A vacation scheme student has been asked to work through the night during a two-week stint of work experience at SJ Berwin. And the firm has confirmed that this is not the first time either.

Whilst vac scheme students at most firms might expect two weeks of free booze and PR fluffery about work-life balance, it seems the much-sought after placements at SJB may be a little more realistic, according to a report in The Lawyer. During a recent two week scheme, a female vaccie was asked by an over-worked associate to stay late. And it seems that really was asked to stay late, and not just a polite enquiry into whether the student fancied watching the wheels of a City law firm come off spin as night fell.

Clearly keen for a job at the firm - which has suffered in past years with a reputation for back-breaking hours, uncivil partners and considerable staff turnover - the vaccie agreed. And so, as dawn broke over the City, she was still in the firm's swish offices.

An SJ Berwin vacation scheme. Apply now.

SJB admitted that the "direct request" for the student to stay was wrong, and that it wasn't the first time that a work experience student had worked into the early hours. In a statement, a spokeswoman said that vac schemers were "sometimes invited to take part in work such as deal completions and trial preparation which can run into the night, and we are keen to offer them the opportunity to observe and help with some of the more exciting parts of the job".

Staying up to watch solicitors work until 5am is exciting?