Kingsley Napley LLP - True Picture

With an assortment of practices fit for a King, this City firm remains focused on flexing its power onto the criminal world and beyond. 

Kingsley Napley training contract review 2025

The Firm



If you’ve decided on a career in law after watching TV shows or movies about lawyers, chances are you’ve got your sights set on a life of crime… or, rather, practising criminal law. While the reality is that City lawyers often get swept up in all sorts of corporate, financial and commercial work, criminal law is certainly an attractive option. For many, the practice provides intellectually challenging projects amidst a fascinating network of global cases. In London, a city enmeshed in all sorts of criminal complexities, criminal lawyers are offered a range of interesting work, right on their doorstep. Whether it’s sanctions linked to the Russian government, money laundering schemes through Kensington property purchases, or City investment fraud, crime powerhouse Kingsley Napley will be sure to have it covered. KN’s criminal focus is reflected in the Chambers UK guide, where the firm excels in practices such as financial crime, general crime, public inquiries and extradition, alongside POCA work and professional discipline. But don’t let the firm’s historic focus get in the way; KN is far from a one-trick pony and achieves sound recognition for its work in family, immigration, tax, real estate and employment.

“I wanted to join a firm that had a good criminal reputation, but I wanted to work in other areas, too.”

So, with such practice area diversity, KN is certainly a jack-of-all-trades but, contrary to the age-old adage, is indeed a master of at least one! As one trainee highlighted, “I wanted to join a firm that had a good criminal reputation, but I wanted to work in other areas, too.” Training principal Shannett Thompson tells us more about this variety: “While we want people who are interested in criminal litigation, we also want people who are genuinely interested in Kingsley Napley. That’s because there’s lots of synergy between all our departments and how we work together.” However, it was also the culture and promise of a healthy work-life balance that proved an almighty allure for some, meaning that KN naturally draws “people who are willing to get stuck in and work hard, but not to the detriment of their wellbeing.” Given that trainees were quick to describe the firm as one that “doesn’t bleed trainees dry” and has “a focus on giving back to the community,” it’s no surprise that, as Thompson notes, the firm is looking for people who are “personable and have the ability to build rapport with clients.”

The Seats



Before arriving at the firm, newbies are invited to select five preferences for seat allocation, and the firm prefers for trainees to complete at least one-contentious seat over the two years. HR also runs sessions to go through each seat in more detail so that trainees can make a more informed decision. We heard that seats such as crime, dispute resolution and public law tend to be oversubscribed, so insiders suggested that some tactical choices might be necessary when selecting seat preferences. Some felt that the process could be slightly more transparent as most “end up with a seat they didn’t pick.” Still, this was a benefit for some as it represents a chance to break out of your comfort zone, and sources nonetheless appreciated that HR respects trainees’ choices and tries to place people in their desired seats.

The firm is famed for its criminalwork – in the legal sense, we must add! – so it only follows that the group engages in “everything under the sun,” including youth crime, extraditions, Interpol-related work, white-collar and Financial Conduct Authority investigations. In fact, many were drawn to the firm thanks to this work and found that, upon joining the team, the seat came with “good client contact, lots of responsibility and the opportunity to run cases.” According to insiders, “the crime team is much quieter, and has more of a ‘get your head down and get on with things’ sort of vibe.” This extra degree of seriousness is reflected in the fact that the seat only takes on second-year trainees, as highly complex and often confidential big-money deals are the norm. For instance, the team worked on an £8.2 billion cross-border case relating to Autonomy founder Mike Lynch’s extradition to the US.

