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Watson Farley & Williams

Watson Farley & Williams is an international law firm focused on the energy, infrastructure and transport sectors. Its London early-careers routes include a six-seat Training Contract with a guaranteed international secondment, spring and summer Vacation Schemes, a six-year Solicitor Apprenticeship, Open Days, events and an official self-paced virtual work experience programme.

London, United KingdomOfficial website (opens in new tab)

Firm overview

At a glance

A clear starting point for understanding the firm, its opportunities and the information students should check before applying.

Head office London, United Kingdom
Locations 38 office records
Practice areas 5 listed

Available routes

How can students join?

Student opportunities

Opportunities

Vacation schemes, training contracts, apprenticeships, insight programmes, work experience and other application routes.

United Kingdom - Spring Vacation Scheme

Type: Vacation Scheme

Location: United Kingdom: London

  • Closing date: 2027-01-06 Europe/London
  • Application timing: Applications close on 6 January 2027.
  • Programme dates: Two-week London vacation scheme in spring or summer 2027.
  • Duration: Two weeks
  • Status: open

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications close on 6 January 2027.
  • Programme: Two-week London vacation scheme in spring or summer 2027.
  • Who can apply: Penultimate-year law students, final-year non-law students and graduates.
  • Eligibility: academics: 2:1; ABB or 34 IB; PGDL merit/distinction where applicable study stage: Penultimate-year law, final-year non-law or graduate
  • Academic requirements: 2:1 predicted or obtained; PGDL merit or distinction where applicable; ABB, 34 IB points or equivalent, with circumstances considered.
  • Application process: Application Video interview Assessment centre Offer Two-week scheme Training Contract interview during the scheme Online application Video interview Assessment centre Offer
  • Assessments: Video interview Client-scenario assessment centre Group exercise Drafting and proofreading exercise Training Contract interview during scheme
  • Progression: Automatic consideration for a Training Contract, including a Training Contract interview towards the end of the scheme.
  • Funding: Paid at £450 per week.
  • Disability support: Recruitment adjustments available throughout selection.
View United Kingdom - Spring Vacation Scheme official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Training Contract

Type: Training Contract

Location: United Kingdom: London

  • Applications open: 2026-10-09
  • Closing date: 2027-06-08 Europe/London
  • Application timing: Applications opened 9 October 2026 and close 8 June 2027.
  • Programme dates: Training contract begins in September 2029.
  • Duration: Two years
  • Places: 19 trainees each year
  • Status: open

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications opened 9 October 2026 and close 8 June 2027.
  • Programme: Training contract begins in September 2029.
  • Who can apply: Penultimate-year law students, final-year non-law students, graduates and eligible career changers.
  • Eligibility: Applicants must have enough time to complete the required postgraduate legal studies before September 2029.
  • Academic requirements: A 2:1 degree or equivalent; PGDL merit or distinction where applicable; ABB, 34 IB points or equivalent, with individual circumstances considered.
  • Application process: Online application Video interview Assessment centre Final training-contract interview Offer
  • Assessments: Recorded video interview Client-scenario assessment centre Group exercise Drafting and proofreading exercise Partner and Early Careers interview
  • Progression: Qualifying legal work experience leading toward solicitor qualification, subject to successful completion of all requirements.
  • Funding: First-year salary £51,000; second-year salary £56,000.
  • Right to work: WFW accepts training-contract applications from candidates requiring work permits.
  • Disability support: Recruitment adjustments are available throughout the application and selection process.
View United Kingdom - Training Contract official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

Introduction to Shipping Finance Law

Type: Virtual Experience

  • Application timing: Available on demand; there is no application deadline.
  • Programme dates: Self-paced virtual legal work experience.
  • Duration: Approximately 2–3 hours
  • Places: Unlimited online participation
  • Status: available

Published application and programme dates

  • Available on demand; there is no application deadline.
  • Programme: Self-paced virtual legal work experience.
  • Who can apply: Open to anyone; particularly suitable for Year 13 students and first-year undergraduates.
  • Eligibility: open to: Anyone recommended: Year 13 and first-year undergraduate
  • Application process: Registration Due-diligence and drafting tasks Completion certificate Register on Forage Complete the self-paced shipping-finance modules Receive a completion certificate
  • Progression: Completion certificate that may be added to a CV or application.
  • Funding: Free virtual programme.
  • Right to work: No employment or right-to-work requirement for the online simulation.
  • Disability support: Use Forage accessibility and support routes where required.
View Introduction to Shipping Finance Law official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

United Kingdom - Summer Vacation Scheme

Type: Vacation Scheme

Location: United Kingdom: London

  • Closing date: 2027-01-06 Europe/London
  • Application timing: Applications close on 6 January 2027.
  • Programme dates: Two-week London vacation scheme in spring or summer 2027.
  • Duration: Two weeks
  • Status: open

Published application and programme dates

  • Applications close on 6 January 2027.
  • Programme: Two-week London vacation scheme in spring or summer 2027.
  • Who can apply: Penultimate-year law students, final-year non-law students and graduates.
  • Eligibility: academics: 2:1; ABB or 34 IB; PGDL merit/distinction where applicable study stage: Penultimate-year law, final-year non-law or graduate
  • Academic requirements: 2:1 predicted or obtained; PGDL merit or distinction where applicable; ABB, 34 IB points or equivalent, with circumstances considered.
  • Application process: Application Video interview Assessment centre Offer Two-week scheme Training Contract interview during the scheme Online application Video interview Assessment centre Offer
  • Assessments: Video interview Client-scenario assessment centre Group exercise Drafting and proofreading exercise Training Contract interview during scheme
  • Progression: Automatic consideration for a Training Contract, including a Training Contract interview towards the end of the scheme.
  • Funding: Paid at £450 per week.
  • Disability support: Recruitment adjustments available throughout selection.
View United Kingdom - Summer Vacation Scheme official opportunity page (opens in new tab)

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

Accepts applications from candidates requiring work permits for the Training Contract. For the Solicitor Apprenticeship, applicants must already have been UK-resident for at least 3 years with settled status/a visa covering the full apprenticeship — no sponsorship offered for that route. (Source: earlycareers.wfw.com official FAQ)

View official source for UK visa sponsorship and right to work (opens in new tab)

Areas of work

Practice areas

The legal services and capabilities listed by the firm.

Energy & Infrastructure

Maritime

Core practice since the firm's 1982 founding

Natural Resources

Real Estate

Transport

Offices

Locations

Office locations and the student opportunities available in each location where confirmed.

Career paths

Roles

Early-career routes, legal careers, knowledge and innovation roles, legal support and specialist leadership titles.

Access and inclusion

EDI

Recruitment adjustments, disability support, disability-specific programmes, mentoring, networks, partnerships and wider inclusion work.

Community and legal access

Pro bono

The firm’s published pro bono work, community projects, access-to-justice programmes and official partnerships.

Verified information for this section is being checked.

Firm research

Firm highlights

Published awards, sectors, notable work, clients and other information that helps students understand the firm.

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