Middle East Summer Vacation Scheme and Training Contract

Role Overview

Middle East Summer Vacation Scheme and Training Contract at Clifford Chance. This role offers a two-year Training Contract with four six-month rotations, the first in London and the remaining three in Middle East offices, or a two-week Summer Vacation Scheme from 10th June to 25th June 2027.

Company Overview

Clifford Chance is one of the largest international law firms in the world, with over 30 offices globally. The firm combines global standards with in-depth local expertise, serving clients across commercial and industrial sectors, the financial investor community, governments, regulators, trade bodies, and not-for-profit organisations. The firm is built on an entrepreneurial spirit, conscientious approach to work, and an inclusive, friendly, and team-based culture.

Role Purpose

To develop confident solicitors in England and Wales through a high-performance commercial law experience, providing breadth of exposure across the firm's Global Product Groups and jurisdictions, culminating in qualification as a solicitor.

Key Responsibilities

Training Contract Rotations

• Undertake four six-month rotations, the first in the London office and three in Middle East offices.
• Explore the firm's Global Product Groups through seat choices in Capital Markets, Debt Finance, Disputes, Corporate Transactions & Advisory, Project Development Finance, Real Estate, Restructuring & Insolvency, or Funds.
• Develop legal and business skills while gaining insight into high-profile clients and commercial awareness.
• Undertake tasks including drafting and proofing documents, conducting due diligence on acquisition targets, attending client meetings, preparing documents for court hearings, researching titles and leases on real estate portfolios, and creating data rooms for major transactions.
• Run smaller transactions for clients as experience develops.
• Potentially undertake a client secondment.

Vacation Scheme Activities

• Work with experienced lawyers in two of the firm's key Global Product Groups.
• Undertake tasks set by supervising associates and provide feedback on learning and development.
• Attend firm presentations and ask questions about Global Product Groups, business professional teams, and the Training Contract.
• Network and socialise with Clifford Chance employees in the Middle East offices.
• Gain a snapshot of legal work at different career stages.

Qualifications & Experience

• Penultimate year law students, final year law and non-law students, or graduates are eligible.
• Must be eligible to start the Training Contract in February 2029 or August 2029.
• Must have achieved or be on track to achieve a 2:1 or above in undergraduate degree.
• Non-law graduates must complete the PGDL prior to joining as a Trainee.
• Scots or Irish law students or graduates may be required to complete elements of the PGDL.
• All Future Trainees must complete the SQE prior to joining as a Trainee, regardless of prior LPC completion.
• Future Trainees who have already completed the SQE must complete the Clifford Chance Plus Programme, a bespoke course designed by the firm's lawyers in collaboration with the University of Law.
• If PGDL already completed, must have achieved a commendation (60% or more) overall and a completion (pass or better) on all modules at first attempt.
• If SQE already completed, must have passed all modules on first attempt.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong commitment to building a career in the Middle East.
• Fluent Arabic drafting and speaking skills are preferred for Middle East programmes.
• Business awareness and problem solving with commercial insight and ability to identify legal and business issues.
• Inquisitive mind with ability to articulate and apply knowledge creatively in a solution-focused manner.
• Ability to explore and analyse ideas.
• Ability to understand client needs and provide exceptional client service.
• Leadership and collaboration skills with natural enthusiasm for being a team player.
• Ability to multi-task, remain organised, and thrive through challenges in a fast-paced, high-pressure, high-performance environment with demanding deadlines.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, reliability, responsiveness, and ability to provide regular updates to team members.
• Genuine desire to learn from those around you with ambition to progress and gain exposure within the firm and with clients.
• Ability to demonstrate pride in approach to work and work output, including proactively seeking feedback and taking responsibility for own career.
• Ownership of work, proactive and solution-oriented mindset, accountability, and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of and genuine interest in the role, firm, and clients with understanding of how this aligns with skillset and career ambitions.

Additional Information

Compensation and Support

• Training Contract salary: 350,000 AED in first year; 365,000 AED in second year.
• Vacation Scheme payment: 2,500 AED; flights and accommodation covered where applicable.
• PGDL and SQE are funded by Clifford Chance, with a maintenance grant provided during studies.

Learning and Development

• Receive specialised training at the start of each seat with a dedicated supervisor.
• Supported by Early Talent Development team, Resource Manager, and Monitoring Partner throughout Training Contract.
• Access to learning and development support from the Clifford Chance Academy, the legal sector's leading in-house learning and development facility.
• PGDL and SQE prep sessions to maximise career development and build networks.
• Global Product Group presentations during SQE to support informed seat choices.
• Key trainee task skills sessions delivered by each Global Product Group.
• Trainee Induction programme in week one.
• Supervising Associate and trainee buddy support during Vacation Scheme.

Work Location

• First seat rotation: London, Canary Wharf (relocating to 2 Aldermanbury Square, EC2 in 2027).
• Remaining rotations: Middle East offices in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or Riyadh.
• Vacation Scheme: Dubai office or Abu Dhabi office.
• Expected to be in office at least four days per week.

Selection Process

• Complete online application form.
• Take Clifford Chance Immersive Online Assessment and Watson Glaser critical reasoning test.
• Application form reviewed by recruitment team after online assessments.
• Successful candidates invited to recorded video interview.
• Successful video interview candidates invited to virtual competency interview with a Partner and Senior Associate working in the Middle East.
• Successful virtual interview candidates invited to complete a case study exercise in the London office (inclusive of written exercise) and case study interview with Partner and Senior Associate.

Vacation Scheme to Training Contract Pathway

• Vacation Scheme can lead to a Middle East Training Contract interview.
• Candidates will be considered for both Vacation Scheme and Training Contract opportunities unless specified otherwise on application form.

Equal Opportunities

• Committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age.
• This commitment applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer, and every other aspect of employment.
• Variety of flourishing employee networks enabling colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change.
• Goal is to deliver equality of opportunity, equality of aspiration, and equality of experience to everyone who works in the firm.