Farrer & Co has signed an exclusive deal with Kaplan Law School to provide the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and the Graduate Diploma of Law (GDL) for all of the London firm's trainees.

As a part of the agreement, which will start in September 2012, Farrers' trainees will participate in Kaplan's 'Bridge to Practice' programme, which is designed to ease the transition from the LPC into life at a commercial law firm.

The programme comprises practical modules and work experience, including workshops on topics such as working with partners, negotiation, legal ethics and internal law firm politics.

Farrers head of learning and development David Ball commented: "We were really impressed by the focus on quality that came through in all of our work with Kaplan, and are looking forward to tailoring a stimulating and challenging programme right for our trainees."

The law school signed a similar deal with US firm Shearman & Sterling last September, in a tie-up which will see all of its future trainees in London take the LPC at Kaplan's centre in Borough, while Holman Fenwick Willan also agreed an exclusive deal last October.

Last year also saw Kaplan chosen by the Solicitors Regulation Authority as the sole examining board for the new Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme, which replaced the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test as the official qualification to permit foreign lawyers to practise in England and Wales as of 1 September 2011.