1st year trainee: AED 290,000; 2nd year trainee: AED 305,000.
Gateway Programme - United Arab Emirates
Applications are closed.
The start of your success story
Our programme is suitable for those who wish to qualify under SQE and individuals who are qualifying, or have already qualified, in other Middle East jurisdictions looking to build their experience. We welcome applications from individuals who are attracted to a legal career with an international, professional services firm with law at its core.
Applicants should have existing connections to the Middle East with a desire to build a career in the region and help us build the junior talent pipeline of our Dubai office.
The Gateway Programme presents a perfect opportunity for:
- Those seeking the relevant Qualifying Work Experience (QWE) to allow you to qualify as an England and Wales solicitor
- LLM graduates from accredited universities
- LLB graduates from accredited universities
- Paralegals with local law firms
- In house legal counsel
- Qualified lawyers who have already passed a Bar exam who are seeking to make a move to the UAE office of a UK-headquartered firm e.g., Egyptian or Jordanian Bar Qualified.
Learning and Development
On our programme, we will give you a comprehensive introduction to a multi-national, commercial professional services organisation with law at its core. You’ll receive the relevant legal and skills training via the Pinsent Masons Academy. We are a Purpose-led organisation seeking to make business work better for people and enabling our colleagues to reach their full potential.
Induction
Your training starts on day one at our Dubai office induction, where you’ll begin to build a network of contacts across the firm. You will have the opportunity to find out more about what you can expect on your training programme and hear from different practice group lawyers.
Training and seat rotation
On our two-year training programme, you’ll enjoy the chance to build both the technical legal skills and complementary skills you need to progress as a lawyer and business advisor.
Throughout the programme you’ll gain broad exposure to different areas of the firm by moving seat every six months. The training in each seat is ‘front loaded’ to enable you to quickly develop legal knowledge of each area and take on real responsibility. When you have completed the programme , you’ll be better informed about which practice areas interest you and can take your career to the next level in your chosen specialism.
We will support you throughout your Training Contract, from liaising with the wider business on seat allocation, to meeting with you regularly to offer professional support and guidance.
Salary
Our trainee salaries are subject to review on an annual basis. The salary rates at August 2023 are as follows:
Entry requirements
If you don’t meet the above criteria but there are mitigating circumstances that explain why you’ve failed to meet the minimum academic requirements, there’s an opportunity for you to include this information in your application.
Law school sponsorship
We have an exclusive relationship with the University of Law whereby our trainees study the LLM SQE course remotely, if they are yet to (and wish to) obtain that qualification. We offer a generous amount of study leave and subsidise travel costs to the UK to undertake the SQE 2 assessment.
For those joining us from a different qualification route or jurisdiction, we offer financial support in respect of any compulsory legal education, local Bar exams and registration costs.
Our primary focus is recruiting the very best people and we remain flexible on the support required to enable you to progress your legal career.
What we're looking for
A focus on detail
With a conscientious approach, you’ll have the ability to read and absorb large amounts of reference material and spot errors quickly. You’ll be a stickler for detail when it comes to your own writing too, ensuring it’s always clear and accurate.
An interest in business
We’re a commercial law firm, so you’ll have a genuine interest in how business works. That means keeping up-to-date with the latest business issues, as well as appreciating how legal expertise can support and steer commercial organisations.
Intellectual capability
You’ve the intellectual curiosity to explore new approaches and ask others’ opinions. With an analytical approach, you think things through and weigh up the implications, but also have the capacity to think on your feet to find solutions.
Openness
You’ll be approachable, outgoing and confident engaging with people from different backgrounds and experiences to your own. Whether you’re communicating with colleagues or clients, you’ll understand the need to adapt your message to suit your audience.
Personal drive
You’ll need to combine a real desire to be the best with the energy, ambition and enthusiasm to go the extra mile to succeed. With a can-do attitude, you’re always open to learning from your experience, so you can be even better next time.
Personal responsibility
You understand that taking responsibility for your successes and acknowledging when things go wrong will help you to constantly improve and achieve your career aims. By knowing your strengths and weaknesses, you give others confidence in your abilities.
Positive impact
With the self-assurance to voice your own opinions and defend your point of view when you need to, you’ll be a convincing and persuasive communicator. But you’ll also have the self-awareness to ask for help when you need it.
Self-organisation
You understand priorities and monitor your progress towards set objectives. By being well-organised and planning and managing your work efficiently, you make sure you always deliver quality work on time.
Our recruitment process
We’ve designed our application process to ensure you’ll know the outcome in no more than four months after the application deadline. The below shows a typical recruitment and selection process. You’ll be given full details of the process in relation to your own recruitment as appropriate.
Retention
This programme is designed to attract UAE nationals, long-term residents and those who wish to develop their career in the Middle East. Our investment in your training means we'll do everything possible to continue your career with us after you have completed the programme.
Continuous professional development
After completion of the programme, you can look forward to a variety of development opportunities that will enable you to become a specialist in your chosen area. With a wide range of courses available through the Pinsent Masons Academy, as well as in your practice area, you’ll have plenty of scope to develop your skills, add to your responsibilities and build a successful career.
Some frequently asked questions
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How many Legal Gateway Programme places do you offer each year?
We have either two or three positions available depending on the intake year. This is reviewed regularly to ensure that it reflects business needs.
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Do I get to choose my seats?
You can let us know which seat you’d prefer for each move and we’ll do our best to meet your request, in line with business and client needs and regulatory qualification requirements.
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What is your retention rate?
We aim to retain as many candidates as possible and our retention rate is currently 100%. We can only offer the positions which have been identified as part of our process. That's why we encourage you to keep an open mind about the practice area you'd like to qualify in.
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Can I undertake part of my training contract in another location?
Our trainees spend the duration of their training contract in Dubai developing their experience in the region. We do have an international secondment programme aimed at junior lawyers upon qualification which allows opportunities to gain experience in another jurisdiction.