Firm Profiles
Trowers & Hamlins
Trowers & Hamlins
An international law firm founded in 1777
An international law firm founded in 1777
Year 1 Trainee
£47,000
Year 2 Trainee
£51,000
Newly Qualified
£85,000
About the firm
About the firm
TC Number
25
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
11
Trowers & Hamlins was founded in 1777, making it one of the oldest law firms in the UK, and today has over 170 partners and more than 1,000 employees. In October 2025, the firm secured a licence and opened a new office in Saudi Arabia, further expanding its already significant Middle East presence following existing offices in Dubai, Oman, and Bahrain.
The firm is the number one firm in the UK for housing and public sector work. It advises local and central government, NHS Trusts, 250 housing associations, developers, contractors, lenders, and institutional investors on real estate and built environment matters — a defining characteristic that distinguishes it from most other international law firms of comparable size. In March 2026, the firm unveiled a new structure to support its 2030 strategy.
The firm recruits approximately 25 trainees per year into its UK offices in Birmingham, Exeter, London, and Manchester, split between March and September intakes. A new innovation and legal technology seat was introduced as part of the firm's commitment to building technology into trainee development. International secondments are available to the firm's Middle East and Asia-Pacific offices. In 2025, the firm retained 22 of 26 qualifying trainees.
The firm funds SQE preparation and provides a maintenance grant. All SQE exam fees are paid in full by the firm.
Practice areas and rankings
Practice areas and rankings
Rankings in Chambers
35
Category
International
Trowers & Hamlins is consistently ranked as the number one firm in the UK for housing and public sector work. Chambers UK 2026 recognises the firm across real estate, affordable housing, finance, construction, dispute resolution, and employment. Recent notable work includes advising on a major affordable housing joint venture between Hyde and Legal & General, and advising lenders on the financing of a 100MW wind energy project in India.
Top practice areas:
Affordable housing and real estate
Trowers' signature practice — the firm advises on more housing association and affordable housing matters than any other UK firm. It acts for 250 housing associations, local authorities, and developers across every aspect of affordable housing development, financing, and management. Chambers UK recognises this practice at the very highest level.
Public sector
A leading public sector practice advising central and local government, NHS Trusts, and other public bodies on commercial, property, procurement, employment, and dispute resolution matters. The firm has long-established relationships with government at all levels.
Corporate and commercial
A solid corporate practice handling M&A, joint ventures, and commercial transactions for both private and public sector clients. Recent work includes advising on the Hyde/L&G affordable housing joint venture.
Finance and Islamic finance
A recognised finance practice covering real estate finance, project finance, and Islamic finance — the Islamic finance capability is a distinctive differentiator reflecting the firm's strong Middle East presence.
Construction and infrastructure
A well-regarded construction practice advising on major development projects, construction disputes, and infrastructure financing across the UK and internationally.
The application process
Written application
The online application form asks for education details, work experience and employment history, and a series of long-answer questions. Candidates apply to one UK office only per recruitment cycle. Applying for the vacation scheme automatically considers candidates for a training contract — no separate TC application is needed. The firm does not recruit on a rolling basis — all applications are reviewed after the deadline closes on 5 January 2026.
Psychometric Testing
Following submission of the application form, candidates are invited to complete an online strengths-based assessment — the invitation is contained in the confirmation email sent upon application submission, not a separate invitation. Although untimed, the firm recommends allowing up to 75 minutes. Practice assessments are available before starting. After completing the assessment, candidates receive a personal feedback report — this is for their own development and does not represent a recruitment decision. Applications and assessments are reviewed together after the deadline.
Assessment Centre
Candidates who pass the application and online assessment are invited to an assessment centre, which is the final stage for all routes. The assessment centre includes up to three exercises: a written exercise, a strengths-based interview, and a group exercise. The firm's values and competency framework (growth mindset, adaptability, analytical thinking, collaboration, commercial awareness, and communication) underpin all three exercises.
The application process
Written application
The online application form asks for education details, work experience and employment history, and a series of long-answer questions. Candidates apply to one UK office only per recruitment cycle. Applying for the vacation scheme automatically considers candidates for a training contract — no separate TC application is needed. The firm does not recruit on a rolling basis — all applications are reviewed after the deadline closes on 5 January 2026.
Psychometric Testing
Following submission of the application form, candidates are invited to complete an online strengths-based assessment — the invitation is contained in the confirmation email sent upon application submission, not a separate invitation. Although untimed, the firm recommends allowing up to 75 minutes. Practice assessments are available before starting. After completing the assessment, candidates receive a personal feedback report — this is for their own development and does not represent a recruitment decision. Applications and assessments are reviewed together after the deadline.
