- Stages
- 4
- Typical timeline
- 4 to 12 weeks
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Format
- Application, online tests, assessment centre, partner interview
Training contract interviews, often via a vacation scheme or assessment centre, test commercial awareness, motivation, legal reasoning and teamwork. Expect questions on why law, why this firm and why commercial law, a discussion of a recent business or legal news story, written exercises such as a letter or memo, case studies, group exercises and partner interviews. Firms look for clear, accurate writing, genuine interest in their clients and practice areas, sound judgement and professionalism.
The interview process, stage by stage
- ApplicationWritten answers on motivation and experience.
- Online testsCritical thinking, situational judgement or video interview.
- Assessment centreCase study, written exercise and group task.
- Partner interviewMotivation, commercial awareness and fit.
How you're scored
Understands business and clients' issues.
Credible reasons for law and this firm.
Clear, accurate reasoning and drafting.
Teamwork, judgement and client focus.
Likely Trainee Solicitor interview questions
Why do you want to be a commercial lawyer?
A strong answer includes: Specific reasons grounded in experiences such as work experience, with understanding of the work.
Tell me about a commercial story you've followed.
A strong answer includes: The facts, business implications, legal issues it raises and your view.
Why this firm over its competitors?
A strong answer includes: Specific, researched differences linked to your interests.
Every question for this interview, with what strong answers include. Free with an account for the first few; all of them with Pro.
Common mistakes
- Generic 'why this firm' answers
- Shallow commercial awareness
- Errors in written exercises
- Dominating or disappearing in group tasks
Questions to ask them
- How are seats allocated?
- How much client contact do trainees get?
- What support is there for the SQE?
- Which practice areas are growing?
Candidate experiences
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Share your interviewFrequently asked questions
What is asked in a training contract interview?
Why law and why commercial law, why this firm, a commercial news story you've followed, competency questions on teamwork and resilience, a case study or written exercise, and questions about the firm's clients and practice areas.
How do I show commercial awareness in a law interview?
Follow a few business stories in depth, understand how they affect the firm's clients and what legal work they might create, and give a reasoned view. Depth beats breadth.
How do I answer 'why this firm'?
Use specific reasons such as practice strengths, recent deals or cases, training structure and people you've met, and link them to your experience and interests.
What is in a law firm assessment centre?
Usually a case study or written exercise, a group task, a partner or associate interview and sometimes a presentation or negotiation exercise.