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Training Contract Deadlines Thread 2025-26

Amma Usman

Amma Usman

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Sep 7, 2024
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#1
Hello everyone,

Note: This is an old thread. Please see our up-to-date version here.


Training Contract Deadlines 2025/26:​

Specific Dates Released​

Opening DateClosing DateFirm NameRolling/Non-Rolling
29 September 202517 November 2025A&O ShearmanTBC
1 November 202531 March 2026AshfordsNon-Rolling
5 January 202627 March 2026AshurstNon-Rolling
1 February 20261 April 2026Baker McKenzieTBC
5 January 20263 April 2026Bates WellsRolling
June End 2025 (TC starting 2027)TBCBirkettsTBC
1 November 202514 June 2026Boodle HatfieldNon-Rolling
1 October 202529 March 2026BP CollinsTBC
5 September 20252 January 2026BristowsTBC
TBC31 May 2026BCLPTBC
3 September 202519 November 2026Clifford ChanceNon-Rolling
29 September 2025TBCCMSTBC
1 September 202531 January 2026DentonsRolling
Presumably Open Now19 December 2025DWFNon-Rolling
1 November 202527 March 2026Farrer & CoNon-Rolling
4 December 20251 February 2026Fox WilliamsTBC
1 October 20251 December 2025FreshfieldsRolling
1 December 202522 May 2026Fried FrankTBC
12 September 202512 December 2025GoodwinNon-Rolling
Open Now16 January 2026Greenberg TraurigNon-Rolling
1 November 202531 January 2026Harbottle & LewisTBC
Open Now16 July 2026HFWRolling
1 October 2025TBCHill DickinsonRolling
10 September 202531 January 2026Hogan LovellsTBC
13 October 20251 December 2025Irwin MitchellTBC
1 November 202531 July 2026K&L GatesTBC
Open Now28 November 2025KennedysRolling
17 November 202530 March 2026King & SpaldingTBC
14 October 202514 January 2026Lewis SilkinNon-Rolling
1 September 20253 December 2025LinklatersNon-Rolling
5 January 202626 June 2026MacfarlanesRolling
1 September 202531 March 2026Mayer BrownTBC
12 January 202627 March 2026PenningtonsTBC
23 March 202622 June 2026RPCTBC
7 November 2025TBCRussell-CookeTBC
Open Now28 November 2025Slaughter & May (1st TC opening for law and non-law finalists and graduates)Rolling
June 2026TBCSlaughter & May (2nd TC opening for for penultimate year law students, law finalists and law graduates)Rolling
1 October 202531 May 2026TLTNon-Rolling
3 October 20257 November 2025Travers SmithNon-Rolling
1 October 20255 January 2026Trowers & HamlinsNon-Rolling
1 November 20251 May 2026Wedlake BellTBC
Open Now24 May 2026Watson Farley & WilliamsTBC
Open Now10 May 2026White & CaseNon-Rolling
2 January 202622 May 2026WigginTBC
November 2025TBCWilkin ChapmanTBC
1 October 202527 February 2026WithersTBC
29 November 202523 January 2026Womble Bond DickinsonTBC
1 May 202512 June 2026Sullivan & CromwellRolling
1 October 202515 January 2026Osborne ClarkeTBC
2 January 202630 April 2026OrrickRolling
6 January 20268 March 2026Howard KennedyTBC
Open Now17 March 2026Bevan BrittanTBC
Open Now28 March 2026Payne Hicks BeachTBC
Open Now29 March 2026Moore BarlowTBC
Open Now31 March 2026Kingsley NapleyTBC
4 December 202531 March 2026ShoosmithsTBC
Open Now19 June 2026Morgan LewisTBC
5 January 202630 March 2026Paul HastingsNon-Rolling
30 April 202631 July 2026Walker MorrisTBC
 
Last edited by a moderator:
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#5
amrita6399 said:
Does BCLP have a good trainee intake from the DTC?
Click to expand...
Hey!

From the Chambers Student Guide on BCLP, it states that between 85-90% of their trainee intake comes in through its vacation schemes. As they offer 20 training contracts a year, this is likely to be a few DTC offers per cycle.

Whilst they recruit from the vacation scheme in most instances, it's always worth applying (as there's no reason why you can't be one of the few DTC offer holders!). I got my TC at a firm through the direct route when they hire primarily from the VS, so the only way to definitely miss out is by not applying at all :)
 
#6
amrita6399 said:
Does BCLP have a good trainee intake from the DTC?
Click to expand...

Hi! From my experience on a vacation scheme there, I’d say BCLP mainly recruits through the schemes. That said, they do have a stronger direct TC rate compared to many other firms, so the DTC route is definitely viable if that is your only option!
 
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#8
rain2801 said:
Hi, is it too late to apply for Slaughter since it's rolling?
Click to expand...
Hi!

As the deadline isn't until November, I'd say that it is definitely still worth applying. As a general rule, I would always recommend submitting the application even if it is close to the deadline, as you never know!
 
#9
ZNadeem said:
Hi! From my experience on a vacation scheme there, I’d say BCLP mainly recruits through the schemes. That said, they do have a stronger direct TC rate compared to many other firms, so the DTC route is definitely viable if that is your only option!
Click to expand...
Thank you very much! I think I'll apply early for their DTC so that I have a better chance.
 
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#11
jkatz said:
Does anyone know whether Slaughter and May inform you about TC application via email or phone call? Is it phone call if accepted and email if rejected?
Click to expand...
Hello!

As a general rule of thumb, a firm will contact candidates by phone if they are successful, and email if they are unsuccessful.

However, I have previously been emailed with a VS offer and phoned with a rejection, so I wouldn't automatically assume the worst if you get an email!

If you're unsure, you could always reach out to the graduate recruitment team to check how they typically handle it - they're usually more than happy to clarify! :)
 
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#13
SM2001 said:
Do RPC and Dentons hire a good proportion of trainees from the DTC?
Click to expand...
Hello!

I have found some posts from last cycle on the forum where this was discussed for these firms - whilst this may have changed slightly, hopefully this assists!

TCLA Community Assistant said:
I would expect RPC to fall into the category of the firm recruiting a substantial number of trainees from their vacation scheme, but this is topped up with their direct TC process. The firm seems to recruit 14 trainees a year but only has 16 vacation scheme students - its highly unlikely everyone will get an offer and that of those that do, there will be some who turn down their offers for other opportunities. I suspect they are recruiting at least around 25% of their TCs (so approximately 4) via a direct TC route.
Click to expand...
Ram Sabaratnam said:
Hiya @A worried graduate

I wanted to send across some firms that generally only make offers through their direct TC routes, as well as a few firms that have had a historically strong track record of taking a good number of applicants through direct TC routes.
Hope this is helpful to you and good luck with your applications!
Click to expand...
 

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