Assessment Centre
Candidates who pass the application and online assessment are invited to an assessment centre, which is the final stage for all routes. The assessment centre includes up to three exercises: a written exercise, a strengths-based interview, and a group exercise. The firm's values and competency framework (growth mindset, adaptability, analytical thinking, collaboration, commercial awareness, and communication) underpin all three exercises.
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
Trowers & Hamlins
An international law firm founded in 1777
Year 1
Trainee
£47,000
Year 2
Trainee
£51,000
Newly
Qualified
£85,000
Practice areas and rankings
Rankings in Chambers
35
Category
International
Trowers & Hamlins is consistently ranked as the number one firm in the UK for housing and public sector work. Chambers UK 2026 recognises the firm across real estate, affordable housing, finance, construction, dispute resolution, and employment. Recent notable work includes advising on a major affordable housing joint venture between Hyde and Legal & General, and advising lenders on the financing of a 100MW wind energy project in India.
Top practice areas:
Affordable housing and real estate
Trowers' signature practice — the firm advises on more housing association and affordable housing matters than any other UK firm. It acts for 250 housing associations, local authorities, and developers across every aspect of affordable housing development, financing, and management. Chambers UK recognises this practice at the very highest level.
Public sector
A leading public sector practice advising central and local government, NHS Trusts, and other public bodies on commercial, property, procurement, employment, and dispute resolution matters. The firm has long-established relationships with government at all levels.
Corporate and commercial
A solid corporate practice handling M&A, joint ventures, and commercial transactions for both private and public sector clients. Recent work includes advising on the Hyde/L&G affordable housing joint venture.
Finance and Islamic finance
A recognised finance practice covering real estate finance, project finance, and Islamic finance — the Islamic finance capability is a distinctive differentiator reflecting the firm's strong Middle East presence.
Construction and infrastructure
A well-regarded construction practice advising on major development projects, construction disputes, and infrastructure financing across the UK and internationally.
About the firm
TC Number
25
Seats
4
Secondments
Yes
Offices
11
Trowers & Hamlins was founded in 1777, making it one of the oldest law firms in the UK, and today has over 170 partners and more than 1,000 employees. In October 2025, the firm secured a licence and opened a new office in Saudi Arabia, further expanding its already significant Middle East presence following existing offices in Dubai, Oman, and Bahrain.
The firm is the number one firm in the UK for housing and public sector work. It advises local and central government, NHS Trusts, 250 housing associations, developers, contractors, lenders, and institutional investors on real estate and built environment matters — a defining characteristic that distinguishes it from most other international law firms of comparable size. In March 2026, the firm unveiled a new structure to support its 2030 strategy.
The firm recruits approximately 25 trainees per year into its UK offices in Birmingham, Exeter, London, and Manchester, split between March and September intakes. A new innovation and legal technology seat was introduced as part of the firm's commitment to building technology into trainee development. International secondments are available to the firm's Middle East and Asia-Pacific offices. In 2025, the firm retained 22 of 26 qualifying trainees.
The firm funds SQE preparation and provides a maintenance grant. All SQE exam fees are paid in full by the firm.
The application process
Vacation Scheme Deadline
TBD
ABB
A-Levels Reqs.
Degree Reqs.
2:1
Written application
The online application form asks for education details, work experience and employment history, and a series of long-answer questions. Candidates apply to one UK office only per recruitment cycle. Applying for the vacation scheme automatically considers candidates for a training contract — no separate TC application is needed. The firm does not recruit on a rolling basis — all applications are reviewed after the deadline closes on 5 January 2026.
Psychometric Testing
Following submission of the application form, candidates are invited to complete an online strengths-based assessment — the invitation is contained in the confirmation email sent upon application submission, not a separate invitation. Although untimed, the firm recommends allowing up to 75 minutes. Practice assessments are available before starting. After completing the assessment, candidates receive a personal feedback report — this is for their own development and does not represent a recruitment decision. Applications and assessments are reviewed together after the deadline.
Assessment Centre
Candidates who pass the application and online assessment are invited to an assessment centre, which is the final stage for all routes. The assessment centre includes up to three exercises: a written exercise, a strengths-based interview, and a group exercise. The firm's values and competency framework (growth mindset, adaptability, analytical thinking, collaboration, commercial awareness, and communication) underpin all three exercises.
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.