Slaughter and May
Slaughter and May is a leading international law firm with four offices in London, Brussels, Beijing and Hong Kong and more than 1,400 partners and staff worldwide. Its international model combines those offices with independent relationship firms. Vacatory stores every student route separately so that work-experience pay, scholarships, law-school funding, visa rules, application stages and progression routes remain visible.
Firm overview
At a glance
A clear starting point for understanding the firm, its opportunities and the information students should check before applying.
Available routes
How can students join?
Student opportunities
Opportunities
Vacation schemes, training contracts, apprenticeships, insight programmes, work experience and other application routes.
United Kingdom - University events and law fairs
Type: Open Day / Event
Location: United Kingdom
- Programme dates: September–November 2026; exact dates have not yet been published.
- Duration: Event-specific
- Status: upcoming
Published application and programme dates
- Programme: September–November 2026; exact dates have not yet been published.
- Who can apply: Students and graduates exploring legal careers.
- Eligibility: audience: Students and graduates registration: External event-provider rules
- Application process: External registration Register through the named external fair provider
- Assessments: No firm recruitment assessment stated
- Progression: Information and networking before later applications.
- Funding: No pay.
- Right to work: No work permission is required to attend a virtual fair. position: Not applicable to a virtual fair.
- Disability support: Slaughter and May states that recruitment should be barrier-free and invites applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to request adjustments from the relevant recruitment contact.
United Kingdom - Slaughter and May Scholarship Scheme
Type: Scholarship / Bursary
Location: United Kingdom
- Programme dates: Three years of bursary, leadership-development and mentoring support.
- Duration: Three years
- Places: 10 undergraduate scholars per cohort
- Status: unknown
Published application and programme dates
- Programme: Three years of bursary, leadership-development and mentoring support.
- Who can apply: High-potential undergraduates from lower socioeconomic backgrounds participating through Law Springboard.
- Eligibility: linked programme: Law Springboard selection: 10 exceptional undergraduates target group: Lower socioeconomic background
- Application process: Law Springboard eligibility and participation Scholarship selection Access through Law Springboard and upReach Scholarship selection from eligible programme participants
- Assessments: Selection criteria and assessment format are not published on the current firm page
- Progression: University support and development towards legal-career opportunities.
- Funding: £3,000 per year for three years, confirmed by the official launch announcement; current page confirms bursaries and support. bursary gbp per year: 3000 leadership development: true mentoring: true total gbp: 9000 years: 3
- Right to work: No employment right is created by the scholarship itself. position: Not applicable to a scholarship award; university and partner eligibility rules apply.
- Disability support: Slaughter and May states that recruitment should be barrier-free and invites applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to request adjustments from the relevant recruitment contact.
United Kingdom - Solicitor Apprenticeship Programme
Type: Apprenticeship
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Applications open: 2026-10-12
- Closing date: 2027-01-06 Europe/London
- Programme dates: Starts September 2027; exact start date has not yet been published.
- Duration: Six years
- Status: upcoming
Published application and programme dates
- Applications open 2026-10-12; Close 2027-01-06 Europe/London
- Programme: Starts September 2027; exact start date has not yet been published.
- Who can apply: School leavers and applicants who have not completed an undergraduate degree.
- Eligibility: A level: AAB achieved or predicted degree: Must not have completed an undergraduate degree GCSE: Seven at grade 6 or above including Maths and English right to work: Required for full six years
- Academic requirements: Seven GCSEs at grade 6 or above including Maths and English; achieved or predicted AAB at A level. Extenuating circumstances are considered.
- Application process: Online application with GCSE and A-level breakdown, CV and 500-word motivation response Untimed situational judgement test within two days: 15 scenarios, approximately 30–45 minutes Unassessed pre-interview insight event at the London office in February or early March In-person London interview day One-hour written email exercise based on a fictional business Current-affairs article preparation and discussion Partner interview Office tour HR interview Offer
- Assessments: Untimed 15-scenario situational judgement test, approximately 30–45 minutes One-hour written email exercise Current-affairs article discussion Partner interview HR interview
- Progression: LLB, SQE and qualification as a solicitor of England and Wales.
- Funding: £32,000 first-year salary, annual increases, £3,000 sign-on bonus and all study fees paid. annual leave days: 30 first year salary gbp: 32000 interest free loan gbp: Up to 3,000 sign on bonus gbp: 3000 study fees: Paid
- Expenses: Reasonable interview travel expenses reimbursed; advance payment available.
- Travel support: Interview travel reimbursed and may be paid in advance.
- Right to work: Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK for the full six-year programme. available: false position: Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for all six years; no sponsorship promise is published.
- Disability support: Slaughter and May states that recruitment should be barrier-free and invites applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to request adjustments from the relevant recruitment contact.
United Kingdom - Lead in to Law
Type: Access Programme
Location: United Kingdom
- Programme dates: Two-year programme; exact next cohort dates have not yet been published.
- Duration: Two years
- Places: 20 students each year
- Status: unknown
Published application and programme dates
- Programme: Two-year programme; exact next cohort dates have not yet been published.
- Who can apply: Year 12 and Year 13 students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who meet PRIME criteria and are interested in becoming solicitors.
- Eligibility: career interest: Solicitor career criteria: PRIME criteria school year: Year 12 at application target group: Lower socioeconomic background
- Application process: External official partner application Eligibility review Selection Apply through the Rare Lead in to Law page during the annual autumn window Eligibility and selection managed with Rare
- Assessments: Partner-programme selection; exact format is not published on the firm page
- Progression: University application support and preparation for legal-career opportunities.
- Funding: No participant pay or bursary amount is published on the checked firm page. support: Programme support and mentoring; no cash payment published
- Right to work: School and residency eligibility is governed by the partner programme and PRIME criteria. position: Not published; school-programme eligibility is governed by partner criteria.
