Ashfords runs three vacation schemes, all of which occur in June and are held in person. Two of the weeks take place at our Exeter office with the third at our office in Bristol.  It’s important to note when applying for our vacation schemes that the location you wish to attend the scheme is the same location you’d complete your training contract if successful. We also hold standalone assessment centre days as we understand that not everyone has the ability to participate in a vacation scheme.

Second-year law students and third year (and above) non-law students are eligible to apply to our vacation schemes, which have been specifically shaped around the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) to ensure consistent start dates across our cohorts. We also encourage mature students and career changers to apply as well!

For first-year students who are looking to get further information, we’ll be hosting insight days consisting of panel sessions and networking/application tips, which will take in place in March.

We get this question a lot, and I always feel like my answer isn’t what people expect to hear – but the truth is, there are no 'magic' skills or characteristics that we specifically look for in applications. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula for success so my biggest piece of advice would be to just focus on being as authentic as possible. Don’t try to fit into a mould or guess what we want to hear – being genuine and true to yourself is something that really stands out in applications.

At Ashfords, we see diversity and inclusion as key to our success as a firm. One of our partners leads the charge on our diversity initiatives, and we really encourage our trainees to jump in and get involved from day one.

We’re also passionate about social mobility and believe in making the legal profession accessible to everyone. That’s why we offer graduate and solicitor apprenticeship programmes, along with tailored work experience opportunities. Our recruitment process is designed to be fair and straightforward, focusing on candidates’ skills through a clear scoring system. Plus, we use contextual recruitment to consider social mobility factors, which helps to ensure everyone has a fair shot.

We’re proud of the progress we’ve made in fostering diversity and supporting social mobility but we know there’s always more work to be done. We’re committed to continually improving and expanding our efforts, aiming to create an even more inclusive workplace that sets a great example in the legal industry.

One way that candidates not only let themselves down in their applications, but also in interviews, is by failing to provide concrete evidence when discussing their best skills or characteristics. For example, don't just tell us you're a motivated individual – describe how you've demonstrated your motivation in real-life situations. By sharing specific examples of how you've applied your strengths, you can make your claims more credible.

Absolutely! We really value all kinds of experience, whether it's in a law setting or not. There are so many transferable skills you can pick up from non-legal work that will be useful as a trainee. Things like communication, problem solving and time management, whether you've gained them from a customer service job or a leadership role, are all skills that you'll need in the legal world. Even working in fast-paced or high-pressure environments can help you to handle the challenges of a legal career so be sure to tell us about it!

I think a lot of people underestimate just how firm-specific they need to be in their applications. Candidates really should be able to explain what it is about our firm that appeals to them and ties in with their career goals. Generic answers won’t cut it – you need to show that you’ve done your homework and understand what makes our firm unique, whether it’s our focus on a particular sector, our culture or how we approach training and development. We want to know why we’re the right fit for you and showing that level of thought is a must.

This year we’re excited to participate in law fairs in Cardiff, Bristol and Exeter. Our goal is to ensure that anyone interested in Ashfords has the chance to connect with friendly faces and get their questions answered. Whether you chat with one of our trainees or a member of our talent attraction team, we want to provide a welcoming environment where you can learn more about the firm.

Law fairs are fantastic opportunities to make valuable connections and gather information directly from the source. You can gain insights into our firm culture, the type of work we do, and the various career paths available. Plus, it’s a great chance to hear about the experiences of current trainees and get a real sense of what life at Ashfords is like.

Reach out to us! The talent attraction team at Ashfords is incredibly approachable, so taking the initiative to get in touch is a fantastic way to make yourself stand out. Showing genuine interest in the firm by engaging with us is a great way to show enthusiasm. Whether you have specific questions about our practice areas, our culture or the application process, we're always more than happy to help. Don’t hesitate to ask about anything you're curious about – building that connection can make a real difference.

My family and I are currently volunteering to raise a guide dog puppy, a golden retriever and labrador mix called Howie. Thanks to our location in the South West, my favourite days involve taking him to the beach for a run and maybe even a swim if it’s sunny – it’s the perfect way to unwind!