Dentons is a firm where everyone we hire is encouraged to be themselves. We don’t believe you can make a truly world-changing impact by conforming to any one way of thinking. There’s power in diversity, so becoming one of us truly means staying true to you.

Our two-year, 2026 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.

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. This means candidates will need to be ready to start our full time SQE Preparation course with BPP in September 2025. 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.

Each seat you take comes with bespoke training, ensuring you’re fully prepared to excel in your role. But that’s just the beginning. We offer a comprehensive programme of development sessions that set the industry standard. From refining your networking skills to honing your legal drafting, our suite of in person and virtual training courses has you covered.

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 a sporadic offering; it’s woven into the fabric of your Training Contract. In each seat, you’ll have a dedicated supervisor who serves as a constant source of guidance, helping you define and achieve your career goals.

Your fellow trainees, led by trainee representatives from each cohort, form a supportive network that’s always there when you need it. Right across the Firm, trainees are active members of our diversity networks, social committee, and pro bono teams, so you won’t just build your career; you’ll actively contribute to our vibrant community.

Applications

Applications for our Middle East Training Contract will open on 16 December 2024 and close on 6 June 2025. 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 2026.

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. This means candidates will need to be ready to start our full time SQE Preparation course with BPP in September 2025. 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, fluency in both written and verbal Arabic is preferable but not a pre-requisite. 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 make a strong case for your candidacy, 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 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 2025 Middle East Insight Scheme for a two-week work experience at one of our Middle East offices.