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HFW
An international law firm specialising in global trade and industry, with particular strengths in shipping, aviation, commodities and insurance.
About HFW
HFW is an international law firm focused on six sectors: aerospace, commodities, construction, energy, insurance and reinsurance, and shipping. Its work connects legal advice with the practical challenges of international commerce, including transporting goods, financing assets, managing risk and resolving disputes. The firm advises businesses across transactions, regulatory matters, litigation and arbitration. For prospective trainees, its sector approach offers the opportunity to understand how an industry operates while exploring different areas of law. Its shipping and commodities practices are particularly relevant to applicants interested in international trade, while aviation, construction and insurance provide further opportunities to work on commercially complex matters across jurisdictions.
HFW’s two-year London training contract comprises four six-month seats, typically combining three contentious seats with one transactional seat. Every trainee completes at least one overseas seat, making international experience a core part of the programme. Trainees work in small teams on litigation and transactions, with opportunities for early responsibility and client involvement.
Future trainees study at The University of Law, completing the PGDL where required and the LLM Legal Practice incorporating SQE1 and SQE2. Additional SQE Plus modules cover subjects relevant to HFW, including international trade, insurance and advanced dispute resolution. The firm funds tuition and SQE assessment fees and provides £18,000 maintenance grants for the PGDL and SQE course. Support continues through induction, a trainee buddy, technical training and supervisor reviews during each seat.
Practice areas & rankings
HFW has 18 practice rankings in Chambers UK 2026, including Band 1 rankings for Shipping, Aviation, Commodities: Physicals and Transport: Logistics. It also holds Band 2 rankings for Asset Finance: Shipping Finance and Insurance: Mainly Policyholders. Other recognised areas include construction, reinsurance disputes, trade finance, sanctions and commercial litigation.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Ranked Band 1 in Chambers UK 2026, shipping is central to HFW’s practice. Its services cover marine casualties, shipping disputes, insurance, maritime transactions, ports and terminals. This combines the immediate legal challenges arising from incidents at sea with the contracts, assets and commercial relationships supporting the maritime industry.
Ranked Band 1 for Commodities: Physicals, UK-wide, in Chambers UK 2026, HFW handles contractual matters and disputes involving products such as metals, grain, sugar, oil and biofuels. Clients include traders, banks and energy companies. The practice includes litigation and arbitration before trade bodies such as GAFTA and FOSFA, connecting legal analysis with the commercial arrangements governing international trade. Chambers practice profile.
Ranked Band 1 in Chambers UK 2026, HFW’s aviation work encompasses commercial disputes, regulatory advice, liability, finance and leasing. The practice supports airlines, manufacturers, lessors and operators, addressing issues affecting aircraft, operations and commercial relationships. Ranking, aviation services.
Ranked Band 1 for Transport: Logistics in Chambers UK 2026, the practice advises on the movement of goods and the businesses supporting supply chains. Its work involves commercial contracts, regulatory issues and disputes across transport operations. The practice complements the firm’s shipping, aviation and commodities capabilities.
Awards
UK Law Firm of the YearBritish Legal Awards 2024
Judges pointed to the firm's rapid growth, improved diversity and internal referrals, and strengthened relationships with major clients.
Environmental and Sustainability Best Initiative of the YearLegal 500 UK ESG Awards 2026
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
HFW recruits through vacation schemes and direct training contract applications, with most trainees joining through a scheme. Candidates may submit one application per recruitment cycle, choosing between these routes. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
The online form covers academics, work experience, extracurricular achievements, motivation for commercial law and HFW, and a short commercial question. Written accuracy and evidence of research matter.
Make your interest in the firm’s sectors specific. Choose an industry that interests you and investigate how its businesses earn revenue, manage risk and respond to change. For example, disruption to a shipping route can affect delivery obligations, freight costs, insurance and disputes. Explaining those connections gives substance to your interest in international commercial work.
For the commercial answer, develop a clear argument rather than summarising a news story. Identify the issue, explain its consequences for businesses and give a reasoned view. Select a topic you would be comfortable discussing further.
HFW: quick answers
How much does HFW pay trainees?
HFW pays first-year trainees £52,000, rising to £56,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at HFW earn £103,500.
When are the HFW application deadlines?
HFW has more than one deadline in the 2026/27 cycle: the summer scheme closes on 7 Jan, the spring scheme closes on 7 Jan and the training contract closes on 8 Jul. Deadlines can change and popular schemes may close early, so check the live application deadlines tracker.
How many trainees does HFW take on?
HFW takes on around 16 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What tests does HFW use in its applications?
HFW uses the Watson Glaser critical thinking test as part of its virtual assessment centre. Practise distinguishing what a passage establishes from what you assume to be true. Pay attention to qualifying language such as “some”, “all”, “probably” and “necessarily”, as these can change whether a conclusion is justified. Work through practice questions carefully before introducing time pressure. Review why each incorrect answer is wrong and identify whether you overlooked evidence, introduced outside knowledge or treated a possibility as a certainty.
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