Mishcon de Reya FAQs

Find out the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Mishcon de Reya's opportunities and application process! For even more answers to your queries, please click here.

Do you recruit on a rolling basis for the vacation scheme or will you wait until the deadlines to review applications?

We don't recruit on a rolling basis and whilst we do read all Vacation Scheme applications that have been submitted, we would recommend that you look to apply earlier to give you the best chance of securing an assessment day with us.

Why is there no option to apply directly for a training contract?

We are recruiting for our trainees solely through our Vacation Scheme. To be considered you will need to apply for our Vacation Scheme, after which you will be considered for a training contract interview.

Do you accept applications from non-law undergraduates/graduates?

Yes, we welcome applications from undergraduates, graduates, postgraduates or career changers with any degree discipline. For those still at university we accept applications for our Vacation Scheme from penultimate year law students and final year non-law students.

Why have you opted for a vacation scheme only training contract? How do you ensure this attracts diverse candidates?

There are a few very important reasons for us only recruiting through our Vacation Scheme. Firstly, hiring a diverse group of candidates has always been extremely important for us and historically we have always been able to attract and recruit a Vacation Scheme intake that comprises of many different types of people, including university students, career changers, mature students, those with childcare responsibilities etc. all with varying life experiences and varying levels of legal experience.

Secondly, as a firm, we aren’t looking for students who are able to ‘ace’ an interview or an assessment day, we really want to get to know students, on the job, over a couple of weeks to ensure that they are the right fit for us and equally that we are what they are looking for as well!

Thirdly, over the past few years we, like many other firms have found that we hire all of our trainees through the vacation scheme. Meaning that when we reach the direct training contract applications we are faced with a large amount of applications but very few spots to offer.

For all of these reasons as well as others we have felt that the ‘vac scheme only route’ is the best way for us to recruit our Trainees.

What do I do if I require an adjustment to my assessment process?

We want to ensure that our recruitment process is accessible to everyone, and that candidates feel comfortable when completing our recruitment process. If you require an adjustment to the recruitment process for any reason (including ongoing health conditions, a disability, or you do not have the technology to complete a video interview or virtual assessment), please email us. We will provide you with an alternative that better suits your needs.

Do you sponsor LPC and SQE for those who receive Training Contract offers?

Yes, we provide full funding for the LPC and SQE, and a maintenance grant of £10,000 payable in including for accelerated courses. Please note that unfortunately we are unable to make payments retrospectively for courses which have already been commenced or completed at the time of a training contract offer.

Do I need UK working rights to apply?

If you do not currently have permission to work in the UK please provide full details of how you intend to qualify for this so that we can consider whether or not it is possible for us to progress your application. We will look at each application on a case by case basis. Any offer will be conditional on your right to work in the UK.

Do you sponsor students to attend the Vacation Scheme?

Should you be invited to attend one of our Vacation Schemes, it is your responsibility to ensure you obtain a visa that permits you to undertake work in the UK.

Please note we do not provide sponsorship for applicants to attend our Vacation Schemes, however, sponsorship may be available on a case by case basis, should an offer for a Training Contract be made following a Vacation Scheme.

Does the firm have a preference on whether I study the LPC or the SQE?

No, we don't. Since the introduction of the SQE in September 2021, the SRA have implemented transitional arrangements, which are designed to give candidates who are already on their way to becoming a solicitor, as much choice as possible. This means that some candidates may be eligible to study the LPC rather than the SQE. If you meet the SRA transitional requirements, we are happy to support you through the LPC route, however any other candidates are required to complete the SQE under the new route to qualification.

Does the firm have a preference as to where I study the LPC or SQE?

We ask all our future Trainees to complete their studies with University of Law. However we do not specify the electives you should study. We advise you consider your strengths and areas of interest as well as the work Mishcon does.

Can I use ChatGPT or other AI tools for my application?

At Mishcon, we embrace technological advancements, and believe AI is here to enhance our capabilities - not replace them. We accept that candidates will be using AI tools to assist their applications but would caution you not to rely too heavily on it. It's your individual journey that really excites us, so we encourage you to share your unique perspectives and personal experiences in your submission. While AI can be a helpful starting point, we advise you to use it wisely.

Why is Mishcon de Reya trialling the chat-based interview?

Our ambition is to be at the cutting edge of tech transformation in the legal sector. We’re a tech-focused and tech-enabled firm which has embraced AI to speed up how we work and created entirely new ways of working. We listened to candidate feedback from previous cycles, and we know there was room for improvement with the old process, which included a long application form and one-way recorded video interview.

Therefore, this year we’re trialling something new which puts candidates at the heart of the process, giving you a better chance to show who you are and what you’re able to bring to our firm.

We’re keen to keep listening, too – we’ll be reaching out to all candidates to get your feedback on this new tool to ensure we continue to shape our application processes in a way which both adds value for candidates and allows our team to make the fairest decisions about the talent joining our firm.

What is the chat-based interview?

The contextual, personalised chat-based interview is a format we believe will offer candidates a much more positive initial application experience compared to legacy application forms and one-way recorded video interviews.

In the past, you may have had to spend time completing a static application form, where each candidate is asked the same questions. By contrast, this interactive experience is designed to be a more dynamic and interesting exchange where the questions are tailored and contextual to you, probing you on your experiences in a conversational format.

The interface looks and feels much like other chat-based tools you may be familiar with e.g., WhatsApp, and you can type or use voice transcription to enter short answers to questions about your motivations and experience.

Responses do not need to be written in perfect prose and it’s better if answers are short and concise.

In addition, you will have the opportunity for non-assessed Q&A at the end of the chat-based interview in case you have any questions about the opportunity.

How can I provide context or correct things if the AI misunderstands me?

After the interview you will have a chance to review the summary notes the tool has taken and add anything important which has been missed or misinterpreted.

Is the AI alone in reviewing and making a decision based on my transcript?

Don’t worry - the AI just helps us learn more early on; real people assess all the applications and make the decisions.

While for the purposes of the trial we will be seeing how the AI scoring compares, we will not be making any decisions based on the AI scores.?

How can an AI tool be trusted to make the right decision about my application?

The AI tool will not make any decisions. All applications will be screened by humans.

Technology has been implemented in early stages of the application process for candidate screening for over ten years. Previously, static application forms and one-way recorded video interviews have been used. However, we know, based on feedback from candidates that these processes are not as user-friendly as they could be.?

We also recognise that ultimately, we need to meet the most promising candidates and thoroughly assess your potential at our assessment centre, and the assessment centre will still take place as part of our process. This chat-based interview will better enable our team to complete the initial screening stage and improve the experience for candidates.

How do you know this technology will work? How much testing has been done?

This tool has already been tested with around 14,000 candidates for a variety of roles and experiences relevant for people who are either at university or who have recently graduated.

Apply now!