Become a trainee solicitor
Training Contract
Qualify as a solicitor with two-years of exceptional training to kick-start your career in law.
At Bird & Bird, your two-year training contract will give you two years of Qualifying Work Experience (QWE). The two-year training programme will commence after university and the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE) to develop practical skills and legal knowledge. You'll experience four 'seats' in different practice areas for six-months each. You'll be supervised by experts in their field and work for stimulating clients across a range of sectors. After the end of the training contract, you'll be a qualified solicitor.
To become a trainee solicitor at Bird & Bird, you can apply by attending a vacation scheme.
Your route to qualification
Prior to admission to the Roll of Solicitors, all aspiring solicitors qualifying through the Solicitors Qualifying Examinations (SQE) route must:
- have a UK awarded degree or equivalent Level 6 qualification;
- pass both stages of the SQE assessment (SQE1 and SQE2);
- undertake two years’ full time (or equivalent) Qualifying Work Experience (QWE); and
- pass the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) character and suitability requirements.
While the SRA no longer requires aspiring solicitors to complete a law degree to be able to qualify, at Bird & Bird we still require all future trainees to either complete a law degree or the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) before commencing the LLM in Legal Practice. We partner with The University of Law to deliver a bespoke SQE training programme prior to your training contract. The SQE1 tests your legal knowledge and the SQE2 which assesses practical legal skills. You must pass each stage of the SQE before progressing onto the next. The SQE+ programme is a tailored experience for our future trainees joining Bird & Bird, designed in collaboration with The University of Law.
For more information on the SQE, visit The University of Law.
See our FAQs for more
Starting your career with us
Your relationship with us starts from the moment you secure your training contract - as a future trainee solicitor. You'll be invited to firm-wide socials, events, and be updated on firm news. Our aim is to ensure your transition into the firm is as smooth as possible. We'll also assign a Trainee Buddy to support you during this period of change, acting as a point of contact from offer letter to qualification.
Prior to starting your first seat, you'll have a comprehensive induction designed by our Learning & Development team, providing you with the basic building blocks for your personal growth and professional success as a trainee solicitor. From practical learning to insight sessions and skill-based workshops, we'll ensure that you're set up for success. We'll introduce you to all areas of the firm, from business services to fee earners, strengthening your understanding of how we operate as one seamless international, sector-focused firm.
Your training programme
At Bird & Bird, your QWE is your training contract. You'll spend time in four different departments for six-months each, known as ‘seats’, giving you a rich learning experience and development opportunities. During each seat, you'll be assigned to a dedicated supervisor who is an associate or partner.
We have eight departments: Corporate, Commercial, Dispute Resolution, Employment, Finance & Financial Regulation, Intellectual Property, Real Estate, and Tax. Within our departments, we have sector and sub-sector specialisms. You'll get exposure to different areas of law whilst working alongside an array of lawyers and clients, as you find the area you want to pursue and qualify into.
You may also experience a client secondment to further your experience by developing your commercial edge by understanding their business from the inside.
Excellence expected, shaped and delivered
Alongside your seat rotations, you'll take part in a tailored Learning & Development Curriculum which will equip you with a broad range of technical and business skills. This programme is led by a mixture of internal and external speakers in a combination of online and in-person sessions. You'll put this learning into context as you rotate around different departments throughout your training contract.
You'll receive regular feedback from your supervisors and the Early Careers team to provide you with the support and guidance fundamental to you excelling in your law career.
From induction to qualification, networking and social events will allow you to immerse you in our friendly, vibrant culture. You can also get involved in pro-bono and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, support the Early Career team with events and mentoring, or get involved in other firm-wide opportunities such as sports teams and our employee networks.
