Frequently asked questions
Why are we different?
We are different because of:
- our people
- investment in relationships
- innovation
- one organisation - one team
- excellent client service
Learn more about our vision and culture, and what makes a well rounded lawyer.
How many training contract vacancies do you have? Approximately 85 a year. Learn more here.
When are first and second interviews for training contracts/traineeships? For English training contracts, interviews take place through late August and September, and for Scottish traineeships we hold an assessment day in late October.
Do you have a March intake? No.
Do you offer international secondments to trainees? Yes, currently secondments are available to Moscow, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo.
How long do the secondments last for? Each of the secondments lasts for six months.
Are trainees from all UK offices eligible for the secondments? Yes.
Do you have a summer scheme? Yes, summer placements run every year throughout our UK offices.
How many summer scheme places do you offer? Approximately 170 across our UK offices.
Do you have an Easter or Christmas scheme? No, we find we can offer a better experience by concentrating our efforts on our summer scheme.
Do you conduct interviews for your summer scheme? Yes, in England assessment days will be held in mid February, in Scotland we are holding a day of interviews on 8 March. If you are on your year abroad, arrangements may be made for you to have a telephone interview.
Can I do a summer scheme in one office and apply to another office for a training contract? You should apply for a summer scheme in the office where you would like your training contract to be based. Details of our UK offices.
I am a first year law student/second year non-law student. Can I still apply for the summer scheme? Summer scheme places will be offered to those people that are at the correct two year lead in for training contracts. Please note that if you are doing a four year degree you should apply in your third year (if it's a law degree) and your final year (if it's a non-law degree). You must leave enough time to complete your degree, GDL (if applicable) and LPC. In Scotland, priority for the summer scheme will go to third and fourth year students. We run 'First Year Insight' days in a number of offices in June each year, which are an ideal way to get a taster of the firm for those at an earlier stage of their academic career. Please see our open days page for more details.
Do you hold open days? We run a number of open days each year. Keep an eye on your careers centre notice boards and our website for details of open days or events near you.
Can I apply online? Yes, you should apply to us online. Read details.
Can I still apply if I have a 2:2 or my 'A' levels fall below the minimum requirement? Your application will only be considered if there are mitigating circumstances .
There are mitigating circumstances for why I did not achieve your academic requirements. Can I still apply? Yes. Please note your mitigating circumstances on your application and these will be taken into consideration (you may be asked to produce documentary evidence).
What practice groups do you have at DLA Piper?
Corporate
Employment, Pensions and Benefits
Finance and Projects
Intellectual Property and Technology
Litigation and Regulatory
Real Estate
Restructuring
An overview of our practice areas
Are all practice groups in all offices? Yes, with very few exceptions.
Do you have a preference as to where people study the LPC? We would ask our future trainees to attend The College of Law (Birmingham, Chester, Guildford, London, Manchester or York), Nottingham Law School or Sheffield University. If, however, there are personal reasons as to why you would need to study elsewhere, we will consider your request.
Which electives do you ask trainees to do on the LPC? At the College of Law – acquisitions, public companies and equity finance and one of advanced property law and practice or banking and debt finance. At other institutions we would ask students to pick the electives that most similarly mirror these.
