Spring/Summer Vacation Scheme 2026

Spring/Summer Vacation Scheme 2026

We offer 12 - 14 places each vacation scheme and pay £750 per week.

The vacation scheme aims to provide a practical insight into life as a Cleary lawyer. Our objective throughout is to involve participants directly in client work. In addition to providing hands-on experience, the scheme incorporates a series of practice overview sessions designed to ensure exposure to the full range of work that we undertake in London. There are also a number of organised social events so that participants can get to know the current partners, counsel, associates and trainees of the firm.

Qualification Requirements

We receive a very high number of applications for our vacation schemes each year. To succeed, candidates need to demonstrate exceptional academic ability. We normally expect candidates to be on course to attain a high 2.1 degree or better from a leading university and to have achieved at least AAA at A-Level or the equivalent. Alongside academic ability, we value evidence of extra-curricular achievement. Foreign language skills are a valuable asset, but are not essential.

We are proud to be using Rare Recruitment's Contextual Recruitment System (CRS) which allows us to consider your achievements in the context in which they were gained. We understand that not every candidate’s achievements look the same on paper – and we want to recruit the best people, from every background.

When to Apply

Applications for spring and summer vacation placements should be made by 31 January 2026. Successful candidates will complete the Watson Glaser test before being invited to an assessment day in person.

How to Apply

All candidates should submit a cover letter and full curriculum vitae via the firm's website including a breakdown by subject of all A-Level (or equivalent) results and degree module results where known.