Bates Wells Application Process

Read this page in detail before you make an application to Bates Wells; it's very important to be familiar with the application process.

The Application

By applying for a vacation scheme, you will automatically be considered for the training contract.

The application form will cover academics, motivation for joining the firm and profession, as well as what work experience you have been involved with. The firm works with Rare recruitment for their contextual recruitment tool, which is built into the application form, to make sure that they do not miss any candidates. Bates Wells takes mitigating circumstances very seriously and encourages you to include anything they should be aware about on your form. Should you wish to discuss your experiences please contact the firm’s Recruitment & Trainee Development Manager, Francesca Evans (Training@bateswells.co.uk).

Stage one

The application form is a great opportunity to talk about what you are passionate about and how that can be applied to the life of a solicitor. Be sure to understand what a B-Corporation is, and why Bates Wells are proud of that. The firm recruits on a rolling basis, so please try to get your application submitted sooner rather than later.

Stage two

If you submit an application that aligns to the firm’s values, then you may be invited to complete the next stage of the process, the critical thinking test. If you are sent the test, you will be given up to 7 days to complete it, and a free practice test will be sent to you before you take the real thing. The test helps the firm assess critical thinking, and once you’ve completed the test, Bates Wells will re-review the application and test scores to shortlist candidates to interview. If you’d like to practise or explore further then please click the link to be taken to a free test: https://www.talentlens.com/uk/about/practice-tests.html

Vacation Scheme Application

If you have applied for a vacation scheme, you will be invited to an assessment day where you will have an interview with two members of the recruitment team and complete a formal, written assessment. Before coming onto the assessment day, you will be given information on how best to prepare with opportunities to ask questions. Bates Wells will try and give you exposure to other people in the firm, including their trainees so you can get a better idea of the people you might be working with. Decisions and invites to the scheme are usually communicated within 10 days.

Those invited to the vacation scheme automatically be invited to a final stage interview, which will take place in June. During the vacation scheme you will be given details about the final interview and will have plenty of opportunities to ask questions. Everything will be recapped during the scheme so that you are best placed to succeed, be supported, and importantly, have fun!

Training Contract Application

If you have applied for a direct training contract, you will be invited to an assessment day where you will have an interview with two members of the recruitment team and complete a formal, written assessment. Before coming onto the assessment day, you will be given information on how best to prepare with opportunities to ask questions. Bates Wells will try and give you exposure to other people in the firm, including their trainees so you can get a better idea of the people you might be working with.

Everyone who gets onto the assessment day or vacation scheme will complete the same written assessment. Feedback on interviews and the assessments are gathered to determine who will be selected for a final interview. Regardless of whether your application has progressed to the final stage, everyone will be encouraged to have a feedback call with the recruitment team.

Please speak to our Emerging Talent Manager (recruitment@bateswells.co.uk) should you require adjustments to be made to the process, or for a general conversation regarding adjustments.

Stage three

If you are successful at the Assessment Centre you will be invited to the final stage interview. Interviews will be held by two partners (including the Managing Partner). These interviews take place during June, and we aim decisions communicated by August at the very latest.

Feedback and preparing for the final interview will be offered to every candidate at this stage, which is also a great opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback on your experience of the process.

Apply now!