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Mishcon de Reya
Independent law firm combining substantial disputes, private wealth, employment and real estate practices with a growing focus on technology and innovation.
About Mishcon de Reya
Mishcon de Reya advises businesses, entrepreneurs, wealthy individuals and families on matters where commercial and personal interests frequently overlap. Its practice combines corporate and transactional advice with substantial expertise in litigation, employment, real estate and private wealth.
Disputes are a prominent part of the firm’s identity. Its lawyers handle matters involving business ownership, property, employment, financial regulation and personal assets, often where reputation and long-term relationships are also at stake.
The firm’s work extends into specialist areas including art, gaming and emerging companies. Its Cambridge offering adds opportunities for candidates interested in the innovation economy, while its international private client practice serves individuals and families with interests across several jurisdictions.
The graduate training contract comprises four six-month seats, providing experience across different practice areas. London trainees may work with teams based predominantly in Cambridge or Oxford, while the Cambridge training contract is primarily based there.
Future trainees complete postgraduate studies at the University of Law. Published maintenance grants are £11,000 for the PGDL and £15,000 for the SQE.
The firm’s broader learning environment includes the Mishcon Academy, which hosts discussions and training across legal, commercial and wider social issues. Its graduate programme emphasises exposure to varied work, from emerging businesses to complex disputes involving individuals and organisations.
Practice areas & rankings
Mishcon de Reya achieved 49 practice area rankings and 117 individually ranked lawyers in Chambers UK 2027. Its 12 Band 1 practices include employment, real estate litigation, art and cultural property, gaming, contentious financial regulation for individuals and insolvency litigation.
The firm also secured Band 1 rankings in Chambers High Net Worth 2026 for London private wealth law, private wealth disputes and high-value residential property, alongside several UK-wide practices.
Recent awards include the Decade of Excellence Award at the Security Excellence Awards 2026 for its Cyber Risk and Complex Investigations team. The award recognised its combination of technical, legal and investigative expertise in managing business crises. The firm also won UK Trade Mark Litigation Team of the Year at the Managing IP Awards 2025.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Band 1, London, Employment: Employer, Chambers UK 2027.
The employment team advises businesses and senior executives on contentious and advisory matters. Its work includes bonus disputes, discrimination, investigations, restructuring and whistleblowing. Team moves and restrictive covenants are particular strengths, with lawyers handling disputes where the movement of key people can affect a business’s clients, information and competitive position.
Band 1, London, Chambers UK 2027.
The property disputes practice advises businesses and individuals on development disputes, injunctions, landlord and tenant matters and rights to light. Its work connects legal rights with the practical requirements of owning, occupying and developing property. Matters can involve substantial financial interests and urgent strategic decisions.
Band 1, London, Private Wealth Law, Chambers High Net Worth 2026.
The private wealth team advises individuals, families, trustees and family offices on protecting and organising assets. Work includes succession planning, trusts, tax and governance arrangements. Many clients have business and personal interests across several countries, requiring coordinated advice on wealth, family relationships and long-term objectives.
Band 1, UK-wide, Chambers UK 2027.
The art practice advises collectors, artists, galleries, museums, auction houses and other market participants. Its work covers transactions, financing, copyright and cultural heritage, alongside disputes concerning ownership, authenticity and attribution. The practice combines commercial advice with an understanding of the personal and reputational importance of art.
Awards
Art Law Team of the YearChambers High Net Worth Awards 2025
Recognising the firm's art law practice.
Rewards and Incentives Team of the YearInternational Employment Lawyer Awards 2025
Awarded to the firm's employment practice.
UK Trade Mark Litigation Team of the YearManaging IP EMEA Awards 2025
Won by the IP team, with associate Dominic Walsh named Rising Star of the Year.
Lawyer of the Year, Real EstateVariety London PROPs Awards 2025
Awarded to the real estate team at the 33rd PROPs Awards.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
Graduate recruitment is through the vacation scheme. The published process uses a short initial application followed by a chat-based interview, replacing a lengthy written application.
Prepare examples demonstrating your experience, motivation and interest in the firm. Connect your interests with specific work rather than relying on its reputation for high-profile cases.
London spring scheme applications close on 27 November 2026, with schemes running from 12 to 16 April and 26 to 30 April 2027. Summer applications close on 18 December 2026, for schemes running from 21 to 25 June and 5 to 9 July 2027.
Mishcon de Reya: quick answers
How much does Mishcon de Reya pay trainees?
Mishcon de Reya pays first-year trainees £52,500, rising to £57,500 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Mishcon de Reya earn £110,000.
When is the Mishcon de Reya vacation scheme deadline?
Mishcon de Reya runs more than one vacation scheme round in the 2026/27 cycle: the spring scheme closes on 27 Nov and the summer scheme closes on 18 Dec. Deadlines can change and popular schemes may close early, so check the live application deadlines tracker.
How many trainees does Mishcon de Reya take on?
Mishcon de Reya takes on around 28 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What tests does Mishcon de Reya use in its applications?
The published situational judgement assessment includes scenario-based, numerical and verbal questions. It is untimed and typically takes around 45 minutes. No prior legal knowledge is required. Practise interpreting information accurately and considering the consequences of different workplace decisions.
What grades do you need to apply to Mishcon de Reya?
To apply to Mishcon de Reya you will generally need a 2:1 degree. At A-level, Mishcon de Reya asks for ABB. Requirements can flex where there are mitigating circumstances, so always check the firm's own criteria if your grades differ.
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