- Disability support: Slaughter and May states that recruitment should be barrier-free and invites applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to request adjustments from the relevant recruitment contact.
Hong Kong - Summer Vacation Scheme
Type: Vacation Scheme
Location: Hong Kong: Hong Kong
- Application timing: Applications are accepted throughout the year; applicants are encouraged to apply by 31 December 2026 for the 2027 Summer Vacation Scheme. The recommended date is not a hard closing deadline.
- Programme dates: June and July 2027; exact scheme dates are not published.
- Duration: Summer placement
- Status: rolling
Published application and programme dates
- Applications are accepted throughout the year; applicants are encouraged to apply by 31 December 2026 for the 2027 Summer Vacation Scheme. The recommended date is not a hard closing deadline.
- Programme: June and July 2027; exact scheme dates are not published.
- Who can apply: Law and non-law students considering law as a career who have completed at least one year of a first degree.
- Eligibility: degree discipline: Law and non-law study stage: Completed at least one year of a first degree
- Academic requirements: Strong academic record; the Hong Kong careers page does not publish a separate vacation-scheme grade threshold.
- Application process: Application Rolling review Offer Submit application through the Hong Kong careers route Rolling review and offers
- Assessments: Exact current assessment format is not published on the overview page
- Progression: Experience supporting a later Hong Kong Training Contract application; participation is recommended but not mandatory.
- Funding: Pay, travel and accommodation support are not published on the checked page.
- Right to work: Hong Kong immigration and work-authorisation requirements apply; no sponsorship promise is published. position: Not published for the vacation scheme.
- Disability support: Slaughter and May states that recruitment should be barrier-free and invites applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to request adjustments from the relevant recruitment contact.
United Kingdom - Application Q&A events
Type: Open Day / Event
Location: United Kingdom
- Programme dates: From September 2026; exact dates have not yet been published.
- Duration: Virtual or online event; exact duration unpublished
- Status: upcoming
Published application and programme dates
- Programme: From September 2026; exact dates have not yet been published.
- Who can apply: Prospective applicants to early-career opportunities.
- Eligibility: audience: Prospective early-career applicants
- Application process: Registration Register when individual events are published
- Assessments: No recruitment assessment stated
- Progression: Application preparation.
- Funding: Free event; no pay.
- Right to work: No work permission is required to attend a virtual Q&A. position: Not applicable to a virtual information event.
- Disability support: Slaughter and May states that recruitment should be barrier-free and invites applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to request adjustments from the relevant recruitment contact.
United Kingdom - SMBP Work Insight & Skills Experience
Type: Work Experience
Location: United Kingdom
- Programme dates: Work-insight weeks run in June, July or October; exact next dates have not yet been published.
- Duration: Competition plus winner's September 2026 work placement
- Places: One winner; second and third places plus a highly commended entry were announced.
- Status: unknown
Published application and programme dates
- Programme: Work-insight weeks run in June, July or October; exact next dates have not yet been published.
- Who can apply: University students interested in law, business services, innovation and AI.
- Eligibility: discipline: Open across disciplines in the published winner announcement study stage: University student
- Application process: Entry Judging Winner announcement Submit competition entry to the annual brief Judging and shortlisting Winner and runners-up selected
- Assessments: Creativity Originality Commercial awareness Strength and clarity of argument
- Progression: Short work placement in legal innovation; no Training Contract progression promise.
- Funding: £1,000 winner's prize and a September 2026 work placement. winner prize gbp: 1000 winner work placement: September 2026
- Right to work: Any work placement requires appropriate permission to work. position: No sponsorship statement was published for the competition or placement.
- Disability support: Slaughter and May states that recruitment should be barrier-free and invites applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to request adjustments from the relevant recruitment contact.
Hong Kong - Training Contract
Type: Training Contract
Location: Hong Kong: Hong Kong
- Application timing: Applications are accepted throughout the year; applicants are encouraged to apply by 5 July 2027 for the 2029 Training Contract. The recommended date is not a hard closing deadline.
- Programme dates: 2029 intake; exact start date has not yet been published.
- Duration: Two years
- Status: rolling
Published application and programme dates
- Applications are accepted throughout the year; applicants are encouraged to apply by 5 July 2027 for the 2029 Training Contract. The recommended date is not a hard closing deadline.
- Programme: 2029 intake; exact start date has not yet been published.
- Who can apply: Undergraduates and postgraduates seeking the Hong Kong solicitor qualification route.
- Eligibility: academic: Good 2:1 or better and strong pre-university grades degree: Law degree or CPE/GDL before joining professional course: PCLL required references: Academic and another referee
- Academic requirements: Equivalent of three strong A-level grades and a first degree of good 2:1 standard or better; appropriate academic and personal references.
- Application process: Application References Rolling selection Interview or assessment where invited Submit application and references Rolling review and selection Programme-specific interview or assessment; exact current stages not published on the overview page
- Assessments: Exact current assessment format is not published on the overview page
- Progression: Qualification and career as a Hong Kong solicitor.
- Funding: Prospective trainees' PCLL tuition fees and a maintenance allowance are paid, subject to joining and completing the Training Contract; the allowance amount is unpublished. maintenance allowance: Confirmed; amount unpublished PCLL tuition fees: Paid under current policy
- Right to work: Hong Kong programme-specific immigration and professional-admission requirements apply. position: Hong Kong immigration and work-authorisation support is not detailed on the checked overview.
- Disability support: Slaughter and May states that recruitment should be barrier-free and invites applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to request adjustments from the relevant recruitment contact.
United Kingdom - Excellerators
Type: Access Programme
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Programme dates: Four placements across May, July and October; exact next dates have not yet been published.
- Duration: Four placements across the year
- Status: unknown
Published application and programme dates
- Programme: Four placements across May, July and October; exact next dates have not yet been published.
