HFW

United Kingdom - Summer Vacation Scheme

Type: Vacation Scheme

Location: United Kingdom: London

• Closing date: 2027-01-07 23:59:00 Europe/London
• Application timing: Applications close at 23:59 UK time on 7 January 2027.
• Programme dates: One spring scheme lasting one week and two summer schemes lasting two weeks.
• Duration: One week in spring or two weeks in summer
• Status: open

Published application and programme dates

• Applications close at 23:59 UK time on 7 January 2027.
• Programme: One spring scheme lasting one week and two summer schemes lasting two weeks.

• Who can apply: Penultimate-year law, final-year law and non-law students and graduates
• Eligibility: Open to penultimate-year law students, final-year law and non-law students, and graduates.
• Academic requirements: Open to penultimate-year law students, final-year law and non-law students and graduates. HFW seeks strong academics and analytical skills, enthusiasm and a passion for law and commerce.
• Application process: Submit the online application, followed by a virtual assessment centre, written and commercial exercises, a critical-reasoning test and an associate interview. Successful candidates attend the vacation scheme and complete a final partner interview.
• Assessments: Written client-advice exercise Commercial group exercise Watson Glaser Associate interview One-hour negotiation exercise Short commercial research project Final Partner interview
• Progression: Potential London Training Contract offer.
• Right to work: Applicants must have permission to participate in the UK scheme.
• Disability support: Adjustments and alternative formats may be requested.

United Kingdom - HFW Trainee Insight Day 2027

Type: Open Day / Event

Location: United Kingdom: London

• Application timing: Applications are accepted through the event application form.
• Programme dates: 24 March 2027, virtual.
• Duration: Event specific
• Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

• Applications are accepted through the event application form.
• Programme: 24 March 2027, virtual.

• Who can apply: First-year law students and penultimate-year non-law students.
• Eligibility: First-year law students and penultimate-year non-law students considering a career in commercial law.
• Academic requirements: Programme-specific eligibility applies.
• Application process: Submit the short online application through HFW’s official Open Days and Insight Days page.
• Progression: Supports future early-careers applications.
• Right to work: The live opportunity controls any right-to-work requirement.
• Disability support: Alternative formats and adjustments may be requested.

Hong Kong - Hong Kong Summer Vacation Scheme

Type: Vacation Scheme

Location: Hong Kong: Hong Kong

• Closing date: 2027-02-28 Asia/Hong_Kong
• Application timing: Applications close 28 February 2027.
• Programme dates: 31 May to 11 June 2027.
• Duration: 2 weeks
• Status: open

Published application and programme dates

• Applications close 28 February 2027.
• Programme: 31 May to 11 June 2027.
• Programme: 14 to 25 June 2027.
• Programme: 28 June to 9 July 2027.

• Who can apply: Eligible students including first-year JD students
• Eligibility: First-year JD students and other eligible students with the right to work in Hong Kong may apply. Mandarin is desirable but not essential.
• Academic requirements: Strong academics and analytical skills, enthusiasm and a passion for law and commerce. Mandarin is desirable but not essential.
• Application process: Submit a CV, covering letter, academic transcript and supporting school certificates to the official Hong Kong graduate-recruitment address.
• Assessments: Application review Interview Vacation Scheme performance where applicable
• Progression: Guaranteed interview for the Hong Kong Training Contract.
• Right to work: Applicants must have the right to work in Hong Kong. HFW does not sponsor visas for the vacation scheme.
• Disability support: Adjustments may be requested.

United Kingdom - Training Contract

Type: Training Contract

Location: United Kingdom: London

• Applications open: 2026-10-01
• Closing date: 2027-07-08 23:59:00 Europe/London
• Application timing: Applications opened on 1 October 2026 and close at 11:59pm on 8 July 2027. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
• Programme dates: Training contracts commence in September 2029 or March 2030.
• Duration: 2 years
• Places: Around 18 trainees each year
• Status: open

Published application and programme dates

• Applications opened on 1 October 2026 and close at 11:59pm on 8 July 2027. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
• Programme: Training contracts commence in September 2029 or March 2030.

• Who can apply: University students, graduates and career changers eligible to complete the required legal study before joining.
• Eligibility: Applications are accepted through both the direct training-contract and vacation-scheme routes. Extenuating circumstances are considered.
• Academic requirements: Strong academics, analytical ability, enthusiasm and a genuine interest in commercial law and HFW’s sectors. Extenuating circumstances are considered.
• Application process: Application form Virtual assessment centre Associate interview within assessment centre Final Partner interview Offer Detailed online application Virtual assessment centre lasting about seven hours Written client-advice exercise Commercial group exercise Watson Glaser test Interview with one or two Associates Final interview with two London Partners
• Assessments: Short commercial application question Written advice exercise Commercial group discussion Watson Glaser critical-thinking test Competency and commercial interview with Associates Commercial, analytical, ethical and problem-solving Partner interview
• Progression: Qualification as a solicitor and potential associate role.
• Funding: HFW funds SQE1 and SQE2 study at the University of Law and currently provides a £18,000 annual maintenance grant, paid monthly with an option to request part as an initial lump sum.
• Expenses: No general application-expenses policy is published.
• Travel support: International secondment support is arrangement specific.
• Accommodation support: International secondment accommodation support is arrangement specific.
• Disability support: Adjustments and alternative formats may be requested.