KN’s immigrationdepartment handles both private client and corporate work, though most trainees sit in the private client team. This side of the work involves asylum cases and spouse, child and student visas, while corporate mainly covers skilled work visas, sponsor licence publications and company compliance procedures. “It’s a very hands-on department,” one trainee noted, explaining how, “pretty early on, I was encouraged to correspond with clients directly.” This was seconded by a fellow newbie, who explained that, “as a trainee, you’ll be put on multiple cases as they start and you then follow them as they progress.” This means that trainees get involved in corresponding with clients, helping them submit any necessary documents and then “walk them through the whole process, explaining what’s going to happen next. You’re very involved in the writing process, too.” Otherwise, day-to-day tasks include drafting applications, case management, and attending client meetings and Home Office interviews. Overall, trainees praised the high level of responsibility, training and “cool work” that comes with the seat.

“We’ve acted for the richest family in the UK!”

Dispute resolution is split into a number of subgroups, such as reputation management, fraud, contentious trust & private, general litigation and insolvency. While it “doesn’t all sound sexy,” one trainee made sure to point out how it includes plenty of interesting, specialist work such as arbitration, contentious data protection and IP. Specific client names are kept under wraps for this department, but the group typically works for both individuals and businesses on a range of high-value claims, from corporate, tax disputes, and IP to sports and insolvency & restructuring. Drafting emails and correspondence seemed to be the typical task for trainees here, on top of preparing bundles for court. Will disputes were said to be common in this seat, and one interviewee was keen to highlight, “we’ve acted for the richest family in the UK!” Otherwise, trainees were pleased to pick up a “fantastic skillset” from what they described as “the powerhouse seat of the firm.”

KN’s family department is yet another broad seat, covering the likes of divorces, division of assets, child agreement orders, surrogacy, prenups and cohabitation agreements. Trainee tasks here include replying to questionnaires, taking notes in client meetings and updating asset schedules. Outside of this, one source mentioned that “they’re good at giving work that really challenges you,” while another felt that family was “one of the better seats for letting you get involved in things.” This increased level of responsibility was especially appreciated as a way of “letting you see the ins and outs of a family case. You really do get stuck in.” Interestingly enough, we heard that workflow can be a bit up and down as “people are playing happy families at Christmas so nobody’s getting divorced!” However, with lots of court hearings across the UK, amidst private hearings and arbitration, newbies found there were plenty of disputes to get their teeth into, both in and out of court.

“They really want you to get involved in a case and see it through from start to finish.”

Trainees explained that the real estate group is split into residential, commercial and construction. While residential typically involves the sale of (“very nice and expensive”) apartments for corporate clients, commercial typically covers agreements and leases of industrial buildings. Clients on this side of coin have included the likes of Wallace Estates and Gray’s Inn Capital. Construction, meanwhile, does exactly what it says on the tin, and trainees get “chunky tasks” as “they really want you to get involved in a case and see it through from start to finish.” This means that trainees will likely get involved in research, reviewing Land Registry documents and drafting leases, contracts and transfers. Newbies across the board were happy with the level of responsibility, and made sure to highlight, “I was able to run a couple of smaller purchases by myself – with oversight of course!”

Trainee Life



Given that KN’s office is based just 10-15 minutes from Liverpool Street and Moorgate stations, our sources had no issues fulfilling the firm’s guideline of two to three days per week in-office. The open-plan office is divided into ‘neighbourhoods,’ with each department taking up a different area of the office. Insiders described the office space as “very modern,” explaining how the open space means that “it’s easy to go up to colleagues and ask questions.” However, when not swept up in their matters, juniors can make the most of the office space, which includes a gym, wellness facility, prayer room, meditation space and “lots of plants” as an added bonus. What’s more, an external massage therapist visits weekly and trainees can book in a free session! However, according to one trainee, “most people would say the best thing about the office is Lenny’s café.” Named after a long-serving clerk, the firm’s very own restaurant offers trainees a free breakfast of “waffles, pancakes, and things like that,” as well as a “very reasonably priced” lunch.