- Who can apply: Students aged 16–18 from lower socioeconomic backgrounds outside London who meet PRIME criteria.
- Eligibility: age: 16–18 criteria: PRIME criteria geography: Outside London target group: Lower socioeconomic background
- Application process: Partner application Eligibility review Selection Apply through the official partner route during the annual March window Eligibility and selection by the partner programme
- Assessments: Exact selection format is not published on the firm page
- Progression: Potential priority for SMBP in-person Work Insight & Skills Experience weeks.
- Funding: No pay amount is published. support: Skills and work insight; no participant pay amount published
- Right to work: Partner eligibility and school participation rules apply. position: Not published; school-programme eligibility is governed by partner criteria.
- Disability support: Slaughter and May states that recruitment should be barrier-free and invites applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to request adjustments from the relevant recruitment contact.
United Kingdom - Spring Forward Programme
Type: Access Programme
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Applications open: 2026-10-05
- Closing date: 2027-01-06 Europe/London
- Programme dates: 5–9 April 2027.
- Duration: One week plus ongoing buddy support
- Status: upcoming
Published application and programme dates
- Applications open 2026-10-05; Close 2027-01-06 Europe/London
- Programme: 5–9 April 2027.
- Who can apply: First-year law students, or second-year law students on a four-year degree, from lower socioeconomic and/or ethnic minority backgrounds.
- Eligibility: degree discipline: Law study stage: First-year law student Second-year law student on a four-year degree target group: Lower socioeconomic and/or ethnic minority backgrounds
- Academic requirements: AAB at A level or equivalent; strong 2:1 degree performance, ideally at least 65% in the majority of modules for each completed academic year. Extenuating circumstances are considered.
- Application process: Online application with personal and academic details CV Programme-specific written questions Manual review by the Early Careers Recruitment Team No test No interview Offer after the application deadline
- Assessments: No test No interview
- Progression: Ongoing support towards Summer Work Experience Scheme and Training Contract applications.
- Funding: £550 per week plus accommodation where relocation is required and a professional-clothing grant where needed. accommodation: Firm-arranged and paid where relocation is required national insurance: Paid by the firm pay gbp per week: 550 professional clothing grant: Available where needed
- Expenses: The weekly payment is intended to cover expenses; accommodation and clothing support may be additional.
- Travel support: Relevant participation expenses are supported where financial constraints would otherwise prevent attendance.
- Accommodation support: Firm assists with arrangements and covers accommodation costs for participants relocating to London.
- Right to work: Applicants without a British or Irish passport must already hold immigration permission that allows work during the programme. available: false position: No visa sponsorship for Spring Forward.
- Disability support: Slaughter and May states that recruitment should be barrier-free and invites applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to request adjustments from the relevant recruitment contact.
United Kingdom - Solicitor Apprenticeship virtual events
Type: Open Day / Event
Location: United Kingdom
- Applications open: 2026-10-12
- Closing date: 2027-01-06 Europe/London
- Programme dates: October–December 2026; exact dates have not yet been published.
- Duration: Virtual event series
- Status: upcoming
Published application and programme dates
- Applications open 2026-10-12; Close 2027-01-06 Europe/London
- Programme: October–December 2026; exact dates have not yet been published.
- Who can apply: Prospective solicitor-apprenticeship applicants; parents and guardians are welcome.
- Eligibility: audience: Prospective solicitor apprentices parents guardians: Welcome
- Application process: Online registration when available Register when individual events are published
- Assessments: No recruitment assessment stated
- Progression: Preparation for the 2027 Solicitor Apprenticeship application.
- Funding: Free virtual event; no pay.
- Right to work: No work permission is required to attend the virtual event. position: Not applicable to a virtual event.
- Disability support: Slaughter and May states that recruitment should be barrier-free and invites applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to request adjustments from the relevant recruitment contact.
United Kingdom - Law Springboard Programme
Type: Access Programme
Location: United Kingdom
- Programme dates: Annual development programme with paid work-experience places; exact next dates have not yet been published.
- Duration: Development programme with a one-week work-experience element for selected participants
- Places: 80 students supported each year; 25 receive one week of paid work experience.
- Status: unknown
Published application and programme dates
- Programme: Annual development programme with paid work-experience places; exact next dates have not yet been published.
- Who can apply: Highly talented undergraduates from lower socioeconomic backgrounds at UK universities.
- Eligibility: partner: upReach study stage: Undergraduate target group: Lower socioeconomic background
- Application process: Partner eligibility and selection One-to-one support Selection of 25 participants for paid work experience Access through the upReach partnership route Programme-specific eligibility and selection
- Assessments: Partner-programme selection; exact format unpublished
- Progression: Work experience and preparation for legal-sector applications.
- Funding: One week of paid work experience is confirmed for 25 students, but the pay rate is not published. annual participants: 80 paid work experience places: 25 pay amount: Unpublished
- Right to work: Any paid placement requires appropriate permission to work; no sponsorship statement is published. position: Not published for the programme.
- Disability support: Slaughter and May states that recruitment should be barrier-free and invites applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to request adjustments from the relevant recruitment contact.
United Kingdom - Virtual presentations
Type: Open Day / Event
Location: United Kingdom
- Programme dates: November 2026; exact dates have not yet been published.
- Duration: Virtual presentation series
- Status: upcoming
Published application and programme dates
- Programme: November 2026; exact dates have not yet been published.
- Who can apply: Prospective early-career applicants.
- Eligibility: audience: Prospective applicants
- Application process: Registration Register when individual presentations are published
- Assessments: No recruitment assessment stated
- Progression: Application preparation.
- Funding: Free virtual event; no pay.
- Right to work: No work permission is required to attend. position: Not applicable to a virtual information event.
