Training Contract

Slaughter and May is accepting applications for its September 2029 and March 2030 training contracts in London. The programme is open to law and non-law finalists and graduates, with a further application window opening in June 2027 for penultimate-year law students, law finalists and graduates.

Applications for the current window close on Friday 13 November 2026. Slaughter and May encourages candidates to apply as early as possible because training contract offers are made on a rolling basis.

The Training Contract

The training contract provides candidates with the opportunity to train as commercial solicitors at one of London's leading law firms.

Trainees work across the firm's practice areas and gain experience of the full range of transactions handled by the group in which they are sitting. The work is intellectually demanding and requires trainees to take responsibility, work collaboratively and maintain a high standard of client service.

The programme is designed to develop the legal, commercial and interpersonal skills required to qualify as a successful commercial solicitor.

Who Can Apply

The current application window is open to law and non-law finalists and graduates.

For law students studying in England and Wales, Slaughter and May recommends applying in the summer of the penultimate year. Law finalists and graduates can also apply during the summer application window or the autumn application window.

Non-law students can apply in the autumn of their final year or as graduates.

Candidates who are completing or have completed the Law Conversion Course (PGDL) are treated as non-law students for the purposes of the application process.

Candidates who completed their undergraduate law degree at a university outside England and Wales may be required to complete certain PGDL modules and will be treated as non-law students for the application process.

Future Application Window

Applications for the September 2029 and March 2030 training contracts will also open in June 2027 for:

• Penultimate-year law students.

• Law finalists.

• Law graduates.

Candidates should apply during the application window appropriate to their stage of study.

Route to Qualification

Slaughter and May's qualification route incorporates the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).

Candidates should also consider the firm's Law Conversion Course (PGDL) where applicable and its SQE preparation programme, the City Consortium Solicitors Training Programme (CCP).

The firm's qualification route is designed to provide candidates with the academic and professional training required to qualify as solicitors while gaining practical experience within the firm.

What Slaughter and May Looks For

Slaughter and May looks for candidates with strong academic ability, commercial awareness, communication skills, resilience and independent thought.

The firm's minimum academic requirements are:

• A-levels: AAB or equivalent, excluding EPQ.

• Undergraduate degree: A strong 2:1, ideally with a minimum of 65% in the majority of modules in each completed academic year.

Candidates whose results have been materially affected by mitigating circumstances can explain these circumstances in their application, and applications are considered individually.

Interest in Commercial Law

Candidates should demonstrate a genuine interest in a career in commercial law and an understanding of what Slaughter and May does.

Previous legal work experience is not required. Candidates can demonstrate their interest through activities such as open days, virtual insight programmes, law firm events, university law fairs, firm presentations and other legal work experience.

The firm also considers how candidates have spent their time outside their studies and encourages applicants to include a broad range of activities on their CV.

Commercial Awareness

Commercial awareness is an important part of the application process.

Candidates should be curious about how businesses operate and have an informed understanding of the commercial environment in which the firm's clients operate.

Applicants should also understand the firm's work and how Slaughter and May supports its clients as a commercial law firm.

Communication and Teamwork

Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential.

Candidates should be able to communicate ideas clearly, work effectively with others and contribute positively to teams. Slaughter and May's collaborative working environment means that the ability to build effective working relationships is an important part of the recruitment process.

Resilience and Independent Thought

The firm's trainees work on the full range of transactions handled by the practice group in which they are sitting. The work can be demanding, and there may be periods when trainees need to work long hours to meet client requirements.

Candidates should therefore demonstrate resilience, the ability to remain focused under pressure and a willingness to respond effectively to unexpected situations.

Slaughter and May also values independent thought and different perspectives. Candidates should be able to articulate and defend their views and demonstrate intellectual independence.

Wider Interests

Candidates are encouraged to demonstrate interests outside law.

These activities can provide evidence of the skills and qualities Slaughter and May seeks, while also allowing the firm to understand the candidate's broader interests and experiences.

The firm looks for enthusiasm, a willingness to accept responsibility and a sense of humour alongside the academic and professional qualities required for commercial legal practice.

Contextual Recruitment

Slaughter and May uses the Rare Contextual Recruitment System across its early careers recruitment.

The system places applicants' grades and achievements in the context of their social and educational background, helping the firm identify high-potential candidates.

Application Process

Applications are submitted through Slaughter and May's online application system.

Candidates are required to provide personal details and a full breakdown of their examination results, including GCSEs, A-levels or equivalent qualifications and completed undergraduate and postgraduate modules.

Candidates must provide module results, including first-year results even where these do not contribute to the final degree classification, together with the end-of-year average percentage for each completed year of study.

Candidates studying outside the UK or at universities that do not use percentage grading must explain the relevant grading system. The application also provides an opportunity to explain extenuating circumstances that have materially affected academic results.

CV Requirements

Slaughter and May recommends that CVs are no more than two sides of A4.

The information should be factual and explain what the candidate has done, where and when.

Candidates should demonstrate their interest in commercial law while also including activities and experiences outside law that provide insight into their wider interests and development.

Cover Letter

The cover letter should explain:

• Why the candidate is interested in a career in law.

• Why the candidate is applying to Slaughter and May.

• Relevant experiences, events or virtual internships.

• Any other information relevant to the application.

The cover letter should be no longer than one side of A4 and should be addressed to Janine Arnold, Head of Recruitment.

Use of AI

Slaughter and May advises candidates not to copy and paste AI-generated text into their applications.

Applications should be written in the candidate's own words and demonstrate personal insight and authenticity. Generic or unoriginal applications are less likely to be successful.

Rolling Recruitment

Slaughter and May typically recruits two to three years in advance of the firm's start date.

Training contract offers are made on a rolling basis, meaning that the availability of places cannot be guaranteed as interviews progress. Candidates who receive an offer following interview may potentially be offered a later intake.

Candidates attending an interview will have the opportunity to discuss potential start dates during their HR interview.

Application Deadline

Applications for the September 2029 and March 2030 training contracts from law and non-law finalists and graduates close on:

Friday 13 November 2026

The next application window for penultimate-year law students, law finalists and graduates will open in June 2027.

Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible within the relevant application window.