Firms and chambers have modified, delayed or cancelled their vacation schemes, training contracts or pupillage processes as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. We will update this page as we receive more confirmations.
Training contract updates
Brabners - the firm postponed its recruitment process until later in the year. 2022 training contract applications will now be accepted until 31st October 2020.
Burges Salmon - suspended direct applications, only recruiting through vacation scheme
Cripps Pemberton Greenish - deferring the application process for 2022 training contracts, looking at "various options around holding this later in the year."
DLA Piper - offered incoming 2020 trainees compensation to defer the start of their training contract until 2021.
DWF - delayed training contracts due to start in 2020. They will now begin in February 2021. The firm intends that future recruitment will not be affected.
Freeths - the firm has currently paused recruitment, but is regularly reviewing the situation.
Herbert Smith Freehills - offered incoming 2020 trainees compensation to defer the start of their training contract by six months.
HFW - offered incoming 2020 trainees compensation to defer the start of their training contract until April 2021.
Irwin Mitchell - delayed training contracts due to start in 2020. They will now begin in February 2021. The firm intends that future recruitment will not be affected.
Orrick - 2022 training contract assessments deferred until early 2021. Applications closed 29 May 2020.
Russell-Cooke - graduate recruitment has been paused and the firm is not taking applications at this time.
VWV - the firm has currently paused recruitment, but is "positive that our recruitment and growth plans will be back on the agenda before long."
Watson Farley & Williams - paused direct applications for 2022 training contracts. Updates will follow later in 2020.
Womble Bond Dickinson - current trainees will complete a fifth seat. Training contracts due to start in 2020 will be deferred until March 2021 at the latest.
The Bar
Mini pupillage schemes - postponed
Mini pupillage schemes - running virtually
Pupillages 2021/2022
Henderson Chambers (postponed, more details TBA)
Law school
LPC: exams will be sat remotely. The SRA has confirmed that during the coronavirus outbreak it will be "flexible about teaching and assessment requirements." For more information visit the SRA site.
GDL: exams for the GDL are not organised by the SRA and each law school will have their own arrangements - consult the relevant provider to learn more.
BPTC: the next opportunity to sit centralised exams will be in August 2020, and these will take place virtually. Students with additional requirements may be able to complete their exams in a test centre. Here's more information from the Bar Standards Board.
SQE: this will replace the LPC and GDL from 2020. The SRA still intends for the first SQE assessments to be sat in autumn 2021, and has announced the following: "We continue to work towards this and at this stage, we do not expect the Covid-19 outbreak to affect our timeline. We will continue to monitor the situation carefully."