- Disability support: Slaughter and May states that recruitment should be barrier-free and invites applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to request adjustments from the relevant recruitment contact.
United Kingdom - 10,000 Black Interns
Type: Internship
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Programme dates: Paid placement route; duration and dates are placement-specific.
- Duration: Placement-specific; a current firm example was six weeks
- Status: unknown
Published application and programme dates
- Programme: Paid placement route; duration and dates are placement-specific.
- Who can apply: Young Black people participating in the 10,000 Black Interns initiative; Slaughter and May does not publish firm-specific eligibility criteria on its current page.
- Application process: Partner-managed application or selection Placement matching Slaughter and May placement Apply or be selected through the 10,000 Black Interns programme Partner-managed matching or selection Slaughter and May placement where applicable
- Progression: Paid work experience and business-services career exploration; no automatic further employment progression is promised.
- Disability support: Applicants may contact the relevant Slaughter and May recruitment team to discuss reasonable adjustments or accessibility support.
United Kingdom - Virtual Insight Afternoons
Type: Open Day / Event
Location: United Kingdom
- Applications open: 2026-08-17
- Application timing: Registration opens 17 August 2026 for the 29 September 2026 event.
- Programme dates: 29 September 2026
- Duration: One virtual afternoon
- Status: upcoming
Published application and programme dates
- Registration opens 17 August 2026 for the 29 September 2026 event.
- Programme: 29 September 2026
- Applications open 2026-09-21
- Programme: 28 October 2026
- Who can apply: Final-year students and graduates.
- Eligibility: degree discipline: Law and non-law study stage: Final-year student Graduate
- Application process: Online registration when the event opens No test No interview
- Assessments: No test No interview
- Progression: Optional later Training Contract application; attendance does not include an interview.
- Funding: No pay or funding is published for this virtual event.
- Right to work: No UK work permission is required merely to attend the virtual event. position: Not applicable to a virtual event.
- Disability support: Slaughter and May states that recruitment should be barrier-free and invites applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to request adjustments from the relevant recruitment contact.
United Kingdom - Summer Work Experience Scheme
Type: Vacation Scheme
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Applications open: 2026-09-01
- Closing date: 2026-12-04 Europe/London
- Programme dates: Summer 2027; exact cohort dates have not yet been published.
- Duration: Three weeks
- Status: upcoming
Published application and programme dates
- Applications open 2026-09-01; Close 2026-12-04 Europe/London
- Programme: Summer 2027; exact cohort dates have not yet been published.
- Who can apply: Penultimate-year non-law students.
- Eligibility: commercial law interest: Must be demonstrated degree discipline: Scheme-specific study stage: Penultimate year of a non-law degree.
- Academic requirements: AAB at A level or equivalent; strong 2:1 degree performance, ideally at least 65% in the majority of modules for each completed academic year. Extenuating circumstances are considered.
- Application process: Online application with personal and academic details CV One-page cover letter, except where programme-specific questions replace it Manual review by the Early Careers Recruitment Team Virtual interview through Microsoft Teams Scheme offer after the application deadline Training Contract interview during the third week of the scheme
- Assessments: Virtual Microsoft Teams interview Supervisor feedback during scheme Training Contract interview in week three
- Progression: Training Contract interview during the third week.
- Funding: £550 per week, accommodation where relocation is required and a professional-clothing grant where needed. accommodation: Firm-arranged and paid where relocation is required national insurance: Paid by the firm pay gbp per week: 550 professional clothing grant: Available where needed
- Expenses: The weekly payment is intended to cover expenses; accommodation and clothing support may be additional.
- Travel support: Relevant interview and participation expenses are reimbursed where needed.
- Accommodation support: Firm assists with arrangements and covers accommodation costs for participants relocating to London.
- Right to work: Applicants without a British or Irish passport must already have immigration permission allowing work outside university term dates where applicable. available: false position: No visa sponsorship for Summer Work Experience Schemes.
- Disability support: Slaughter and May states that recruitment should be barrier-free and invites applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to request adjustments from the relevant recruitment contact.
United Kingdom - Spring Open Days
Type: Open Day / Event
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Applications open: 2026-10-05
- Closing date: 2027-01-06
- Programme dates: 23 March 2027
- Duration: One day
- Status: upcoming
Published application and programme dates
- Applications open 2026-10-05; Close 2027-01-06
- Programme: 23 March 2027
- Programme: 1 April 2027
- Programme: 7 April 2027
- Who can apply: First-year students and second-year students on a four-year degree, from any degree discipline.
- Eligibility: degree discipline: Law and non-law study stage: First year Second year of a four-year degree
- Academic requirements: AAB at A level or equivalent; strong 2:1 degree performance, ideally at least 65% in the majority of modules for each completed academic year. Extenuating circumstances are considered.
- Application process: Online application with personal and academic details CV One-page cover letter, except where programme-specific questions replace it Manual review by the Early Careers Recruitment Team No test No interview Offer after the application deadline
- Assessments: No test No interview
- Progression: Preparation for later Spring Forward, summer work experience or Training Contract applications.
- Funding: Reasonable travel expenses are reimbursed and can be provided in advance. advance funding: Available if needed travel expenses: Reasonable travel reimbursed
- Expenses: Reasonable travel expenses reimbursed.
- Travel support: Reimbursement and advance payment available.
- Right to work: Event-specific attendance requirements apply; no visa sponsorship promise is published. position: No separate sponsorship promise is published for this one-day event.
- Disability support: Slaughter and May states that recruitment should be barrier-free and invites applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to request adjustments from the relevant recruitment contact.
United Kingdom - Articles and Advocate programmes
Type: Access Programme
Location: United Kingdom
- Programme dates: Partner-managed pathway; exact next programme dates have not yet been published by Slaughter and May.
