed the SQEs as they want all their trainees to have completed their SQEs at the same time (as well as due to their relationships and contracts with certain course providers).

I'm now worried that my opportunities to get a vacation scheme and training contract for next year are seriously hindered. Do you know if there are any firms specifically that follow this policy of not having completed the SQEs yet? I'm not totally sure about my future course of action if this happens to be the case for most large commercial law firms.

Thanks for your help and any advice is appreciated!