Summer Vacation Scheme
What better way to experience working life in a global law firm than attending our Summer Vacation Scheme.
You will step into the shoes of a trainee at Ashurst while spending time getting to know our practice groups over the course of 3 weeks. This opportunity allows you to learn more about the work we do, the clients we work with and most importantly, you get to experience Ashurst culture.
Our scheme will build your skills and knowledge and you will find no two days will be the same. A core part of our Summer Scheme is the opportunity to rotate through two different practice groups to build your experience in different areas of law.
Insights from Tiegan and Tom
Explore our latest video featuring insights from Tiegan Cormie and Tom Segev, who are currently honing their skills as trainees in our London office.
Our Training Contract is designed to provide comprehensive and structured training that prepares you for a successful career in law.
In this video, they share their initial attraction to the legal industry, reasons for choosing Ashurst, and what they find rewarding about working with us.
They also give viewers a sneak peek into their daily routine, the types of projects they are involved in, the skills they are developing, and the work culture at our firm.
What we can offer you
Guaranteed Training Contract interview
We guarantee all Vacation Scheme participants the opportunity to interview for a Training Contract with two of our partners at the end of your scheme.
Supportive environment
You will be allocated work and be supervised by one of expert qualified lawyers who will provide you with stimulating on the job tasks. We will also match you with a mentor who can support you and offer guidance.
Learning and Development
Through our induction sessions, practical workshops, team building events and networking opportunities you will develop and hone the key skills needed to be a successful trainee.
Benefits
You will be paid £600 per week.
The recruitment process
Applications are open to finalists and graduates of all degree disciplines, as well as penultimate year law students. To qualify, you should be on track to achieve a 2.1 in your undergraduate degree.
If you haven't met this criteria and there are mitigating circumstances, there will be an opportunity for you to provide us with this information on your application.
Our online application form allows you to showcase your talent, your passion for the industry and your knowledge of our firm. You will have the opportunity to share your insights into the legal industry and more details about yourself.
Note:
You cannot apply for both a vacation scheme and a training contract in the same recruitment window. We would ask that you only apply for one opportunity during the recruitment window. If you complete a vacation scheme with us, you will be interviewed for a training contract at the end of the scheme.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an invitation within 7 days to complete three online ability tests.
Cognify – will require you to complete a series of online games measuring your problem solving and analytical skills.
Values Fit – helps us to identify candidates who have similar values to Ashurst and our people. This assessment looks at key work factors and the importance you give each one, ensuring the best cultural fit for both yourself and Ashurst.
Emotify – will require you to complete two games measuring your interpersonal skills, leadership potential and capability.
Please ensure you complete the tests within 3 days of receiving them. We are unable to offer any extensions for candidates who do not complete these on time. To find out more information on what the tests entail and how you can prepare, please visit here.
If your initial application is successful, you will complete a written case study online which will be facilitated by a member of our Early Careers team, designed to test your analytical and problem solving skills.
You will then join us in our London office to take part in a competency based interview with a HR representative and associate/senior associate from one of our practice areas.
You will have the opportunity to meet with our current trainees and take part in an office
We are committed to making all stages of our recruitment process accessible to candidates with disabilities or long-term health conditions. If you consider yourself to have a disability or a long-term health condition, please feel able to be open about this at any point during the recruitment process. If you are not sure what adjustments you require, we will work with you to establish the most suitable adjustments at each stage of the recruitment process. Please note that our online application form includes a section which allows you to advise us of any extenuating circumstances that are relevant for us to consider when reviewing your application form.
If you would like to talk to a member of the team in relation to any queries you may have on your disability or long-term health condition and the recruitment process, please get in touch. Any information disclosed on your disability will remain strictly confidential.
Key dates
Applications for our Summer Vacation Scheme 2025 has now closed. Applications for our Summer Vacation Scheme 2026 will open in September 2025.
Events
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Come and meet us!
Read moreCome and meet us!
