Ask Osborne Clarke Anything!

[Jaysen]

Hi everyone,

I hope you'll join me in extending a very warm welcome to Patrick Fermin Ryan, the recruitment advisor at Osborne Clarke.

He is live in the forum right now to answer any questions you have. You might like to ask any questions relating to:

• What makes Osborne Clarke different
• What graduate recruitment looks for
• The application process at Osborne Clarke
• How to write a standout application

Or anything in between!

Wishing you the best of luck this cycle.

Jaysen

--

And here are the upcoming Osborne Clarke Deadlines

Vacation Scheme 2026 (Bristol/London/Reading): Apply by 15 January 2026

Training Contract 2028 (Bristol/London/Reading): Apply by 15 January 2026

 

[jl907]

Hi Patrick, thank you for your time today! I was wondering if there is any possibility for both assessment centres to be virtual if someone is currently outside the UK for their studies? Thank you!

 

[Patrick - Osborne Clarke]

Hi Everyone,

I thought it would be a good idea just to introduce myself first.

I am a Recruiter for Osborne Clarke. I am based in our Bristol office and focus on Graduate recruitment, Paralegals and Knowledge roles.

I have been with the firm for just over 2 years but prior to that I was a recruiter for a consumer healthcare brand and a large retailer.

Please feel free to ask anything you would like and I will try my best to give you some useful insights.

Thanks so much,
Patrick

 

[Patrick - Osborne Clarke]

Hi Patrick, thank you for your time today! I was wondering if there is any possibility for both assessment centres to be virtual if someone is currently outside the UK for their studies? Thank you!

Morning!

Unfortunately, it is compulsory for the second assessment centre to be in person. We would still encourage you to apply and should we get to that stage, we can discuss things further.

Thanks!

 

[James Wakefield]

Hi Patrick,

Thanks for your time!

I’m looking to reapply to Osborne Clarke after being unsuccessful at the first stage last year.

I think the verbal reasoning test let me down. Do you have any advice on how best to prepare for this test?

Thank you!

 

[teosevgen]

Hey Patrick, I am quite confused about whether applications are reviewed on a rolling basis or not?
To quote the website "We’ll read applications as they come in, but won’t fill our assessment centre places before the deadline closes." - does this mean decisions will not be made until all applications are read or is it a de facto first come first basis?

secondly is there a finalised date for the bristol open day?

 

[Patrick - Osborne Clarke]

Hi Patrick,

Thanks for your time!

I’m looking to reapply to Osborne Clarke after being unsuccessful at the first stage last year.

I think the verbal reasoning test let me down. Do you have any advice on how best to prepare for this test?

Thank you!

Hi James,

Glad to hear you are reapplying.

The Verbal Reasoning Tests are used as an indicator for us as we don't focus on academic results. However, the most important part is your long form answers... so focus on those first!!!

With regards, to VRTs I would recommend just doing as many practice test as poss, these help you with the time constraints and the pressure to ensure you perform best when it counts!!

 

[stacy2523]

Hi Patrick,

Thank you for your time this morning! My question is what do you look for in the long form answers that makes candidate standout from others?

 

[Patrick - Osborne Clarke]

Hey Patrick, I am quite confused about whether applications are reviewed on a rolling basis or not?
To quote the website "We’ll read applications as they come in, but won’t fill our assessment centre places before the deadline closes." - does this mean decisions will not be made until all applications are read or is it a de facto first come first basis?

secondly is there a finalised date for the bristol open day?

Hello,

In short, we do not make decisions on a rolling basis so you have plenty of time! We will wait until the closing date before making any decisions. However, due to the volume of applications, we do begin to read them.

I believe our Bristol open evening will be on the 6th November so keep an eye out

 

[johnsmith]

Morning Patrick,

Thanks for answering questions!

Is your verbal reasoning provider still SHL or are you using someone different this year?

Would you encourage a career changer to apply for a vacation scheme or a training contract?

What would you say commonly makes successful applicants stand out when past the application form stage?

🙏

 

[DavidJC]

Hi Patrick, great to have you here and thanks for coming by to answer our questions. I had two.

1. Are there any specfic allocations as to trainee/VS spots between Bristol/London/Reading?

2. I am currently studying the PGDL at ULaw Bristol, does it influence whether I'm allowed to apply to London instead of Bristol?

 

[Eden19]

Hi Patrick,

Hope you had a good weekend.

I am interested in applying for the Direct TC:
- Are slots for that open or do you prioritize Vac Scheme candidates.
- I have completed SQE 1 and 2 if successful could I start earlier than 2028 such as late 2026 or 2027.
- I am interested in OC due to its focus on IP, TMT and am keen on applying to the London office. As I don’t have legal experience in IP and TMT how would you best suggest demonstrating this in an application.

Many thanks
Eden Rego

 

[Patrick - Osborne Clarke]

Hi Patrick,

Thank you for your time this morning! My question is what do you look for in the long form answers that makes candidate standout from others?

Morning Stacy,

Thanks for your question.

The long form answers are there to give you the chance to demonstrate as much of your knowledge and individual perspectives as possible. Keep that in mind when writing them. I think my top tips are as follows:

1. Be concise and make sure everything you are writing is relevant.
2. They are not a test of legal knowledge - it is about commercial awareness so think about knowledge you have of the markets, the wider geopolitical landscape etc that you can bring into your answer.
3. Avoid GPT to create ideas - this can make your answer sound like anyone elses which is not what we are looking for
4. Try to think about how your answers links in with the work OC does. Take a look at our deals, our clients etc to see if you can build links between what you are writing and the firm you are applying to.


