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NEW: Training Contracts Deadline Thread 2026-27

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Abbie Whitlock

Abbie Whitlock

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#1
Hi all!

With the application season for Training Contracts upon us, I have created this thread to track the deadlines for different law firms. Below, you will find a list of firms that have applications currently open, including their closing date. Please feel free to drop any suggestions below to better utilise this thread!

It is worth noting that many firms have varying training contract start dates, ranging from 2027, 2028, and 2029. For more information, click on the specific link in each row to be directed to a law firm's graduate recruitment page.

To make it easier to manage the firms below, you can save firms, research them and track your applications and deadlines in the free TCLA Workspace.

Good luck in your application and please keep us posted on your progress!

(This list is dynamic and will be updated as firms release their application windows) LAST EDITED: Saturday 19 September 2026

Training Contract Deadlines 2026/27:

Specific Dates Released

Opening DateClosing DateFirm NameRolling/Non-Rolling
Open Now18 September 2026 (11:59pm)Slater and GordonRolling
Open Now20 September 2026DWF (Belfast)Non-Rolling
Open Now21 September 2026Beale & Co (Glasgow)TBC
Open Now25 October 2026Aberdein Considine (Scottish Traineeship 2028)TBC
Open Now13 December 2026DWF (Direct Training Contract 2029)Non-Rolling
Year-round31 December 2026Vardags (Graduate Training Programme 2027)TBC
Open Now1 March 2027Arnold & PorterTBC
17 August 202613 November 2026 (11:59pm)Slaughter and May (law and non-law finalists and graduates)Rolling
1 September 20265 October 2026 (5pm)A&O ShearmanNon-Rolling
1 September 202623 October 2026TLT (Belfast)Non-Rolling
1 September 20268 January 2027Gibson Dunn (London)Rolling
1 September 202614 February 2027BroadfieldTBC
1 September 202631 March 2027Mayer BrownTBC
3 September 20264 January 2027ForstersNon-Rolling
4 September 20264 December 2026 (5pm)GoodwinNon-Rolling
7 September 202623 October 2026 (12pm)Foot Anstey (Northern Ireland)TBC
7 September 202618 November 2026Clifford ChanceNon-Rolling
7 September 202619 November 2026 (11:59pm)Clyde & Co (Bristol - Energy & Construction)Non-Rolling
15 September 202631 October 2026 (12pm)Pinsent Masons (Belfast)TBC
15 September 20264 November 2026 (12pm)Pinsent Masons (London)TBC
15 September 20266 January 2027 (12pm)Pinsent Masons (Glasgow and Edinburgh)TBC
18 September 202616 October 2026 (12pm)Travers Smith (Winter Direct Training Contract - September 2027 / March 2028)Non-Rolling
21 September 20263 December 2026Linklaters (Middle East–London Training Contract)Non-Rolling
21 September 20263 December 2026Linklaters (Singapore–London Training Contract)Non-Rolling
24 September 202610 January 2027CMS (Scotland)Non-Rolling
September 2026 (TBC)30 November 2026 (11:59pm)Greenberg TraurigNon-Rolling
1 October 202613 November 2026FreshfieldsTBC
1 October 202622 November 2026CMS (England)Non-Rolling
1 October 202630 November 2026Davis PolkTBC
1 October 20264 January 2027 (11:59pm)Trowers & HamlinsNon-Rolling
1 October 20268 January 2027WithersRolling
1 October 202615 January 2027 (12pm)Charles Russell SpeechlysNon-Rolling
1 October 202615 January 2027 (11:59pm)Osborne ClarkeNon-Rolling
1 October 2026February 2027 (TBC)King & SpaldingTBC
1 October 202615 March 2027 RPC (Bristol)TBC
1 October 202631 March 2027GordonsTBC
5 October 202626 February 2027 (10am)Stephenson HarwoodRolling review; offers after deadline
12 October 20261 December 2026Irwin Mitchell (Training Contracts 2028/2029)TBC
13 October 202631 May 2027 (12pm)BCLPRolling
16 October 202615 January 2027 (12pm)Travers Smith (Spring Direct Training Contract - September 2028 onwards)Non-Rolling
21 October 202621 December 2026 (11:59pm)Lewis SilkinNon-Rolling
October 2026 (TBC)TBCGowling WLGTBC
October 2026 (TBC)TBCHill DickinsonTBC
1 November 202631 March 2027AshfordsTBC
1 November 20263 May 2027 (11:59pm)Wedlake BellTBC
1 November 2026TBCHarbottle & LewisTBC
2 November 202629 January 2027TWM SolicitorsTBC
2 November 20261 March 2027Foot Anstey (England and Wales)TBC
4 November 20263 February 2027 Russell-Cooke (2029)TBC
November 2026 (TBC)TBCHiggsTBC
1 December 20262 April 2027Bates WellsTBC
Mid-December 202628 February 2027Faegre DrinkerTBC
December 2026 (TBC)31 January 2027RamsdensTBC
December 2026 (TBC)TBCKingsley NapleyNon-Rolling
December 2026 (TBC)TBCTrethowansTBC
December 2026 (TBC)TBCVedder (Training Contract 2028)TBC
4 January 202731 May 2027Paul HastingsNon-Rolling
11 January 2027TBCThringsTBC
January 2027 (TBC)April 2027 (TBC)Lester AldridgeTBC
1 February 202726 March 2027 (12pm)Ashurst Perkins CoieNon-Rolling
15 March 202721 June 2027RPC (London)TBC
3 May 202731 May 2027Sullivan & CromwellTBC
1 June 202717 July 2027Hogan Lovells CadwaladerRolling
Late summer 2027 (TBC)TBCTurcan Connell (Traineeship 2029)TBC
TBC31 August 2026Davis Blank Furniss LLPTBC (CLOSED)
TBC16 October 2026 (11:59pm)Eversheds Sutherland (Belfast)TBC
TBC30 November 2026Kennedys (Birmingham, Cambridge and Sheffield Healthcare)TBC
TBC31 December 2026Lanyon BowdlerTBC
TBC3 January 2027BristowsTBC
TBC31 January 2027BlacksTBC
TBC31 January 2027DMH StallardTBC
TBC26 February 2027Kennedys (London and Manchester)TBC
TBC28 February 2027 (11:59pm)Peters & Peters (2028 and 2029)TBC
TBC26 March 2027Payne Hicks BeachNon-Rolling
TBC31 March 2027 (11:59pm)OrrickTBC
TBC30 April 2027Wilsons (Training Contract 2029)TBC
TBC31 May 2027Paris SmithNon-Rolling
TBC21 June 2027Burges Salmon (Bristol)TBC
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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#8
Reehan23@ said:
Can you help me with how I can explain my mitigating circumstances to White and Case?
Click to expand...
Hi!

