London Winter Vacation Scheme 2026

We recruit all of our future trainees from our vacation schemes. An application for a vacation scheme therefore also constitutes an application for a training contract.

We offer places on our schemes to penultimate year law undergraduates, all final year undergraduates (both law and non-law), all graduates, post-graduates, and career changers.

Vacation Scheme students sit within our different practices doing real work for our lawyers, including research, drafting, attending meetings and training sessions.

Before you begin your vacation scheme, we will ask for your practice area preferences and try to place you in your chosen groups.

You will be allocated a supervisor (an associate or partner), and a trainee buddy, and will receive work from people at all levels from across the group. Social events are also an important part of Dechert’s vacation schemes, as they enable you to build relationships with Dechert trainees, associates, and partners.

Please only apply for a vacation scheme if you are eligible to start your Training Contract in September 2028 or September 2029.

Academic Criteria

Our recruits almost invariably have exceptional academic grades, generally at least AAB (or equivalent) in their A-levels (or equivalent), and have graduated with, or are on course for a 2.1 or first.

If you have mitigating circumstances which mean you did not achieve these grades, there is space for you to include details of this within the application form.

Application deadline:
Friday, 16 October 2026 at 22:59 (UTC)
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