26 November 2026 graduate Q&A session with early careers (online)

Closing date: 20 November 2026 Training contracts Apply here Building the foundations of your legal career At Forsters, we welcome twelve trainees each year onto our two-year training contract. Our six-seat structure gives you exposure to a broad range of practice areas and helps you make an informed decision about where you would like to qualify. In your final seat, you return to the department you will qualify into. This means you will have eight months’ trainee experience in that area overall, giving you a strong foundation as you move into qualification. From day one, trainees are involved in real work. You will draft documents, carry out legal research and work with lawyers across the firm on client matters. As you progress through each seat, you will take on more responsibility, supported by supervisors, mentors and the wider team. Most of our trainees join us through our vacation schemes. You can also meet us at open days, online events and careers fairs to learn more about the firm, our work and the application process. Early careers Solicitor apprenticeships Vacation schemes Training contracts Open days and events Business Services apprenticeships How to apply Follow the link below to make your application online (we do not accept CVs) Apply here Training and seat rotation How it works As a trainee at Forsters, you will complete six four-month seats across a range of practice areas. This structure is designed to give you broad experience of the firm’s work and help you make an informed decision about where to qualify. We want your training contract to give you the best exposure to our work and our clients. The four-month rotations usually include seats in both of our largest practice areas: Commercial Real Estate ( Core CRE ) and Trusts, Tax and Estates ( TTE ). Trainees also gain contentious experience by generally having at least one seat in a contentious practice area (Dispute Resolution, Real Estate Disputes, Family, Employment and Partnership, or Construction Disputes). While we can’t guarantee placements in particular legal groups, we work with you to ensure you have a broad and balanced training experience. To support your transition to a newly qualified role and give you greater experience in your chosen area of expertise, for your sixth seat, you will return to the department where you qualify in, giving you eight months’ experience in that area before qualification. Departments At Forsters, we ensure that every trainee gains a well-rounded experience, which is why you will likely spend time in both Commercial Real Estate ( Core CRE ) and Trusts, Tax and Estates ( TTE ), as well as a contentious seat. This approach is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of our key practice areas and how they interact with other parts of the firm. We know that each trainee has unique preferences, and we take the time to understand your drivers and areas of interest. While we do our best to accommodate individual requests, our seat rotations are ultimately driven by our business needs. Although we cannot promise a seat in a specific team, we do guarantee exposure to a range of areas and will support you in making the most of the opportunities available across the firm. Reviews We ask each trainee to have two reviews during each seat: Mid seat review (at the 2-month mark): This is an informal chat between you and your supervisor. It’s a great chance to reflect on what you’ve achieved so far, identify areas where you’d like more experience, and get valuable feedback to help guide your progress in the second half of your seat. End of seat review (at the 4-month mark): This is a more formal meeting between you, your supervisor, and sometimes a partner. You’ll need to complete a form beforehand, using the Trainee Career Development Framework to guide you. Both reviews play an important role in the Newly Qualified ( NQ ) qualification process. Early Careers Insights: How we hire graduates at Forsters In the first episode of Early Careers Insights, Forsters’ Early Careers Manager, Emma Cooper , and Early Careers Partner, Matthew Evans , take listeners behind the scenes of our graduate recruitment process. Drawing on years of experience assessing applications and interviewing future trainees, they share practical advice for students considering a career in law and explain what they look for in successful candidates. Forsters LLP · Early Careers Insights: How we hire | Graduates Discover the firm At Forsters, we take happiness seriously! Trainees are encouraged to get involved in the wider life of the firm. We offer a range of firm-wide activities, social events and clubs, including football, netball, running, rounders, yoga, choir and book club. You will also have opportunities to attend team events and take part in activities outside your day-to-day work. Forsters for good Application process Entry reqirements A level We look for applicants who have achieved a minimum of ABB at A level. If you completed your education outside the UK and do not have A levels, you can include details of your equivalent qualifications and grades in the application form. We consider all applications individually. If you have not achieved ABB, you are still welcome to apply, as we take mitigating circumstances into account. The application form includes space for you to provide these details. Degree Candidates should have gained, or expect to gain, a 2:1 or higher degree classification. We recruit from a broad range of degree backgrounds and welcome both graduate and undergraduate applications. Our trainees have attended a variety of universities and studied a range of subjects. We consider all applications individually. If you have not achieved a 2:1, you are still welcome to apply, as we take mitigating circumstances into account. The application form includes space for you to provide these details. When to apply Vacation schemes and training contract The earliest we can accept an application from non-law students is in their final year. The earliest we can accept an application from law students in their penultimate year. Applicants from all universities are welcome. For graduates, we welcome applicants from all degree subjects and career changers, regardless of how long it’s been since you graduated. We typically bring our trainees on board through our vacation schemes to spend a week with us so we can get to know you better. However, if you’re unable to participate in a vacation scheme, you’re also welcome to apply directly for the training contract. We kindly ask that you choose between these options, as we can only accept one application. Open days and trainee application Q&A with early careers We encourage you to apply for an open day before submitting a vacation scheme application to come to the office and hear more about the work we do. All our open days offer the same content and opportunities, so please apply to just one per cycle. The eligibility requirements are the same as those for our vacation schemes and training contract. First year insight day This opportunity is designed for students who are still studying and not yet eligible to apply for vacation schemes and training contracts. If you are studying law, you must be in your first year of a 3-year degree, or second year of a 4-year degree. If you are studying a non-law degree, you must be in your second year of a 3-year degree, or third year of a 4-year degree. The day is designed to provide early insight to candidates who can apply for the vacation schemes and training contracts the following year. What we look for We look for candidates with strong intellectual ability, sound judgement and a genuine interest in a career at Forsters. We value individuals who are collaborative, personable and motivated, and who demonstrate an understanding of what distinguishes our firm and the work we do. Every application is reviewed b