ACCESS two-year Development Programme (London)

Clifford Chance is proud to be a founding member of PRIME. Through PRIME, we are committed to ensuring that anyone who wants to enter the world of law has an equal chance to do so, regardless of their background.

For many years, obtaining work experience in the legal sector depended largely on who you know rather than what you know. PRIME members have made a commitment to change this by providing fair access to work experience.

Our response to this is our bespoke two-year development programme - Clifford Chance ACCESS. 

This pioneering programme consists of twelve different components, each focused around specific core areas of your personal and professional development, culminating in the opportunity to secure a place on our ACCESS SPARK programme and ultimately a Training Contract. 

More information about the 12 different components of the programme can be found on our website.

Eligibility

To be offered a place on the two-year ACCESS programme, you must be available to attend ACCESS Development from 24^th – 27^th July 2023. This is a four-day virtual work placement where you will take part in a variety of sessions to inform you about a career in law as well as developing skills such as networking, presentation, and teamwork.

In order to apply to Clifford Chance ACCESS, you must meet the following qualifying criteria:

• You are in Year 12 (England and Wales), S5 (Scotland) or Lower Sixth (Northern Ireland)

You must also meet at least TWO of the following criteria (please tick all that are applicable to you);

•  You are attending, and have attended from age 11, a state-funded, non fee-paying school/college 
• You grew up in a household where no parent or guardian attended university.
• You are currently in receipt of, or have previously received, free school meals, Pupil Premium, Education Maintenance Allowance and/or a 16 to 19 Bursary
• You are attending a school or college with;
  1. A below average A-level or Higher point score; and/or
  2. low rate of progression to higher education
• You have been, or are currently, in local authority care (for a period of three months or longer)
• You are, or have been, a full-time or part-time carer
• You came to the UK as a refugee or an asylum seeker.
• At age 14, the occupation of the main household earner (parent/guardian) is considered to be in the lower socioeconomic group which is namely;
  1. technical and craft occupations such as: motor mechanic, plumber, printer, electrician, gardener, train driver
  2. routine, semi-routine manual and service occupations such as: postal worker, machine operative, security guard, caretaker, farm worker, catering assistant, sales assistant, HGV driver, cleaner, porter, packer, labourer, waiter or waitress, bar staff
  3. long-term unemployed (claimed Jobseeker’s Allowance or earlier unemployment benefit for more than a year)

Note: young people who meet the local authority care criterion do not need to meet any other criterion.

The application process

Applications open on 1st September 2022 and close at 1159PM on Sunday 30^th April 2023.

Once you have submitted your application you will receive a link to complete an online Watson Glaser critical reasoning assessment (within 5 working days). This takes approximately 30 minutes and should be completed within 5 days of receiving our email with instructions.

Unlike our graduate roles, you will not be rejected based on this test score – however we will consider this alongside your application review. Remember to use our practice Watson Glaser Test and try to prepare yourself as best you can.

Informal video interviews will take place from 29^th May – 2^nd June (Half Term).

For more information about the programme and hints and tips about the process, we strongly recommend that you watch this short video.

About the Firm

Whatever your area of expertise, you will find a range of career opportunities at Clifford Chance. And wherever you’re heading, Clifford Chance is where you can be true to your ambitions.

Our firm work and people span jurisdictions, cultures and languages. In a world where commercial success increasingly relies on globalisation, we offer clients a truly international perspective, and we offer our people a rewarding and stimulating career. 

We're proud of our approachable, friendly and team-based way of working. Highly professional and self-assured, with an entrepreneurial streak, our people are more than happy to share their expertise and knowledge.

Hybrid Working

This role follows our 'balanced' hybrid working approach and as long as business needs allow, you will be supported to work in a hybrid way with the expectation of working from the office for a minimum of 50% of your time. Please see our careers site for further information on our working environment. 
 

To find out more about what it is like to work in Clifford Chance in UK, please visit link.

Equal opportunities

At Clifford Chance we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age. This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer, and every other aspect of employment.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm. Find out more here.

Key dates

Applications open: 1 September 2022

Applications close: 1159pm 30^th April 2023

Video Interviews: 29^th May – 2^nd June (Half Term)

ACCESS Launch: Tuesday 18^th July 2023

ACCESS Development: 24^th – 27^th July 2023