Students

The work placement scheme is aimed at providing student members with work experience in the type of environment they would ultimately work in. This helps students to make an informed choice as to which area of law they would eventually specialise in and, indeed, whether or not to pursue a career in law.

Most legal employers wish to see some form of work experience on a CV as an indication that the applicant has carried out his/her research, has an idea as to the type of working environment into which they are entering and that candidates have a commitment to a career in the legal profession. Prior work experience also means less time is spent with the employer in being taught basic office formalities.

The scheme usually involves two weeks’ work experience for each student, paid or unpaid, depending on the placement. Prior to the commencement of the placements, we endeavour to hold a training seminar for the students who have been chosen to ensure that they are fully prepared for their placement and to answer any questions that they may have with regard to what to expect when working in a law firm. We will encourage the students to make the most of their experience with the firm.

Both employers and students are required to provide feedback to the BSN for the purposes of analysing the scheme’s success.

Please note that there is no expectation from any participating firm to offer any student a training contract. The aim of the Work Placement Scheme is to enlighten students on the realities of working in a law firm or in-house legal department.

Benefits of the Scheme

For Students

• To provide our student members with valuable work experience;
• To help our student members decide whether a future in the legal profession is the right career choice for them;
• To help our student members understand the dynamics of a law firm and work within a professional environment;
• To help our student members to decide which area of law to pursue by providing them with practical experience;
• To allow our student members to put into practice their legal knowledge at an early stage of their career;
• To give our student members the opportunity to improve their CVs by enhancing their skills;
• To give our student members the opportunity to network with lawyers and other students in the legal profession, and particularly in the student’s chosen area of law.

For Employers

• To raise awareness of the benefits of recruiting from more diverse backgrounds;
• To work closely with the BSN to address and reduce the obstacles facing the BSN student members entering the legal profession;
• To develop networks with a group representing the interests of diverse groups within the legal profession;
• To enable our student members to inform other students about the benefits of working at your firm;
• To support your firm in achieving your diversity strategies;
• To introduce your firm to a pool of talent from which you may wish to recruit in the future.

How to Apply

All student applicants are required to send their CV to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The BSN Committee will subsequently perform a careful selection process, which will involve a panel interview, to select suitable candidates before they are referred to the firm. The selection
process will take into account both the student’s and the firm’s preferences and expectations.

Firms or companies interested in participating in the scheme should send their enquiries to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .