Macfarlanes Legal Academy

The Macfarlanes Legal Academy (MLA) is our programme for sixth form and college students from less advantaged backgrounds who want to learn more about a career in a City law firm.

Our aim is to provide you with an insight into what it’s like to be a lawyer and help you build the skills you need to get there. 

Eligibility

To take part in the MLA, you must have permission from a parent or guardian. You must also make sure your February half term is between Monday 16 to Friday 20 February 2026, as this is when the work experience will take place.

The MLA is also specifically for students who attend, and have always attended, a state-funded, non-fee-paying school or college, plus one or more of the following:

• have been, or are currently, in local authority care;
• be in receipt of/have received free school meals, Pupil Premium, Education Maintenance Allowance and/or 16 to 19 bursary;
• be/have been a full-time or part-time carer;
• have refugee or asylum seeker status;
• the occupation of your main household earner is categorised as a routine or manual occupation;
• regularly undertakes paid term-time work during secondary and/or higher education;
• have grown up in a household where no parent or guardian attended university; or
• attending a state school or college with:
  • below average A-Level or Higher point score; or
  • low rate of progression to higher education.

If you want to find out more about the eligibility, you can visit the PRIME website. We are a signatory to PRIME.

Please contact our Early Careers team if you have any questions.

What the scheme involves

The MLA is a combination of work experience, mentoring and workshops. The main structure of the programme is split across two school years:

Year 12

• Virtual preparation sessions online, preparing you for your week at Macfarlanes.
• A work experience week in the firm, including mentoring.

Year 13

• Continued mentoring and a workshop day in October half-term to develop your practical skills, including networking and preparing for interviews.
• A virtual wrap-up session after your summer exams to mark the end of the programme. 
  
  

How to apply and the assessment process

If you’d like to apply for a place on the MLA, please complete the application form.

If you meet the criteria and are progressed to the next stage, we’ll arrange a telephone conversation to learn more about you and give you the opportunity to ask us questions.

Application close date on Friday 5 December 2025.