Dawson Cornwell LLP
Overview
Dawson Cornwell is a London-based, specialist family law firm established in 1972 and described on its website as nationally and internationally recognised in family law. The firm emphasises a constructive, solution-focused and cost-effective approach to family work (covering complex financial remedy, children and cross-border relocation cases) and maintains an approachable client service. The team is partner-led (the family law team is headed by 12 partners) and the firm has grown over the last decade from under 20 lawyers to over 30 lawyers, positioning itself as a leading boutique family practice in central London.
- Headquarters: London, Staple Inn (11 Staple Inn, London WC1V 7QH)
- Founded: 1972
- Lawyers: over 30
- Partners: 12
- Offices: 1
Values & Culture
Practice Areas
- Family Law
- Real Estate
- Dispute Resolution & Litigation
- Public Law
Geographic Focus: Based in central London, Dawson Cornwell operates nationally but has a recognised international practice in cross-border children work and relocation disputes. The firm operates specialist desks (including a Spanish Desk and a Pakistan Desk) to support international clients and routinely acts in cross-border children and relocation matters (including cases listed at appellate level).
Training Contract
Two-year training contract comprising two fixed seats: one seat in matrimonial law and one seat in international children law. The firm states that a large number of its trainees are taken on as assistants after qualification and that trainees are supported to develop their own client base after qualification. Applications are assessed after the deadline, with shortlisted applicants invited to interview and (if successful) to a second interview.
- Academic Requirements: A 2.1 degree (not necessarily law); a family law elective as part of the degree or Legal Practice Course; computer literacy. Fluency in a second language is an advantage. Candidates must have passed both GDL and LPC or both SQE1 and SQE2 before the proposed start date.
- Application Deadline: 2027-07-31
Seat Options
- Matrimonial law
- International children law
Sponsorship
We regret we do not provide funding for the course fees.
SQE Support
Candidates are required to have passed both GDL+LPC or both SQE1+SQE2 before the proposed start date. The firm states it does not provide funding for these course fees.
International Opportunities
The firm operates specialist international desks (Spanish Desk and Pakistan Desk) and has extensive experience acting in cross-border children and relocation matters. Specific international secondment destinations or formal trainee secondment programmes are not described.
Mentorship
The firm indicates trainees are supported in developing client work and that shortlisted applicants are progressed via interview stages; the website does not describe a formal mentorship or buddy scheme.
Programmes & Schemes
In order to be considered for our placement scheme, it is not necessary to be a law student but, if you are not, you must be able to demonstrate a specific interest in family law. Preference will be given to applicants who are: intending a career as a family lawyer; and fluent in a second language.
- Duration: These are full-time placements: the minimum placement period is two weeks, but some stay, by prior arrangement, for extended periods of up to a year. We sometimes take students on formal university work placement schemes.
- Salary: The placements are paid (currently £150 per week).
Notable Matters
Reported appellate relocation/children matter listed on the firm's reported cases pages (EWCA decision from 2015). The matter concerns relocation and the position of older children in the context of a leave to remove / relocation application.
Family Law
Reported appellate internal-relocation/children matter (2015 EWCA decision) published on the firm's reported cases pages, reflecting the firm's involvement in complex relocation disputes within England & Wales.
Family Law
Reported appellate cross-border children/relocation matter from 2015 listed on the firm's reported cases materials; an example of the firm's work in international relocation and children law at appellate level.
Family Law
Reported appellate children/relocation case (2015 EWCA decision concerning relocation to Sweden) included in the firm's reported cases; demonstrates cross-border children law expertise.
Family Law
What Dawson Cornwell LLP Looks For
Key Competencies
- Commitment to a career in family law
- Client-focused advocacy and pragmatism
- Ability to develop and build a personal client base
- Strong academic credentials (minimum 2.1 degree for trainee applicants)
- Commercial awareness and solution-focused approach
- Languages (fluency in a second language is an advantage)
- Computer literacy and practical IT skills
Evidence Signals
- A family law elective on the degree or LPC
- Legal work or internships in family law or related practice (children/financial remedy)
- Demonstrable client-handling or pro bono family law experience
- Fluency in a second language (Spanish, Urdu, Polish, Chinese, etc. where applicable)
- Academic attainment at or above 2.1 and completion of vocational qualifications before start (GDL+LPC or SQE1+SQE2)
Benefits & Wellbeing
Awards & Recognition
- Top Ranked by Chambers and Partners (multiple years including 2024, 2025, 2026) — departmental rankings including Band 1 for Children: Cross-Border Disputes / High Net Worth listings
- Ranked Top Tier by The Legal 500 for Family (2024, 2025, 2026) — Tier 1 for Family: children and Leading Firm for Family: divorce and financial remedy
- Included in The Times Best Law Firms list (2024, 2025, 2026)
- Winners and finalists at the LexisNexis Family Law Awards / Family Law Awards (multiple entries, including winners in 2023 and commendations in 2024/2025)
- Citywealth / Citywealth Magic Circle shortlist and Citywealth Future Leaders awards (partner and associate recognition, including Kate Brett Citywealth Future Leaders Award 2024)
- Pro Bono Connect Bronze Engagement Recognition Award
- Pro Bono Recognition List inclusions for multiple partners (2024, 2025, 2026)
- Shortlisted for Chambers UK Award and Class Legal Financial Remedies Award (2024/2025)
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity both in relation to our staff and job applicants and in relation to our policies, practices and procedures. This applies to our professional dealings with clients and others. We recognise that a firm which is inclusive and diverse attracts the most talented individuals, who are valued for their ability and performance.
Pro Bono
Dawson Cornwell highlights a strong pro bono culture: multiple partners and a solicitor have been included in the Pro Bono Recognition List (partners Carolina Marín Pedreño, Sulema Jahangir, Simon Bruce, Forum Shah, Kate Brett and solicitor Ilona Józwiak across 2024–2026 listings). The firm has also been awarded a Bronze Engagement Recognition Award by Pro Bono Connect, and states that these recognitions demonstrate its commitment to access to justice.
Innovation
Quick Application Angles
- Stress your commitment to a long-term career in family law — the firm explicitly says it is a niche family law firm and does not recommend applications from candidates who are not pursuing family practice.
- Reference the firm's cross-border children and relocation expertise (EWCA-level reported cases and a Spanish Desk/Pakistan Desk) if you have relevant international or language experience; this aligns with their international children workload.
- Demonstrate practical family-law evidence: a family law elective on your degree/LPC, pro bono family work, client-facing experience or specific children/financial-remedy exposure will resonate.
- Ensure you meet the firm’s formal academic and vocational requirements before applying (minimum 2.1 and completion of GDL+LPC or SQE1+SQE2) and note the firm does not fund course fees — make this clear in your availability statement.
- Mention Dawson Cornwell’s recognised rankings (Chambers, Legal 500, The Times Best Law Firms) and pro bono commitments to show you understand their market reputation and values — link these to any relevant personal or pro bono experience.
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