Table of Contents
Job Overview
About the Company
Available Jobs
Job Description
What Is a Dubai Training Contract?
Who This Role Is Ideal For
Job Responsibilities
Why This Role?
Requirements
How to Apply
FAQs
Job Overview
If you are aiming to qualify as a solicitor of England & Wales while building a long-term legal career in the Middle East, this Dubai training contract with Clyde & Co for September 2027 represents a highly sought-after opportunity. Designed for ambitious law and non-law graduates, this two-year training contract provides the final step toward qualification, combining structured learning with real client work across some of the region’s most commercially significant sectors.
The Dubai training contract is particularly suited to candidates who are serious about living and working in the Middle East after qualification. With a strong emphasis on regional expertise, Arabic language capability, and international legal standards, this programme positions trainees for long-term success in one of the world’s most dynamic legal markets.
Job Title: Dubai / Abu Dhabi Training Contract 2027 (Trainee Solicitor)
Company Name: Clyde & Co
Location: Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Employment Type: Full-time | Two-year training contract
Start Date: September 2027
Application Deadline: 6 January 2026
Short summary of the opportunity:
This Dubai training contract offers hands-on legal experience, structured supervision by senior lawyers, tuition fee support for required legal qualifications, and exposure to complex international work across the Middle East and beyond.
About the Company
Clyde & Co is a globally respected law firm known for advising businesses that operate at the heart of international trade and commercial activity. The firm focuses on sectors where risk, regulation, and complexity intersect—making it a compelling environment for trainees who want both intellectual challenge and commercial relevance.
With thousands of legal professionals across nearly 70 offices worldwide, Clyde & Co combines global reach with deep local knowledge. The firm is also strongly committed to responsible business practices, including diversity and inclusion, sustainability initiatives, and community engagement through pro bono and charitable work.
Clyde & Co in the Middle East
Clyde & Co has more than three decades of experience in the Middle East and maintains the largest regional presence of any international law firm. Dubai acts as the regional hub, supported by offices in Abu Dhabi, Doha, Cairo, Riyadh, and other key commercial centres.
For candidates pursuing a Dubai training contract, this regional footprint is a major advantage. It allows trainees to develop expertise in cross-border matters, work with multinational clients, and gain exposure to legal systems and business cultures across the GCC and wider region.
Available Jobs
If you are planning your early legal career strategically, these related roles often complement or lead into a Dubai training contract:
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Clyde & Co Vacation Scheme – Dubai / Abu Dhabi
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Legal Intern or Paralegal – International Law Firm – Dubai
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Graduate Legal Assistant – UAE
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Middle East Training Contract – England & Wales Qualification Route
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Trainee Solicitor Roles – Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Gaining relevant experience through internships or paralegal roles can significantly strengthen future training contract applications.
Job Description
The Dubai training contract at Clyde & Co is the final professional stage before qualification as a solicitor of England & Wales. It is structured as a two-year placement where trainees apply academic legal knowledge to live matters under close supervision, gradually increasing responsibility as competence and confidence grow.
This training contract is designed to develop not only legal technical skills, but also the professional behaviours expected of international commercial lawyers—clear communication, commercial awareness, and reliability under pressure.
What Is a Dubai Training Contract?
A Dubai training contract is a two-year period of supervised practice undertaken by trainee solicitors who are on the qualification pathway for England & Wales but intend to train and qualify while based in the Middle East.
Candidates typically must:
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Hold a law degree, or a non-law degree plus the PGDL, completed by September 2026
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Complete the relevant SQE LLM in Legal Practice before starting in September 2027
Clyde & Co notes that it provides financial support toward tuition fees for those who accept a training contract, helping reduce the financial burden of qualification.
Who This Role Is Ideal For
This Dubai training contract is particularly well suited to candidates who:
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Are genuinely committed to a long-term legal career in the Middle East
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Have strong academic foundations and high professional standards
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Are fluent or advanced in Arabic, alongside excellent English
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Enjoy working in complex, commercially focused environments
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Want early responsibility combined with structured support
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Value international exposure and cross-border legal work
UAE Nationals are strongly encouraged to apply as part of the firm’s commitment to developing local talent.
Job Responsibilities
During the two-year Dubai training contract, trainees can expect a broad range of responsibilities that mirror the work of qualified solicitors, including:
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Legal research to support both contentious and non-contentious matters
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Drafting legal documents, such as agreements, pleadings, and witness statements
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Communicating with clients, including attending meetings and calls under supervision
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Document review to identify key issues, risks, and relevant evidence
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Preparing bundles for trial and supporting hearing preparation
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Assisting case-handlers with active files, deadlines, and procedural requirements
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Representing the firm at external events, supporting business development and professional relationships
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Attending internal and external training sessions to deepen legal and commercial knowledge
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Managing workload effectively while contributing to pro bono and community initiatives
Success in a Dubai training contract often comes down to consistency, attention to detail, and the ability to learn quickly from feedback.
Why This Role?
A Dubai training contract at Clyde & Co offers a combination of professional credibility, regional focus, and long-term career value that is difficult to match.
1) Direct route to qualification with Middle East expertise
You qualify as an England & Wales solicitor while developing specialist knowledge of Middle East markets, regulations, and industries.
2) Tuition support and strong trainee benefits
Clyde & Co provides financial support for tuition fees and offers trainee benefits that typically include:
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Private medical cover and health checks
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Maternity and paternity pay
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Flexible working arrangements
3) Exposure to globally relevant sectors
The firm’s work spans insurance, construction, energy, aviation, marine, trade, and infrastructure—sectors that dominate commercial activity in the region and beyond.
4) Structured learning and long-term support
From induction through ongoing internal training, the programme is designed to ensure trainees develop legal skill, commercial awareness, and professional judgment.
5) A rigorous but fair recruitment process
The assessment process evaluates critical reasoning, strengths, communication skills, and Arabic proficiency—ensuring candidates are selected based on real potential, not just credentials.
Requirements
To be eligible for this Dubai training contract 2027, candidates should meet the following criteria:
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Language: Advanced or fluent Arabic is required
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Education:
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Law degree, or non-law degree plus PGDL, completed by September 2026
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SQE LLM in Legal Practice completed before September 2027
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Academic standards:
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Typically AAB at A-level
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2:1 undergraduate degree
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Mitigating circumstances considered via contextual recruitment
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Commitment: Clear intention to pursue a legal career in the Middle East
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LPC candidates: Must document LPC status in the application
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Eligibility: Ability to live and work in Dubai or Abu Dhabi (visa status as per employer policy)
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Application rule: Only one training contract or vacation scheme application per year
How to Apply
To apply for the Dubai training contract at Clyde & Co:
Application deadline: 6 January 2026. Early preparation is strongly recommended due to the competitive nature of Dubai training contracts.
FAQs
1) When does the Dubai training contract start?
The training contract is scheduled to begin in September 2027.
2) Is Arabic mandatory for a Dubai training contract at Clyde & Co?
Yes. Advanced or fluent Arabic is required, and proficiency is assessed during the recruitment process.
3) Can non-law graduates apply for a Dubai training contract?
Yes. Non-law graduates may apply if they complete the PGDL by September 2026 and follow the SQE qualification route.
4) What type of work will trainees do?
Trainees handle legal research, drafting, client communication, document review, trial preparation, and file support, alongside training and pro bono work.
5) How competitive are Dubai training contracts?
Dubai training contracts are highly competitive due to limited places and strong international demand. Early preparation and a clear regional commitment significantly improve your chances.