Bristows LLP - True Picture

Bristows training contract review 2026

The Firm

It’s 2084, and Arnold Schwarzenegger is battling memory thieves in space, desperate to protect his real memories from being swapped with synthetic fakes. It’s a shame really, because the film would’ve ended well before the two-hour mark if Bristows’ top-tier IP team had been on the case.

“It’s such an exciting area of law, and I knew Bristows were top of the pile.”

Bristows has had IP and tech law in its DNA from the start, having drawn up patent agreements for the first practical electrical telegraph. That deep-rooted focus continues to attract future lawyers. As one trainee put it, “I applied because of the IP focus. It’s such an exciting area of law, and I knew Bristows were top of the pile.”

This is reflected in the firm’s top Chambers UK rankings in practices like IP, patent litigation and IT and outsourcing in London, and life sciences and data protection UK-wide. Given the firm’s IP and tech focus, a number of the firm’s trainees and lawyers come from STEM backgrounds. As one source added: “I wanted a career that conjoined science with law. Patent law always made sense in that way.”

The Seats

Bristows’ incoming trainees are invited to a meeting with the current cohort to get a feel for life in each department. Trainees give a short presentation on the kind of work and support available, followed by a relaxed social event that gives newcomers the chance to ask questions more informally. Those we spoke to said it helped them a lot when deciding on preferences.

Before starting their first seat, the new cohort ranks their choices, with the option to include a secondment if desired. Unlike many firms in our guide, Bristows allocates seats for the entire year up front. It’s something that trainees felt gives them a huge advantage when it comes to planning ahead. As one put it: “They’re very accommodating and the range of seats is great. I got all the departments I asked for.” Most seats run for six months, although brands, design and copyright, corporate and real estate are sometimes offered as three-month stints. Patent litigation is the only compulsory seat, and trainees must also complete either corporate or real estate.

Trainees told us that client secondments are almost guaranteed if you request one in your preferences and it aligns with business needs. Bristows’ secondees spend three months with major players across tech, life sciences, biotech and pharma. Sources described it as a valuable chance to explore non-contentious work while building relationships with leaders in the industry.

Patent litigation is one of Bristows’ largest departments and comes with top-tier recognition from our sister guide Chambers UK. The work varies depending on the stage of litigation, which is why it’s a six-month seat minimum. The department covers any kind of case that crops up in the UK Patent Courts, with experts in almost every major scientific and engineering discipline. Those we spoke to were quick to highlight the pace and variety of work: “It’s a chance to really get stuck in and get valuable experience,” one told us.

Tasks include researching niche legal areas, obtaining expert evidence, proofreading witness statements and attending High Court hearings. “I learnt the most during my time in patent litigation,” another said, “I got lots of court experience early on, which was great, and I coordinated with a range of clients from different industries.”  In one recent case, the department represented the Financial Times in various oppositions filed against a third-party financial services provider before the Hong Kong trade marks office.

As another of the contentious seats, Bristows’ competition litigation work revolves around clients in the life sciences and tech sectors. In fact, it’s a challenge to find a big-name tech client the firm hasn’t worked with, with recent cases involving Samsung, Sony and Panasonic. In one recent case, the firm represented Google a dispute brought by a number of comparison shopping companies claiming billions of pounds in damages. Trainees in the seat typically conduct legal research, advise clients, take meeting notes and help with investigations. “The work is super varied,” one trainee said, “and you gain more responsibility as the seat progresses.”

“One of my tasks was going to shopping centres and taking photos of products and branding for research – I had to be really subtle!”

As you might expect from a firm with an IP focus, brands, copyright and design is another that attracts its fair share of high-profile clients. Perhaps the pick of the bunch, the firm represented Cadbury in the famous trade mark dispute over the shape of the KitKat bar — a sweet win for the team! “There were some really fun cases,” one trainee told us, “my responsibility definitely stepped up in this seat. One of my tasks was going to shopping centres and taking photos of products and branding for research – I had to be really subtle!” Others recalled visiting police warehouses to identify counterfeit goods as part of active investigations.

While it might not immediately spring to mind when you think of Bristows, the trainees who had spent time in real estate undoubtedly left with a broader legal toolkit. While the firm does plenty of work for clients financing, investing in or developing real estate, there’s also a lot of work for owners and occupiers of business space in the tech and life sciences sectors. It’s a transactional seat that offers a welcome contrast to the firm’s litigation focus. “I felt like I was on a long leash,” one trainee said, “there was real responsibility but also a strong support network.”

It’s not often that you’ll hear trainees speak about independently starting, leading and closing matters, but that’s exactly what happens here. Daily work involves drafting leases, liaising with clients and conducting completion calls. “For a firm so focused on litigation, having a transactional seat where you can handle smaller, independent matters is a fantastic opportunity,” a trainee added. In one recent deal, the firm represented global technology company, Glory Global Solutions, in connection with the letting of new offices premises.

