Firm Profiles
Clifford Chance
Clifford Chance
A Magic Circle firm known for banking, finance, and capital markets
A Magic Circle firm known for banking, finance, and capital markets
Year 1 Trainee
£56,000
Year 2 Trainee
£61,000
Newly Qualified
£150,000
About the firm
About the firm
TC Number
±100
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
30+
Clifford Chance is one of the five Magic Circle firms and one of the largest law firms in the world by revenue, operating across 23 countries with more than 30 offices worldwide. The firm is particularly known for its strength in financial law, international transactions, and cross-border deals. Over a quarter of trainees are on secondment at any one time — one of the highest secondment rates of any Magic Circle firm — with international destinations including Singapore, New York, Tokyo, Sydney, São Paulo, Munich, Dublin, Luxembourg, and Madrid. Client secondments to organisations including Amazon and HSBC are also available.
During the two-year training contract, trainees complete four six-month rotations and must complete at least one seat in Global Financial Markets, the firm's largest practice area. Throughout the training contract, trainees are supported by a dedicated supervisor in each seat and are matched with a Partner Sponsor who guides them throughout the full two years, acting as a mentor, advisor, and sounding board. The firm funds SQE preparation in full and provides a maintenance grant during the study period.
Practice areas and rankings
Practice areas and rankings
Rankings in Chambers
58
Category
Magic Circle
Clifford Chance continues to be recognised as one of the most sought-after employers in the legal sector. The firm has been named the Most Popular Graduate Recruiter in Law at the TargetJobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards for five consecutive years and was also recognised as the Graduate Employer of Choice in Law by The Times, reflecting its strong reputation among aspiring solicitors and trainees.
The firm has also received significant industry recognition. In 2024, Clifford Chance was named ‘International Law Firm of the Year’ at the IFLR Europe Awards, reflecting its strength across private equity, financial services regulation, and debt and equity-linked transactions.
Further demonstrating its market-leading position, Clifford Chance was awarded ‘Law Firm of the Year for Dispute Resolution’ at the JUVE Awards 2024, recognising its work on complex disputes involving climate change, energy, and geopolitical issues.
Top practice areas
Banking and finance
Clifford Chance is widely regarded as one of the leading banking and finance adviser in the City, advising across project finance, real estate finance, restructuring and insolvency, and Islamic finance.
Capital markets
A leading global practice in debt and equity capital markets. Clifford Chance advised Greek energy and metals group Metlen on its €6 billion London Stock Exchange listing in August 2025 — one of the largest listings of the year.
Corporate and M&A
Clifford Chance regularly advises on deals carrying a value of £1 billion and above, with clients including FTSE100 corporates and major financial institutions, and a notable emerging markets practice in Africa.
Disputes
A top-tier international disputes practice handling complex cross-border arbitration and litigation for governments, financial institutions, and major corporations.
Real estate
One of the leading real estate finance and investment practices in the UK and globally, consistently ranked Band 1 by Chambers.
The application process
Written application
Includes a 500-word answer covering extracurriculars, positions of responsibility, and a key achievement. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate attention to detail, include full academic history (including module grades), and explain any mitigating circumstances. Thoughtful preparation is key: take time to reflect on what your unique strengths and experiences demonstrate about your suitability for commercial law and for Clifford Chance specifically.
Psychometric Testing
Within two working days of submitting your application, you will receive a link to complete the Watson Glaser critical thinking test. The test lasts 30 minutes and includes 40 questions assessing your ability to draw inferences, recognise assumptions, make deductions, interpret information, and evaluate arguments. You have five days to complete the test from receipt of the link, unless you apply in the final week before the deadline in which case the timeframe is shorter.
Interview Stage
Candidates who pass the Watson Glaser are invited to complete a pre-recorded video interview before being considered for an assessment day. Applicants answer three questions: one motivational, one competency based, and one situational based. Each question is timed (1 minute prep, 2 minutes to answer).
Assessment Centre
The assessment day takes place in person at the firm's London office in Canary Wharf and consists of a combined case study and competency-based interview with a partner and a senior associate (covering the case study, commercial questions, and competency questions) plus a written task and a group exercise.
The case study and competency interview is the centrepiece of the assessment day. You will be given material to review and asked to discuss it alongside demonstrating your commercial awareness and giving specific competency examples. The group exercise assesses how you contribute to a team discussion and whether you listen, build on others' points, and help the group reach a conclusion effectively..
The application process
Written application
Includes a 500-word answer covering extracurriculars, positions of responsibility, and a key achievement. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate attention to detail, include full academic history (including module grades), and explain any mitigating circumstances. Thoughtful preparation is key: take time to reflect on what your unique strengths and experiences demonstrate about your suitability for commercial law and for Clifford Chance specifically.
Psychometric Testing
Within two working days of submitting your application, you will receive a link to complete the Watson Glaser critical thinking test. The test lasts 30 minutes and includes 40 questions assessing your ability to draw inferences, recognise assumptions, make deductions, interpret information, and evaluate arguments. You have five days to complete the test from receipt of the link, unless you apply in the final week before the deadline in which case the timeframe is shorter.
Interview Stage
Candidates who pass the Watson Glaser are invited to complete a pre-recorded video interview before being considered for an assessment day. Applicants answer three questions: one motivational, one competency based, and one situational based. Each question is timed (1 minute prep, 2 minutes to answer).
