Training Contracts
What is a Training Contract
A clear guide to what a training contract is, how it works, and how most future solicitors secure one through a vacation scheme.
EO Careers Team
Jan 26, 2026
For guidance on securing a training contract, see our training contracts hub
What is a training contract?
A training contract is a two-year period of supervised legal training that must be completed before qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales.
During a training contract, trainee solicitors work within a law firm across different practice areas, gaining practical experience under the supervision of qualified lawyers. It is the final stage of qualification before admission as a solicitor, following academic study and the SQE or equivalent route.
Training contracts are offered by law firms of all sizes, but they are particularly competitive at commercial and international firms.
What do trainee solicitors do?
Trainees rotate through different departments, known as seats, to gain exposure to a range of legal work. Most firms structure the training contract as:
Four six-month seats, or
Eight three-month seats (at some firms)
Common seat areas include corporate, finance, litigation, real estate, employment, regulatory, and specialist practices.
Day-to-day work may involve:
Legal research
Drafting documents and correspondence
Assisting on transactions or disputes
Attending client meetings and calls
Liaising with colleagues across teams
The aim is to develop practical skills, judgment, and professional competence.
How is a training contract structured?
Although structures vary between firms, most training contracts include:
Seat rotations to build breadth of experience
Supervision by senior lawyers in each department
Formal training sessions covering legal and professional skills
Performance reviews at the end of each seat
Many firms also offer secondments, which may include:
Client secondments (working in-house)
International secondments (working in overseas offices)
These opportunities allow trainees to develop commercial awareness and understand how legal advice is used in practice.
How do you get a training contract?
For most commercial law firms, the primary route to a training contract is through a vacation scheme.
A significant proportion of training contract offers are made to candidates who have completed a vacation scheme at the firm. In many cases, firms recruit almost exclusively from their schemes, using them as extended assessments.
Candidates who perform well on a vacation scheme are often invited to interview for a training contract either during or shortly after the scheme.
While some firms accept direct training contract applications, these are typically more competitive and still involve assessment stages similar to those used for vacation scheme candidates.
Why do firms recruit through vacation schemes?
Vacation schemes allow firms to assess candidates in a realistic working environment rather than relying solely on interviews.
They enable firms to evaluate:
How candidates communicate in professional settings
How they approach tasks and feedback
How they interact with colleagues and clients
Whether they demonstrate genuine motivation and commercial awareness
For candidates, vacation schemes provide insight into the firm’s culture, work, and expectations before committing to a long-term role
How competitive are training contracts?
Training contracts are highly competitive, particularly at large commercial firms.
Many firms receive thousands of applications for a limited number of places each year. Rejection is common, even for strong candidates, and often reflects competition rather than lack of ability.
Successful candidates typically demonstrate:
Clear motivation for the firm and role
Strong written and verbal communication
Evidence of transferable skills
An understanding of the firm’s clients and work
Consistency, reflection, and strategic preparation are often more important than a single perfect application
Is a training contract the only route to qualification?
No. While a training contract is the most common route at commercial firms, alternative routes exist, including:
Qualifying through in-house training
Apprenticeship pathways
Equivalent means routes (in limited circumstances)
However, for candidates aiming to qualify at commercial law firms, securing a training contract remains the most established and reliable route.
Final thoughts
A training contract is the final and most important step in qualifying as a solicitor. It is where academic knowledge is translated into practical legal skill.
For most aspiring solicitors, the journey to a training contract begins with a strong vacation scheme application. Understanding how the two are connected allows you to approach the process strategically, rather than treating each stage in isolation.
Related Articles
Training Contracts
What is a Training Contract
A clear guide to what a training contract is, how it works, and how most future solicitors secure one through a vacation scheme.
EO Careers Team
Jan 26, 2026
For guidance on securing a training contract, see our training contracts hub
What is a training contract?
A training contract is a two-year period of supervised legal training that must be completed before qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales.
During a training contract, trainee solicitors work within a law firm across different practice areas, gaining practical experience under the supervision of qualified lawyers. It is the final stage of qualification before admission as a solicitor, following academic study and the SQE or equivalent route.
Training contracts are offered by law firms of all sizes, but they are particularly competitive at commercial and international firms.
What do trainee solicitors do?
Trainees rotate through different departments, known as seats, to gain exposure to a range of legal work. Most firms structure the training contract as:
Four six-month seats, or
Eight three-month seats (at some firms)
Common seat areas include corporate, finance, litigation, real estate, employment, regulatory, and specialist practices.
Day-to-day work may involve:
Legal research
Drafting documents and correspondence
Assisting on transactions or disputes
Attending client meetings and calls
Liaising with colleagues across teams
The aim is to develop practical skills, judgment, and professional competence.
How is a training contract structured?
Although structures vary between firms, most training contracts include:
Seat rotations to build breadth of experience
Supervision by senior lawyers in each department
Formal training sessions covering legal and professional skills
Performance reviews at the end of each seat
Many firms also offer secondments, which may include:
Client secondments (working in-house)
International secondments (working in overseas offices)
These opportunities allow trainees to develop commercial awareness and understand how legal advice is used in practice.
How do you get a training contract?
For most commercial law firms, the primary route to a training contract is through a vacation scheme.
A significant proportion of training contract offers are made to candidates who have completed a vacation scheme at the firm. In many cases, firms recruit almost exclusively from their schemes, using them as extended assessments.
Candidates who perform well on a vacation scheme are often invited to interview for a training contract either during or shortly after the scheme.
While some firms accept direct training contract applications, these are typically more competitive and still involve assessment stages similar to those used for vacation scheme candidates.