The work-life balance also received rave reviews from interviewees, though we heard that “you do have some pinch points” in certain departments. For instance, some recalled finishing at 8.30pm at times and noted that “there are occasions where you have to be prepared to work longer hours,” but it’s far from the norm. In fact, hours are typically 9.30am to 6pm, and trainees are often told to “get out after that!” However, some were still less than satisfied with the salary, which is currently £40,000 for first-years and £43,000 in year two. “London is expensive,” one interviewee reminded, “and given that we’re a medium-sized firm working with high-profile clients, I think it could be higher.” That being said, others did recognise that “we don’t have the same expectation to work the hours that trainees do in magic circle firms.”

“Everyone works impressively hard, but there’s an understanding that we’re human, too.”

“Open,” “relaxed,” and “supportive” were just a few of the adjectives interviewees used to describe the culture at KN. Still, it’s certainly worth bearing in mind that “taking those words in isolation may make it seem like the firm is gentle, but it isn’t necessarily. Rather, everyone works impressively hard, but there’s an understanding that we’re human, too.” In particular, insiders valued the “real emphasis on your character,” which has led to “quite a diverse range of people and personalities.” Trainees also felt a lack of hierarchy at the firm, meaning that there’s “an environment of lifting each other up. The days I go into the office I come home in a better mood!” It may come as no surprise then that KN reportedly has a thriving social scene, and newbies attended annual Christmas and summer parties as well as picnics, quiz nights, chocolate making sessions and spontaneous pizza and prosecco evenings.

When it comes to diversity, equity & inclusion, KN is most famous for its extremely strong female representation, with women making up roughly 70% of the firm. Aside from this, the firm has a racial representation and equality group called Reach, an LGBTQ+ network, and a disability group called Enable. The firm also held a recent Windrush Day where “some external speakers came in to talk about the legacy of the generation and the more recent scandal.” On the wellbeing side of things, employees at KN can utilise Self Space, which comes with six free counselling sessions on top of GP access and online therapy, as well as yoga, Pilates, and a prayer room. This altruism extends beyond the firm, as our sources noted the vast array of pro bono opportunities on offer. If this floats your boat, KN does “really fulfilling and rewarding” work with the Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre, Z2K and Amicus International.

“They’ve made it clear that I can approach them at any time if there’s something I need to discuss.”

Interviewees get a senior associate or partner supervisor for each seat, and typically meet weekly to discuss work and any other concerns. According to one trainee, “my current supervisor is supportive, encouraging and thoughtful. They’ve made it clear that I can approach them at any time if there’s something I need to discuss.” Meanwhile, training is a combination of team-specific and firm-wide sessions, the latter of which predominantly focuses on personal skills and business development. Qualification, however, was “probably the area where trainees are most unhappy,” with sources describing the process as “extensive.” We heard that the application requires a personal and business case, two casework examples, a personal marketing plan, appraisal reviews and a subsequent interview. Despite the lengthy process, KN took on seven out of nine qualifiers in 2024.

That’s a wrap-ley...

Trainees can finish work early on certain days to take part in local community initiatives.

How to get a Kingsley Napley training contract 

  • Opening dates for training contract applications (2027): December 2024 
  • Training contract deadline (2027): April 2025 

Applications 

Kingsley Napley doesn't have a vacation scheme, although it does offer a work experience programme throughout the summer months. 

In the most recent recruitment cycle, KN received 700 applications and offered seven trainee places. Applications for a training contract begin with an online form at Apply4Law. An example of a question from a previous year is: ‘Kingsley Napley is committed to innovation in all areas. Other than the use of artificial intelligence, what initiative/ area would you suggest to the firm to ensure that we stay ahead of our competitors?' The firm recruits two years in advance. 

KN has no minimum grade requirements, but is looking for applicants who produced well-rounded applications.  

Assessments and interviews 

Successful applicants are invited to a virtual assessment day. The day is made up of two tasks, and takes around 3 hours. 

The day includes a case study exercise, followed by a group debate exercise. The topics are disclosed on the day, and candidates are given some time to prepare before presenting their arguments to the assessors.   

