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Trowers & Hamlins
An international commercial law firm with particular strengths in real estate, social housing and public sector work, offering training contracts across four UK offices.
About Trowers & Hamlins
Trowers & Hamlins operates across the UK, Middle East and Asia, with UK offices in London, Birmingham, Exeter and Manchester. Its practice combines commercial advice with extensive experience working for public bodies, housing providers, developers and investors.
Real estate and the delivery of housing and public services are particularly prominent. The firm advises on property investment, regeneration, development and the structures through which public and private organisations work together. Its broader offering includes corporate transactions, finance, disputes and employment. For prospective trainees, this creates opportunities to explore commercial legal work while understanding how investment, regulation and public policy affect clients’ decisions.
The two-year training contract comprises four six-month seats. Available departments include real estate, banking and finance, corporate and commercial, disputes, employment and pensions, construction, planning, tax and private wealth. Each seat has a supervisor, with formal legal and business training supporting practical experience.
Trainees can apply for six-month secondments to Abu Dhabi, Bahrain or Dubai. These provide exposure to another office and jurisdiction, subject to availability and business requirements.
Future trainees receive sponsorship for the required PGDL and SQE studies. SQE preparation and examinations take place through the University of Law before the training contract begins, with non-law graduates completing the PGDL first. Published maintenance grants are £10,500 for the PGDL in London and £8,500 elsewhere, and £13,000 for the SQE in London and £11,000 elsewhere.
Practice areas & rankings
Trowers & Hamlins has 37 ranked departments in Chambers UK 2027, including seven Band 1 rankings. These cover Social Housing in London, the North West and the South West; Social Housing: Finance UK-wide; Local Government UK-wide; Real Estate: £50–150 million in London; and Employment: Employer: Third Sector in London.
The firm also won Best Law Firm for Partner Approachability at the Legal Cheek Awards 2026.
Ranked departmentsChambers UK
Explore the practice areas
Ranked Band 1 in London, the North West and the South West in Chambers UK 2027, the practice advises housing providers, public bodies and private organisations. Its work includes affordable housing development, funding, governance, regulation and joint ventures. The team also assists with restructurings and projects bringing public and private investment together.
Ranked Band 1 for Real Estate: £50–150 million in London in Chambers UK 2027, the team handles commercial and residential property matters. Its experience includes development, inward investment, leasing, hotels and major regeneration schemes. The practice connects property transactions with the financing and delivery of new housing and mixed-use developments.
Ranked Band 1 UK-wide in Chambers UK 2027, the practice advises on procurement, local authority powers, governance and development projects. It also supports investment structures and partnerships used to deliver public services and economic regeneration. Clients’ legal decisions frequently involve balancing commercial objectives with statutory responsibilities and public accountability.
Ranked Band 1 for Employment: Employer: Third Sector in London in Chambers UK 2027, the team has particular experience advising housing employers, charities and other not-for-profit organisations. Its work includes TUPE transfers, reorganisations, trade union matters and employment litigation, including discrimination claims.
Awards
Law Firm of the YearDevon and Somerset Law Society Legal Awards 2025
Won by the firm's Exeter office.
Legal Advisor of the YearHealthInvestor Seniors Housing Awards 2025
Recognising the firm's seniors housing practice.
Professional Services Partner of the YearBuilding Innovation Awards 2025
Recognising the firm's work across the built environment.
Deal of the YearInsider South West Residential Property Awards 2025
For the Lovell and LiveWest joint venture to acquire a development site in North Devon.
The application process
Click on each stage to find out more.
Apply through the online application form, which covers education, work experience and longer written answers. Candidates can apply to one UK office per recruitment cycle, so explain your office preference with specific reasons.
Applications for the 2027 UK summer vacation schemes close at 11:59pm on 4 January 2027. Scheme applicants are automatically considered for a training contract without submitting a separate application. Most trainees are recruited through the vacation schemes, although a smaller direct training contract route is available. Current training contract recruitment covers 2029 and 2030 starts.
Applications are reviewed after the deadline rather than on a rolling basis. The written application and online assessment are considered together.
In your answers, connect your interest in the firm to its clients and work. For example, explain what interests you about housing investment, regeneration or advising organisations delivering public services. Support your suitability with examples showing your contribution, judgement and ability to work with others. Explain what you learned rather than simply listing responsibilities.
Trowers & Hamlins: quick answers
How much does Trowers & Hamlins pay trainees?
Trowers & Hamlins pays first-year trainees £50,000, rising to £54,000 in the second year. Newly qualified solicitors at Trowers & Hamlins earn £90,000.
When is the Trowers & Hamlins vacation scheme deadline?
Trowers & Hamlins's vacation scheme applications close on 4 Jan 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 Trowers & Hamlins take on?
Trowers & Hamlins takes on around 25 trainees in each intake, so places are competitive and strong applications matter.
What tests does Trowers & Hamlins use in its applications?
Applicants are automatically invited to complete an online strengths-based assessment. It is untimed, although candidates should allow up to two hours. Practice materials are available through the recruitment website. Candidates receive a feedback report for personal development. This report does not communicate the recruitment decision. Use the practice assessment to understand the format before starting. Complete the assessment somewhere quiet, read instructions carefully and consider the information presented in each question. Answer consistently and honestly rather than trying to construct an idealised personality.
What grades do you need to apply to Trowers & Hamlins?
To apply to Trowers & Hamlins you will generally need a 2:1 degree. At A-level, Trowers & Hamlins 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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