If you are interested in a career in law, it is a good time now to do some research and preparation. Vacation schemes for next summer tend to close around January/February, but the few winter schemes available are closing already. Similarly barristers who offer mini-pupillages in the summer are taking applications now, with closing dates around January/February.

Law firms will offer many of their training contracts/pupillages to students who completed vacation schemes with them, as they have already seen their work, so it is important to target employers which you genuinely would apply to for a training contract.

Books like the Pupillages Handbook published by gti, and The Training Contract & Pupillage Handbook 2009 are a good place to start, explaining everything from application technique to interviews for both work placements and training contracts. Most importantly they contain an employers guide, giving an overview of lots of firms and their specialisms, so you can shortlist those that best match your interests.

You may then wish to cross-reference these with a book like The Lex 100 which gives an insider’s view of the work culture and experiences of trainees. See also http://www.lex100.com/.

And of course you must read the firm’s company website thoroughly. Make notes. Where does the company’s name come from? Have they merged with anyone? Who are their main competitors? Research is key to choosing the right firm for you, and convincing the firm that you know them well, and want them and them only!

For pupillages, an essential website to look for vacancies is the Online Pupillage Application System (OLPAS) http://www.pupillages.com/, which comprehensively lists all the pupillage vacancies available in the UK.

These books and websites provide a good starting point, but if you have any further questions or want help researching more specific areas like environmental law, leave us a comment and we will get back to you right away!