Training contract

During your training contract, you will undertake four six-month seats, where you will get the chance to be exposed to our four global practice groups within Legal Advisory; Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution, Insurance and Real Estate. Within your seat, you will work closely with Partners, Directors and Senior Associates on a range of live legal matters. You may also have the opportunity to undertake a secondment with a client, or rotate between different offices. 

The route to qualifying as a solicitor in England is changing. If you are applying for a training contract to commence in 2023 or beyond and you have not yet completed the Legal Practice Course (LPC), we will offer you a training contract, which would incorporate the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). 

If you have already completed the LPC, you may not be required to complete the SQE but you are still eligible to apply for a training contract at DWF. 

Once you are in the business, you will meet with our Training Principal and a member of the Early Careers team  mid-way through each seat to discuss your progress and help you decide which seat you want to join next. The time will soon pass and before you know it, you will be discussing your qualification with our Training Principal.

Locations

We are currently recruiting trainees into the following locations, for a 2026 start date:

• Birmingham 
• Leeds
• Liverpool 
• London
• Manchester
• Newcastle

Please note that we also have a small number of vacancies for an earlier start date. If you would like to be considered for an earlier start date, please indicate this on your application form. 

If you have any questions, please visit our FAQ page or email us at earlycareers@dwf.law

During your training contract in our Belfast office, you will split your time between having valuable time in the office and studying at the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS).

When you are in the office, you will have the support of your Master to ensure that you get the most out of your training contract.

Required qualifications 

The minimum entry requirements for the role are as follows:  

2.1 degree (or predicted). 
A conditional offer to study at the IPLS (must have applied/be in the process of sitting the entrance exam in order to apply). 

If you have any questions, please visit our FAQ page or email us at earlycareers@dwf.law

During your training contract, you will undertake four six-month seats, where you will get the chance to be exposed to our four global practice groups within Legal Advisory; Corporate Services, Dispute Resolution, Insurance and Real Estate. Within your seat you will work closely with Partners, Directors and Senior Associates on a range of live legal matters. You may also have the opportunity to undertake a secondment with a client, or rotate between different offices.

Provided you have not completed the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at the point of offer, we will pay your course fees at a university of your choice as well as offering a discretionary maintenance grant. In the year before your training contract starts, we will host a range of events with your fellow future trainees, so that you feel settled before you join us. 

Once you are in the business, you will meet with the Training Manager and a member of the Early Careers team mid-way through each seat to discuss your progress and help you to decide which seat you want to join next. The two years will soon pass and before you know it, you will be discussing your qualification.

Locations 

We are currently recruiting trainees into the following locations, for a 2026 start date:

• Edinburgh
• Glasgow 

Please note that we may also have a small number of vacancies for an earlier start date. If you would like to be considered for an earlier start date, please indicate this on your application form. 

If you have any questions, please visit our FAQ page or email us at earlycareers@dwf.law