- Duration: Partner-managed
- Status: unknown
Published application and programme dates
- Programme: Partner-managed pathway; exact next programme dates have not yet been published by Slaughter and May.
- Who can apply: Participants in Rare's Articles programme for Black-heritage students and Advocate programme focused on social mobility and ethnicity.
- Application process: Partner-managed selection Programme participation Potential Slaughter and May recruitment opportunity where available Partner-managed eligibility and selection through Rare Participation in Articles or Advocate Potential Slaughter and May work-experience or trainee recruitment activity
- Progression: Slaughter and May states that it has recruited work-experience students and trainee solicitors through these pathways; no automatic progression is promised.
- Disability support: Applicants may contact the relevant Slaughter and May recruitment team to discuss reasonable adjustments or accessibility support.
Explore Law
Type: Virtual Experience
- Programme dates: Self-paced; approximately 4–5 hours.
- Duration: Self-paced
- Status: available
Published application and programme dates
- Programme: Self-paced; approximately 4–5 hours.
- Who can apply: Open to everyone; particularly designed for ages 16–18 and those beginning to explore commercial law.
- Eligibility: access: Open access prior legal knowledge: Not required target age: 16–18
- Application process: Register Complete self-paced tasks Register on Forage Complete four practice-area tasks
- Assessments: Self-paced simulated client tasks; not a recruitment assessment
- Progression: Preparation for school, apprenticeship and university opportunities.
- Funding: Free online programme. access cost: Free
- Right to work: No work authorisation is required to complete the online programme. position: Not applicable to an online open-access programme.
- Disability support: Slaughter and May states that recruitment should be barrier-free and invites applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to request adjustments from the relevant recruitment contact.
Carmel School Hong Kong
Type: School Programme
- Programme dates: Annual half-day Hong Kong office programme plus work placements; exact next dates have not been published.
- Status: no_application
Published application and programme dates
- Programme: Annual half-day Hong Kong office programme plus work placements; exact next dates have not been published.
- Who can apply: Carmel School Hong Kong students aged 16–18.
- Eligibility: Participation is through Slaughter and May’s partnership with Carmel School Hong Kong; no public application route is published.
- Application process: No public application route is published; participation is arranged through the Carmel School Hong Kong partnership.
Hong Kong - Open Days
Type: Open Day / Event
Location: Hong Kong: Hong Kong
- Programme dates: Several open days are held each year; exact next dates have not yet been published.
- Duration: Open day; exact duration unpublished
- Status: unknown
Published application and programme dates
- Programme: Several open days are held each year; exact next dates have not yet been published.
- Who can apply: Students unable to attend a Hong Kong vacation scheme or seeking an introduction to the office.
- Eligibility: audience: Students considering Hong Kong legal careers
- Application process: Registration when dates are published Register when an individual open day is announced
- Assessments: No assessment stated
- Progression: Insight into the Hong Kong office and later applications.
- Funding: No pay or expenses information published.
- Right to work: Attendance and visitor-entry requirements apply. position: Not applicable or not published for a short insight event.
- Disability support: Slaughter and May states that recruitment should be barrier-free and invites applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to request adjustments from the relevant recruitment contact.
United Kingdom - Training Contract
Type: Training Contract
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Applications open: 2026-08-17
- Closing date: 2026-11-13
- Programme dates: September 2029 or March 2030; exact start dates have not yet been published.
- Duration: Two years
- Status: open
Published application and programme dates
- Applications open 2026-08-17; Close 2026-11-13
- Programme: September 2029 or March 2030; exact start dates have not yet been published.
- Applications open in June 2027; exact opening and closing dates are not yet published.
- Who can apply: Law and non-law finalists and graduates; overseas applicants are welcome. Eligible law students have a separate summer application window.
- Eligibility: academic: AAB or equivalent and a strong 2:1, ideally 65% or above in most modules commercial law interest: Must be demonstrated degree discipline: Law and non-law overseas degrees: Accepted; PGDL modules may be required window: Autumn 2026 for finalists and graduates
- Academic requirements: AAB at A level or equivalent; strong 2:1 degree performance, ideally at least 65% in the majority of modules for each completed academic year. Extenuating circumstances are considered.
- Application process: Online application with full academic breakdown, CV and one-page cover letter Early Careers Recruitment review; no automatic academic filtering is described In-person London interview day One-hour written exercise based on a fictional business Approximately 15 minutes to prepare a current-affairs article Partner interview with two partners, or a partner and senior counsel, including article discussion Office tour and unassessed conversation with a trainee Short HR interview and opportunity to ask questions Offer and individual feedback after interview
- Assessments: One-hour written business exercise Current-affairs article discussion Partner or partner-and-senior-counsel interview HR interview
- Progression: Qualification as a solicitor of England and Wales; most trainees remain with the firm on qualification.
- Funding: The firm pays PGDL and CCP fees and provides £12,000 and £20,000 maintenance grants respectively. CCP course fees: Paid CCP maintenance grant gbp: 20000 joining loan gbp: Up to 3,000 interest-free law school hardship loan gbp: Up to 3,000 interest-free PGDL course fees: Paid PGDL maintenance grant gbp: 12000
- Expenses: Reasonable interview travel expenses are reimbursed and may be provided in advance.
- Travel support: Interview travel reimbursed; advance payment available where needed.
- Right to work: Offers are subject to the legal right to work in the UK. Where required, the firm provides Skilled Worker sponsorship and immigration-adviser support. available: true route: Skilled Worker support: Firm sponsorship and immigration-adviser support where a visa is required
- Disability support: Slaughter and May states that recruitment should be barrier-free and invites applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to request adjustments from the relevant recruitment contact.
United Kingdom - Commercial Academy
Type: Graduate Programme
Location: United Kingdom: London
- Programme dates: Next programme dates have not yet been published.
- Duration: Two years
- Status: unknown
Published application and programme dates
- Programme: Next programme dates have not yet been published.
