Training Contract & Vacation scheme - 2026/7 & 2025 - Tees

Application deadline: Training Contract 1 June 2025

Application deadline: Vacation scheme 31 March 2025

Are you a law student? Our popular graduate scheme offers a road into a major regional law firm.

We are a major regional law firm, and we’re growing fast. We offer a wide variety of opportunities in a range of departments. Whether it’s wills or leases, farmland development or divorces – we'll have something that piques your interest.

You will be encouraged to contribute effectively day-to-day – and of course you will be surrounded by experienced lawyers, helping you at every step. We carefully assess the level of responsibility we give you and when you’re ready, you can deliver client-facing work too.

Applying for a training contract at Tees

Vacation schemes are a great way of deciding which firms you would like to apply for a training contract, and Tees’ vacation scheme is no exception. During your placement, you’ll have the chance to chat with our current trainees about life as a trainee solicitor here.

Our training contract consists of four seats of six months in different departments at one of our six offices. Trainees work in supportive teams and are supervised by either a Partner or Senior Associate. We actively encourage our trainees to get involved in marketing, networking, training, and social events hosted by the firm. The working environment is enthusiastic and friendly and trainees have regular meetings with their supervisors.

At Tees, we support our trainees and their progression through the firm. Some of our previous trainees include:

Chris Claxton-Shirley – Wills Tax Trusts and Probate Solicitor at Tees 

Sally Powell – Family Partner at Tees

We’re award-winning

We won the 2019 Law Careers.net ‘Best Trainer – Regional Law Firm’ award. We have a good track record - we've won The LawCareers.Net Recruitment and Training award for ‘Best trainer - Medium regional firm’ in 2016 (and in 2010) and in 2012 we won Best Work Placement scheme – Regional firm.

We only recruit academically strong, personable and ambitious people to train with Tees. Our trainees are a big part of the firm’s future, as they progress through their training, into qualification and beyond. Eight of our current partners started their careers as trainees at Tees! 

When to apply

Tees’ Training Contract application window opened on Friday, 20 December 2024, and will close at midnight on 1 June 2025.

To apply, submit your CV with a cover letter.

Tees’ 2026/2027 Training Contract Assessment Day is scheduled on Thursday, 3 July 2025, in Bishop’s Stortford.

We receive a very high volume of applications, so please apply well before the closing date. We will respond to all applications after the closing date.

What we’re looking for:

• At least 320 UCAS points (ABB) or equivalent
• At least a 2:1 in your degree
• A keen and genuine interest in Tees
• A personable and ambitious nature
• A well-rounded individual with interests both related and unrelated to the law
• Commercial awareness

If that sounds like you, then we would like to hear from you.

What is the vacation scheme?

Every year, we welcome talented students and graduates for a week’s placement on our vacation scheme. It’s your chance to get to know us and to see what it’s like working in a modern law firm.

It’s also our chance to get to know you! We regularly invite vacation scheme candidates to then join our training contract assessment process.

How the vacation scheme works

The vacation scheme runs for one week during June or July every year, and is open to:

• Second and third year undergraduates
• Graduates
• Students/graduates of the LPC, GDL or SQE 

During your placement, you’ll get to work on real cases and will work in two or three different departments. You’ll get to see the range of the firm’s work and talk to experienced solicitors about what it’s like to work in their field. We’re interested in hearing from those who are already studying a Law degree, or those who wish to pursue a career in Law with us.

We are looking for candidates with: 

• At least 320 UCAS points (ABB at A Level or equivalent)
• A keen and genuine interest in applying to Tees for a training contract after completing the vacation scheme
• A personable and ambitious nature
• Interests both related and unrelated to the law
• Commercial awareness

During the week, you will be invited for lunch with some of our current trainees. We will reimburse any travel expenses up to £50.

Tees 2025 vacation scheme application deadlines

The deadline for our 2025 vacation scheme is 31 March 2025. Soon after the closing date, you will be informed whether you will be invited to an interview, which normally takes place in April. 

In 2025, the vacation scheme will take place in June.

Applications are open from 20 December 2024. To apply, submit your CV with a cover letter