Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme

Slaughter and May is inviting applications for its 2027 Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme, offering school leavers the opportunity to qualify as solicitors while gaining practical experience at a leading international commercial law firm.

Applications for the 2027 programme will open on Monday 12 October 2026 and close on Wednesday 6 January 2027. Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible within the application window.

The Solicitor Apprenticeship

The programme provides an alternative route into the legal profession, allowing apprentices to combine paid employment, academic study and practical legal training.

Apprentices gain experience of commercial legal work while working alongside experienced lawyers and developing the skills required to become a solicitor. The programme provides exposure to the firm's clients and practice areas while apprentices work towards the qualifications required for admission as a solicitor.

The apprenticeship is designed for candidates who want to begin their legal career after completing their secondary education rather than following the traditional university route.

What Slaughter and May Looks For

Slaughter and May aims to recruit talented candidates regardless of where or what they have studied. The firm has graduates from more than 50 universities, reflecting the breadth of backgrounds represented within the firm.

The work is intellectually demanding, so candidates are expected to demonstrate strong academic ability.

The minimum academic requirements are:

A-levels: AAB or equivalent, excluding the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

Candidates who do not meet these requirements because of mitigating circumstances that materially affected their academic results can explain those circumstances in their application. Each application is considered on its own merits.

Intellectual Ability

Candidates should demonstrate the ability to understand complex information, analyse problems and reach logical conclusions.

Commercial legal work requires lawyers to absorb substantial amounts of information and identify the issues that matter most. Apprentices therefore need to demonstrate strong analytical ability and a willingness to engage with intellectually challenging work.

Commercial Awareness

Candidates should demonstrate an interest in the commercial world and an understanding that commercial lawyers advise businesses on issues that extend beyond purely legal considerations.

An interest in current affairs, business, economics, companies, industries or major commercial developments can help demonstrate commercial awareness.

Candidates should also take the time to understand Slaughter and May, its clients and the type of work undertaken by the firm.

Communication Skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills are important throughout the apprenticeship.

Apprentices will need to communicate effectively with colleagues and clients, understand instructions and explain legal or commercial issues clearly.

The ability to listen, ask appropriate questions and adapt communication to different audiences is also important.

Teamwork

Commercial legal work is highly collaborative. Apprentices will work with lawyers and other professionals across the firm and may contribute to matters involving large teams.

Candidates should therefore demonstrate an ability to work effectively with others, contribute positively to a team and build strong professional relationships.

Resilience and Commitment

The apprenticeship combines academic study with full-time employment and practical legal training.

Candidates should therefore demonstrate commitment, organisation and resilience. The role requires apprentices to balance their academic responsibilities with the demands of working in a leading commercial law firm.

Candidates should also be prepared to learn from feedback and continually develop their skills.

Independent Thought

Slaughter and May values candidates who are able to think independently and form their own views.

Candidates should be comfortable considering different perspectives, questioning assumptions and explaining their reasoning. The ability to approach unfamiliar problems with curiosity and sound judgement is particularly important in commercial legal work.

Interests Outside Law

Candidates do not need to have spent all their time pursuing legal activities.

Slaughter and May considers candidates' wider interests and experiences when assessing their applications. Academic, employment, extracurricular, voluntary, sporting, creative and other activities can all demonstrate useful skills and qualities.

Candidates should therefore provide a genuine picture of their interests, achievements and experiences rather than focusing exclusively on law.

Diversity and Opportunity

Slaughter and May aims to recruit the brightest minds regardless of what or where they have studied.

The firm recognises that candidates can develop the skills required for a successful legal career through different educational and personal experiences. Applications are assessed individually, with mitigating circumstances taken into account where they have materially affected academic results.

Application Process

Candidates should complete the firm's online application form during the application window.

The application provides an opportunity to demonstrate academic ability, commercial awareness, communication skills, wider interests and motivation for pursuing a career in commercial law.

Candidates should ensure that all information provided is accurate and presented in their own words.

Slaughter and May also advises candidates to approach applications authentically rather than relying on generic or AI-generated responses.

Academic and Professional Development

The solicitor apprenticeship combines employment with structured academic and professional development.

Apprentices develop their legal knowledge alongside practical experience and receive training designed to support their progression towards qualification as a solicitor.

The programme provides an opportunity to develop professional skills while gaining first-hand experience of commercial legal practice.

Application Dates

Applications for the Slaughter and May Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme 2027 will:

Open: Monday 12 October 2026

Close: Wednesday 6 January 2027

Candidates are encouraged to apply early within the application window.