United Kingdom - HFW Solicitor Apprenticeship Open Day 2026

Type: Open Day / Event

Location: United Kingdom

• Application timing: Registration is open through the event page.
• Programme dates: 9 December 2026, London.
• Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

• Registration is open through the event page.
• Programme: 9 December 2026, London.

France - Paris Stagiaire Programme

Type: Internship

Location: France: Paris

• Application timing: Applications are accepted by email for the annual January–June intake.
• Programme dates: Six-month intake running January to June each year.
• Duration: 6 months
• Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

• Applications are accepted by email for the annual January–June intake.
• Programme: Six-month intake running January to June each year.
• Applications are accepted by email for the annual July–December intake.
• Programme: Six-month intake running July to December each year.

• Who can apply: Master 2 or EFB students at French universities.
• Eligibility: Master 2 or EFB students studying international private law or business law at a French university, with strong written and spoken English; an LLM is preferred.
• Academic requirements: Master 2 or EFB student studying international private law and/or business law at a French university. Good written and spoken English is compulsory; an LLM is preferred.
• Application process: Apply by email to recrutement@hfw.com.
• Disability support: Adjustments may be requested.

Australia - Australian Graduate Programme

Type: Graduate Programme

Location: Australia: Perth

• Programme dates: Twelve-month rotational programme; exact start date is vacancy specific.
• Duration: 12 months
• Status: variable

Published application and programme dates

• Programme: Twelve-month rotational programme; exact start date is vacancy specific.

• Who can apply: Law graduates meeting local admission requirements
• Eligibility: local eligibility required: true office: Perth
• Academic requirements: Australian clerkship or graduate eligibility and local admission requirements apply.
• Application process: Application Assessment or interview Offer Online application Selection and interview Offer
• Assessments: Application review Interview or office-specific assessment
• Progression: Graduate development and potential continuing role.
• Funding: No exact salary is published on the standing page. exact amount published: false paid role: true
• Right to work: Australian right-to-work, clerkship and admission requirements apply.
• Disability support: Adjustments may be requested from the Australian recruitment team.

United Kingdom - HFW Trainee Open Day 2026

Type: Open Day / Event

Location: United Kingdom: London

• Application timing: Registration is available through the event page.
• Programme dates: 2 December 2026.
• Duration: Event specific
• Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

• Registration is available through the event page.
• Programme: 2 December 2026.

• Who can apply: Prospective applicants interested in HFW London Open Days.
• Academic requirements: Programme-specific eligibility applies.
• Application process: Application or registration Selection Participation Review the official HFW early-careers page Apply through the relevant live opportunity Eligibility or capacity review Attend or complete the programme
• Assessments: No general employment assessment is published for this route.
• Progression: Supports future early-careers applications.
• Funding: Financial support is not published on the standing page. exact financial support published: false
• Right to work: The live opportunity controls any right-to-work requirement.
• Disability support: Alternative formats and adjustments may be requested.

Hong Kong - Hong Kong Training Contract 2029

Type: Training Contract

Location: Hong Kong: Hong Kong

• Application timing: Applications are accepted by email for the 2029 intake.
• Programme dates: Two-year Hong Kong training contract beginning in 2029.
• Duration: Two years
• Status: rolling

Published application and programme dates

• Applications are accepted by email for the 2029 intake.
• Programme: Two-year Hong Kong training contract beginning in 2029.

• Who can apply: Students meeting Hong Kong trainee-solicitor requirements
• Eligibility: Candidates should demonstrate strong academics, analytical ability, enthusiasm and an interest in law and commerce. Mandarin is desirable.
• Academic requirements: Strong academics and analytical skills, enthusiasm and a passion for law and commerce. Mandarin is desirable but not essential.
• Application process: Email a CV, covering letter, university transcript, HKDSE or IB certificate and supporting documents to hk.graduates@hfw.com.
• Assessments: Application review and interview; vacation-scheme performance is considered where applicable.
• Progression: Qualification as a Hong Kong solicitor.
• Funding: Competitive salary and a contribution towards PCLL studies.
• Right to work: Hong Kong visa, right-to-work and professional training requirements apply.
• Disability support: Adjustments may be requested.

