summer vacation scheme and trainee ProgrammE
Our Summer Vacation Scheme and Trainee Programme give you space to start your legal career with meaningful work from day one.
Our Summer Vacation Scheme is the route to a training contract at Marriott Harrison. We offer up to 18 places on our Summer Vacation Scheme.
As part of our Summer Vacation Scheme week, you can choose which practice areas to explore and work on real cases. You will be immersed in Marriott Harrison’s culture and may also participate in activities such as an ‘Ask Me Anything’ with our Managing Partner, Daniel Jacob.
We invite high performing Summer Vacation Scheme participants to interview for our Trainee Programme and offer up to 4 training contracts to successful candidates.
Key dates
17 November 2025 Applications open
2 February 2026 Application deadline
18 March 2026 Assessment centre
June 2026 Summer Vacation Scheme starts
July 2026 Trainee Programme interviews
September 2027 Training contracts start
SUmmer vacation scheme
That one week is full of opportunities to learn so that when you become a trainee, you will hit the ground running.
Our week long Summer Vacation Scheme offers an immersive introduction to life at Marriott Harrison. You’ll take part in structured activities across our core practice areas, gaining hands-on experience and insight into the breadth of work we do. Expect meaningful conversations with people at all levels, interactive workshops, and real exposure to the kind of work you could be doing as a trainee.
The experience is designed to give you a true flavour of our culture, supported by training and activities that give you the chance to connect with our people beyond the desk.
The application process
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Stage 1: Apply online
Submit your application online before applications close on 2 February 2026. Applications are blindly assessed by the recruitment team.
Depending on the volume of applications, we may ask applicants to complete an aptitude test prior to deciding which candidates are invited to the assessment centre
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Stage 2 (final stage): Assessment centre
If you are shortlisted, you will be invited to attend an in-person assessment centre at our London office in the third week of March 2026 (date subject to change). If you are unsuccessful in your application and are not invited to the Assessment Centre, we unfortunately are unable to provide feedback or references due to the volume of applications we receive.
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Invitation to join our Summer Vacation Scheme
We will contact you to let you know if your application is successful. If you have been selected to participate in our Summer Vacation Scheme, you will receive a formal invitation from our team.
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Transitioning from our Summer Vacation Scheme to our Trainee Programme
The Summer Vacation Scheme serves as both an introduction to Marriott Harrison and an assessment process, with high performers and people who align with our values invited to interview for trainee roles.
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Summer Vacation Scheme Weekly Stipend
£450 (please note that we do not cover travel or accommodation costs)
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We look forward to receiving your application and if you have any questions, please email: [email protected]
What we look for
At Marriott Harrison we seek ambitious, entrepreneurial people who want to grow with the firm and who embody our values and team culture.
Here is a guide to what we look for
Education - 2:1 degree or above
Legal knowledge and commercial awareness - candidates who show an interest in our areas of expertise and can demonstrate relevant knowledge or expertise will stand out
Problem solving - we encourage curiosity, critical thinking and the ability to see the bigger picture
Drafting and communication - you deliver high quality written work and communicate effectively with people at all levels
Project management - you’re a strong organiser, manage expectations and proactively anticipate next steps
Client relationship and development - you focus on delivering an exceptional client experience and foster a positive mindset towards business growth
Leadership - you have a growth mindset, are a team player and contributor. You are an active listener and inspire trust in your colleagues
Ownership - you are proactive, show initiative and go above and beyond to achieve the best outcomes
trainee programme
Within just a few days, we attended two seminars - one exploring a specialist area of tax and the other focused on client development.
Your training contract will start the year after you complete your Summer Vacation Scheme with us. Our Summer Vacation Scheme experience is the foundation for your training contract at Marriott Harrison. Incoming trainees are invited to our social events so that by the time you join as a trainee, you’ll already have a feel for the firm, know the people you may be working with, and feel confident to transition into your first seat.
The welcoming nature of Marriott Harrison makes you feel at home from day one.
Supported by a structured 24-month programme of focused technical training, you will have the opportunity to rotate through our core practices, including venture capital and M&A, commercial, dispute resolution, employment and real estate. Small teams mean early client contact and responsibility on live matters. Each month, you’ll build knowledge in a new practice area while gaining hands-on exposure to matters that may cut across multiple specialisms.
