Milbank FAQs

If your question hasn’t been answered so far, you should find the answer here.

Do you recruit on a rolling basis?

No we review all applications once the deadline has closed.

Will Milbank cover the cost of my education?

Trainees who haven’t yet completed their PGDL or SQE will have their course fees fully paid by the firm. You’ll also receive an annual maintenance grant of up to £20,000.

How do I apply for a Vacation Scheme and a Training Contract?

Please complete an online application form here: London Careers

You will be asked to apply for either a spring or a summer Vacation Scheme and to indicate whether you are interested in the Traditional or Leveraged Finance Training Contract. At the end of the Vacation Scheme, you will automatically be considered for a Training Contract, and you will be asked to commit to a Traditional or a Leveraged Finance Training Contract at that point.

You can also use the application form to apply for our 1st Year Open Day.

The deadlines for applications are:

1st Year Open Day: 11 December 2025

Spring and Summer Vacation Scheme: 31 December 2025

What are the dates of your Vacation Schemes?

Spring Vacation Scheme: Monday 13 April to Friday 17 April 2026

Summer Vacation Scheme: Monday 23rd June to Friday 4th July 2025

We offer places on both schemes to penultimate year Law undergraduates, all final year undergraduates (both law and non-law), all graduates, post-graduates and career changers.

How much will I be paid for the Vacation Scheme?

We pay £550 per week.

What are your academic criteria?

Our recruits have exceptional academic grades. We consider candidates who have graduated with a 2.1 or first. We recognise mitigating circumstances and take a case-by-case basis approach for each candidate.

I have missed the deadline for the Vacation Scheme. Can I still apply for a Training Contract this year?

We do not consider applications submitted beyond the deadline. Our application link will close, and we do not accept direct applications via email. If you are unable to submit an application via our AllHires system, please contact the graduate recruitment team prior to the deadline advertised.

I require adjustments due to disability; can you accommodate these?

We will make reasonable adjustments to a candidate’s individual requirements. Please contact us to discuss in confidence.

Can I apply directly for a Training Contract?

We do not accept direct Training Contract applications. The best way for you to decide if Milbank is the right firm for you is to complete a Vacation Scheme. All applicants will attend either a spring or summer Vacation Scheme.

I submitted my application form, but I have not heard from you. Have I been unsuccessful?

You should receive an acknowledgement email after you have submitted your application form. If you do not receive an acknowledgement email, please contact our recruitment team.

Will you cover my costs incurred to attend assessment centres?

We reimburse reasonable travel expenses if you are invited to attend the Open Days and Assessment Centres. Travel expenses are capped at £100.

What do I do if I am unsuccessful during the application process? Can I apply next year?

If you are unsuccessful, you will not be able to reapply during the same application period. However, you are welcome to reapply during the following year if you feel you have considerable additional achievements that might help your application be successful on the second round.

I would like to study for a postgraduate qualification or master's degree such as an LLM or the New York Bar. Will this give me an advantage for my application?

Choosing to study for a postgraduate course is a personal choice and we encourage you to pursue your academic goals and interests. However, it does not give you a strategic advantage over other applicants who have not done so. Undertaking a postgraduate course and achieving a high grade will not mitigate for falling below our criteria for Vacation Scheme applications and ultimately for securing a Training Contract.

Do you pay a maintenance grant?

Yes, we will cover your law school tuition fees, and we pay future trainees a £20,000 maintenance grant to undertake the SQE full time at our preferred provider University of Law.

Do you provide sponsorship for the SQE?

Yes. In addition to the above maintenance grant you will study for the SQE at The University of Law as part of the future Milbank trainee cohort which includes various connection points both with the law school and the firm during the SQE (mentoring/regular catch-ups with our Recruitment and Professional Development Team).

I have already completed the GDL/LPC/SQE – will you reimburse me for the tuition fees and pay the maintenance grant retrospectively?

We will pay law school fees to future trainees who are offered a Training Contract and accept the offer before commencing the SQE or have commenced the SQE in the same academic year as our hiring year. We do not pay maintenance grant fees retrospectively.

Apply now!