Am I eligible to apply?

Anyone who is at least in their second year of their law degree, or at least third year non-law degree is eligible to apply for either a Summer Scheme or standalone Assessment Centre day. If you are completing a 4-year law degree, you must also be in your third year to apply. These requirements are in place to ensure that you have enough time to complete your post-graduate studies prior to commencing your training contract. Unfortunately, we cannot currently provide sponsorship for those who do not have legal right to work in the UK, however, this is kept under constant review.

We will only accept applications through this link. Any applications sent to us via any other channels will not be considered.

Can I apply for more than one scheme, or multiple locations?

No. Please only apply for either a Summer Scheme or Assessment Centre Day in either Exeter or Bristol. Multiple applications for different schemes will not be considered. Please note that you should only apply to the location where you would intend to train if you were to be successful in your application.

When do the schemes take place?

Our 2025 campaign will take place in June and July 2025, with our Exeter Summer Schemes taking place between the 2-6 and 9-13 June, and Bristol 23-27 June. Our standalone Assessment Days will take place on 1 July in Exeter and 3 July in Bristol.

Do Ashfords offer cover for expenses?

Yes. We will cover up to £250 for travel and accommodation expenses. If you are successful in your application, we will cover this in more detail.

What happens during the Summer Scheme?

Our Summer Scheme runs over five days and immerses you into life at Ashfords. You’ll sit in three different departments during the week, with your Assessment Centre day taking place on either Wednesday or Thursday. The week will culminate with a series of workshops and activities, before ending with a networking lunch. Please note that by applying for a place on a summer scheme, you must be in a position to commence a Training Contract with the firm from 2027.

When will I hear back about my application?

We do not respond to any applications until the deadline has passed on 31 March 2025.

How can I find out more about Ashfords Trainee Recruitment?

In addition to the information above, there’s loads of helpful information on our Early Careers page. You can also find us at Exeter, Bristol and Cardiff Law Fairs, along with various events with our trainee recruitment partners including Legal Cheek and All About Law. For details of upcoming events, follow us on LinkedIn!

The Application Process

Application form

The first step is to complete our online application form, either for one of our Summer Schemes or a standalone Assessment Centre. The application form provides us with basic information about your qualifications and work experience. You will also be asked some questions to elaborate on your skills and experience. All of this information will help us decide if you show the potential to be an Ashfords trainee.

Start your application form

Critical thinking test

If your application is shortlisted, you will be asked to complete a Critical Thinking exercise and we will use these scores, in conjunction with your application, to determine whether you will be offered a place on a Summer Scheme or Assessment Centre.

Summer Scheme

If you would like to find out what really makes Ashfords a great place to train, why not apply for our Bristol or Exeter Summer Scheme?

Spending a week at either our Exeter or Bristol office, you will have the opportunity to meet our people and get a taste of some challenging yet rewarding trainee work, across three different departments. During the week, you will have the opportunity to secure a Training Contract with the firm by participating in an assessment centre. To round things off, on the final day you will participate in a range of workshops, activities and a networking lunch.

Remember, a great lawyer is more than just A*s!

Yes, good academics are important, but they’re not everything! Throughout our process, we’re looking for you to demonstrate some other really important skills. Excellent communication and attention to detail are a given, so to really stand out from the crowd, we want you to show us a commercial mindset, adaptability, creative thinking and the ability to form insights and solutions in response to a given situation or challenge.

Above all, we value authenticity. Throughout our application process, we want to get to know you as an individual and, in doing so, understand the unique contribution you can make to our business.

Dates for your diary

Summer Schemes

Exeter summer scheme 1: Monday 2 - Friday 6 June 2025

Exeter summer scheme 2: Monday 9 - Friday 13 June 2025

Bristol: Monday 23 June - Friday 27 June 2025

Assessment centres

Bristol: Tuesday 1 July 2025

Exeter: Thursday 3 July 2025

Contact us

If you have any queries, or if you are interested in finding out more about training at Ashfords, please click below to contact our Trainee Recruitment team.

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