- Who can apply: Graduates seeking careers in Marketing and Communications, Business Development, Legal Operations, Research and Insight, or Knowledge and Learning; not a lawyer qualification route.
- Eligibility: career interest: Business services in the legal sector lawyer route: false
- Application process: Online application Written responses Shortlisting In-person assessment centre Online application with background questions and CV Two written questions Voluntary diversity and equality questionnaire In-person assessment centre on 14 or 16 April 2026
- Assessments: Two written questions In-person assessment centre
- Progression: Business-services career in a selected function; not a solicitor qualification route.
- Funding: Salary and benefits were not published on the checked programme overview.
- Right to work: Applicants must satisfy the vacancy's right-to-work requirements; no sponsorship was offered in the identified posting. available: false position: The identified official recruitment material did not offer visa sponsorship.
- Disability support: Slaughter and May states that recruitment should be barrier-free and invites applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to request adjustments from the relevant recruitment contact.
Commercial Law
Type: Virtual Experience
- Programme dates: Self-paced; approximately 4–5 hours.
- Duration: Self-paced
- Status: available
Published application and programme dates
- Programme: Self-paced; approximately 4–5 hours.
- Who can apply: Open to everyone interested in commercial law.
- Eligibility: access: Open access prior legal knowledge: Not required
- Application process: Register Complete self-paced tasks Register on the official Forage programme Complete self-paced tasks
- Assessments: Self-paced simulated tasks; not a recruitment assessment
- Progression: Supports future applications but does not itself confer an interview or offer.
- Funding: Free online programme. access cost: Free
- Right to work: No work authorisation is required to complete the online programme. position: Not applicable to an online open-access programme.
- Disability support: Slaughter and May states that recruitment should be barrier-free and invites applicants with a disability or long-term health condition to request adjustments from the relevant recruitment contact.
United Kingdom support
UK Visa and Funding
UK qualification funding, maintenance support and published visa-sponsorship or right-to-work information for joining the firm in the United Kingdom.
UK visa sponsorship and right to work
Skilled Worker sponsorship and immigration-adviser support are confirmed for London Training Contracts where required. Summer Work Experience and Spring Forward do not offer visa sponsorship; participants must already hold permission allowing the work. Solicitor Apprenticeship applicants must already have the right to work in the UK for the full six years. Hong Kong routes are subject to programme-specific immigration requirements and no general sponsorship promise was identified.
View official source for UK visa sponsorship and right to work (opens in new tab)
Pay, grants and practical support
Published salaries, scheme pay, education funding, grants, loans and participation support are prominent.
View official source for Pay, grants and practical support (opens in new tab)
London Training Contract and qualification
The two-year multi-specialist route, application windows, assessments, study funding, salaries and visa support are recorded in full.
View official source for London Training Contract and qualification (opens in new tab)
Social mobility, scholarships and access routes
Targeted programmes are kept separate from general inclusion statements.
View official source for Social mobility, scholarships and access routes (opens in new tab)
Areas of work
Practice areas
The legal services and capabilities listed by the firm.
Antitrust / Competition
Students may encounter Antitrust / Competition work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Capital Markets
Students may encounter Capital Markets work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Commercial Contracts
Students may encounter Commercial Contracts work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Construction and Projects
Students may encounter Construction and Projects work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Consumer Protection
Students may encounter Consumer Protection work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Corporate and M&A
Students may encounter Corporate and M&A work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Cyber
Students may encounter Cyber work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Data Privacy
Students may encounter Data Privacy work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Digital Regulation
Students may encounter Digital Regulation work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Disputes
Students may encounter Disputes work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Employment
Students may encounter Employment work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Environmental, Social and Governance
Students may encounter Environmental, Social and Governance work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Financial Institutions Group
Students may encounter Financial Institutions Group work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Financial Regulation
Students may encounter Financial Regulation work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Financing
Students may encounter Financing work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Global Investigations
Students may encounter Global Investigations work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Global Sponsors Group
Students may encounter Global Sponsors Group work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Incentives
Students may encounter Incentives work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Infrastructure and Energy
Students may encounter Infrastructure and Energy work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Insurance
Students may encounter Insurance work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Intellectual Property
Students may encounter Intellectual Property work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Pensions
Students may encounter Pensions work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Real Estate and Projects
Students may encounter Real Estate and Projects work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Restructuring and Insolvency
Students may encounter Restructuring and Insolvency work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Risk
Students may encounter Risk work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Sport
Students may encounter Sport work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Tech and Digital
Students may encounter Tech and Digital work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Tax
Students may encounter Tax work during the multi-specialist Training Contract, apprenticeship rotations, work experience or firm events, subject to seat and matter availability.
Offices
Locations
Office locations and the student opportunities available in each location where confirmed.
United Kingdom, London
Head office
One Bunhill Row, London EC1Y 8YY, United Kingdom
View United Kingdom, London official page (opens in new tab)
Belgium, Brussels
Legal office
Square de Meeûs 40, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
China, Beijing
Legal office
2906-2909 China World Office 2, No.1 Jianguomenwai Avenue, Beijing 100004, People's Republic of China
China, Hong Kong
Legal office (hong kong sar)
47th Floor, Jardine House, One Connaught Place, Central, Hong Kong
Career paths
Roles
Early-career routes, legal careers, knowledge and innovation roles, legal support and specialist leadership titles.
Marketing and Communications Professional
Business-services role in communications, brand and campaigns.
Location: London
View official information for Marketing and Communications Professional (opens in new tab)
Spring Open Day Participant
Early-stage university student attending a one-day insight programme.
Location: London
View official information for Spring Open Day Participant (opens in new tab)
Scholarship Recipient
Undergraduate receiving the Slaughter and May Scholarship Scheme bursary and development support.
