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Bates Wells

By Hollie Gould · Updated April 2026
London

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

  • Charities & Not-for-Profit
  • Corporate & M&A
  • Dispute Resolution & Litigation
  • Employment
  • Immigration
  • Public Law
  • Regulatory & Compliance
  • Real Estate

Geographic Focus: UK

Training Contract

Four seats of six months each, with a mandatory seat in Charity and Social Enterprise.

  • Application Deadline: 2026-04-03

SQE Support

We are following the SQE route to qualification.

Mentorship

Each trainee has a dedicated supervisor in each seat.

Apply on the Bates Wells website →

Notable Matters

Butler-Sloss v Charity Commission

Successfully allowed charity trustees to prioritise climate change mitigation over financial returns in their investments.

Strategic Litigation

Uber drivers employment deal

Secured a better employment deal for an estimated 45,000 Uber drivers, impacting the gig economy.

Employment

Challenging EU on plant-based food labelling

Acting for a client challenging the EU's regulations on plant-based food labelling.

Public & Regulatory

ONE Campaign judicial review

Advised ONE Campaign on challenging the Government’s overseas aid cuts.

Public & Regulatory

Social media platform algorithm challenge

Exploring potential claims against a social media platform for undue influence in elections.

Strategic Litigation

What Bates Wells Looks For

Key Competencies

  • Alignment with firm values
  • Academic ability or potential
  • Commitment to the life of a solicitor

Evidence Signals

  • Motivation for joining the firm
  • Understanding of B-Corporation

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

  • Upward Mentoring programme
  • Adoption of the Halo Code

Innovation

Bates Wells is committed to addressing business critical issues through strategic litigation and policy action.

  • Boardroom 2030 climate-focused hackathon

Quick Application Angles

  • Understand what a B-Corporation is and why Bates Wells is proud of being the first UK law firm to achieve that.
  • Submit your application before the deadline to avoid last minute panic.
  • Use the upReach RealRating contextual recruitment tool to highlight your potential.
  • Discuss any mitigating circumstances that may have affected your academic or work history.
  • Prepare for the Watson Glaser critical thinking test by taking the free practice test provided.

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