What is Training Contract?

A training contract is a period of practical training in a law form for duration of 2 years for law graduates before they can qualify as solicitor in UK. Getting a training contract in law school in India is seen as one of the most attractive and alluring offer. However, the selection process is said to be very tough. Hence, I thought to get cracking with the procedure for selection, with useful tips from Kaushika Vuppala from NUJS, who was sweet enough to respond to all my question and queries about training contract. She will be joining Ashurst this summer.  So, here I’m discussing about the selection process of three leading firms i.e. Allen and Ovary, Linklaters and Ashurst.

Fill in your application

The first step to apply for a training contract is to fill in the application. According to Lauren Dunington application forms are the window to your soul and determine whether you will be able to make to the interview stage. Recruiters get rather bored with the same old, generic responses lifted from form to form so it is important to make yourself standout. If you won an award for mooting at university or achieved the highest A-Level marks in the country, put it on your application.

Process of selection in Allen and Overy

Interview

Allen and overy has a very set format which involves one hour of interview, where your application will be scrutinized. Questions regarding   activities you perform, what kind of events you have organized, obstacles you faced in organizing etc. are generally asked in interview. Apart from that you ought to expect obvious questions such as “Why you want to join our firm”, “What do you expect from your job” etc. Most of the questions are generally asked from your application, so it is advisable to know your application in and out.

Interview is followed by case study. In case study they generally give you Mergers & Acquisition problem. You will be given a set of information about a hypothetical company on the basis of which you have to give advice. Generally problem given is pretty much elaborate and will have several set of question with regard to financial issues, functional problem, legal disputes, environmental issues, contractual issues etc. of the company.

Presentation is important in case study. Your presentation should explain each and every aspect in a simplified way.

Process of selection in Linklaters

Linklaters has a three tier process of selection which involves HR interview followed by critical analysis test. After one hour of critical analysis test, you are interviewed by partners who will ask you questions from corporate- legal world.

It is advisable to do a bit of research and preparation over the interview process and know the partner who is coming to take interview and what area he specializes in, so that you can prepare accordingly. For instance, if the partner who is coming deals with banking issues, it will be preferable if you study a bit more about banking law for the interview.

Process of selection in Ashurst

Ashurst selection is relatively simple. In Ashurst, two partners come and take interview. Since, it is not a hierarchical process, the partners can ask you about anything under the sun including both HR related things and commercial transaction.

The best way to prepare for it, as said earlier is to be thorough with your application, read on commercial matters, and be abreast of recent corporate- legal development. Sites such as lawyer.com etc will help you in keeping yourself up to date with recent legal developments.

You should also have basic knowledge about the firm, deals they are presently involved in. Your awareness about their ongoing business shows your keenness in joining their firm.