Location: United Kingdom
View official information for Scholarship Recipient (opens in new tab)
Commercial Academy Graduate
Graduate rotating through business-services functions in the two-year Commercial Academy.
Location: London
View official information for Commercial Academy Graduate (opens in new tab)
Associate
Qualified lawyer role following admission and training.
Location: London, Brussels, Beijing and Hong Kong
Research and Insight Professional
Professional delivering research, market intelligence and strategic insight.
Location: London
View official information for Research and Insight Professional (opens in new tab)
Business Development Professional
Business-services role supporting clients, markets and growth.
Location: London
View official information for Business Development Professional (opens in new tab)
Knowledge Lawyer
Lawyer specialising in legal knowledge, training and practice development.
Location: London and selected offices
View official information for Knowledge Lawyer (opens in new tab)
Spring Forward Participant
Participant on the paid positive-action Spring Forward programme.
Location: London
View official information for Spring Forward Participant (opens in new tab)
Virtual Insight Participant
Finalist or graduate attending a virtual insight afternoon.
Location: Virtual
View official information for Virtual Insight Participant (opens in new tab)
Excellerators Student
School student on the virtual professions and employability programme.
Location: United Kingdom
View official information for Excellerators Student (opens in new tab)
Legal Operations Professional
Professional supporting efficient legal-service design and delivery.
Location: London
View official information for Legal Operations Professional (opens in new tab)
Solicitor Apprentice
Six-year work-and-study route leading to solicitor qualification.
Location: London
View official information for Solicitor Apprentice (opens in new tab)
Hong Kong Trainee Solicitor
Trainee completing the two-year Hong Kong qualification route.
Location: Hong Kong
View official information for Hong Kong Trainee Solicitor (opens in new tab)
Law Springboard Participant
Undergraduate receiving social-mobility development and application support.
Location: United Kingdom
View official information for Law Springboard Participant (opens in new tab)
Hong Kong Vacation Scheme Student
Student gaining legal work experience in the Hong Kong office.
Location: Hong Kong
View official information for Hong Kong Vacation Scheme Student (opens in new tab)
Partner
Senior lawyer and firm leader advising clients and supervising teams.
Location: International offices
Trainee Solicitor
Early-career lawyer completing the two-year multi-specialist Training Contract.
Location: London
View official information for Trainee Solicitor (opens in new tab)
Summer Work Experience Student
Participant on a paid three-week London Summer Work Experience Scheme.
Location: London
View official information for Summer Work Experience Student (opens in new tab)
Lead in to Law Student
School student on the two-year legal access programme.
Location: United Kingdom
View official information for Lead in to Law Student (opens in new tab)
Knowledge and Learning Professional
Professional supporting knowledge systems, learning and development.
Location: London
View official information for Knowledge and Learning Professional (opens in new tab)
Innovation Professional
Professional developing legal innovation, AI and service-delivery initiatives.
Location: London
View official information for Innovation Professional (opens in new tab)
Senior Counsel
Senior lawyer title involved in client work, supervision and recruitment interviews.
Location: International offices
View official information for Senior Counsel (opens in new tab)
Paralegal
Legal support role assisting lawyers and matters.
Location: London and selected offices
Access and inclusion
EDI
Recruitment adjustments, disability support, disability-specific programmes, mentoring, networks, partnerships and wider inclusion work.
Spring Forward
Paid one-week positive-action work experience for eligible first-year law students from lower socioeconomic and/or ethnic minority backgrounds.
Lead in to Law
Two-year Year 12–13 development programme with Rare, mentoring, university support and work insight for students meeting PRIME criteria.
Excellerators
Virtual school work-insight programme delivered with Futures for All, with possible priority for SMBP in-person experiences.
Law Springboard
Partnership with upReach providing personalised support, insight, skills, mentoring and paid work experience.
Slaughter and May Scholarship Scheme
Bursary, leadership development and mentoring for undergraduates from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.
View official source for Slaughter and May Scholarship Scheme (opens in new tab)
Empowered
Disability and health network for visible and hidden disabilities, neurodiversity, long-term health conditions, carers and allies.
PRISM
LGBTQ+ network supporting community, recruitment and client relationships.
DIVERSE
Firm-wide network celebrating social, racial and ethnic diversity.
GEN
Gender Equality Network promoting equal opportunities for people of all gender identities.
SoMo Network
Firm-wide social-mobility network supporting recruitment, community and advocacy activity.
Rare Contextual Recruitment System
Contextual recruitment across early careers places grades and achievements in social and educational context.
View official source for Rare Contextual Recruitment System (opens in new tab)
Social mobility targets
The firm states that it was the first major law firm to publish socioeconomic-background targets.
View official source for Social mobility targets (opens in new tab)
Recruitment adjustments
The firm states that its early-careers recruitment processes should be barrier-free and inclusive.
View official source for Recruitment adjustments (opens in new tab)
Extenuating-circumstances disclosure
Application forms provide space to explain extenuating circumstances, including disability or long-term health conditions that materially affected results.
View official source for Extenuating-circumstances disclosure (opens in new tab)
Interview access and financial expenses
Reasonable interview travel expenses are reimbursed and funds can be provided in advance where financial constraints would otherwise prevent attendance.
View official source for Interview access and financial expenses (opens in new tab)
Work-experience accommodation and clothing support
Paid work-experience participants relocating to London can receive firm-arranged accommodation, while a professional-clothing grant is available where required.
View official source for Work-experience accommodation and clothing support (opens in new tab)
Empowered disability and health network
Empowered represents colleagues with visible and hidden disabilities, neurodiversity, long-term health conditions, carers and allies.
View official source for Empowered disability and health network (opens in new tab)
Disability-specific student programme audit
No current official disability-only internship, scholarship, mentoring route or recruitment pathway was identified in the official student pages checked on 29 July 2026.
