Vacation Scheme - Manchester

Your Route to a Training Contract

Our Vacation Scheme is designed to give you an authentic insight into life as a trainee solicitor at Fieldfisher and is the primary route into a Training Contract commencing in September 2029. The scheme combines real work experience, skills development, networking opportunities and assessment, allowing you to experience first-hand what it is like to work at a leading European law firm. Candidates who perform strongly during the scheme will be invited to attend a Final Partner Interview for a Training Contract offer.

At Fieldfisher, we focus on potential, curiosity and how you learn – not simply what you already know. Our aim is to provide meaningful exposure to commercial law while helping you develop the skills, confidence, and relationships needed for a successful legal career.

What You'll Experience

During the scheme, you will:

• Complete real work within a legal practice area.
• Gain exposure to clients, transactions and international work.
• Attend commercial awareness, skills and development workshops.
• Receive feedback and coaching from supervisors and colleagues.
• Learn about our culture, values and collaborative way of working.
• Build your professional network across lawyers, trainees and business services teams.
• Develop key skills including communication, teamwork, analysis, and commercial awareness.

To apply, you should:

• Be in your penultimate or final year of university (or have already graduated).
• Have achieved a minimum of ABB at A-Level (or equivalent).
• Be on track to achieve, or have achieved a 2:1 in any degree discipline.
• Demonstrate a genuine interest in commercial law.
• Be motivated to pursue a Training Contract at Fieldfisher.
• Be eligible to work in the UK (for the duration of the scheme, we do offer visa support for successful Training Contract candidates).

We recruit individuals with potential and recognise that achievements should be considered within the context of a candidate's personal circumstances. Applications are reviewed holistically, and contextual information is taken into account where appropriate.

Recruitment Process

Stage 1: Online Application

Applications open on 14 September 2026 and close on 6 November 2026.

Stage 2: Online Strength Assessment

All eligible applicants will automatically be invited to complete an online strengths assessment. This assessment helps us understand your natural strengths, preferences, and potential. No legal knowledge or preparation is required.

Stage 3: Video Interview

Successful candidates will be invited to complete a video interview exploring motivation, commercial awareness and interest in Fieldfisher.

Stage 4: Assessment Day

Candidates who pass the video interview will attend an in-person Assessment Day, which will include a team exercise, individual assessment and interview.

Stage 5: Vacation Scheme

Successful candidates will be invited to join our Vacation Scheme in March/April 2027.

Stage 6: Final Stage Interview

At the end of the scheme, participants complete an end-of-scheme appraisal and a final stage interview for Training Contract consideration. Training Contracts will commence: London - September 2029, Birmingham and Manchester - September 2028 or 2029.

Key Dates (Which are subject to change)

Date

Applications Open

14 September 2026

Applications Close

6 November 2026

Online Strength Assessment

Rolling following application

Video Interviews

November 2026 - January 2027

Assessment Days

January 2027

Vacation Scheme

22 March to the 2 April 2027

Final Partner Interviews

Following the Vacation Scheme

Training Contract Start Date

London - September 2029

Birmingham/Manchester - September 2028/29

Accessibility and Inclusion

At Fieldfisher, we are committed to delivering an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience. Accessibility adjustments are available throughout the application process. If there is anything we can do to support you, please let us know as early as possible.

We are guided by the social model of disability and are committed to removing barriers so that everyone has the opportunity to perform at their best.

A Career, Not Just Two Weeks

The Vacation Scheme is designed to help you make an informed decision about a career in commercial law while demonstrating your potential to become a future trainee solicitor at Fieldfisher.

If you are ambitious, collaborative, curious, and excited by solving complex challenges for clients, we would love to hear from you.

At Fieldfisher, people are vital to our success. Our clients choose us for our expertise, our understanding, and our insight. Without the support and fresh perspectives of our Trainees and Apprentices, this would not be possible.

But it’s not just about providing award-winning, cutting edge advice, it’s about our relationships with our clients and with each other – we pride ourselves on our Fieldfisher community. We are a caring, sharing bunch with huge numbers involved in Corporate Responsibility. We promote inclusiveness and diversity, encourage innovation and endorse collegiality every step of the way.

Our offering is unique. Yes, you will get to work with some amazing clients like the BBC or may be seconded to one of our international offices, but you will also work with some incredible people who are industry experts in their field. These are the people who will guide and nurture you and inspire you to achieve great things.

We believe in giving you maximum exposure and a variety of experiences, which is essential if you are to become the lawyer of tomorrow and be a trusted advisor to your clients. We encourage all Fieldfisher employees to bring their real selves to work, so there’s a place for every background, interest, and degree of discipline at our firm. We have a number of programmes and opportunities available for students who are interested in a career in law.

Whether you're at school or University, we have something for you.

With Trainees and Apprentices based in our Birmingham, London, and Manchester offices, we can assure you that you will join a network of hard-working, diligent, and professional employees.