From the outset, you’ll be supported and trusted with real responsibility. Early tasks may involve drafting ancillary documents, but as you progress you’ll take on core documentation and could be engaging directly with senior lawyers on the other side, developing the skills and confidence to advise clients at the highest level and reach your full potential as a lawyer.
Your development doesn’t stop at qualification. Through MH360 Academy, our dedicated training and development programme, we equip you with the technical expertise, commercial awareness and leadership skills to become a well-rounded, successful lawyer - and a key part of Marriott Harrison’s future.
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Trainee Salary
2026 Year 1£40,000
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Trainee Salary
Year 2£42,000
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NQ Salary
£80,000
WHY NOW IS THE TIME TO JOIN US
We take a long-term view when selecting our Summer Vacation Scheme participants and trainees. Every hire is an investment in the firm’s future and many of our partners first walked through our doors as trainees.
Now is an exciting time to join us. We are an ambitious and growing firm, actively deepening and expanding our team strength in all core areas of expertise. As we grow, so do the opportunities for our people.
We invite you to be a part of our future.
Creating the space
( to succeed )
FAQs
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Applications for our Summer Vacation Scheme open on 17 November 2025 and close on 2 February 2026.
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Our process starts with the online application, those selected are invited to an assessment centre at our office. We invite up to 18 candidates to engage in our one week in-person Summer Vacation Scheme held in June 2026. Interviews for our Trainee Programme are held for high performing candidates in July 2026.
Depending on the volume of applications, we may ask applicants to do an aptitude test prior to deciding which candidates are invited to the assessment day.
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We are looking for candidates to have a minimum of a 2:1 degree.
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Unfortunately, we are unable to accept any applications after the application deadline.
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We are looking for 1 trainee to start in September 2026 (who has already completed the SQE/LPC by September 2026) and 3-4 trainees to start in September 2027.
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We have one intake per year.
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You will have input on this from your second seat onwards, but ultimately seats are based on the needs of the business and what seats are available. We require all our trainees to do at least one corporate seat.
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Our trainee retention rates are high as we aim to keep on as many trainees as possible. In the months leading up to qualification, there will be discussions about which practice area you want to qualify into. We will in turn discuss business needs with the Heads of Teams and establish where vacancies are.
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Yes, there will be various touch points during this time. You will also be invited to some of our social events.
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Starting salary for trainees is £40,000. This increases to £42,000 in the second year.
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No, if you are in the process of completing your SQE, you can still apply to Marriott Harrison’s Summer Vacation Scheme. Please note, we do not pay for your SQE in retrospect.
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No, you must have completed your LPC/ SQE by the time your Training contract with Marriott Harrison starts.
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We do not offer payment of these courses retrospectively.
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We provide sponsorship for the LPC/SQE but not for the GDL.
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We do not offer maintenance grants.
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We aim to accommodate any adjustments needed. Please ensure that this is mentioned in your application or please contact us directly at [email protected]
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Our hybrid working model is based on 60% office attendance, but we do encourage our trainees to be in the office as much as possible.
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We encourage our trainees to get involved in CSR activities and we also support various pro-bono initiatives. You can read about Joseph’s involvement in pro-bono work for example on our Stories page.
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When you join Marriott Harrison, you’ll receive structured development through MH360 Academy (business and commercial skills) and the Trainee Training Programme (technical legal skills).
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Please email our team at [email protected]
Meet us on campus
Connect with our trainees and partners in person and online. Ask questions, get insights, and discover how to make your application stand out.
Find us at these upcoming events
LSE Recruitment Fair (in person)- 9 Oct 2025
Legal Cheek Law Fair (online) - 18 Nov 2025
LSE talk on VC (in person) - date TBC
( To know us better )
About us
Navigating fast paced environments, our clients create, fund, and facilitate change.
Our role is to empower them to traverse the challenges of dynamic markets, setting them up for success and new opportunity. This necessitates top minds, well versed in strategic thinking and dynamic problem solving, working collaboratively.
( To write your own story )