View official source for Disability-specific student programme audit (opens in new tab)
Community and legal access
Pro bono
The firm’s published pro bono work, community projects, access-to-justice programmes and official partnerships.
Pro bono programme
Legal assistance for charities, non-profits and individuals across reducing inequalities, climate and the environment, and access to justice.
View official source for Pro bono programme (opens in new tab)
Islington Law Centre partnership
Financial and volunteer support for weekly legal clinics advising local residents on housing, consumer and related issues.
View official source for Islington Law Centre partnership (opens in new tab)
Domestic Abuse Response Alliance
Cross-sector legal support for victims and survivors of domestic abuse.
View official source for Domestic Abuse Response Alliance (opens in new tab)
Supporting people out of homelessness
Real-estate legal advice supporting organisations that help people move out of homelessness.
View official source for Supporting people out of homelessness (opens in new tab)
Climate and green-economy support
Pro bono support on climate change, environmental research and transition to a green economy.
View official source for Climate and green-economy support (opens in new tab)
Charity legal toolkit and webinars
Free legal toolkit and legal-essentials webinars answering common questions for charity professionals.
View official source for Charity legal toolkit and webinars (opens in new tab)
Firm research
Firm highlights
Published awards, sectors, notable work, clients and other information that helps students understand the firm.
Chambers & Partners UK 2026 rankings
The firm published recognition across the Chambers UK 2026 guide.
View official source for Chambers & Partners UK 2026 rankings (opens in new tab)
Social Mobility Foundation Top Employer Index — eighth consecutive year
The firm announced inclusion in the index for the eighth consecutive year.
Pensions Litigation Firm of the Year
Slaughter and May published that it was named Pensions Litigation Firm of the Year.
View official source for Pensions Litigation Firm of the Year (opens in new tab)
Best International Law Firm in China Business Law Awards 2025
The firm published recognition as Best International Law Firm.
Three China Business Law Journal Awards
The firm published three China Business Law Journal Awards in April 2025.
View official source for Three China Business Law Journal Awards (opens in new tab)
M&A Deal of the Year and Africa M&A Team of the Year
The firm published both M&A Deal of the Year and Africa M&A Team of the Year recognition.
View official source for M&A Deal of the Year and Africa M&A Team of the Year (opens in new tab)
Empower Role Models 2025
The early-careers inclusion page records five lawyers in the 2025 Empower Role Models lists.
View official source for Empower Role Models 2025 (opens in new tab)
Top 75 Social Mobility Employer Index — fifth place
The firm's recognition page records fifth place in the 2024 index.
View official source for Top 75 Social Mobility Employer Index — fifth place (opens in new tab)
Co-title partnership with Netcompany
Advising the cycling team on its new co-title partnership with Netcompany.
View official source for Co-title partnership with Netcompany (opens in new tab)
Investment in Salto Systems
Advising Inflexion on its investment in Salto Systems.
View official source for Investment in Salto Systems (opens in new tab)
Sale of Catalyst Technologies business
Advising Johnson Matthey on completion of the sale of its Catalyst Technologies business.
View official source for Sale of Catalyst Technologies business (opens in new tab)
€500m tier 2 debt issuance
Advising Athora on its €500m tier 2 debt issuance.
View official source for €500m tier 2 debt issuance (opens in new tab)
Recommended cash acquisition by ABB Ltd
Advising Rotork on the recommended cash acquisition by ABB.
View official source for Recommended cash acquisition by ABB Ltd (opens in new tab)
75m investment
Advising Paymentology on a
Paris data-centre joint venture with Pure DC
Advising SEGRO on a joint venture to develop a fully fitted data centre in Paris.
View official source for Paris data-centre joint venture with Pure DC (opens in new tab)
EMTN programme and inaugural issuance
Advising Rolls-Royce on re-establishing its EMTN programme and inaugural issuance.
View official source for EMTN programme and inaugural issuance (opens in new tab)
Official firm platforms
Links & Socials
Verified official websites, careers and application platforms, office directories and social-media accounts.
Official Slaughter and May website
Official global website.
Our firm
Official firm overview, values and headcount.
Contact and offices
Official directory for London, Brussels, Beijing and Hong Kong.
Legal and regulatory information
Official legal and regulatory office information.
Careers
Official careers landing page.
Early careers
Official London legal early-careers site.
Apply
Official application windows and eligibility.
Application FAQs
Official eligibility, visa, pay and interview FAQs.
Graduate application system
Official vacancy and application portal.
Training Contract
Official London Training Contract overview.
Salary, funding and benefits
Official trainee, NQ and law-school funding details.
Work experience opportunities
Official student work-experience directory.
Work experience FAQs
Official scheme eligibility, pay and support FAQs.
School students
Official Lead in to Law, Excellerators and Explore Law information.
Solicitor Apprenticeship
Official six-year apprenticeship information.
Meet us
Official university, virtual and application events.
Hong Kong careers
Official Hong Kong Training Contract, vacation schemes and open days.
Commercial Academy
Official business-services graduate academy.
Commercial Academy structure
Official two-year rotation structure.
Commercial Academy eligibility
Official eligibility and right-to-work requirements.
Graduate training programmes
Official business-services graduate routes.
Law Springboard and social mobility
Official Law Springboard and Scholarship overview.
Visit Law Springboard and social mobility (opens in new tab)
Scholarship Scheme
Official current Scholarship Scheme overview.
Scholarship launch and amount
Official £3,000-per-year scholarship announcement.
London office
Official London office page.
Brussels office
Official Brussels office page.
Beijing office
Official Beijing office page.
Hong Kong office
Official Hong Kong office page.
Global working
Official international model and relationship-firm information.
Responsible business
Official responsible-business hub.
Diversity and inclusion
Official early-careers inclusion information.
Official LinkedIn page.