Ashurst Training Contract

Training Contract

Your graduate Training Contract at Ashurst will consist of four six-month seats. For each, you will sit with a partner or solicitor who will be the main source of your work and your principal supervisor during that seat. You will, however, be encouraged to work with a variety of solicitors during the course of your training. Seats are generally for six months; anything less than this will not give you sufficient depth of experience for your future responsibilities.

Ashurst ask trainees to spend one seat in the firm's Corporate department and one seat in the International Finance department. Trainees spend their two remaining seats in other practice areas. There are also opportunities to spend seats in some of the firm's international offices (Brussels, Dubai, Frankfurt, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Singapore and Tokyo) or on secondment to one of the firm's major clients. A secondment enables you to experience the client's business at first hand and to build personal ties with that client. It also helps you to understand the workings of a large commercial organisation, and looks great on your CV.

Application Deadlines

The closing date for applications for Training Contracts commencing in September 2010/March 2011 is 31 July 2008. Finalists and graduates are, however, encouraged to apply before 1 March 2008 in order to be considered for an earlier interview.

Start Dates

September 2010 and March 2011.

Salary

£36,000 for the first year of training, rising to £40,000 for the second year of training.

Training Contract Benefits

• Annual holiday entitlement of 25 days per year (rising to 27 days on qualification).
• Interest-free season ticket loan.
• Private medical scheme and annual health screening.
• Option of joining the firm's life assurance scheme.
• Free membership of health and fitness club.
• In-house consultation and treatment with a doctor, dentist and physio.
• Subsidised food bar.
• Dry cleaning and delivery service.
• Subsidised acupressure massage, Indian head massage and reflexology offered onsite.
• Childcare vouchers.
• Various discounts and concessions available at nearby retail outlets.
• Trainee solicitor bonus scheme, payable quarterly.
• Scholarships for the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and Legal Practice Course (LPC) covering course fees and £7,500 towards the cost of maintenance while attending a full-time course and sitting examinations.
• A £500 prize if you achieve a first class honours degree having accepted our offer of a Training Contract. We will also award a prize of £500 if you achieve an overall distinction in the Legal Practice Course.
• A bursary towards language tuition.