Vacation schemes: your route to a training contract

At most commercial firms, the vacation scheme is the primary route to a training contract. Treat it as a paid, two-week interview — because that's how the firm treats it.

How the cycle works

Firms run spring and summer vacation schemes (typically one to two weeks each). For example, recent cycles have seen spring schemes in late March/April and summer schemes in June/July. Applications for a 2026 vac scheme generally close in the winter before (often December–January) and feed training contracts starting around 2028.

A large share of training-contract offers go to people who did the firm's vac scheme. Direct training-contract applications exist, but the vac scheme is the higher-conversion path.

What they're assessing

Over two weeks, partners and associates are forming a view on three things:

• Can you do the work? Research tasks, drafting, attention to detail.
• Commercial awareness. Do you understand the firm's clients and the business behind the law?
• Are you someone they want in the team? Enthusiasm, reliability, how you handle feedback.

How to convert

• Be genuinely useful. Take real care over every task, however small. Sloppy work on a "minor" research note gets remembered.
• Ask good questions. Curiosity about clients and deals signals commercial interest.
• Build relationships across levels — trainees and associates have a voice in the decision, not just partners.
• Get feedback and act on it visibly. Improvement during the scheme is itself a strong signal.

Two weeks is enough time to make a real impression. Go in prepared, not passive.