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FAQs

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We want to provide you with as much information as possible to help inform your decision about applying with us, so we've listed the most frequently asked questions here.
Your application
 

 I have mitigating circumstances that impacted my studies. Can I share these with DWF?

We would actively encourage candidates to share details of their mitigating circumstances directly onto their application form in the relevant "supplementary information" sections. This will be considered when we look at your application and will allow us to consider your achievements in context. 
 

I'm worried that my A-Levels or Scottish Highers won't meet the entry requirement for the trainee solicitor roles. Should I still apply?

We made the decision to remove our A-Level and Scottish Highers criteria in 2020 for our trainee solicitor roles, so we now look at your academics in the context that you gained them using REALrating. The only academics that we will consider going forward is a 2:1 law degree. If you have not gained a 2:1, we welcome your application and it will be reviewed in full, considering any relevant mitigating circumstances. If you are a non-law graduate, then we will look for a LPC or PGDL (England) or an accelerated LLB or Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (Scotland). 


I haven't been able to gain any legal experience. Will that go against me? 

At DWF we do not penalise candidates who have not yet gained any legal work experience. We encourage you to list details of any non-legal work experience, which can include part-time, volunteering, charity work or events where you have gone through a selection process to attend. 

Your background
 

I didn't study in the UK, do you have any tips on how I can enter my academics? 

Please list your qualifications as they are within the application form and we will be able to consider how they apply to our entry requirements. It is helpful if you can provide as much information as possible about your qualification.    


I will require some adjustments throughout the recruitment process. How can I flag these? 

Please flag these directly onto your application form. Each individual may have different requirements so at some stages, we may ask you to re-confirm what adjustments you would need for that application stage. Please ensure that you confirm these promptly so that we can ensure they are in place for you.  


I'm looking for a career within a law firm but don't want to commence a legal career. Do I have any options at DWF?

Our non-legal apprenticeships and business services graduate schemes will be the best options for you. For more information on whether these programmes are live and accepting applications, please visit the page directly.


I am worried about funding for postgraduate qualifications. Will DWF support with this? 

DWF will pay the course fees for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (England), Diploma (Scotland) and the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (Northern Ireland). In each of these offices, successful applicants will also be offered additional financial support, which depends on the structure of the course. 

For example, in England and Northern Ireland this would be an apprenticeship and therefore candidates will receive a monthly wage which covers the in-office training and periods of full-time study. 

What's next?

How soon will I hear back from the point of submitting my application?

We do not recruit on a rolling basis for any of our programmes, so you will not receive an update until after the application deadline. After the deadline, we kindly request that you allow 14 working days for us to screen the remainder of applications before you approach the team for an update. 


I've noticed a mistake on my application form. Can I amend this? 

Unfortunately it's not possible to make changes to an application form once submitted. However you can log in to your Apply4Law account and add supplementary information which will be considered if it is available prior to your application being screened. 


What is the trainee salary if successful? 

Our salaries vary by office. Please see a list of our most up-to-date first year trainee solicitor salaries below: 

  • Belfast: £21,255
  • Scotland: £26,000
  • Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle: £26,000
  • London: £38,000 

For our apprenticeship opportunities, the salary will be Real Living Wage which is currently £23,400 based off a 37.5 hour week. Apprentices in our London office would receive London Living Wage which is a separate higher rate. 


If I'm unsuccessful, can I request feedback? 

We will provide feedback for those who joined us on the Vacation Scheme and were unsuccessful in obtaining a Training Contract. Unfortunately we are unable to provide feedback prior to this stage.  


If I am unsuccessful, can I re-apply in the future?

Yes absolutely, we welcome applications from candidates who have applied in the past. The only exception is that we ask you not to re-apply in the same recruitment cycle (September-August) as there will not be enough of an opportunity for your application to improve. If you re-apply in the same application cycle, unfortunately your application will be automatically rejected. 

Trainee Solicitor Application FAQs

What are the academic entry requirements for your trainee solicitor opportunities?
We require a 2:1 in an undergraduate law degree or a similar legal qualification, either expected or obtained. However, if you have not achieved a 2:1, we still welcome your application and will review it in full, considering any relevant mitigating circumstances. For non-law graduates, we look for an LPC or PGDL/GDL (England) or an accelerated LLB or Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (Scotland). You can apply from the penultimate year of your undergraduate law degree.
How is the Training Contract structured over the two to three years?