Looking ahead
At the end of your training contract, you'll qualify as a solicitor and each year we hope to retain most of our trainees in newly qualified (NQ) roles across the firm.Message from our Training Principal
I joined Bird & Bird as a trainee back in 2002. The evident care taken by the Early Careers team to ensure a positive experience for prospective trainees, and the warmth and enthusiasm of everyone I met in the process, played a big part in my decision to join the firm. As my career has progressed, that warmth and enthusiasm continue to be central to the firm’s culture and is one of the key reasons I have stayed for so long. It has also been very exciting and rewarding to work in a firm that has always had ambitious plans for its own growth and development, and I’ve really enjoyed working in an Employment team that has gone from a small group of lawyers in a handful of European countries to a truly international practice group with more than 140 lawyers across Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, and seeing our work - and client base - become increasingly international as we’ve grown. When I went through the recruitment process to join Bird & Bird, my first impression was of a firm that really invested in its trainees as the future of the business, and I’m delighted to now be able to contribute to that investment as the firm’s training principal
Alison Dixon Partner
Bird Benefits
Our agile approach to office and remote working enables you to find the right balance to thrive at work. Supporting you, our business and our clients in a flexible way. All Trainee Solicitors can remote work 20% of the time.
Bespoke benefits package for your finance, including 5% pension contribution, group income protection, group life assurance, group critical illness, and will writing.
Equip yourself with a broad range of technical and business skills and progress your deep understanding through our tailored learning and development curriculum.
£47,000 first-year salary, £52,000 second-year salary, and £95,000 newly qualified salary
£10,000 maintenance grant and all fees covered for the PGDL and £15,000 maintenance grant and all fees covered for SQE studies.
Tailor your learning to Bird & Bird with our bespoke SQE+ programme and two-week induction prior to starting your Training Contract.
Opportunity to socialise and study with your cohort before starting your Training Contract, to build your legal network.
Network and socialise with colleagues through our socials and events, immersing yourself in our friendly, vibrant culture.
Health and wellbeing in mind with a benefits package that includes private medical insurance, health assessments, maternity and paternity leave, shared parental leave, adoption leave, gym membership, flu vaccinations, eyecare, and dental insurance.
Flexible benefits package for your lifestyle, including 25 days of paid holiday annually, travel insurance, interest-free season ticket loan, computer loan, cycle to work scheme, and give as you earn charity account.
We know an inclusive culture, alongside a diverse workforce, makes us more innovative and agile.
The ability to connect the dots and leap to inspired solutions can't be underestimated. We believe it’s this pioneering approach that unlocks a world of opportunity. So, we work tirelessly to build a culture that makes it possible – possible for our people, our clients and our communities. We stay curious and work in truly international teams. It's what our clients value and it helps us to be the firm we want to be.
Global D&I UK D&IThe shift to a more sustainable way of doing business needs people who embrace change and spark innovation. We’re up for the challenge, are you?
Sustainability is a core strategic initiative for us – It’s vital to our people, our clients and our planet. We embrace the step change needed to transform our business; not just minimising our environmental impact but, as a global citizen, making a positive contribution towards a more sustainable future.
We believe that technology can be a force for good. Our work with some of the world’s most cutting edge companies gives us first-hand insight into the innovative approaches that create a new blueprint for sustainable living, so where possible we apply this to our own firm too.
We routinely manage our buildings responsibly, consider the impact of business travel, reduce waste and consumption and recycle wherever we can. More importantly, we commit to business decisions that support our sustainability pledges alongside our long-term economic growth strategies.
The ability to help isn't always enough. In today's world, more often than not, what's needed is time. We believe Pro Bono is time well spent.
For us pro bono isn’t an add on. We are passionate about making a positive difference to people’s lives, and giving back to the communities we work within.
We give pro bono our time, consideration, and full expertise. Because our culture is focused on making it possible. Possible for our people, our clients and our communities. We believe we can open up possibilities for individuals and organisations in need, by contributing the time, legal expertise, skills, and resources needed to progress their cause.
It’s all the more satisfying when we can work together, with our clients and other key stakeholders to foster and develop collaborative opportunities that have a greater positive social impact as a result.
