Ashurst Perkins Coie ACCESS Commercial Law Programme
Ashurst Perkins Coie
Apply NowWonder what life at a global commercial law firm is like? Join Ashurst Perkins Coie ACCESS: spend two in-person weeks in London, build practical legal skills, connect with lawyers and peers, and get a clearer route into uni and careers in commercial law.
Ashurst Perkins Coie’s ACCESS Commercial Law programme is designed to widen access to the legal profession for UK secondary school students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds who are interested in commercial law. It is aimed at students who may not already have connections to the sector, and it gives participants a clearer route into understanding life at a global commercial law firm.
The programme includes two in-person weeks in London. In the first week, students spend time in the firm’s London office, including time with a legal supervisor across different departments and interactive skills sessions led by Ashurst Perkins Coie staff and clients.
These sessions cover topics such as news literacy, recruitment advice, career insights and debating skills. In the second week, students take part in the Social Mobility Business Partnership programme, spending time with five different organisations and learning about each organisation’s work and the role of an in-house lawyer.
Participants also receive ongoing support throughout Year 13, including a career mentor from Ashurst Perkins Coie, with the option of a university student mentor too. The page also notes a separate ACCESS Ashurst Perkins Coie Award for alumni, offering an annual bursary to support undergraduate study.
06 Oct 2026
Week 1
Week 2
Location
- You are in Year 12 in England or Wales, Year 13 in Northern Ireland, or S5 in Scotland (or equivalent).
- You are attending a state-funded, non-fee-paying school/college or are attending a fee-paying school on a 100% means-tested bursary.
- Be currently or have previously been in local authority care.
- Be currently in receipt of, or have previously received, free school meals, Pupil Premium, Education Maintenance Allowance and/or 16 to 19 Bursary.
- Be currently or have been a full-time or part-time carer.
- Have come to the UK as a refugee or asylum seeker.
- Grew up in a household where the occupation of the main earner is categorized as a routine or manual occupation.
- Are attending a state school or college with below average A-Level or Higher point score and/or low rate of progression to higher education.
- Grew up in a household where no parent or guardian attended university.
- Students must be able to travel to London for the duration of the two-week programme.
- If you are (or have been) looked after, accommodated or in care, you only need to meet the school year requirement listed in the eligibility criteria section.
Paid the London Living Wage for 2 weeks of work experience. Full travel expenses are covered in advance, a clothing voucher is provided, lunch and refreshments are supplied for both work experience weeks, and reasonable accommodation expenses are covered in advance where needed.
No participant fee stated.
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