ACCESS Development Programme 2025

Clifford Chance is proud to be a founding member of PRIME. Through PRIME, we are committed to ensuring that anyone who wants to enter the world of law has an equal chance to do so, regardless of their background. 

For many years, obtaining work experience in the legal sector depended largely on who knew rather than what you knew. PRIME members have made a commitment to change this by providing fair access to work experience. Our response is our bespoke two-year development programme - Clifford Chance ACCESS. 

This pioneering programme consists of ten different components, each focused on specific core areas of your personal and professional development, culminating in the opportunity to apply for our SPARK programme, which may lead to a Training Contract with us.

More information about the 10 different components of the programme can be found on our website here.

What the programme involves

Your journey with the Firm will start in July with a reception event at our London office to celebrate your place on the programme and provide you with information and advice that will set you up for success.  At this point, you'll also be introduced to a newly qualified lawyer buddy, and offered guidance on how to make the most of your relationship with them.

In August, you'll then spend four days with us virtually and in person, during which time you'll gain insights into our work, clients, and the legal sector as a whole. You'll also begin to develop core business skills that are critical to professional success.

The following July, you'll spend five days with five different companies, in sectors ranging from retail to media and sport, where you will take part in workshops and continue to develop your career insights and skills.

As part of the programme, we are committed to providing you with networking and skill development opportunities. To that end, you will receive executive coaching delivered by Rare Recruitment, group sessions from various experts and university admission teams to guide you through the UCAS process, one-to-one sessions with a member of the Early Talent Acquisition Team, an opportunity to become a youth ambassador for Tender, and various networking opportunities. 

Unbeatable support and development

The Early Talent Acquisition Team will support you as you prepare for the programme and throughout the time you spend with us. 

During your time here, you will get to build your network and enjoy many learning and development opportunities with your dedicated ACCESS mentor, Peppo Tutor and lawyers you meet across the Firm.

Am I eligible?

To apply to Clifford Chance ACCESS, you must be in Year 12 (England and Wales), S5 (Scotland) or Lower Sixth (Northern Ireland). You must also meet two or more of the following criteria:

•        Attending, and have attended from age 11, a state-funded, non-fee paying school/college

•        Grew up in a household where no parent or guardian attended university. You are currently in receipt of, or have previously received, free school meals, Pupil Premium, Education Maintenance Allowance and/or a 16 to 19 Bursary

•        Attending a school or college with a below-average A-level or Higher point score and/or a low rate of progression to higher education. Please click this link if you need more information on this.

•        Have been, or are currently, in local authority care (for a period of three months or longer)

•        Are, or have been, a full-time or part-time carer

•        Came to the UK as a refugee or asylum seeker

•        At age 14, the occupation of your main household earner (parent/guardian) is considered to be in the lower socioeconomic group. A summary of this can be found here.

Note: Those who meet the local authority care criterion do not need to meet any other criterion.

Required experience and skills

Outside of our academic requirements, you do not need any specific experience or legal knowledge to apply for this scheme. What we will be looking for, however, are:

•        Astute business awareness and excellent problem-solving skills 

•        The ability to distinguish between legal and business issues 

•        An inquisitive mind and the ability to articulate and share knowledge and ideas

•        The desire to provide exceptional service, and put clients at the heart of everything you do

•        Outstanding leadership and collaboration skills and a natural enthusiasm for being part of a team

•        The ability to multi-task in a fast-paced, high-pressure, high-performance environment 

•        Strong oral and written communication skills.

•        An eagerness to learn from those around you; to gain exposure within the Firm and beyond

•        Pride in your work and a willingness to take responsibility for your own career. 

•        A genuine interest in the role, the Firm and its clients, and an understanding of how they align with your own skills and ambitions.

About the Firm

Clifford Chance is one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the Firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.

Our One Firm global strategy is focused on targeted growth led by the needs of our core clients, those who we can best support with the breadth and depth of Clifford Chance expertise, across the sectors and geographies, which matter most to them.

Our Firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.

You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.

Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.

Equal Opportunities

At Clifford Chance we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our Firm, and society.

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally, regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age. This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment, including pay, promotion, training, transfer, and every other aspect of employment.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration, and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our Firm. Find out more here.

Apply now 

Please remember, you may only make one application to a scheme or role (either London Training Contract, Middle East Training Contract, or SPARK). Multiple applications will not be considered.

Please also be aware that we only review your application form. If you upload your CV, this will pre-populate some of your application; however, your CV will not be reviewed. Please do NOT upload a covering letter, as this will not be reviewed.