FAQs

We hope our FAQs answer any questions you might have! If you still have something on your mind, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can easily contact us by emailing Emma at [email protected].

Applications

Do you prefer candidates to come from a law or non–law degree background?

We welcome applicants from all degree backgrounds, whether you studied law or not. Our trainees come from a wide variety of universities and have studied a range of subjects, so feel free to apply, regardless of your degree!

Should I apply for the vacation scheme or directly for the training contract?

We recruit most of our trainees through our vacation schemes, and we’d love for you to apply so we can get to know you better. However, if you’re unable to join us for a week, you’re welcome to apply directly for the training contract. The process is the same for both.

Which intake should I apply for?

We recruit our training contract intakes two years in advance. For example, if you apply between September 2024 and January 2025, you’ll be applying for the September 2027 intake. This allows you plenty of time to complete your degree, PGDL, and SQE qualifications.

Can I apply for an earlier cohort if I am ready to commence my training earlier?

We usually fill all our trainee spaces each recruitment cycle, so earlier intakes are generally not available. However, if a trainee’s circumstances change, there may be an opportunity to start earlier, which we consider on a case-by-case basis.

If my application is unsuccessful, can I reapply?

Yes! If you’re not successful in applying for the 2025 vacation scheme, you’re more than welcome to reapply for the 2026 scheme.

What does ‘rolling’ and ‘non-rolling’ basis mean?

Rolling basis: applications will be assessed as they are received, we will not wait until after the application deadline to review them.

Non-rolling basis: applications will be assessed after the application deadline has passed.

Open days and events

Do you hold open days?

Yes, we do! We host open days and events at various times throughout the year. Any upcoming events will be advertised here.

Do you attend careers fairs?

Absolutely! We attend a variety of careers events and fairs each year. We don’t target specific universities, as we want to be inclusive to all applicants. While our schedule may vary, we typically attend fairs with the University of Law, BPP, and Legal Cheek.

Sponsorship

Do you offer visa sponsorship?

We offer visa sponsorship for training contracts but not for vacation schemes. If applying for the vacation scheme, please ensure your visa does not limit your working hours during the vacation scheme dates.

PGDL and SQE

Which courses do trainees complete?

Whether you come from a law background or another discipline, we have a clear path laid out for you. For non-law graduates, we'll guide you through the PGDL and the SQE before you begin your training with us. For Law graduates, it’s straight to the SQE. We're proud to sponsor our future trainees for both the PGDL and SQE, and we'll support you with a maintenance grant of £9,000 per year of study.

Please note, if you've already completed the LPC, rest assured, you won't need to take the SQE, thanks to transitional provisions in place until 2032. We're here to support your course applications and registrations, ensuring a smooth transition into your training.

Do you mind where I do the PGDL or SQE?

Forsters is proud to partner exclusively with The University of Law, offering a bespoke SQE LLM programme (SQE1, SQE2 and SQE Plus) crafted specifically for our future trainees. Choose the University of Law location that suits you best; we're flexible because it's about your convenience and comfort as you prepare to join us.

If you’ve already completed your studies before securing a training contract with us, don’t worry if it was at a different institution – we recognise that everyone’s journey is unique.

Do you offer financial assistance?

We're proud to sponsor your journey through the PGDL and/or the SQE. We'll pay for your courses and provide a maintenance grant of £9,000 for each year of study. If you’ve already completed these studies before receiving a training contract offer with us, we don’t sponsor the fees retrospectively.

Future Trainees

How do you stay in touch with future trainees?

We prioritise keeping in touch with our future trainees, to ensure they remain connected with the firm. Here are some of the ways we do this:

• We host a future trainee welcome party at our office, where you can enjoy an evening of food, drinks, and networking with current trainees and the Graduate Recruitment team.
• Our Learning and Development and Knowledge teams create newsletters to keep you updated on firm news and legal insights.
• We share details of virtual D&I events so future trainees can join in and stay engaged.
• We offer future trainees a subscription to the Financial Times to help you stay on top of your commercial awareness.

Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) within Recruitment

How should I raise any extra support requirements I may have?

Forsters' Commitment to Equality and Inclusion:

At Forsters, we're dedicated to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring experience for everyone. We strive to attract a diverse range of candidates and encourage applications from all backgrounds. Our commitment to equal opportunities is unwavering, and we believe that a variety of perspectives enriches our firm and the legal services we provide.

If you require any support or adjustments during the application or hiring process, we're here to assist you. You can include these details in your application form or directly inform the Early Careers team by emailing [email protected]. We understand that each candidate's needs are unique, and we're ready to accommodate them to ensure a fair and supportive recruitment journey.

Join us at Forsters, where your individuality is valued, and your potential is recognised. We're looking forward to welcoming you into a firm where you can thrive and make a difference.

Do you contribute towards expenses to attend open days and assessment days?

Yes, we can cover up to £50 for an open day and £150 for an assessment day. If further assistance is required, please do get in touch to discuss options. The best contact for this is [email protected].

How does Forsters approach diversity and inclusion in the graduate recruitment process?

At Forsters, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our Early Careers strategy. Our team collaborates closely with the firm’s D&I committee and support networks to continually enhance our processes. Here are a few ways we’re making a difference:

• Blind First-Round Interviews: On assessment days, our interviewers don’t see your application form before meeting you, ensuring a fair and unbiased process.
• Contextual Recruitment Tool: We use Rare Recruitment’s contextual tool within our online application to consider your achievements in the context of your personal background. Learn more here.
• MyPlus Consulting Gold Membership: As a gold member of MyPlus Consulting, we focus on inclusive recruitment for candidates with disabilities. More information can be found here.
• Halo Code Membership: We’re members of the Halo Code, supporting a future free from hair discrimination. We encourage you to attend our events and assessments feeling comfortable and confident in your natural hair. Learn more here.
• Disability Confident Certification: We’re certified under the Disability Confident scheme, and we’re committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process. Learn more here. In line with Disability Confident requirements, our minimum criteria for an invitation for interview (assessment day stage) would be steps 1-4 below:
  1. Submit your online application
  2. The Early Careers team review your application for eligibility and quality of response
  3. If invited to progress, record and submit a video interview
  4. Our Graduate Recruitment Panel review the video interview

We’re excited to meet talented candidates from all backgrounds and look forward to welcoming you to Forsters!

Paralegals

Can Forsters paralegals apply for the training contract?

Forsters paralegals are welcome to apply for our training contract. We advise paralegals to apply for the training contract directly, rather than the vacation scheme.

Can Forsters paralegals reapply if unsuccessful?

Forsters paralegals are welcome to apply for the training contract for a maximum of 3 recruitment cycles.

How do I apply for a paralegal role at Forsters?

We will advertise any paralegal vacancies we have on our website and social media channels such as LinkedIn. Applications will go via our recruitment team in HR.

Podcasts

We've collated some of our recent Graduate Recruitment themed podcasts below to help provide further information about life at Forsters, what it's really like training with us, and how to go about completing your application.