A1: We are currently looking to recruit trainees to join us in September 2013. So in order to apply this year you need to be in your penultimate year of a law degree or final year of a non-law degree.

A2: We are looking for individuals with a good academic background, who are enthusiastic, motivated, resourceful, innovative and practical.

A3: It’s a little early to apply for a vacation scheme. We recommend you contact us about attending an open day to gain an overview of the firm, before applying for a vacation scheme during the second year of your degree.

A4: We consider applicants from all degree disciplines and around 50% of our trainees come from a non-law background. We believe this brings a breadth of skills into the firm. The earliest point you can apply for a vacation scheme or training contract is the final year of your degree.

A5: Though we don’t recruit with specific language criteria in mind, we do have an international client base. This means that candidates with a foreign language are very useful to our business. However, we do offer language tuition where required.

A6: We typically offer 12 to 14 places every year.

A7: No. By being accepted onto the scheme you will automatically be considered for a training contract, should you wish to be.

A8: Please use the ‘supplementary information’ section for this.

A9: Applicants for a vacation scheme are considered for a training contract at the same time, so we are unable to consider reapplications in the same year.

A10: Please send an email to graduates@wfw.com detailing the problems you are experiencing with the form.

A11: Please use the supplementary information section at the end of the form to detail any qualifications you are unable to include in the education section.

A12: Please give us the percentage grade or actual mark received, not just the degree classification (e.g. 2:1) – unless this is how your course was graded.

A13: Our approach is to invest in trainees as future partners of the firm. We therefore aim to retain as many as possible after qualification. On average this equates to a retention rate of 80% or above.

A14: We pay full fees for both CPE/GDL and LPC, plus a maintenance grant for both CPE/GDL and LPC. Maintenance is currently £6,500 for those studying in London and £5,500 for those outside London. Maintenance is paid directly into your bank account in 10 monthly instalments. If a trainee fails to join the firm for any reason, then we ask for repayment in full of any law school fees and maintenance paid by the firm.

A15: Yes. We are accredited by the SRA to run the Professional Skills Course in-house (mandatory for all trainees, during the two-year period of the training contract). We also hold a series of in-house lectures – many of the speakers are from leading sets of chambers or industry experts with whom we have links, as well as partners and senior assistants.

A16: Unfortunately we are only able to offer the schemes advertised on the website. If you are thinking about applying to us in the future and have started your university degree, take a look at our open days section.