Virus Latest: Further Top Firms Put UK Vacation Schemes On Hold

Further swathes of top firms have cancelled their U.K. spring vacation schemes as the fallout from the coronavirus outbreak continues to affect business operations.

More than ten firms including Linklaters, White & Case and Mishcon De Reya have suspended their programmes, which were due to start in the coming weeks.

Dentons, Herbert Smith Freehills, Shearman & Sterling, Mayer Brown, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, Weil Gotshal & Manges, TLT, Norton Rose Fulbright and Baker McKenzie have also postponed the programmes.

Vacation schemes, a period of work experience offered by law firms to students looking to get a sense of what life is like as a solicitor, are common in the U.K.

Many firms have stated that they intend to postpone the schemes until summer, while others have said that a new date for the scheme has not yet been decided. Full details of the changes made can be found below.

The latest raft of firms follow Slaughter and May and Charles Russell Speechlys, which cancelled their schemes earlier this week.

It comes as many firms in London are undergoing a shift to remote working following the latest government guidance advising social distancing. On Tuesday, a number of firms including Latham & Watkins, Eversheds Sutherland, CMS and Linklaters announced they were implementing new remote-working strategies to deal with the virus.

The latest details on firms’ spring vacation schemes:

Baker McKenzie

“Our priority is the health and wellbeing of our people and our clients.” a spokeseprson for Baker McKenzie told Law.com International.

“In light of the rapidly changing landscape in the UK regarding COVID-19, we have decided to postpone our Spring Vacation Scheme and have offered those individuals affected a place on our Summer Vacation Scheme.”

Dentons

A spokesperson for the firm told Law.com International that the firm plans to reschedule its postponed vacation scheme for “a few months’ time”.

Herbert Smith Freehills

The firm’s vacation scheme, which was due to take place in mid-April, has now been suspended until June, according to a spokesperson. The firm will now hold three vacation schemes across the summer months.

Students who are unable to join the scheme in the summer will be offered a direct training contract interview, the spokesperson added, however they added that the training contracts offers available through this route will be limited and the threshold will be high.

The firm also stated that all work experience opportunities such as first year workshops and introduction to law workshops will also be postponed until later in the summer.

HFW

The firm took the decision to postpone the spring vacation scheme yesterday, according to a spokesperson. The firm had previously said it was monitoring the situation and would make a decision by the end of the week.

Latham & Watkins

The U.S. firm has decided to postpone its vacation scheme but did not provide further details on when the scheme is likely to be suspended until.

Linklaters

A spokesperson for the Magic Circle firm confirmed that the spring vacation scheme has now been postponed. The firm previously suspended its ‘Pathfinder’ programme, a two-day course which gives students the opportunity to shadow lawyers and learn more about the firm.

Mayer Brown

In a statement, a spokesperson for the firm confirmed the scheme had been suspended, commenting: “In light of the rapidly developing situation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the interests of our vacation scheme participants, our forthcoming Spring vacation scheme programme will be postponed to later in the year.

“We are committed to offering scheme participants the opportunity to attend either our rescheduled Spring scheme or alternatively join one of our scheduled Summer schemes. We are working with those concerned to achieve this goal.”

Mishcon De Reya

Patrick Connolly, the academy director at Mishcon said in a statement: “The health and safety of our people, our clients and visitors is our top priority. With this in mind, we have taken the decision to defer our spring vacation scheme until the summer.”

Norton Rose Fulbright

NRF has decided to merge its spring vacation scheme into its existing summer schemes. A spokesperson told Law.com International: “The health and safety of our people, our clients and our community is our top priority.

“In view of the ongoing COVID-19 situation, we have decided to cancel our Spring vacation scheme and have offered students a place on either one of our two summer vacation schemes.”

Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom

Skadden has also merged its spring scheme into its summer one. The firm said that all those on the suspended scheme will be invited to join in the summer.

TLT

The firm said it has postponed its Easter vacation scheme following the government guidance to limit travel and social contact.  A spokesperson for the firm said that it will look to plan for a summer date when “we are clearer on how the situation might develop in the months ahead.”

Weil Gotshal & Manges

The U.S. firm confirmed it has postponed its vacation scheme but did not provide further details on when the scheme will likely take place.

White & Case

White & Case’s vacation scheme was due to take place next week for a period of two weeks. The firm has said the scheme has now been suspended and will be held at a later date.

Read more:

Slaughter and May, Others Cancel Easter Vacation Schemes Over Virus

Latest Magic Circle Firm Instructs London Office To Work Remotely