Frequently asked questions

We accept all degree disciplines but you must have attained, or be expected to attain a 2:1 or above degree or equivalent.

No, but due to the level of competition for training contracts, we do look for the highest grades possible.

We ask our future trainees to attend The College of Law for the GDL and LPC. The College has a wide choice of geographical locations and you are free to apply to any of these centres.

For each year of GDL and/or LPC study we provide full fees to those who have accepted our offer of a training contract in London or Milton Keynes. We will reimburse the full fees for those who have already completed the LPC who have accepted our offer of a training contract in London.

For those who have accepted our offer of a training contract in London or Milton Keynes, for each year of actual study, we also offer a maintenance grant of £6,000 per annum (£7,000 per annum for students studying in London).

If you are joining our London office, we prefer you to take three “City” electives on Corporate and Banking topics. Titles differ in different institutions but it should be topics such as Private Company Acquisitions, Corporate Finance, Debt Finance and/or Equity Finance.

If, however, you have a particular interest in commercial litigation or commercial property, then we would not object to you substituting one of these for one of the banking topics.

If you are joining our Milton Keynes office, please study two City electives of your choice and Advanced Property Law.

If you are unsure about your elective choices, please discuss with us.

Training contracts in London

Your first two years will consist of four six-month seats and we’ll listen to which areas you’re particularly interested in. You must complete a seat in Banking & Finance and one contentious seat.

You may also have the opportunity to work abroad, or go on a client secondment. Whatever seats you opt for, you’ll enjoy the support of a dedicated supervisor to guide you through the transition to becoming a solicitor.

Training contracts in Milton Keynes

Your first two years will consist of four six-month seats. We currently have seats in Corporate, Dispute Resolution, Real Estate, Property Litigation, Construction and Employment. All trainees must complete one non-contentious transactional seat (ie Corporate or Real Estate) and one Dispute Resolution seat.

Most of your training will be on-the-job with your supervisor and other members of the department. However, more structured training will include a comprehensive induction programme when you arrive at the firm and departmental training each time you move seats. There is also the compulsory Professional Skills Course, which is run in-house. There are legal training and personal development sessions running throughout the year and you are encouraged to attend those relevant to you and your career development.

There is a range of formal and informal support during your training contract. You will be allocated a buddy in week one who will have been working in the department where you will spend your first seat - they will introduce you to your supervisor and other key members in the team. Each department has a partner with specific responsibility for trainee matters and, of course, your supervisor who will monitor and mentor you for six months. Our chief executive is also our training principal and takes an active interest in trainee learning and development. Our trainee reps are also there as a constructive medium for exchanging views, achievements, concerns or issues between HR, partners and trainees.

Informal feedback is given regularly with a more structured mid-seat review meeting at the three-month stage. At the end of each seat you will have a formal appraisal with your supervisor and an independent partner, who will be there to provide one-to-one guidance on your career development.

We advertise the positions available and trainees are invited to apply to up to three of these departments. All trainees are interviewed against a competency framework and sit a critical thinking test.

Yes, there is the opportunity if you are training in the London office. The number of opportunities available will vary from year to year. Overseas seats include Muscat, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Istanbul and Moscow.

Total people – 1441

Europe

London
Milton Keynes
Paris
Istanbul

Russia and Central Asia

Almaty
Moscow
St Petersburg (associate firm)
Tashkent
Ashgabat (associate firm)

Middle East and Africa

Abu Dhabi Amman (associate office)
Cairo
Dubai
Kuwait (associate office)
Muscat
Doha
Riyadh (associate office)
Singapore

Up to 35 a year for London and up to 5 for Milton Keynes.

Denton Wilde Sapte believes in giving something back to the communities in which we operate, and we encourage all employees to share in this commitment. As a trainee, you will have an opportunity to assist with a free legal advice clinic in Poplar, East London, volunteer at our reading scheme with local primary schools and provide breakfasts for the homeless at the Whitechapel Mission. The firm also has pro bono relationships with UNICEF, the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) and the HIV/AIDS Alliance. For further details please visit the pro–bono section.

We have an expansive list of clubs and activities. There are over 20 sports, including hockey, rugby, badminton, softball, football, women’s football, cricket, netball, karate/self defence, aerobics classes and dragon boat racing. Some slightly less strenuous activities are yoga, pilates, tai chi and a choir. All offer excellent social occasions for our staff.

We also have a social committee who organise regular firm-wide social events including quiz evenings, sponsored walks and drinks evenings. Proceeds from tickets sold to these events go to the DWS nominated charity, which is currently Macmillan Cancer Support.

Other events include the annual summer party, departmental away days, departmental Christmas parties and the firm’s Christmas carol service.

Trainee reps also have their own budget, which goes towards organising social activities for the trainees.

Our Paris office is able to offer work experience (stages) to law students of all levels. For details click here.

Yes