In England, you will study full-time for the SQE1 in the first year. Once you pass, you will begin your two-year practical experience with the firm, during which you will start the SQE2. If you haven't enrolled and started studying the SQE at the point of offer, we will fund this for you. 
In Scotland, you must complete the Diploma before beginning your two-year practical experience with DWF. In both jurisdictions, the practical period will be divided into four seats, each lasting six months. 

The SQE is also now an option based at the Belfast office, qualifying for England and Wales. For our IPLS Belfast Training Contract, applicants must must be successful in obtaining a place at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS) and will study this alongside their two year practical experience.

If I do not meet your minimum academic requirements, will I be rejected automatically?
Our minimum academic requirements have been assessed as a guide to how well Trainees can cope with the demands of the Training Contract. This means they are very important in the selection process, however we do appreciate the importance of other aspects of the application form. Therefore, even if you have not met our minimum academic requirements, your application form will be reviewed in full and you still have the opportunity to progress to the next stage.
Will I be able to highlight any mitigating circumstances that could affect my application?
If you would like us to consider your mitigating circumstances that have affected your academic results, please highlight this in the relevant section on the application form.
Are there any application deadlines?

Our application deadlines can vary. For all of our application deadlines, please visit the application portal.

Do DWF pay for the Scottish Diploma fees?
Yes, for students who have not yet started the Diploma at the point of offer. 
Will I join the Vacation Scheme if I apply to the Ethnic Minority and Social Mobility Programme?
Yes, successful students on the programme will benefit from skills and mentoring sessions ahead of a two-week paid work experience scheme. Participants will then be considered for a Training Contract, similar to our Vac Schemers. You can only apply to one opportunity per recruitment cycle (in addition to an Insight Day). If you are unsuccessful in securing a place on the Ethnic Minority and Social Mobility Programme, your application will still be considered for the June Vacation Scheme.
I need a work permit to work in the UK. Am I able to apply to DWF?
If you require a work permit and are offered a role with DWF, we will endeavour to support your application for a work permit. Please note that offers of employment are conditional on obtaining and maintaining applicable work authorisations, and this may at times fall outside of our control. Please note that some of our programmes (such as the solicitor apprenticeship) currently do not meet the requirements for visa sponsorship at this time.
Do DWF offer work experience placements?
We do not offer any informal work experience outside of our formalised programmes. If candidates want to have a greater insight into DWF, they should apply for one of the November Insight Days.  We also do offer a two week Vacation Scheme in the summer, where we assess your suitability for a Training Contract. 

Solicitor Apprenticeship Application FAQs

What are the grade or UCAS points requirements?
The minimum requirement is 128 UCAS points. This can be achieved through various qualifications, including a combination of A levels and BTEC qualifications.
Do you accept BTEC subjects?
Yes, DWF accepts BTEC qualifications towards the entry requirements. For example, a BTEC Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in Health and Social Care can be accepted alongside A levels in other subjects. 
How is the course split over the six years?
The course structure and details about the split over the six years can be provided by the training provider and found here - Level 7 Solicitor Apprenticeship Factsheet.
Will training often take place virtually along with a specified day to attend BPP university?
Yes, training will take place virtually, with specified days to attend BPP University. There are onboarding processes and initial training sessions conducted by BPP University to ensure apprentices are well-prepared.
What should I do if I haven't taken my A Level exams yet and can't show a predicted grade in the application?
You can communicate this information in the education section of the application, by selecting that your in the 2nd year of college education. Please input your predicated grades when asked for academic information and select 2025 for the year 'taken'. That way we'll know they're predicted! During the assessment centre process, you will be asked to provide proof of your predicted grades.
What happens after the Apprenticeship?
After completing the apprenticeship, DWF wishes to retain its apprentices, and they follow the newly qualified process of applying for all the NQ positions available.
Does the salary increase during the apprenticeship?
Yes, the starting salary (Real Living Wage) does increase during the apprenticeship as you gain more skills and become a Trainee Solicitor.

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