Hope that helps!

 

[Patrick - Osborne Clarke]

Hi Patrick, great to have you here and thanks for coming by to answer our questions. I had two.

1. Are there any specfic allocations as to trainee/VS spots between Bristol/London/Reading?

2. I am currently studying the PGDL at ULaw Bristol, does it influence whether I'm allowed to apply to London instead of Bristol?

Hey David,

Thanks for your questions.

1. Bristol and London are our largest UK offices and therefore have the biggest cohorts. The numbers do tend to change each year.

2. Absolutely not! We welcome applications for any of office and from wherever you are based. However, as a note, you can only make 1 application each cycle so will need to chose.

 

[Yaa26]

Hi everyone,

I hope you'll join me in extending a very warm welcome to Patrick Fermin Ryan, the recruitment advisor at Osborne Clarke.

He is live in the forum right now to answer any questions you have. You might like to ask any questions relating to:

• What makes Osborne Clarke different
• What graduate recruitment looks for
• The application process at Osborne Clarke
• How to write a standout application

Or anything in between!

Wishing you the best of luck this cycle.

Jaysen

--

And here are the upcoming Osborne Clarke Deadlines

Vacation Scheme 2026 (Bristol/London/Reading): Apply by 15 January 2026

Training Contract 2028 (Bristol/London/Reading): Apply by 15 January 2026

Hi Patrick hope you are doing well,
Do you have any tips for making my vac scheme application stand out? and what do you think makes Osborne Clarke unique from other firms? thanks for your time

 

[Patrick - Osborne Clarke]

Hi Patrick,

Hope you had a good weekend.

I am interested in applying for the Direct TC:
- Are slots for that open or do you prioritize Vac Scheme candidates.
- I have completed SQE 1 and 2 if successful could I start earlier than 2028 such as late 2026 or 2027.
- I am interested in OC due to its focus on IP, TMT and am keen on applying to the London office. As I don’t have legal experience in IP and TMT how would you best suggest demonstrating this in an application.

Many thanks
Eden Rego

Hi Eden,

Thanks for your questions!

So we offer both options as we appreciate not everyone can attend a Vac Scheme. However, we would of course recommend it if you can as it's a big decision for you!

1. We wont make any decisions on direct to TC applications until our Vac Schemes have complete in early July. (For transparency, the majority of our trainees do come via that route).
2. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept joining earlier than 2028.
3. First to say, the majority of applicants will not have legal experience. I would recommend doing the basics really well, reading as much as poss, attending any virtual/in person events, scowering firms websites and taking a look at any of our key partners work. This will help you build up a really solid foundation that hopefully you can feed into the long form answers.
IP, Tech, Media is a key area for OC but I think understanding how it feeds into the wider firm is also an interesting angle to take a look at!

Hope that is ok, but please ask anything additional if needed.

 

[Patrick - Osborne Clarke]

Hi Patrick hope you are doing well,
Do you have any tips for making my vac scheme application stand out? and what do you think makes Osborne Clarke unique from other firms? thanks for your time

Hello!

Thanks for your questions!

I popped some tips in one of the answers on the thread so maybe take a look at that.

In terms of what makes OC unique, so a lot of firms do similar work and work in similar spaces.

However, from a trainee point of view we offer you lots of experience and responsibility early on to ensure you get the best exposure. We offer a really well structured team to support you throughout your 2 years training including a Future Lawyers Team, Trainee Buddy, Partner Supervisor, NQ buddy and our wider People Development team.

OC is also a great place to be yourself and bring your own ideas and really add to brilliant culture at the firm.

 

[CLAW2024]

Hi Patrick,

I'm a penultimate-year law student currently averaging a 2:2 (58%), and I'm really interested in applying to Osborne Clarke. However, I'm unsure whether it's worth applying this cycle given my academic performance so far.


Would the firm consider applicants with a 2:2, particularly if they have strong extracurricular or work experience to support their application? Or would you recommend waiting to improve my academic profile before applying?

Warm regards,

 

[Patrick - Osborne Clarke]

Morning Patrick,

Thanks for answering questions!

Is your verbal reasoning provider still SHL or are you using someone different this year?

Would you encourage a career changer to apply for a vacation scheme or a training contract?

What would you say commonly makes successful applicants stand out when past the application form stage?

🙏

Hi John,

Sorry I missed your questions.

1. SHL is our provider for our testing.
2. I would always recommend the Vac Scheme route if you can. Its a great opportunity for us to get further insight into you as an applicant and for you to showcase your experience/skills further. From the flip side, it's really important that you can assess the firm and make sure it is the best place for your to train.
3. I think as I mentioned to others, that individual perspective on answers is essential. With your background as career changer this can definitely be something you can use to your advantage in the application process.

 

[Patrick - Osborne Clarke]

Hi Patrick,

I'm a penultimate-year law student currently averaging a 2:2 (58%), and I'm really interested in applying to Osborne Clarke. However, I'm unsure whether it's worth applying this cycle given my academic performance so far.


Would the firm consider applicants with a 2:2, particularly if they have strong extracurricular or work experience to support their application? Or would you recommend waiting to improve my academic profile before applying?

Warm regards,

Hello!

Great questions.

We don't have any academic requirements for our applications. Therefore, I would still recommend applying if you are interested. By delaying a year, we will then be recruiting for 2029 in our next cycle which is some time off!

The crucial parts of our applications are the long form answers, the additional experience (incl extra curricular) and the verbal reasoning tests.

Best of luck