We believe in taking an active role in supporting our communities to make a difference.
We’re an outward-looking firm. We're interested in the world, current issues and emerging trends. We work with great clients doing great things. Things that have a real impact on the way the world does business, and how we all live. So, it's not surprising that we also want to have a positive influence by supporting our local communities.
We work alongside our clients to champion initiatives that make an impact on the community around us. Our people dedicate time through volunteering and fundraising, and partner with charities across the world to truly amplify our impact.
Applying to us
If you would like to be considered for a training contract commencing in 2027, you must apply for a 2025 vacation scheme as all vacation scheme participants will be considered for a training contract at the end of the scheme.
We have a small number of spaces in our 2025 and 2026 trainee cohorts. We're unable to consider any applications for these cohorts if you're not eligible to commence a training contract in September 2025 or 2026. Please read the application criteria before you apply. We will not be able to consider deferral requests if you're successful.
Training Contract 2025/2026
Applications open: 19 September 2024
Deadline: 17 October 2024
Spring/Summer Vacation Scheme 2025
Applications open: 19 September 2024
Deadline: 19 December 2024
Spring Vacation Scheme - Monday 31 March to Friday 11 April 2025
Summer Vacation Scheme - Monday 16 June to Friday 27 June 2025
We operate rolling recruitment, which means we screen applications as they are received, rather than after our deadline. We encourage you to apply as early as possible.
To apply for a vacation scheme, you need the right to work in the UK and will need to check the conditions of your visa. If you're successful in securing a training contract after a vacation scheme, we will offer reasonable assistance with obtaining the necessary work permits and visas where required.
Entry requirements
You should have, or expect to have, AAB at A-Level and 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent). We understand that you may not have received the grade you hoped for due to extenuating or mitigating circumstances. Please detail any relevant information in your application for us to take into consideration. We also use a Contextual Recruitment System (CRS) to enable us to recruit people from different backgrounds and help us understand your achievements in the context in which they were gained.
Training Contract 2025
You should be able to start a training contract in September 2025. At the time of submitting your application, you must:
- have graduated with a law degree or graduated with a non-law degree and have completed the PgDL.
- and have completed, or be studying towards, SQE1 and SQE2 (and will have received your SQE2 results before September 2025).
Please note that if your application progresses and you're invited to an assessment centre, this will take place in-person at our London office in late November 2024. Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.
Training Contract 2026
You should be able to start a training contract in September 2026. At the time of submitting your application, you must:
- be in your final year of, or have completed, a law degree or graduated with a non-law degree and are studying or have completed the PgDL.
- and be committed to studying the LLM in Legal Practice, including SQE1 and SQE2 from September 2025.
Please note that if your application progresses and you're invited to an assessment centre, this will take place in-person at our London office in late November 2024. Reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed.
Spring/Summer Vacation Scheme 2025
You should be able to start a training contract in September 2027 or sooner. At the time of submitting your application, you must:
- be in your penultimate year, final year, or have completed a law degree.
- or be in your final year or have completed non-law degree.
- or be studying or have completed the PgDL.
- or be studying or have completed SQE1 and/or SQE2.
Please note that you must be able to attend the entire Spring or Summer Vacation Scheme to be eligible for this opportunity. To apply to our September 2027 cohort, you must apply to a vacation scheme - there is no direct application for this cohort.
Recruitment process
Training Contract
Stage 1 - Online application form
Stage 2 - Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking test
Stage 3 - Telephone interview
Stage 4 - In-person assessment centre
Spring/Summer Vacation Scheme
Stage 1 - Online application form
Stage 2 - Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking test
Stage 3 - Pre-recorded video interview
Stage 4 - Virtual assessment centre
Go to our employability hub, The Nest, to develop your legal skills and commercial awareness, learn about the recruitment process and what we look for in successful candidates, and general advice on navigating your career in law.