Register to meet us at the following event:
Legal Cheek: Solicitor Apprentices share insights into life in law (yrs 1-3)
21st January 2025 | 4:30pm – 6pm | How to Register
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Commercial Awareness and Legal Tech - Saba Nasrolahi
"Commercial Awareness needs to be grown organically so that you are able to use it practically and genuinely"
Read more
Trainee Insights by Kelsey Reid-Jones
Kelsey discusses her journey to Ashurst and life as a member of the Global Loans team.
Read moreTestimonials
"I would encourage every applicant to consider attending Ashurst's Summer Vacation Scheme. There is no substitute for sitting in the practice areas and working side by side with our lawyers for those with aspirations of becoming a solicitor. There is a wealth of knowledge to be had; from the everyday cultural experience of working at Ashurst to an appreciation of how our lawyers service clients in each practice area or industry."
Rory, 2022
"The thing that attracted me most was the firm's culture and people. I was also attracted by the importance the firm puts on corporate social responsibility, especially through its pro bono scheme since that was something incredibly meaningful to me in a future employer. Everyone I'd encountered at Ashurst at that point had been so welcoming, warm, and accommodating and I felt like I wanted a greater insight into what it would be like to work there. There seemed to me to be a culture of uplifting and encouraging other people and I definitely found that to be true during the vacation scheme."
Dite, 2022
Early Careers podcast mini-series
Tom Segev
In our debut episode, trainee Tom shares his journey to joining Ashurst's trainee program, from studying history at the University of Warwick to working at a music label, Tom details his decision-making process between pursuing music law and commercial law, and along the way highlights how he navigated these choices.
Divya Deivanayagam & Aoife Weir
Junior associates Aoife and Divya share their enriching experiences of international and client trainee secondments. They explain the secondment process from their respective secondments, with Aoife working at BP in the gas and low carbon energy team, and Divya experiencing life in Ashurst’s Tokyo office.
Saba Nasrolahi
In this third episode of the series, final seat trainee Saba Nasrolahi share her insights and personal experiences applying the crucial skill of commercial awareness in both her application and early career work experience at Ashurst.
Khadija Patel & Nick Hwong
In this episode of the series, trainees Khadija and Nick bring a host of insights and tips to help those considering a career in commercial law navigate their way through the competitive world of legal training applications.
Applicant Resource Hub
For answers to all your frequently asked questions and information on application & interview tips, the benefits we provide, life at Ashurst, our L&D programmes, and our IDB initiatives.
Visit hub
Inclusion, Diversity & Belonging
Our inclusive and diverse culture stands at the heart of everything we do. For more information on our initiatives and the support we provide please follow the link below.
More informationContact us
If you can’t find answers to your questions on this page or on the Applicant Resource Hub then please contact our Early Careers team.
Agencies
Agency submissions and candidate introductions will only be accepted with prior approval from a member of the Ashurst Talent Acquisition team. To submit or introduce a candidate, an agency must have valid agreed terms of business in place with Ashurst. Any agency submissions or candidate introductions made without prior approval or without the agreed terms of business in place will be considered invalid.
Diversity
We are committed to offering a safe and welcoming environment for our employees and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. With diversity and inclusion at the heart of what we do we place a strong emphasis on working with people from diverse communities and aim to make a positive impact through our Social Impact programmes.
Speak up!
Ashurst is committed to ensuring an accountable workplace culture. Candidates are encouraged to report any ethical or conduct concerns to our confidential email address: ethics.counsel@ashurst.com.
Please note that this email address should not be used for general enquiries about, or applications for, job positions available at Ashurst as they will not be passed onto the relevant team. Any recruitment enquires should be directed to globalresourcing@ashurst.com.
Privacy Policy UK
Ashurst is committed to protecting your privacy. For more information on how we collect and use your data during the recruitment process for Early Careers opportunities in the UK, please visit our Early Careers UK Privacy Policy.