Wedlake Bell

This firm’s marriage of private client, real estate and commercial work certainly chimed with those on the lookout for a mid-sized outfit that genuinely “wants you to succeed.”

Wedlake Bell training contract review 2026

About the firm

With the City seemingly crowded with hundreds and thousands of firms, it might feel like analysis paralysis. But upon closer inspection, you’ll find there are a few defining characteristics sprinkled in. Few are “a full-service law firm not just in corporate law, but also its private client practices,” insiders pointed out, nodding to Wedlake Bell’s reputation for its work with high net worth individuals and families. “Our core practices consist of private client, real estate, litigation and business,” training principal Parminder Sidhu confirms; “the firm is incredibly proud of the training it provides across the breadth of areas; the level of experience trainees can get running their own files and working on big deals.”

A swift glance at our sister guide Chambers UK confirms that Wedlake Bell shines for its art and cultural property law and restructuring/insolvency prowess nationally. The firm also goes on to receive recognition for its real estate, corporate/M&A and construction, as well as private wealth law expertise in Chambers High Net Worth.

“They want you to succeed; it’s a nice bunch, which was what I was looking for - being able to get on with colleagues and enjoy a good work life.”

With only eight trainees a year, our interviewees valued the small trainee intake and the on-the-job opportunities that presents: “I didn’t want to be lost in a trainee cohort or be a small cog in a huge wheel.” Deputy training principal Harriet Forster highlights: “It has the right the balance of being big enough to do big-ticket transactions and interesting matters, but with that small firm familiarity where you still know everybody.” The cultural benefit stood out from initial interactions with members of the firm across open days and vacation schemes: “They want you to succeed; it’s a nice bunch, which was what I was looking for - being able to get on with colleagues and enjoy a good work life.”

Creating positive impressions, a trainee recalled: “You really get to know people, there is a lot of effort put into the vacation scheme and people remember you from it.” Early careers manager Annabel Hale adds: “Everyone is very different across all the intakes; we’re really looking for someone who’s enthusiastic, who is going to get stuck in and make the most of the culture and opportunities at Wedlake Bell.”

Training Contract Structure

Before starting the training contract at Wedlake Bell, future trainees attend an intro session and speed networking events with departments to get to know them. Incomers then meet with the early careers team to discuss “how we’re feeling and if we have an idea of where we’d like to go – it’s an open conversation,” an insider detailed. Afterwards trainees submit their seat preferences, repeating the process for each rotation. It’s worth noting that as commercial property and private client are the biggest practices, there is a high chance of undergoing a stint in either. What’s more, as it’s a small cohort “most departments will take on one trainee at a time.”

Seat Experiences

Trainee Life

“It’s very social and that just flows from the top down – you can have a chat and a laugh with the managing partner which is rare for a City managing partner.”

Wedlake Bell’s culture received rave reviews. “It’s a real flat hierarchy; it’s an open and friendly culture, I don’t feel nervous talking to partners or anything like that,” a source shared. It turns out they are a social bunch as well: “It’s very social and that just flows from the top down – you can have a chat and a laugh with the managing partner, which is rare for a City managing partner.” All staff members are invited to the annual firm-wide ski trip, which is subsidised and with free lessons offered for beginners. There is also a spring walking trip, which was a stroll around Bournemouth this year. More casually there is a monthly social with pizza and drinks hosted on the terrace during the summer: “it’s a nice way to meet different people.” There are also various clubs to get involved in as well, from running, netball and football – “a lot of us are very avid football fans!”

With views of St Paul’s Cathedral, the office is nice and central; perfect for commuting especially as trainees and NQs are expected to be in the office five days a week. Some did voice a wish that “juniors had more flexibility in terms of working from home.” Though the firm did tell us that there is flexibility to this arrangement if you ask. There are plenty of office perks to be enjoyed from Pilates to free breakfast, which alternates between hot and continental Mondays and Fridays, and lunch. “I hate cooking, so it saves so much time and it’s always good,” an insider quipped.

Everybody is encouraged to donate 50p for each meal and this goes towards the firm’s charity of the year, which this year is the ‘Footsteps Foundation’. Of course, there are other benefits to being the office, too: on top of “fostering a happy environment,” we heard that the open-plan format makes it easier for trainees to ask questions and learn on the job… and “listen into those juicy client calls.”

“I’ve enjoyed working with all my supervisors,” a trainee reflected. With regular weekly catch ups, there is always time to ask questions and interviewees also valued the fact that “if things are too much they’ll step in and speak for you to the rest of the team.” Formal feedback is received at the mid- and end-of-seat review. For newbies, support also comes in the way of a second-year trainee buddy. Typically, trainee specific training is held at the start of the seat with team-wide sessions such as knowledge and case updates throughout. But “as some teams are smaller, you’re trained as you work through the tasks. Bigger teams might have it more structured, but given the size it's more on the job really,” an insider explained. Moreover, rookies who studied the SQE can also complete an optional short version of the ‘Professional Skills Course’ (PSC) at the firm.

“…a pretty good work/life balance.”

As for the hours, on average trainees outlined working from around 8.30 or 9am until 6pm or so, which was described as “a pretty good work/life balance.” Occasionally there are later logoffs, but otherwise “they don’t want you to stay later than you are needed,” a source reassured. That said, practices such as insolvency and corporate can be known for longer hours, particularly heading up to a closing. In turn, most felt satisfied with their compensation: “The salary is good given you can be confident that by 7.30 to 8pm you will be finished with work,” an insider added. In anticipation, it was noted by a couple that “as the firm progresses and continues to expand into the market, we expect that salaries will increase proportionally.”

Qualification

Another advantage of being a part of a smaller cohort means qualification is “an ongoing discussion” throughout the training contract. Starting in January, a discussion is held outlining the process, following which candidates are encouraged to reach out to their prospective teams to show interest. Thereafter, preferences are submitted and the job list is formally released. If more than one candidate applies for a position, interviews are held.

Looking to the future, an insider told us, “I can see myself here a long time. Lots of women have children here, and that is a big thing for me.” Across the board, “there is a running joke that people are here forever and, if they do go, they boomerang back to the firm,” a rookie laughed. In 2025, Wedlake Bell retained all of its qualifiers.