Successful candidates from the assessment days are then invited to attend a final interview with three partners or senior associates and a member of the People and Culture team. The interview consists of a mixture of competency, skill and opinion-based questions. For candidates hoping to stand out, what matters most to the firm is that a candidate’s personal values that align with KN’s firm-wide culture. 

Offers of training contracts are made to candidates by July. 

 

Kingsley Napley LLP

20 Bonhill Street ,
London,
EC2A 4DN
Website www.kingsleynapley.co.uk

Firm profile



Kingsley Napley is an internationally recognised law firm based in central London. Our wide range of expertise means that we can provide support for our clients in all areas of their business and private life. Many of our lawyers are leaders in their field and our practice areas are highly ranked by the legal directories.

We have a reputation for being innovative, creative and sensitive in our approach to complex legal issues, and over the years we have played a central role in many cases which have had a profound impact on our legal system

Main areas of work



Clinical negligence and personal injury, corporate and commercial, criminal litigation, dispute resolution, employment, family, immigration, private client, public law, real estate and regulatory and professional discipline.

Training opportunities



The firm looks for both legal and non-legal graduates who have a strong academic background (achieved a 2:1 degree). A trainee will need to demonstrate commercial awareness, motivation and enthusiasm. To be successful you will need excellent communication skills with the ability to be a creative, practical problem solver. We look for team players who bring something to the table and have a long-term interest in Kingsley Napley and the areas of legal practice it focuses on.

The training contract will consist of four seats in both contentious and non-contentious practice areas, which aim to provide trainees with a wide range skills and practical experience. Individual preferences for seats will be taken into account, but will also be balanced with the firm’s needs.

Trainees work closely with partners and lawyers at all levels in a supportive team structure, and have regular reviews to assist with development. The firm has a friendly and open environment which gives trainees the chance to meet clients, be responsible for their own work and join in marketing and client development activities. 

Other benefits



All trainees have access to core benefits which include private medical insurance, a medical cash plan, income protection, life assurance and the pension scheme. We also have a flexible benefits portal where you can opt in for different benefits which include dental insurance, gym discounts and critical illness. Trainees are entitled to 25 days annual leave per year with a discretionary day being awarded at Christmas time.

University law careers fairs 2022



• Legal Cheek Law Fair – 8 September 2022
• BPP Law Fair – 5 October 2022
• Legal Cheek Law Fair 11 October 2022
• Legal Cheek Law Fair 22 November 2022
• Legal Cheek Law Fair 5 April 2023
• Legal Cheek Law Fair 21 June 2023

This Firm's Rankings in
UK Guide, 2024

Ranked Departments

    • Clinical Negligence: Mainly Claimant (Band 2)
    • Crime (Band 1)
    • Employment: Employer (Band 5)
    • Employment: Senior Executive (Band 2)
    • Family/Children Law (Band 1)
    • Family/Matrimonial Finance: Ultra High Net Worth (Band 3)
    • Financial Crime: Corporates (Band 3)
    • Financial Crime: Individuals (Band 1)
    • Real Estate: £10-50 million (Band 3)
    • Administrative & Public Law: Mainly Commercial (Band 1)
    • Administrative & Public Law: Mainly Public Sector & Charities (Band 1)
    • Court of Protection: Property & Affairs (Band 3)
    • Defamation/Reputation Management (Band 4)
    • Extradition (Band 1)
    • Financial Services: Contentious Regulatory (Individuals) (Band 2)
    • Fraud: Civil (Band 2)
    • Health & Safety (Band 5)
    • Immigration: Business (Band 1)
    • Immigration: Human Rights, Asylum and Deportation (Band 3)
    • Immigration: Personal (Band 2)
    • POCA Work & Asset Forfeiture (Band 1)
    • Professional Discipline (Band 1)
    • Public Inquiries (Band 1)
    • Tax: Contentious: Fraud (Band 2)