Bristol - Spring/Summer Vacation Scheme 2026

Spring & Summer vacation scheme 2025 (Bristol)

Are you ready to dive into the life of an award-winning law firm voted as RollOnFriday 'Best Law Firm to Work at 2025' for the fourth year in a row?

You'll experience firsthand the dynamic world of law with our Spring and Summervacation schemes. Whether you're still studying, fresh out of university or changing careers, our vacation schemes are open to all eligible applicants, regardless of degree discipline or time since graduation.

During the scheme, you'll engage in meaningful work, and have the opportunity to attend client and department meetings as well as skills sessions to gain a genuine insight into Burges Salmon and the legal profession. We've also factored in time for you to enjoy social and sports events to get to know your colleagues and immerse yourself in our firm's culture.

If you impress us during your vacation scheme, you could be invited back for a training contract interview – a significant step towards your legal career with us. If we decide we're right for each other, you'll be offered a training contract commencing in September 2028.

Application process

Spring vacation scheme: 13 - 24 April 2026

Summer #1 vacation scheme 1 - 12 June 2026

Summer #2 vacation scheme 15 - 26 June 2026

Important information

• All applications must be made via the Burges Salmon website by clicking the pink 'Apply Now' icon.

• Please ensure to submit your application before midnight on Monday 5 January 2026 to be considered.

• If you are invited to an Assessment Centre you will need to be available to attend the Bristol office on either 2nd, 4th, 6th, 9th or 11th February 2026 - candidates select their places on a first come, first serve basis.

• If you are successful in reaching the final stage, you will need to be able to commit to attending the vacation scheme at our Bristol office. As a firm, we are committed to providing an equal experience for all. Therefore, £375 would be paid to cover expenses.

The application

• Once you submit your application form, you'll receive an email inviting you to complete two online assessments.

• Your application will not be considered until both assessments are completed, so please allow enough time before the deadline.

Stage 1: Emerging Talent Assessment

• Online and untimed (approx. 45 minutes).

• Simulates realistic workplace scenarios.

• Assesses decision-making, behaviours, and preferences.

• No legal knowledge required.

Stage 2: Critical Reasoning Assessment

• Timed online test (approx. 45 minutes), completed after Stage 1.

• Measures critical thinking and evidence-based judgement.

• Focuses on evaluating arguments, assumptions, and conclusions.

• Based on reasoning ability, not prior knowledge.

If you require any adjustments or have any accessibility requirements to complete these, please get in touch with Jess McGee at jess.mcgee@burges-salmon.com. or Grace Elliot at grace.elliott@burges-salmon.com.

Key dates

• Vacation Scheme application deadline -5 January 2026

• Assessment Centres at our Bristol office - 2nd, 4th, 6th, 9th &11th February 2026

The assessment centres take place in person at the Bristol office on the above dates only - we are unable to be flexible with this.

What we offer you

• You will be earning from day one. Your salary will increase each year as you become more experienced:

  Bristol Salary

  Trainee Solicitor

  Year 1

  £49,500

  Year 2

  £51,500

  Newly Qualified Solicitor

  £76,000

  *As of September 2025

Wishing you the best of luck with your application!

For further information on what to expect throughout the application process, please visit our website here: How to apply for a training contract | Application timeline | Burges Salmon (burges-salmon.com).

Disability Confident Leader

As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage individuals with disabilities, long-term health conditions, or impairments to apply for our roles. We regularly implement adjustments throughout the recruitment process to support all candidates effectively.

We invite you to disclose any disability, long-term health condition, or impairment so that we can provide tailored support during your application. We can make bespoke adjustments to assessments, interviews, and other stages to ensure you have an equal opportunity to excel in our recruitment process.

Applicants with a disability who meet our minimum scoring criteria will be offered a place at one of our assessment centres.

For further discussion on potential adjustments, please contact Grace Elliott at grace.elliott@burges-salmon.com.

Application eligibility

Please be advised that you are eligible to apply for only one training contract process at a time within a recruitment cycle. For instance, if you apply to our Winter vacation scheme 2025 and your application is unsuccessful, you will not be eligible to apply for our Spring/Summer vacation schemes or the direct training contract 2026.

We recruit two years in advance so you can apply for a training contract from the second (or penultimate if you are studying a four year course) year of a qualifying law degree or the final year of a non-law degree. We also welcome applicants that have graduated or are changing careers.