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Freeths
A national full-service law firm offering routes to qualification through its Legal Graduate and Direct Entry programmes.
About Freeths
Freeths advises businesses, public bodies and individuals across a broad range of commercial and private client matters. Its services include corporate transactions, employment, banking, real estate, planning, dispute resolution and private wealth. Clients range from regional businesses to major corporations, institutions and high-net-worth individuals. Its sector experience includes retail, hospitality, healthcare, transport and renewable energy, offering prospective trainees several ways to connect their commercial interests with the firm’s work.
The firm offers two principal graduate routes. Its Legal Graduate Programme combines paid legal work with assessment for progression into formal training. Direct Entry gives earlier-stage law students a route through placements and recruitment assessments towards a trainee offer.
Legal Graduates initially join on a six-month fixed-term contract, working within one department on research, drafting, document preparation and client matters. Performance reviews and a final assessment determine whether they receive a formal training offer. Successful candidates may continue in their graduate role before beginning trainee rotations. Progression is therefore assessed after joining and is not automatic.
Formal training includes departmental rotations, supervision, a Trainee Development Programme and a trainee mentor. For qualification in England and Wales, Freeths funds SQE preparation courses and first-sitting examination fees through the University of Law. Legal Graduates can study part-time alongside work. Scottish trainees follow a two-year PEAT 2 traineeship.
Direct Entry offers include a bursary for full-time SQE study after graduation, followed by two years of qualifying work experience
Practice areas & rankings
Freeths has 51 ranked departments and 97 ranked individuals in Chambers UK 2026, reflecting recognition across its regional offices and practice areas.
In Chambers UK 2027, the firm secured five new team rankings and 14 promotions. Its London Real Estate: £10–50 million practice moved into Band 1, giving Freeths three Band 1 real estate practices nationally.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Real estate is a particular strength, with six ranked teams in Chambers UK 2027 and three holding Band 1 positions. The London practice’s promotion to Band 1 for transactions worth £10–50 million illustrates the firm’s strength beyond its established regional property practices.
Ranked Band 1 for Employment in the East Midlands in Chambers UK 2026, the practice advises public and private sector employers. Its work includes TUPE, whistleblowing, restructuring and employment tribunal litigation, alongside equal pay and gender pay matters. This combines ongoing workforce advice with disputes and organisational change.
Ranked Band 2 for Planning & Environment in the Midlands in Chambers UK 2027, the team advises on residential and commercial developments. Its clients include developers, retailers and local authorities, with work covering both contentious and non-contentious planning issues. A recent example is securing outline permission for a residential-led sustainable urban extension near Tamworth
Awards
Law Firm of the YearCity AM Awards 2025
Judges cited the firm's work on the Post Office Horizon litigation for sub-postmasters alongside double digit growth taking revenue past 160 million pounds.
Law Firm of the YearLegal Business Awards 2024
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
Apply through the online application form. Freeths uses anonymous sifting for future talent opportunities. Direct Entry applications close on 4 February 2027.
Choose the route that matches your qualifications:
- Direct Entry accepts first-year and penultimate-year students studying a qualifying England and Wales law degree.
- Legal Graduate applications are open to final-year law students, law graduates and applicants who have completed a PGDL or MA Law conversion.
- Scottish applicants need the relevant Scots LLB and Diploma in Professional Legal Practice before applying through the Legal Graduate Programme.
Explain why the chosen route suits your development. For Legal Graduate applications, show readiness to contribute to a legal team through examples of accuracy, responsibility and responding to feedback. For Direct Entry, connect your interest in commercial law with specific Freeths practices and the office you are applying to. Evidence from employment, volunteering and university responsibilities can demonstrate these qualities.
Freeths: quick answers
How much does Freeths pay trainees?
Freeths pays first-year trainees £45,000, rising to £52,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Freeths earn £84,000.
When are the Freeths application deadlines?
Freeths's training contract applications close on 3 Sept for the 2026/27 cycle. Deadlines can change and popular schemes may close early, so check the live application deadlines tracker.
How many trainees does Freeths take on?
Freeths takes on around 20 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What tests does Freeths use in its applications?
Legal Placement and Legal Graduate applicants complete an online assessment before the strengths-based interview. The published overview does not specify its provider, question types or timing. Direct Entry candidates also complete a situational judgement test after their placement and before the assessment centre. Use Freeths’ Preparation Plus resources to familiarise yourself with its assessment approach. For situational judgement questions, consider client interests, accuracy, appropriate supervision and the consequences of each response. Read the instructions carefully rather than assuming the assessment follows another firm’s format.
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