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Dubai

Learn more about our Training Contract based in Dubai.

Marhaba

The Dubai graduate programme is part of our MEA offering and runs out of our Dubai office. You will experience some of the most exciting legal work in the world in a dynamic regulatory landscape and develop a practical understanding of the law alongside lawyers with over 30 years’ experience working in the region.

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Dubai Training Contract

We offer a Middle East focused Training Contract, leading to qualification as an England & Wales qualified lawyer. A training contract is a two-year placement that is undertaken by trainee solicitors who have completed the PGDL and SQE LLM in Legal Practice for non-law graduates or SQE LLM in Legal Practice for those that hold a law degree. For those that accept a trainee contract with us Clyde & Co will provide support your tuition fees.

We are now closed for applications but please join our talent community to find out when roles go live.



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The final step before qualification

It can be likened to an apprenticeship: an opportunity to put all your academic knowledge to vocational use. Trainees will spend two years getting a practical legal education overseen by senior solicitors at the firm.

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Today is an exciting time to be doing business in the Middle East. Both local and international investors are seeing clear opportunities in the region, as Middle Eastern countries diversify, innovate and pursue national transformation programmes.

Your training will comprise of four six-month seats in different practice areas of the law in our Dubai office, with the possibility of undertaking one of these seats in one of our international offices (according to business need and travel restrictions). You will enjoy interaction with Partners and clients and involvement in business development at an early stage. By the end of your training you will have gained the depth and breadth of a well-rounded experience to set you apart as a trusted commercial legal advisor and continue your legal career as a newly-qualified solicitor in the Middle East.

More information

As a trainee lawyer, you can expect tasks to be very varied. To keep things simple, here are a list of tasks that you can expect to encounter during your time at Clyde & Co:

  • Legal research
  • Drafting documents as part of transactions and litigation, including facility agreements, witness statements and pleadings
  • Communicating and meeting with clients
  • Document review
  • Bundling documents in preparation for trial

  • Assisting case-handlers with active files
  • Upholding the firm's reputation at external events
  • Developing legal knowledge by attending both internal and external training sessions
  • Managing workload as well as getting involved in pro bono activities

We’re looking for candidates genuinely interested in the law and committed to a career in the Middle East upon qualification. Whilst our programme is open to both law and non-law students and graduates from universities near and far, regional focus is important to us and this year our recruitment will focus on candidates with advanced or fluent Arabic language skills.

We look for candidates with excellent academics (a minimum of three A Levels at grades A, A, B or equivalent) and be on track for or have a 2:1 degree, but your commercial acumen, interpersonal skills and adaptability are also of interest to us. Your interest and commitment to pursuing a career in law in the ME region will be key.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package as a newly qualified solicitor. As a trainee, you will also be entitled to a range of rewards and benefits:

  • Private medical including health checks
  • Financial support relating to tuition fees

  • Maternity and paternity pay

  • Flexible working arrangements


We'll make sure you have plenty of support and guidance throughout your programme. You can also look forward to a tailored induction programme and on-going internal training designed to ensure you have the skills, knowledge, and commercial acumen you need to become a well-round solicitor.

Application Process

Applications for our Dubai 2027 Training contract will be opening from the 30th September 2024 to the 5th January 2025. As we do not review applications on a rolling basis, you will not hear from us until a couple of weeks after that deadline.

Our strengths-based recruitment process is based on fairness and equity. It’s designed to help us identify what motivates you to work at a city law firm, over your learnt experiences, and helps you show us the most authentic version of yourself.

Eligible candidates will be invited to a digital simulation, an assessment you can complete in your own time and space. It constraints a variety of questions with responses being a mix between written and video. They’re designed to present you with some challenges you can expect to face at Clyde & Co.

Successful candidates will then be invited to the final stage of our recruitment process: a virtual Assessment Centre. In this stage, we will be assessing candidates based on the strengths that will deliver success in this role. As part of the assessment day, you will take part in a short-written exercise, a role play scenario, a group exercise and a strengths-based interview. An Arabic proficiency exercise will be added for Arabic-speaking candidates.

Other programmes

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Global Virtual Experience Programmes

At Clyde & Co, we recognise the challenges that students and graduates can face when trying to access a career in the legal profession. It is our aim to provide an opportunity to understand what a career in law would look like by providing a practical insight into the day-to-day life of a commercial lawyer.

Read More - Learn more about Global Virtual Experience Programmes
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LIFT Insight Day - Middle East & Africa

Our LIFT (Legal Insight for Future Talent) Insight Day is an opportunity to learn more about Clyde & Co and the wider legal/commercial sector, with a particular focus on the opportunities available in the Middle East and Africa.

Read More - Learn more about LIFT Insight Day - Middle East & Africa
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