Trainee Life

“…they couldn’t compete with Bristows’ quality of work, specialised areas and friendly culture.”

Bristows’ trainees told us that the firm’s healthy work/life balance was one of the biggest draws when applying and remains a major reason why they want to stay. While some acknowledged that the £48,000 salary for first-year trainees might be less competitive than the biggest firms, they felt the trade-off was worth it. As one trainee put it: “It’s easy to lose perspective of salaries in law. I could move to a better paying firm if I wanted to, but they couldn’t compete with Bristows’ quality of work, specialised areas and friendly culture.”

When you picture life at a top law firm, it’s easy to assume a strict formality, with clear lines drawn between juniors and senior staff. But according to the current cohort, that couldn’t be further from the reality at Bristows. Trainees said they connect with partners on a personal as well as professional level, and that there’s a strong sense of mutual respect across the firm: “I have a laugh with everyone. Every member of staff from IT to HR knows every trainee by face and name, which I find really impressive.” We heard that there’s no sense of competition between trainees either, just genuine friendships and regular pub trips as a cohort - when the workload allows, of course!

“If you want to be a specialist and learn as much as possible, then Bristows is the perfect place.”

Trainees were quick to point out that the firm also offers an IP course at Oxford University and a commercial disputes course at King’s College London to supplement in-house training, although this happens at the NQ level for those that qualify into brands, copyright and design or commercial disputes. “If you want to be a specialist and learn as much as possible, then Bristows is the perfect place,” one trainee said, “they’re very focused on learning and development.”

This includes ‘lunch and learn’ seminars in the firm’s subsidised cafeteria. Trainees are assigned a partner supervisor who they will be partnered up with for the full two years: “They aren’t scary!” one reassured us, “by the end, you’ll get to know them on a personal level too, because they’re there for pastoral support as well.” There are also seat-specific supervisors who organise daily check ins, as well as a “more structured development review cycle at the end of your seat where you get official feedback.”

Bristows London HQ is based in the Unilever building; “I love the location, it’s really well placed in the city,” one told us. Trainees are required in the office three days a week, “but there are no set days. Some departments have anchor days, but not all of them.” When it came to working hours, “we are typically in between 9.30 and 6.30/7pm, unless you’re in the run up to a trial. But it’s rare that you’ll have to be in the office late. If you are busy, you can work from home in the evening.”

The firm has a race and ethnic diversity network which hosts events, initiatives and workshops, “fantastic events with amazing turnout and a lot of support from partners in terms of funding, attendance and moral support.” Trainees also highlighted the mental health provision as a particular strength, with a team of mental health first aiders and a neurodiversity group which launched in the last six months, aimed at creating a healthier and more adaptable working environment for neurodiverse lawyers.

When it comes to qualification, the firm circulates a list of departments that are hiring, and trainees list their top two choices. About a month later, they find out where they’ll qualify - no interview required! Those we spoke to appreciated the clear and informal approach: “It’s a nice system. They aren’t there to trip you up.” 9 out of 10 qualifiers received an offer in 2025.

How to get a Bristows training contract 

Workshop deadlines: IP Workshops 17 October 2025, STEM IP Workshop 24 October 2025, STEM Fastrack IP Workshop 31 October 2025, Undergraduate IP Workshop 22 May 2026 

Training contract deadline: 2 January 2026 

Workshops 

Bristows offers intensive one-day IP workshops to give students and graduates the opportunity to learn more about intellectual property law and the career opportunities available at Bristows. The application process starts with a comprehensive online form where candidates can show their academic background, experience to date, and interest in a career at Bristows. This is followed by a recorded video interview. “We want to see evidence of research into the firm and an authentic interest in the specialist areas that we have to offer,” says graduate talent manager Harriet Lunn-Jones, touching on the importance of providing answers that are well structured and tailored to the firm. The workshop offers learning opportunities, interactive case studies and networking opportunities between the attendees and Bristows’ trainees and lawyers. This year the firm will be hosting four workshops in winter 2025 and one workshop for first-year undergraduates in summer 2026. 

Training contract applications 

The firm has one recruitment round in the spring, and the deadline to apply for a training contract is 2 January 2026. If you are a non-law graduate completing a postgraduate course that is more than one year of study, or a PhD, the firm advises applying in the final year of your study, so applicants have two years to complete their legal studies and SQE exams prior to the training contract start date. The firm also welcomes applications from graduates who have already started or completed their legal studies (SQE 1 and/or 2, as well as PGDL and/or LPC). 

Those applying for a training contract begin with a comprehensive online application form, which includes a personal statement. Candidates who clear this first hurdle will be invited to complete a video interview to accompany your paper application, followed by an online written exercise. The next stage in the process includes two face-to-face interviews with senior associates and partners of the firm, and a problem question exercise. Applicants will also have the opportunity to meet with a current trainee in an informal setting to get their perspective on training at the firm.