At Macfarlanes, we pride ourselves on providing a learning experience that is Meaningfully Different. What sets us apart? Above all, it is our unwavering commitment to the development of our trainees, which is woven into every aspect of life at the firm. We see our trainees as the future of the firm, and we invest accordingly – in your growth, your potential, and your success.

Key information

Scheme dates: September 2028 intake

Salary:

First year salary: £56,000
Second year salary: £61,000
Qualification salary: £140,000

About the scheme

During the two-year Training Programme, you will rotate across four departments, experiencing high-profile deals and being trusted with responsibility from the outset. Our Training Programme combines hands-on experience with first-class education, ensuring you're fully supported from your first day through to qualification and beyond.

It starts with selecting ambitious individuals

We look for a combination of character, drive and intellectual curiosity – these are the qualities that enable you to deliver more for our clients and fulfil your potential when it comes to your career.

Dealing directly with clients

We work with some of the world’s most high-profile organisations and business leaders. Through close partner support, you learn to deal directly with clients and to work on complex transactions.

Providing a breadth of learning

We handle a broad range of matters, from corporate, real estate and litigation to private client. In addition, our work has a substantial international dimension. This means wider exposure for you and greater insight into the issues facing our clients.

Giving the support you need to thrive

We give you all the support you would expect from a leading law firm, along with the benefit of regular reviews and close mentoring from partners.

The Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE)

The firm has partnered with BPP to design a bespoke programme that goes beyond helping you pass SQE assessments.

This year long course includes everything you need to ensure you are fully prepared to work in commercial practice. You complete modules that are bespoke to Macfarlanes. The programme combines classroom and digital learning to embed knowledge and uses business simulation exercises to help you apply your knowledge in realistic practice scenarios. Macfarlanes future trainees are required to pass all SQE exams (including the Macfarlanes Essential for Practice modules) on the first sitting.

Financial support

All elements, including the bespoke Macfarlanes modules, are paid for by the firm. We also continue to provide additional financial assistance in the form of a £18,000 grant during this time.

During your SQE preparation course you also attend regular seminars from the firm, where you hear from partners, associates and trainees in our practice areas. These sessions help build your legal knowledge and inform your seat choices. You are also invited to social events at the firm so you can start building your network before you join us.

If you studied a non-law subject at undergraduate level, you have to complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) at BPP. This will be in the year between receiving your Training Programme offer and starting your studies for the SQE. For those candidates completing the PGDL, you need to achieve a commendation or above on the first sitting. As with the SQE preparation course, the firm covers your fees, and you receive a £13,000 grant.

Induction

Induction marks the start of your Training Programme. During this week you receive training from people across the firm to equip you with everything you need to know before starting your first seat.

Seat rotation

During your Training Programme, you spend four six-month periods, known as seats, in four areas. These seats combine hands-on work with formal lectures and seminars, mostly by partners and senior associates. Many trained at the firm so know exactly what you need to learn.

You have the opportunity to submit your seat preferences every six months, and we do our best to ensure you get to work in the seats that most interest you. In each seat a partner or senior associate supports and supervises you.

Feedback and mentoring

To help gauge your progress, you have mid-seat and end of seat reviews.

We allocate a Partner Principal to you throughout your Training Programme. We also divide trainees into small “constituency” groups. This gives you direct, regular access to your own Trainee Solicitor Committee Partner, who can discuss any issues you may have.

You have two reviews per seat. The mid-seat review takes place around three months into each seat, and you meet with both your Partner Principal and Trainee Solicitor Committee Partner to discuss how your seat is going so far and your development points. The end of seat review takes place in the final few weeks of your seat. All these steps are in place to ensure you feel supported throughout your Training Programme.

You may be surprised how quickly you feel part of the team, and how soon people at all levels know your name and value your contribution.

Who can apply?

We welcome applications from law students in their penultimate year onwards, and non-law students in their final year onwards. Whether you're studying law or another subject, we’re looking for individuals who bring critical thinking, drive, and a strong commercial mindset.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early to avoid missing out.

What to expect: The application process

Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll be invited to complete our immersive online assessment, designed to reflect life at Macfarlanes. You’ll work through scenario-based tasks across our key practice areas: Corporate and M&A, Banking and Finance, Private Client and Litigation and Dispute Resolution. This isn’t just a test; it’s a chance to showcase your judgment, problem-solving, and critical thinking – essential skills for any future Macfarlanes lawyer.

If successful, you’ll progress to the second-stage assessment: a dynamic job simulation where you’ll join a fictional project team and respond to commercial scenarios in real time. It’s your chance to demonstrate how you think, communicate, and collaborate in a setting that closely mirrors what trainee life is really like here. We want to see how you approach real-world challenges, so our advice is simple: be yourself and answer honestly.

Both assessments were designed in collaboration with our lawyers to reflect the kind of work we do and the skills we value most. They’re not just about helping us discover your potential – they also give you an authentic glimpse into what it’s like to be a trainee solicitor at Macfarlanes. That way, you can decide if this is the right career path and firm for you.

To prepare, we recommend exploring the practice questions on Cappfinity’s preparation hubso you can approach the assessments with confidence.

Need support?

If you need support or experience technical issues?Visit the support desk

Questions about the programme? Email us at: earlylegalcareers@macfarlanes.com

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Training Programme 2028