When it comes to mitigating circumstances, it is really about providing context so that your application is read fairly in light of those circumstances. You don't need to overthink the tone or content too much - I would aim to be clear and factual, rather than overly detailed or emotive.

It is usually best to briefly outline what happened (in neutral terms), the explain the impact that it had on your academic performance / work performance. I would try not to go into too much personal detail, as the focus should be on how your performance was affected as a result of the circumstances. It also helps to highlight what your typical level of performance looks like, so the reader can see that the affected results aren't fully representative.

You could include a forward-looking point at the end, such as how things have improved or what you have taken from the experience, as this can show resilience and self-awareness. However, I wouldn't say that this is necessary, and I would focus on providing context to the graduate recruitment team so they can see that your grades/performance over that period isn't reflective of your overall performance.

I hope that helps - if you have any further queries in the future, I'd pop them in the Direct Training Contract or Vacation Scheme Discussion thread rather than here (as this is the deadlines thread), as other forum users might be able to assist too! :)
 
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#11
theconfusedlawyer said:
Is it rude to email a law firm asking if they reimburse travel costs for an assessment centre?
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Hi!

I don't think so at all! It is a completely reasonable question to ask, especially if travelling to the assessment centre would involve significant cost. A lot of firms do reimburse travel expenses and often offer when they send the invite, but policies may vary between firms, so it is a good idea to check if they haven't specified.

There is no harm in asking, and it is a very normal question to ask - the worst they can say is no! :)
 
#14
CharlieandLola said:
@Abbie Whitlock do uou know if you can apply for S&C for DTC if you applied unsuccessfully for their vacation scheme?
Click to expand...
Hey!

Unfortunately, I'm not too sure - I can't seem to find any specific information online as to whether you are able to reapply in the same cycle. I would send a brief and polite email to the graduate recruitment team, as I'm sure they'd be happy to confirm this for you! :)
 
#15
lawgenie2024 said:
Hi everyone! Has anyone heard from Reed Smith post-SJT for answering the application questions for their direct TC? I did my SJT on 16 May 2026. I’ve heard from friends who’ve completed their SJT before me receive their invite 2 days ago
Click to expand...
hey, not sure if you heard back but i completed the test on May 17th and received written questions on May 26th, my deadline to submit was yesterday.
 
