Training Contract 2027 and Training Contract 2025 - Ward Hadaway

Deadlines

Vacation scheme 2025 and Training Contract 2027: 31 January 2025

Training Contract 2026/7 only: 30 April 2025

Carry out your training with us

It’s important that all of our junior lawyers, whether they are trainees or apprentices, are the right fit for us as a firm. And it’s equally important that we are the right fit for them. 

To apply for our Vacation Scheme in 2025, and Training Contract in 2027 click Apply. Applications for the Vacation Scheme will close on 31st January 2025. Direct Training Contract applications close 30 April 2025.

We are currently supporting both the SQE and LPC routes to qualification as part of our training contract as follows:

• For any applicants who have not yet completed or commenced an LPC course, our training contract offer will include sponsorship of the SQE.
• We are still accepting applications from individuals who have already commenced or completed an LPC course (to include any courses which build in the LPC, such as 4 year combined undergraduate in Law and LPC course), and these candidates will not need to complete the SQE as part of our training contract.

Four seats

During your two-year training contract with us you will have the opportunity to complete four placements (known as seats) of six months each. These will take place within four of our eight departments: Corporate, Commercial, Commercial Dispute Resolution, Private Client, Employment, Health & Regulatory, Housing and Real Estate. Your seat choices are extremely important and we work with our trainees to ensure they get a broad experience of the firm, while also catering for your own personal ambitions and areas of interest.

You might also have an opportunity to work with one of our clients on a secondment basis. These are typically with our larger clients as part of their in-house legal team .

Training and support

The training contract begins with a two-week induction programme to introduce you to the firm, your first team, your fellow trainee solicitors and our systems and processes. This ensures you are fully prepared when you undertake your first seat.

Trainee/NQ buddy system

During the induction process you will be assigned a ‘buddy’, who will be a NQ solicitor. As someone who has recently completed their training contract, they will be ideally placed to offer support and guidance and answer any questions you may have. Once in your seat, you will work through a structured programme, perform real work and your mentor will oversee your development over the next six months. All the while, you will be provided with feedback through our regular reviews

Ongoing training and development

Throughout the two-year training contract you will also receive a multitude of training and the opportunity to attend regular legislation update seminars, as well as soft skills development training.

Benefits

Alongside a competitive salary our trainees receive:

• 25 days holiday plus statutory holidays and the ability to buy up to an additional 5 days
• Group personal pension plan with employer contributions
• Flexible benefits package including health and dental cover, insurance and discounted shopping
• Life assurance package
• Subsidised parking and interest-free season ticket loan for travel
• Postgraduate course sponsorship including tuition fees and maintenance grants

Before applying, take a look at our Join Us section.  Here you will find out how you can discover more about the firm and our people before deciding whether to apply.

At Ward Hadaway, we believe in investing in our people.

We are passionate about helping our people to fulfil their potential and grow their careers with the firm. This is why we ensure that the training experience is rich and rewarding for each of our junior lawyers, with a focus on allowing our people to develop successful, fulfilling careers in the law.

We are members of The Sustainable Recruitment Alliance and we make sure the impact on the environment during our search for early talent is minimised.  As such we are very proud to have won the 2022 Award for Sustainability in Early Talent Recruitment.