Welcome to Clyde & Co's MEA graduate programme
MEA training contract
We offer a Middle East and Africa (MEA) 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.
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.
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.
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.
The MEA region is a rapidly growing market and home to some of the most exciting legal work in the world. Our MEA Training Contract provides you with a unique opportunity to work alongside a team of lawyers whose knowledge and expertise spans over 30 years working in the region.
Your training will comprise of four six month seats in different practice areas of the law in any of our MEA offices, with the possibility of undertaking one of these seats in the UK or another 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 truly international experience to set you apart as a trusted commercial legal advisor and continue your legal career as a newly-qualified solicitor in MEA.
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
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), 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.
At Clyde’s we also 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
- Accommodation loan
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.
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
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), 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.
At Clyde’s we also 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
- Accommodation loan
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.
The Application Process
Applications for our MEA Training Contract commencing in 2026 opens on the 10th of October 2023 and closes on the 10th of January 2024.