SPARK Development Programme 2026

About the Firm

We are one of the largest international law firms in the world. With over 30 offices across the globe, we strive to exceed the expectations of our clients, providing them with the highest-quality advice and legal insight, which combines the firm’s global standards with in-depth local expertise.

Our one firm global strategy is focused on targeted growth led by the needs of our core clients, those who we can best support with the breadth and depth of Clifford Chance expertise, across the sectors and geographies, which matter most to them.

Our firm, work and people span jurisdictions, cultures, and languages. We offer our clients a truly international perspective. We believe every career should be rewarding and stimulating - full of opportunities to learn, thrive, and grow. That’s why we’re so proud of our inclusive, friendly, and team-based approach to work.

You’ll find our clients in commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. But no matter who they are or why they’ve reached out to us, we provide a world-class service every step of the way. And that’s possible thanks to the entrepreneurial spirit and conscientious approach to work that you’ll find across all of our teams.

Whichever area of the business you join, you’ll become an integral part an innovative, diverse and ambitious team of people. Clifford Chance is a place where the brightest minds and the best of colleagues meet.

Deadline for Applications: 16th February 2026

Job Overview

SPARK has been developed from a one-week internship into a nine-month development programme to give you deep insights into our work and to develop your legal knowledge, commercial awareness, and core business skills. With both in-person and virtual content, the programme follows key pillars designed to be fast-paced, dynamic and full of opportunities to meet representatives from the firm and to learn about our business. You can find out more about the various pillars here. You'll benefit from an unparalleled introduction to the high-performance world of commercial law experiencing a blend of classroom-based learning, dedicated skill development, time spent shadowing our lawyers and more. It can also lead you straight to a Training Contract. Elements of the programme are paid at £500 per week. Where applicable, we will support travel and accomodation costs.

You will need to be available in the UK for the dates listed below:

• Launch =  5th  May 2026
• Insights (3 days), Skills (2 days) =  22nd June to 26th June 2026
• Shadowing =  29th June to 3rd July 2026 or 6th July to 10th July 2026  

Eligibility

SPARK is open to first year law students on a three-year degree, second year students on a four-year law degree or penultimate year non-law students. If your law degree is not England and Wales qualifying, you are considered as a non-law student and will need to apply in your penultimate year. You must be studying your first undergraduate degree at a University in the UK. You must also have the right to work in the UK.

How to Apply

• Complete the online application form.
• Take the Watson Glaser critical reasoning test.
• If you pass the Watson Glaser test, your application form will be reviewed by the early talent acquisition team.
• Successful candidates at application review will be invited to a recorded video interview.
• If you are successful at the video interview stage, you will be invited for an in-person assessment day which is typically no more than 3-4 hours in duration. It will consist of a written exercise, a combined commercial and competency-based interview with two fee-earners, and a group exercise.

Who you will work with

Over the course of the programme, you will build your network and receive many learning and development opportunities with your dedicated Buddy Bubble, the early talent acquisition team,  lawyers across the firm, our affinity networks, and your dedicated supervisor during the week of SPARK Shadowing.

What you will do

Your journey with the firm will start with SPARK Launch at our London office to celebrate your place on the programme and provide you with information and advice that will set you up for success.

You will have access to a dedicated Buddy Bubble made up of a newly qualified associated, a trainee, 2-3 future trainees, and 2-3 SPARK interns. You will receive support on how to make the most of these relationships.

You'll spend two weeks with us during the summer. During week one, you'll experience an intensive schedule of classroom-based learning at the firm, taking a deep dive into our business. During week two, you'll get a behind the scenes feel for what a Training Contract at the firm could look like as you will experience a week in a practice area with a dedicated supervisor.

Furthermore, we are committed to providing you with dedicated skills training during the programme to aid your professional development, and there will be a number of opportunities throughout your time with us to get to know the community and culture at Clifford Chance, build bonds with your SPARK cohort, and gain insights into our global community outreach and pro bono work.

Your career experience so far

Outside of our academic requirements, you do not need any specific experiences or legal knowledge prior to applying for this role.

However, we will need you to demonstrate attributes/skills such as:

• Business awareness and problem solving with commercial insight and an ability to identify legal and business issues. You will need an inquisitive mind and an ability to articulate and apply your knowledge creatively in a solution-focused manner with an ability to explore and analyse ideas.
• An ability to understand our clients needs and provide exceptional client service, putting clients at the heart of everything you do.
• Leadership and collaboration skills with a natural enthusiasm for being a team player.
• An ability to multi-task, remain organised and thrive through challenges in a fast-paced high-pressure and high-performance environment with demanding deadlines.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including being reliable and responsive, and providing regular updates to team members when needed.
• An ability to demonstrate a real desire to learn from those around you and with an ambition to progress and gain exposure within the firm and with clients.
• The ability and desire to take pride in your approach to work and your work output, including proactively seeking feedback and taking responsibility for your own career. You will take ownership of your work, being proactive, solution-oriented, accountable, and committed to continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of and a genuine interest in the role, firm and our clients with an understanding of how this aligns with your skillset and career ambitions.

How we will support you

The early talent acquisition Team, your Buddy Bubble and your supervisor will support you throughout the programme.

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.

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.

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 about our inclusive culture here.

Location

London, Canary Wharf (in 2027 the Company will be relocating to 2 Aldermanbury Square, EC2).

The following elements will be in person and held at our offices in Canary Wharf:

• Launch
• Insights
• Skills
• Shadowing

The following elements will be hybrid:

• Buddy
• Community
• Action