FAQs — The place to find all the answers.

• Can I apply if I have not completed my studies in the UK? addremove

  We do not hire from a certain list or type of university, and encourage applications no matter where you are studying.

  For those who have not completed A Levels, there is a free text box as part of the application form that you can use to provide your equivalent UCAS points.

  To calculate what your results translate to in UCAS points, please use this website: https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/what-and-where-study/entry-requirements/ucas-tariff-points

• Do you require minimum A Level Grades? addremove

  We generally look for a strong performance at A-Level or equivalent, but consider every application we receive in context and holistically. If you feel you can submit a strong application even if you do not meet these grades we encourage you to apply.

  We also encourage you to include mitigating circumstances if relevant.

• Can I still apply if I have a 2:2 or my A Levels fall below the minimum requirement? addremove

  Yes, we review every form we receive and view your achievements in context and holistically.

  If you feel you can submit a strong application we encourage you to apply.

• Will I be sponsored to undertake the PGDL/SQE? addremove

  We ask our future Middle East Trainees to attend BPP to study for the PGDL and SQE prior to joining us. BPP has a wide choice of geographical locations, and you are free to apply to any of these centres.

  If you have not studied an England & Wales qualifying law degree, you will need to successfully complete the PGDL and SQE prior to commencing your Trainee Solicitor Programme with us. If you have studied an England & Wales qualifying law degree, you do not need to complete the PGDL.

  Please note that alongside completing the SQE 1 and SQE 2 teaching and exams, we also require our future trainees to complete the Essentials for Practice course with BPP.

  If you accept our offer for the Middle East Trainee Solicitor Programme prior to starting your PGDL or SQE, we will pay the full fees of your future studies with BPP.

  If you complete the PGDL or SQE before receiving an offer from us, this can be completed with any legal training provider. We are unable to reimburse fees for those who have already completed the LLB, PGDL, LPC or SQE.

  We have now transitioned to the SQE and all future trainees are required to complete and pass the SQE exams prior to starting with us. Further details can be found on our SQE FAQs page.

• Do you look at applications on a rolling basis? addremove

  Yes, we do, and we would recommend and encourage you to apply as soon as you feel ready. However, we do review every application we receive up to the deadline.

• Which departments will I sit in during my Trainee Solicitor Programme? addremove

  We try to work with our trainees to get an understanding of their legal and departmental preferences and place them in seats that meet their individual career aims.

• What training will I receive? addremove

  Most of your training will be on the job with your supervisor and other members of the department. However, more structured training will include a comprehensive induction programme when you arrive and departmental training each time you change seats and departments. Legal training and personal development sessions run throughout the year and you are encouraged to attend those relevant to you and your career development.

• What process is there for applying for a job at the end of my training contract? addremove

  After your Trainee Solicitor Programme, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for a position in one of our Middle East offices, and join one of the largest firms in the region. We advertise the positions available and trainees are invited to apply for up to two positions. All trainees are interviewed against a competency framework.

• Do you offer vacation schemes or work experience in your global offices? addremove

  Please visit the relevant careers web page for the office that you are interested in to find out more about opportunities in our global offices.

• Can I apply for a Vacation Scheme in London but complete a Trainee Solicitor Programme in the Middle East? addremove

  No. We recruit for our Trainee Solicitor Programmes both through our Vacation/insight Schemes and via direct applications. Please note that, at the end of all our two-week Vacation/Insight Schemes, all participants will be automatically assessed for our Trainee Solicitor Programme in the location of the Vacation/Insight Scheme they applied for. You do not need to make a separate Trainee Solicitor Programme application.

• Do you offer ad-hoc student work experience opportunities at the firm? addremove

  We only offer our formal work experience opportunities; Open Days, Vacation Schemes, and Trainee Solicitor Programme.  For insight into Dentons, commercial law, and the role of a commercial lawyer, you can undertake our award-winning virtual work experience programme: Experience Dentons.

• Can I submit more than one application to different roles? addremove

  No. You can only submit one application per recruitment cycle. For example, if you are thinking of applying to our Vacation Scheme and Trainee Solicitor Programme roles you will have to make a decision between the two, as we will only review one application per candidate per year. Our recruitment cycle refreshes in September of every year.

  Please make sure to check our eligibility criteria before applying to a role, you will find this on our website under each of our opportunities.

• Can I apply again if I have already completed an Assessment Centre or Vacation Scheme with the firm? addremove

  If you have previously completed a Vacation Scheme with us but did not secure a Trainee Solicitor Programme offer, you may reapply in the future, but only to the direct Trainee Solicitor Programme.

  If you have participated in an Assessment Centre with us before or have completed any of our previous stages and did not secure an offer, you may reapply for any of our roles in the following year.

• Are there opportunities to do a seat in your global offices or with a client? addremove

  As a Middle East Trainee, you will spend your Trainee Solicitor Programme between our Middle East offices. There may be an opportunity for a client or international secondment subject to performance, eligibility and business needs.