The business of law is changing, and we want you to be right there with it. To take us from largest to leading, we’re looking for our trainees to think big and see the future of law in a new way.

Our Trainee Solicitor Programmes are designed to equip you with the skills required to be the lawyer of the future, now.

Alongside market leading support and development, you’ll have the chance to put knowledge into action and start building your legal career from day one. After all, it’s experience that makes great lawyers.

Our two-year,  Middle East Trainee Solicitor Programme is the perfect canvas for creating forward-thinking lawyers of the future. Bring your own unique skills and perspective and we’ll help you develop yourself and your career. We believe it’s experience that makes great lawyers so you can expect to be putting knowledge into action from day one.

Our programme allows candidates to rotate through four different practice areas, offering you a broad exposure to a range of legal disciplines. Throughout the programme, you will benefit from comprehensive training and development, with regular feedback and ongoing support.

You’ll be given real responsibilities and opportunities to work with clients, you’ll be encouraged to think creatively, challenge norms and develop innovative solutions for our diverse clientele.

All of our Middle East future trainees will be required to complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) ahead of the start of their Trainee Solicitor Programme. For more information on the SQE and timelines, please visit our SQE section on the top bar.

“I really enjoyed working and collaborating with diverse teams across different Dentons offices and learning from their wide-ranging expertise. I have not only built valuable professional connections, but I have also formed lifelong friendships. Future trainees can expect an enriching experience, learning from talented professionals, embracing diverse cultures, and gaining a wealth of knowledge that will serve them well throughout their careers. If you are thinking of applying you should do so, it is an amazing opportunity that you will not regret.”

At Dentons, we understand that your journey begins with strong foundations. That’s why, after an insightful induction, you’ll receive tailored training and development experiences designed to equip you with the tools you need to thrive.

Alongside this trainee specific training, you’ll have access to our market leading programme of development sessions, and our online suite of virtual training courses. Whether you’d like a refresher on the basics, fine tune your networking skills, build your personal brand or improve your efficiency at work, there will be a course for you.

Our dedicated Human Resources team will also be with you throughout your journey, you’ll never be alone in navigating your path to success.

Support isn’t something you’ll receive sporadically throughout your Trainee Solicitor Programme at Dentons. You’ll have a dedicated supervisor for each seat, who’ll be a constant point of guidance, helping you define your career. You’ll also have support from your trainee peers, who are led by trainee representatives, nominated from each class year.

We were awarded the Best Law Firm for Partner Approachability, which acknowledges the engagement of our Partners in our programmes. We have dedicated Partner sponsors for each practice area who are committed to providing an environment that supports our trainees.

Our Trainees are also active members of our diversity networks, social committee and Pro Bono teams, forging strong professional networks right across the firm.

Finally, our award winning Early Careers team will also always be available to you, to discuss everything from seat moves and secondments, to trainee social events.

Applications

Applications for our Middle East Training Contract will open on 1 September 2025 and close on 30 January 2026.

To access the application form, please click the ‘Apply’ button on the top bar.

Eligibility

Start Date

The start date for this role is September 2027 or September 2028.

All of our Middle East future trainees will be required to complete the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) ahead of the start of their Trainee Solicitor Programme. For more information on the SQE and timelines, please visit our SQE section on the top bar.

Who Can Apply?

There’s no such thing as ‘typical’ at Dentons. That’s no accident. It’s by design. Our expertise within the Firm is as diverse as the needs of our global clients. Becoming ‘one of us’ means staying true to you. So, whoever you are, if you think you’ve got something to contribute we’d urge you to apply and find out.

Here’s what you need to know

For our Middle East Trainee Solicitor Programme, we are looking for fluency in both written and verbal Arabic. We value the importance of effective communication in a diverse region and seek candidates who can bridge language barriers seamlessly.

We are eager to hear from nationals of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries interested in qualifying as solicitors in England and Wales.

Putting you in context

We understand that academic performance can vary, and we take a holistic approach to application assessment. Whilst we generally look for strong A-Level (or equivalent) performance, we evaluate every application in its unique context. If you believe you can submit a strong application, even if you don’t meet the typical grade requirements, we encourage you to apply.

If you’ve faced challenges or have had experiences that may have impacted your academic performance, we invite you to include these as part of your application. We recognise the importance of understanding the full context of each applicant’s journey.

To ensure a fair and informed selection process, we’ve implemented the Rare Recruitment Contextual Recruitment System. This system provides us with additional context for each candidate’s application, helping us make more comprehensive and inclusive decisions.

Please review our Middle East FAQs before you start your application.

Not ready to apply to the direct Middle East Trainee Solicitor Programme just yet? Have a look at our 2026 Middle East Insight Scheme for a two-week work experience at one of our Middle East offices.