Virtual legal work experience

If you’re in sixth form and feeling unsure about how to gain legal experience, don’t worry, there are lots of free virtual programmes that you can do from home. They’re a great way to understand what lawyers do and give you something practical to talk about in personal statements or applications.

Reply 1

TheUniofLawStaff

Official Rep

Here are some options (with a quick guide to how they differ):

•

Forage free online internships with top firms (Linklaters, Clifford Chance, White & Case). You complete short legal tasks at your own pace, and your progress is saved. Best if you want something flexible, you can dip in and out of.

•

Legal Cheek runs virtual vacation schemes and insight events with multiple law firms. These often have live talks and Q&As. Great if you like hearing directly from lawyers and want a more “real-time” feel.

•

Bright Network offers internship experiences and career weeks (including commercial law). Good if you want a mix of law and general commercial awareness.

•

Springpod designed for school and college students, with structured timetables, videos, and assignments. Perfect if you prefer a step-by-step format and want something tailored for your stage.

•

IEUK (Internship Experience UK) short virtual internships each summer. Useful if you want an organised programme to complete over a week. However, like Legal Cheek, it is a live online event, e.g., 9am-5pm over four days.

Reply 2

TheUniofLawStaff

Official Rep

Personally, I’ve completed the Legal Cheek Spring Virtual Vacation Scheme, the IEUK Virtual Commercial Law Internship, and the Taylor Wessing Virtual Experience Programme. These are also open to sixth formers, so you don’t need to wait until university to try them.

Reply 3

TheUniofLawStaff

Official Rep

Tip: Sign up directly on Forage, Legal Cheek, and Bright Network so you get updates when new programmes open. Even doing just one or two can help you work out whether law feels right for you, while also giving you concrete examples to talk about in applications and interviews.

Alfred – Student at The University of Law