Assessment Centre
The assessment day takes place in person at the firm's London office in Canary Wharf and consists of a combined case study and competency-based interview with a partner and a senior associate (covering the case study, commercial questions, and competency questions) plus a written task and a group exercise.
The case study and competency interview is the centrepiece of the assessment day. You will be given material to review and asked to discuss it alongside demonstrating your commercial awareness and giving specific competency examples. The group exercise assesses how you contribute to a team discussion and whether you listen, build on others' points, and help the group reach a conclusion effectively..
Firm history
Firm History
Ready to Apply?
Ready to apply?
The Future Trainee Academy covers the full application, including written applications, online assessments, interviews, and assessment centres.
For situational judgment and reasoning practice, the Watson Glaser Practice Hub gives you unlimited free timed tests with worked explanations.
Firm Profiles
Clifford Chance
A Magic Circle firm known for banking, finance, and capital markets
Year 1
Trainee
£56,000
Year 2
Trainee
£61,000
Newly
Qualified
£150,000
Practice areas and rankings
Rankings in Chambers
58
Category
Magic Circle
Clifford Chance continues to be recognised as one of the most sought-after employers in the legal sector. The firm has been named the Most Popular Graduate Recruiter in Law at the TargetJobs National Graduate Recruitment Awards for five consecutive years and was also recognised as the Graduate Employer of Choice in Law by The Times, reflecting its strong reputation among aspiring solicitors and trainees.
The firm has also received significant industry recognition. In 2024, Clifford Chance was named ‘International Law Firm of the Year’ at the IFLR Europe Awards, reflecting its strength across private equity, financial services regulation, and debt and equity-linked transactions.
Further demonstrating its market-leading position, Clifford Chance was awarded ‘Law Firm of the Year for Dispute Resolution’ at the JUVE Awards 2024, recognising its work on complex disputes involving climate change, energy, and geopolitical issues.
Top practice areas
Banking and finance
Clifford Chance is widely regarded as one of the leading banking and finance adviser in the City, advising across project finance, real estate finance, restructuring and insolvency, and Islamic finance.
Capital markets
A leading global practice in debt and equity capital markets. Clifford Chance advised Greek energy and metals group Metlen on its €6 billion London Stock Exchange listing in August 2025 — one of the largest listings of the year.
Corporate and M&A
Clifford Chance regularly advises on deals carrying a value of £1 billion and above, with clients including FTSE100 corporates and major financial institutions, and a notable emerging markets practice in Africa.
Disputes
A top-tier international disputes practice handling complex cross-border arbitration and litigation for governments, financial institutions, and major corporations.
Real estate
One of the leading real estate finance and investment practices in the UK and globally, consistently ranked Band 1 by Chambers.
About the firm
TC Number
±100
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
30+
Clifford Chance is one of the five Magic Circle firms and one of the largest law firms in the world by revenue, operating across 23 countries with more than 30 offices worldwide. The firm is particularly known for its strength in financial law, international transactions, and cross-border deals. Over a quarter of trainees are on secondment at any one time — one of the highest secondment rates of any Magic Circle firm — with international destinations including Singapore, New York, Tokyo, Sydney, São Paulo, Munich, Dublin, Luxembourg, and Madrid. Client secondments to organisations including Amazon and HSBC are also available.
During the two-year training contract, trainees complete four six-month rotations and must complete at least one seat in Global Financial Markets, the firm's largest practice area. Throughout the training contract, trainees are supported by a dedicated supervisor in each seat and are matched with a Partner Sponsor who guides them throughout the full two years, acting as a mentor, advisor, and sounding board. The firm funds SQE preparation in full and provides a maintenance grant during the study period.
The application process
Vacation Scheme Deadline
TBC
N/A
A-Levels Reqs.
Degree Reqs.
2:1+
Written application
Includes a 500-word answer covering extracurriculars, positions of responsibility, and a key achievement. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate attention to detail, include full academic history (including module grades), and explain any mitigating circumstances. Thoughtful preparation is key: take time to reflect on what your unique strengths and experiences demonstrate about your suitability for commercial law and for Clifford Chance specifically.
Psychometric Testing
Within two working days of submitting your application, you will receive a link to complete the Watson Glaser critical thinking test. The test lasts 30 minutes and includes 40 questions assessing your ability to draw inferences, recognise assumptions, make deductions, interpret information, and evaluate arguments. You have five days to complete the test from receipt of the link, unless you apply in the final week before the deadline in which case the timeframe is shorter.
Interview Stage
Candidates who pass the Watson Glaser are invited to complete a pre-recorded video interview before being considered for an assessment day. Applicants answer three questions: one motivational, one competency based, and one situational based. Each question is timed (1 minute prep, 2 minutes to answer).
Assessment Centre
The assessment day takes place in person at the firm's London office in Canary Wharf and consists of a combined case study and competency-based interview with a partner and a senior associate (covering the case study, commercial questions, and competency questions) plus a written task and a group exercise.
The case study and competency interview is the centrepiece of the assessment day. You will be given material to review and asked to discuss it alongside demonstrating your commercial awareness and giving specific competency examples. The group exercise assesses how you contribute to a team discussion and whether you listen, build on others' points, and help the group reach a conclusion effectively..
Firm History
Ready to apply?
The Future Trainee Academy covers the full application, including written applications, online assessments, interviews, and assessment centres.
For situational judgment and reasoning practice, the Watson Glaser Practice Hub gives you unlimited free timed tests with worked explanations.