Hong Kong - Hong Kong Winter Vacation Scheme

Type: Vacation Scheme

Location: Hong Kong: Hong Kong

• Closing date: 2026-10-31 Asia/Hong_Kong
• Application timing: Applications close 31 October 2026.
• Programme dates: 4 to 15 January 2027.
• Duration: 2 weeks
• Status: open

Published application and programme dates

• Applications close 31 October 2026.
• Programme: 4 to 15 January 2027.

• Who can apply: Eligible students including first-year JD students
• Eligibility: first year jd students may apply: true mandarin desirable not essential: true
• Academic requirements: Strong academics and analytical skills, enthusiasm and a passion for law and commerce. Mandarin is desirable but not essential.
• Application process: Document application Screening Interview Offer CV Covering letter University transcript HKDSE or IB certificate Supporting documents Screening and shortlist Interview
• Assessments: Application review Interview Vacation Scheme performance where applicable
• Progression: Guaranteed interview for the Hong Kong Training Contract.
• Funding: Vacation Scheme students receive a guaranteed Training Contract interview.
• Right to work: Applicants must have the right to work in Hong Kong. HFW does not sponsor visas for the vacation scheme.
• Disability support: Adjustments may be requested.

United Kingdom - Solicitor Apprenticeship

Type: Apprenticeship

Location: United Kingdom: London

• Closing date: 2027-01-14 23:59:00 Europe/London
• Application timing: Applications close on 14 January 2027 at 11:59pm UK time; HFW has not published an exact opening day.
• Programme dates: August or September start; six-year programme.
• Duration: 6 years
• Places: 2 apprentices each year
• Status: open

Published application and programme dates

• Applications close on 14 January 2027 at 11:59pm UK time; HFW has not published an exact opening day.
• Programme: August or September start; six-year programme.

• Who can apply: Year 13 school leavers meeting the published academic requirements
• Eligibility: a level requirement: BBB or 120 UCAS points ib requirement: 32 points minimum gcses: 7 including Maths and English at C/4 or above mitigating circumstances considered: true second year undergraduate not eligible: true year 13: true
• Academic requirements: Year 13 student due to complete A Levels by the summer of the start year; seven GCSEs including Maths and English at grade C/4 or above; BBB or 120 UCAS points, 32 IB points or equivalent. Applications are considered holistically and mitigating circumstances are considered. Applicants who have commenced the second year of an undergraduate degree are not eligible.
• Application process: Application form Virtual assessment centre HR interview Associate interview Offer Online application Half-day virtual assessment centre Written values-based exercise Group exercise Watson Glaser Competency-based HR interview Final interview with two Associates or Senior Associates
• Assessments: Written exercise Group decision exercise Watson Glaser Competency-based HR interview Commercial and motivation questions at final Associate interview
• Progression: Qualification as a solicitor.
• Funding: HFW funds the University of Law LLB and SQE route while the apprentice is employed. llb funded: true provider: University of Law sqe part 1 and 2 funded: true starting salary: 27000
• Right to work: UK right-to-work and apprenticeship-funding eligibility apply.
• Disability support: Alternative formats and recruitment adjustments may be requested.

United Kingdom - Spring Vacation Scheme

Type: Vacation Scheme

Location: United Kingdom: London

• Closing date: 2027-01-07 23:59:00 Europe/London
• Application timing: Applications close on 7 January 2027 at 11:59 pm UK time.
• Programme dates: Spring and summer Vacation Schemes run in 2027; the successful applicant’s scheme dates are confirmed during recruitment.
• Duration: 1 or 2 weeks depending on the live scheme
• Status: open

Published application and programme dates

• Applications close on 7 January 2027 at 11:59 pm UK time.
• Programme: Spring and summer Vacation Schemes run in 2027; the successful applicant’s scheme dates are confirmed during recruitment.

• Who can apply: Penultimate-year law, final-year law and non-law students and graduates
• Eligibility: final year law: true final year non law: true graduates: true penultimate year law: true
• Academic requirements: Open to penultimate-year law students, final-year law and non-law students and graduates. HFW seeks strong academics and analytical skills, enthusiasm and a passion for law and commerce.
• Application process: Application form Virtual assessment centre Scheme offer Vacation Scheme Partner interview Training Contract decision Online application Virtual assessment centre Written exercise Commercial group exercise Watson Glaser test Associate interview Vacation Scheme Final Partner interview
• Assessments: Written client-advice exercise Commercial group exercise Watson Glaser Associate interview One-hour negotiation exercise Short commercial research project Final Partner interview
• Progression: Potential London Training Contract offer.
• Right to work: Applicants must have permission to participate in the UK scheme.
• Disability support: Adjustments and alternative formats may be requested.