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Norton Rose Fulbright
Global commercial law firm with particular strengths in finance, energy and transport, offering London trainees international work and client secondment opportunities.
About Norton Rose Fulbright
Norton Rose Fulbright advises major companies, financial institutions and investors on transactions, disputes and regulatory matters. Its international network supports work across established and emerging markets, with particular depth in financial services, energy, infrastructure and transport.
The firm’s sector approach connects legal advice with the commercial requirements of industries such as aviation, shipping and insurance. A financing transaction may involve lawyers advising on lending arrangements, regulation, asset ownership and operational risks across several countries.
For London trainees, compulsory Banking and Corporate seats provide experience of two central practices. Other rotations allow exploration of specialist areas, while client and overseas secondments offer opportunities to understand different business environments and working cultures.
The two-year training contract combines four seat rotations with continuing professional development. Each trainee receives a partner mentor and trainee buddy, supported by the trainee development team.
Future trainees study at BPP through the City Consortium Solicitor Training Programme. The firm pays conversion course and SQE fees. Published maintenance grants are £10,500 for the conversion course and £17,000 for the SQE.
Seat choices reflect individual interests and business requirements. Secondments can involve working in another international office or within a client’s legal team, providing a different perspective on how advice is used in practice.
Practice areas & rankings
Norton Rose Fulbright’s London office profile records 48 ranked departments and 91 ranked individuals in Chambers UK 2027. Band 1 practices include aviation finance and mid-market corporate finance for borrowers.
The firm was named European Law Firm of the Year at the Airline Economics Aviation 100 European Awards 2026, recognising its aviation finance, leasing and M&A work.
It also advised on the European M&A Deal of the Year: the acquisition of aircraft leasing company Amedeo Air Four Plus by LAC 10 LLC. The transaction valued its issued share capital at approximately £190 million and implied an enterprise value of £751 million.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Band 1, UK-wide, Asset Finance: Aviation Finance, Chambers UK 2027.
The aviation practice advises airlines, banks, lessors and other financial institutions on financing and leasing transactions. Its work includes substantial fleet and portfolio arrangements, often involving several jurisdictions. Lawyers combine financing expertise with an understanding of aircraft ownership, leasing structures and the commercial pressures affecting operators and investors.
Band 1, London, Corporate Finance: Borrowers: Mid-Market, Chambers UK 2027.
The banking team advises corporate borrowers and financial institutions on lending, acquisition finance and refinancing. Its work spans industries including technology, transport and energy, with significant international and emerging markets activity. The practice also has experience advising on Sharia-compliant financing structures.
Shipping finance is a substantial part of the firm’s asset finance practice. Lawyers advise shipowners, banks and other investors on lending, leasing and refinancing arrangements. Matters include cruise vessels, commercial shipping and offshore assets, requiring coordination between financing terms, asset structures and international operations.
The insurance practice advises on acquisitions, restructurings and regulatory matters for insurers and other market participants. Its work includes life insurance, insurtech and the establishment of new insurance businesses and syndicates. Cross-border transactions are a regular feature, bringing together corporate advice and detailed sector knowledge.
Awards
Named in the FT Innovative Lawyers reportsFinancial Times 2025
Listed across both the Europe and North America reports in 2025.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
The application requires a CV and cover letter. NRF does not recruit on a rolling basis so you can take time to submit your best work. The CV should list work experience in date order including all legal and non-legal roles. The cover letter should explain why you want to join NRF, what excites you about the programme, and how your skills match the firm's values. NRF advises against using AI tools — the firm wants to read your best authentic work. All applicants also complete the Rare contextualised data questionnaire after submitting the form, supporting a fairer recruitment process.
The current direct training contract window closes on 30 October 2026. Vacation scheme applications close on 4 December 2026. The 2027 schemes run from 5 to 16 April, 7 to 18 June, and 28 June to 9 July.
Norton Rose Fulbright: quick answers
How much does Norton Rose Fulbright pay trainees?
Norton Rose Fulbright pays first-year trainees £56,000, rising to £61,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Norton Rose Fulbright earn £140,000.
When are the Norton Rose Fulbright application deadlines?
Norton Rose Fulbright has more than one deadline in the 2026/27 cycle: the training contract closes on 30 Oct, the summer scheme closes on 4 Dec and the spring scheme closes on 4 Dec. Deadlines can change and popular schemes may close early, so check the live application deadlines tracker.
How many trainees does Norton Rose Fulbright take on?
Norton Rose Fulbright takes on around 48 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What tests does Norton Rose Fulbright use in its applications?
NRF uses the Arctic Shores neuroscience-based assessment — a task-based format that does not contain questions in the traditional sense, but instead uses engaging and intuitive tasks to measure unique behaviour and skill indicators. There is no time limit for the whole assessment and it typically takes 35–60 minutes. Candidates can complete a practice task beforehand to familiarise themselves with the format. There are no right or wrong approaches — the assessment captures how you naturally think and work. This is different from the Watson Glaser and other verbal/numerical reasoning tests. The firm uses it specifically because it assesses potential and future capability rather than current academic performance.
What grades do you need to apply to Norton Rose Fulbright?
To apply to Norton Rose Fulbright you will generally need a 2:1 degree. At A-level, Norton Rose Fulbright asks for AAB. Requirements can flex where there are mitigating circumstances, so always check the firm's own criteria if your grades differ.
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