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Macfarlanes
Independent City law firm combining leading private capital, corporate and tax practices with substantial private wealth and disputes expertise.
About Macfarlanes
Macfarlanes advises a global client base across private capital, private wealth, M&A and disputes. Its work brings together the commercial interests of businesses, investment managers, entrepreneurs and wealthy individuals, creating close connections between its transactional, tax and private client teams.
The firm maintains an independent model centred on London, working with other leading law firms on international matters. Its Brussels office provides EU competition and regulatory expertise, while its New York representative office supports relationships with private capital and wealth clients operating between Europe and the US.
For trainees, this offers exposure to international work within a relatively concentrated practice. The combination of corporate and private wealth expertise is particularly distinctive, allowing lawyers to advise on both business transactions and the personal structures surrounding ownership and investment.
The two-year training programme begins with a week-long induction. Each seat combines client work with seminars led by partners and senior associates, supported by mentoring and the Early Careers team. Trainees submit seat preferences before each rotation.
Future trainees complete a bespoke SQE programme at BPP, combining exam preparation with business simulations and firm-specific modules. The firm covers the programme and provides a £20,000 maintenance grant. Non-law graduates receive PGDL funding and a £17,000 grant.
The published academic expectations also cover completed postgraduate study: a commendation at the first attempt for the PGDL or LPC, or first-attempt passes in SQE1 and SQE2. Applicants can explain extenuating circumstances.
Practice areas & rankings
Macfarlanes’ London office profile records 33 ranked departments and 61 ranked individuals in Chambers UK 2027. Band 1 practices include tax, corporate/M&A transactions worth £100 million to £800 million, and mid-market leveraged finance for both lenders and borrowers or sponsors.
Its private wealth practice also holds Band 1 rankings in Chambers High Net Worth 2026 for Private Wealth Law, Private Wealth Disputes, Family Offices & Funds Structuring, and Tax: Private Client.
Macfarlanes won UK Firm of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2026. Its independent strategy, innovation and strength in private capital and M&A were recognised. The firm was also highly commended for UK Law Firm of the Year at the 2026 Legal Business Awards.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Band 1, London, Corporate/M&A: £100–800 million, Chambers UK 2027.
The corporate team advises on acquisitions, disposals and joint ventures for businesses, financial institutions and management teams. Its practice extends to transactions exceeding £1 billion and includes substantial international work involving the US and Europe. Recent work includes advising Alchemy on the sale of Lebara Group to Waterland Private Equity.
Band 1, London, Chambers UK 2027.
Tax advice connects closely with the firm’s corporate, investment funds and private wealth practices. The team advises on acquisitions, restructurings and investment arrangements, with particular expertise in fund-related taxation. Its clients include asset managers and businesses in financial services, real estate and media.
Band 1, London, Private Wealth Law, Chambers High Net Worth 2026.
Macfarlanes advises wealthy individuals and families on succession planning, asset structuring and family office arrangements. Many matters involve clients with assets and interests across several jurisdictions. The work combines technical tax and trust questions with long-term considerations about ownership, control and the transfer of wealth.
Private capital is a central part of the firm’s practice, encompassing fund formation, investment structures and advice to managers. Lawyers work across funds, tax and transactional teams to support clients throughout the investment lifecycle. Work includes advising 17Capital on the final closing of its sixth strategic lending fund at $5.5 billion.
Awards
Private Capital Team of the YearThe Lawyer Awards 2025
Recognising the strength of its private capital practice.
Shortlisted: Finance Team of the YearLegal Business Awards 2025
Shortlisted alongside Restructuring Team of the Year.
Shortlisted: Restructuring Team of the YearLegal Business Awards 2025
One of two 2025 shortlistings at the Legal Business Awards.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
Candidates complete an online application form. Applications are reviewed after the deadline, and applicants must choose between the vacation scheme and direct training programme within the same recruitment cycle.
Spring vacation scheme applications close on 30 October 2026. The schemes run from 30 March to 9 April and 12 to 23 April 2027, paying £545 per week. Direct training programme applications reopen in 2027 for a September 2029 start.
To apply, candidates complete an application form which asks for personal and academic information including full breakdowns of university grades and any mitigating circumstances. The application asks candidates to answer 'Why Macfarlanes?' and 'Tell us about yourself' in approximately 300 words each.
The 'Why Macfarlanes?' question demands a specific and evidenced answer. The firm's private capital and private wealth practices, its refusal to merge, its pass-first-time SQE policy, its approach to trainee development, and its recent work are all specific differentiators. Generic answers about "culture" or "quality of work" will not stand out at a firm where every applicant mentions the same things.
The work experience section has no word limit and you should include all relevant experience whether legal or not, with a focus on what was learned and what transferable skills it demonstrates. Macfarlanes places weight on intellectual curiosity and commercial awareness demonstrated through any context, not just legal work experienc
Macfarlanes: quick answers
How much does Macfarlanes pay trainees?
Macfarlanes pays first-year trainees £60,000, rising to £65,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Macfarlanes earn £150,000.
When is the Macfarlanes vacation scheme deadline?
Macfarlanes's vacation scheme applications close on 30 Oct for the 2026/27 cycle. Deadlines can change and popular schemes may close early, so check the live application deadlines tracker.
How many trainees does Macfarlanes take on?
Macfarlanes takes on around 33 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What tests does Macfarlanes use in its applications?
There are two online assessment stages, each with a seven-day completion window. The first uses practice-area scenarios to assess situational judgement and critical reasoning. The second is a “day in the life” simulation involving a fictional project team. Preparation should focus on interpreting information carefully, weighing competing priorities and explaining decisions consistently.
What grades do you need to apply to Macfarlanes?
To apply to Macfarlanes you will generally need a 2:1 degree. Requirements can flex where there are mitigating circumstances, so always check the firm's own criteria if your grades differ.
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