First Year Insight Scheme

Are you ready to step into the world of commercial law? Our First Year Insight Scheme offers an exclusive, behind-the-scenes experience at one of the City’s leading law firms.

This immersive four-day scheme is the perfect springboard to our Vacation Scheme and Training Programme – giving you a head start in your legal career.

Scheme dates: Monday 30 March to Thursday 2 April 2026

What to expect: The scheme

Across four action-packed days, you’ll take part in:

• A group negotiation exercise – sharpen your negotiation skills and learn how to think on your feet in a realistic commercial scenario.
• An application skills workshop – our Early Careers team will walk you through our application form and share insider tips to help you stand out from the crowd.
• A seminar from our Learning team – gain an insider’s view of how law firms operate and make money, helping you understand the commercial drivers behind our work and the wider legal market.
• Lunch and socials with associates and trainees – enjoy an informal opportunity to ask questions, share experiences, and hear what life is really like at Macfarlanes.
• Speed networking across all our practice areas – meet fee earners from across the firm and discover the breadth of our work.
• Work shadowing a trainee – step into the shoes of a Macfarlanes Trainee Solicitor and experience first-hand the variety and pace of their day. You might sit in on a client call, assist with legal research, or review a draft agreement.

By the end of the scheme, you’ll leave with:

• A deeper understanding of our practice areas and the role of a Trainee Solicitor
• New skills and insights to strengthen your future applications
• First-hand experience that could be your first step towards securing a place on our Vacation Scheme or Training Programme

Who can apply?

We welcome applications from students in their first year of a three-year degree, or the second year of a four-year degree. Whether you're studying law or another subject, we’re looking for individuals who bring critical thinking, drive, and a great commercial mindset.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early to avoid missing out.

What to expect: The application process

Once you’ve submitted your application, you’ll be invited to complete our immersive online assessment, designed to reflect life at Macfarlanes. You’ll work through scenario-based tasks across our key practice areas: Corporate and M&A, Banking and Finance, Private Client and Litigation and Dispute Resolution. This isn’t just a test; it’s a chance to showcase your judgment, problem-solving, and critical thinking – essential skills for any future Macfarlanes lawyer. We want to see how you approach real-world challenges, so our advice is simple: be yourself and answer honestly.

Designed in collaboration with our lawyers, the assessment reflects the work we do and the skills we value most. It’s not just about helping us spot your potential – it also gives you an authentic glimpse into what it’s like to be a Trainee Solicitor at Macfarlanes. That way, you can decide if this is the right career path and firm for you.

To prepare, we recommend exploring the practice questions on Cappfinity’s preparation hub so you can approach the assessments with confidence.