#18
Gioiabwear Yong said:
Hi! I’m currently applying to Reed Smith’s 2027 Direct TC. I’m not so sure about the difference between Stephenson Harwood, Reed Smith and Watson Farley & Williams. Can I please have some tips?

And may I know what is the training like in Reed Smith? Anything that is particularly cool?

Thank you very much!
Click to expand...
Hey!

These three firms do typically get lumped together since all three grew out of shipping and asset/transport finance and are mid-sized internationals. However, they do all have a key focus.


WFW is the most sector-focused of the three. It's built around energy and infrastructure with a genuine market leadership in renewables and offshore wind. They also have strength in transport, maritime and natural resources, with assets and structured finance as its single biggest group.
If energy/infra/projects is your thing and you like the idea of being a sector specialist, WFW is a strong match. It also have unique training, offering 6 4-month seats rather than the industry standard 4 6-month seats. This also comes with a guaranteed secondment abroad.


Stephenson Harwood is the shipping/maritime firm. World-leading shipping practices but with a broad English mid-market spread around it: providing asset finance for ships, rail and aircraft , private wealth, real estate, funds and disputes. They are more of a well-rounded English firm with a famous shipping centre. 4 6-month seats, small teams, lots of responsibility early.


Reed Smith is a US firm from Pittsburgh, but London is its biggest office with more TC's and a more cross-border work feel. Same shipping/commodities/energy roots as the others, but with far bigger disputes, arbitration and insurance practices. They also have strength in entertainment, media, sports and video games/esports. NQ pay is highest of these three firms too at £135k vs roughly £100-105k at SH and WFW.

Reed Smith training is 4 seats, 6-months each , structured around industry groups rather than legal departments, so a seat is geared to everything one sector needs (corp, finance, real estate, disputes all together). You can pick seats as you go rather than committing upfront and secondment choices are high. They also run a "professional SQE" where you work part-time at the firm while you study.

Don't write about Reed Smith as if it's interchangeable with the other two. Show you understand why you're picking a US-HQ, sector-led firm, and tie your motivation to one or two specific industry groups (energy, shipping, financial services, life sciences or media) rather than international work in general.

Further information on Reed Smith and Stephenson Harwood is available on the 'Law Profile' section of TCLA Premium, where we breakdown in depth what makes the firms unique to help you understand them well for your applications.

Hope this helps!
 
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#19
Henrik said:
Hey!

These three firms do typically get lumped together since all three grew out of shipping and asset/transport finance and are mid-sized internationals. However, they do all have a key focus.


WFW is the most sector-focused of the three. It's built around energy and infrastructure with a genuine market leadership in renewables and offshore wind. They also have strength in transport, maritime and natural resources, with assets and structured finance as its single biggest group.
If energy/infra/projects is your thing and you like the idea of being a sector specialist, WFW is a strong match. It also have unique training, offering 6 4-month seats rather than the industry standard 4 6-month seats. This also comes with a guaranteed secondment abroad.


Stephenson Harwood is the shipping/maritime firm. World-leading shipping practices but with a broad English mid-market spread around it: providing asset finance for ships, rail and aircraft , private wealth, real estate, funds and disputes. They are more of a well-rounded English firm with a famous shipping centre. 4 6-month seats, small teams, lots of responsibility early.


Reed Smith is a US firm from Pittsburgh, but London is its biggest office with more TC's and a more cross-border work feel. Same shipping/commodities/energy roots as the others, but with far bigger disputes, arbitration and insurance practices. They also have strength in entertainment, media, sports and video games/esports. NQ pay is highest of these three firms too at £135k vs roughly £100-105k at SH and WFW.

Reed Smith training is 4 seats, 6-months each , structured around industry groups rather than legal departments, so a seat is geared to everything one sector needs (corp, finance, real estate, disputes all together). You can pick seats as you go rather than committing upfront and secondment choices are high. They also run a "professional SQE" where you work part-time at the firm while you study.

Don't write about Reed Smith as if it's interchangeable with the other two. Show you understand why you're picking a US-HQ, sector-led firm, and tie your motivation to one or two specific industry groups (energy, shipping, financial services, life sciences or media) rather than international work in general.

Further information on Reed Smith and Stephenson Harwood is available on the 'Law Profile' section of TCLA Premium, where we breakdown in depth what makes the firms unique to help you understand them well for your applications.

Hope this helps!
Click to expand...
Thank you very much for your advice😭😭 I’m new to this page, so I’m trying to find my way around this website.
 
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#20
Is anyone else working on a Paul Hastings TC application and open to a draft swap?

We can proofread the text and make suggestions to improve. Ideally, a fellow career changer, but no worries if not.

I'm hoping to finalise this within the next week. Feel free to DM!
 

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