CRED Academy

Ideally we look for a minimum of 2:1 in your degree (or on track for a 2:1 if you are still studying your undergraduate degree), but we also look at the full application form and any mitigating circumstances alongside this.  

As part of the application form, you’ll also include your ‘work experience’ – this doesn’t just include paid experiences so please add unpaid experiences, virtual sessions, insight days, volunteering and positions of responsibility too.  The work experience doesn’t need to be in the property or legal sector so include everything you can, even if you aren’t sure it’s relevant. The most important thing is to highlight your responsibilities, transferable skills, achievements and key learnings.

You’ll also answer 2 written questions designed to understand your interest in the property and construction sector, and reasons for applying.  It’s important for you to showcase your research into the firm and wider industry, so please make use of a variety or sources and tell us about these in your application.  We want to see lots of detail and reasoning, so tell us what specifically interests you and why is key.  Some candidates may find the ‘Point, Example, Explanation’ structure useful to ensure you have given detailed reasoning for each point you make.

Finally, strong attention to detail is key so please double check your application before submitting it.

Whilst the Training Contract and Placement Scheme applications are slightly longer, there is useful guidance on our website and social media that can still be applied to your Real Estate and Construction Academy application. We recommend looking at our website here and following us on Instagram (@crstrainees) and TikTok (@crsearlytalent) for further updates and tips.

As a Firm, we are committed to providing an environment where candidates and our people have access to the support and tools they need to ensure they have an excellent experience during our application process and whilst they are at the Firm. This includes supporting with adjustments which would enable candidates to perform to the best of their ability during the application process and once their programme commences.

Examples of adjustments we can make include, but are not limited to:

• Providing documents in large print or accessible formats
• Allowing additional time for tasks that form part of the assessment process
• Ensuring the interview location is accessible
• Any other support you may need relating to a disability or health condition.

If you would like to discuss any adjustments that might assist you during the application process, or during the Real Estate and Construction Academy programme, then please contact our Early Talent Team.

Any information you disclose will be kept confidential unless otherwise instructed by you, and will only be used to provide appropriate support to you during our assessment process.

Optional Essay Competition

We will invite our Real Estate and Construction Academy participants to write about their experience during the Real Estate and Construction Academy and there will be an exciting prize for the winner!

Applying for Training Contracts

If you like what you’ve learnt, you may decide that a career in commercial property or construction law interests you.  If this is the case, we would encourage you to apply for a Placement Scheme or Training Contract when our applications open in the next round. Information on all our opportunities can be found here and applications usually open in October and close in January each year. You’ll be able to harness your learning about the firm and property work we do, making you a strong candidate.

Candidates who successfully receive a Training Contract will be able to make the most of our property focused seat rotations. Ideally you’d complete a minimum of 2 seats within our Construction, Real Estate and Disputes division, and then at least one complimentary seat in a different area of law to broaden your skill set and understanding of the firm.

For any questions about our wider opportunities, please get in touch with the Early Talent team.

Charles Russell Speechlys is an international law firm with a focus on private capital, at the intersection of personal, family and business.  We are based in London, Guildford and Cheltenham in the UK with international offices in Europe, the Middle East, Singapore and Hong Kong.

We have 4 divisions as a firm: Construction, Real Estate & Disputes, Business Advisory & Transactional Services, Private Client and Litigation & Dispute Resolution. This insights scheme is run by our Construction, Real Estate & Disputes team, who work with a range of clients from businesses, individuals, and governmental entities across the full spectrum of the real estate & construction sector.

Construction, Real Estate & Disputes at Charles Russell Speechlys

Our Construction, Real Estate & Disputes team is central to Charles Russell Speechlys and is one of the largest, market-leading commercial, mixed-use, and residential investment and development practices in the UK.

We are collaborative in everything we do working together as a seamless team to provide our clients with the long-term solutions they need.

We work with exciting clients across a wide range of sectors, including 4 out of the top 6 UK housebuilders, international property investment and development businesses, a number of London’s Great Estates, and some of the most renowned names across retail, sport, and hospitality.

To find out more about our work, please view our website pages here.