Training Contract

We offer direct training contracts, which includes a two-week Academy programme before you start. Once the Academy is completed, you will work across different practice groups, alongside our lawyers, covering at least three distinct areas of law.

About the Training Contract

Two-year programme Applications are now closed.

The route to securing a training contract with us is through an assessment day. Upon successful completion of our assessment day you will be offered a direct training contract plus be enrolled on our award-winning CMS Academy programme.

Typically, you will complete four six-month long seats across a two year period, working across different practice groups. We also provide alternative qualification routes, such as part-time training contracts, which are offered on a case-by-case basis. We understand that everyone’s circumstances are unique and are proud to offer flexible training contracts promoting inclusivity to all.

Meeting clients and working alongside lawyers at all levels will soon become second nature to you.

Courses, lectures, and workshops will sharpen your technical expertise. On the job training and technical workshops will broaden your skillset.

You will always have someone to turn to whether that’s your designated seat supervisor, the dedicated Emerging Talent team or the trainee representative committee made up of elected trainees from all locations and intakes.

There can be the opportunity to undertake a client secondment, or a secondment to a CMS international office or another of our UK based offices. There will also be time to make a contribution to socials causes via pro bono and responsible business work as our communities and environment matter.

About CMS Academy 

This developmental programme consists of a week-long Business of Law workshop and a one week internship within your office. As a firm we feel it is important to invest in you right from the day we make a training contract offer and this programme represents one of the largest investments any law firm makes in nurturing its next generation of talent.

You will have the opportunity to learn the business of law and the context in which we work, meet some of our clients, work on live matters and network with our partners,  employees and clients. All of this on our two-week Academy programme is designed to embed you into the firm from day one.

 

 

Locations

Aberdeen, Bristol, Dubai, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London, Manchester, Liverpool and Sheffield

Opportunities for international secondments (restrictions permitting)

Eligibility

All graduates, undergraduates or postgraduate students studying either law or a non-law subject or career changers looking for a new role in the legal industry.

More information

What to expect out of your Training Contract

Here are just some of the experiences and benefits you can expect during your four six-month seats:

Courses, lectures, and workshops

Learn from the best lawyers and subject area experts to develop your skills in a variety of ways.

Always supported

Our Emerging Talent team is committed to ensuring you get the backing and advice you need to help your career thrive.

Secondments

During your training contract, you could go on a client secondment, or a secondment to a CMS international office or another of our UK based offices.

Pro bono and responsible business

You’ll have the opportunity to provide pro bono legal advice to community groups and not for profit organisations getting involved in responsible business initiatives right away.

Application deadlines

Applications for 2024 are now closed.

To register your interest for future opportunities please click here. 

 

What's the next step?

For England based Training Contracts – Before you start your training contract, we will sponsor your studies and pay you a maintenance grant while you complete your Solicitors Qualification Examinations (SQE). If you are studying or have a non-law degree, we’ll sponsor your Post Graduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) and subsequent SQE. These will be completed prior to your Qualifying Work Experience (QWE).

For Scotland based Training Contracts – Before you start your training contract, we will sponsor your studies and pay you a maintenance grant while you complete your Diploma in Professional Legal Practice  (DPLP).

Salary and benefits

Bristol

First-year trainee (£43,000), Second-year trainee (£45,000), Newly-qualified (£68,000)

Scotland

First-year trainee (£28,000), Second-year trainee (£31,000), Newly-qualified (£60,000)

Manchester, Sheffield and Liverpool

First-year trainee (£31,500), Second-year trainee (£34,500), Newly-qualified (£60,000)

Dubai

First-year trainee (288,000 AED), Second-year trainee (312,000 AED), Newly-qualified (432,000 AED)

London

First-year trainee (£50,000), Second-year trainee (£55,000), Newly-qualified (£105,000)

If you are offered a training contract with us, you will receive the following grants:

LPC or SQE

£15,000 (London) and £13,000 (studying outside London)

PGDL

£15,000 (London) and £13,000 (studying outside London)

Eligibility

Location of Undergraduate Degree

Eligibility for a training contract by office location

England, Wales and NI

Offices in England and Dubai:

  • Current law students in their penultimate or final year of study .
  • Current non-law students in their final year of study.
  • Graduates from both law and non-law subjects.
  • Candidates from a non-law career background.

  • Scotland

    Offices in Scotland:

  • Current LLB Law students in their penultimate or final year.
  • Current accelerated LLB students in either their first or second year.

    Offices in England and Dubai:

  • Current non-law and BA Law Scottish students in their final year of study.
  • Graduates from non-law subjects and BA Law.
  • LLB Law students may also apply from final year onwards.

  • All other locations

    Offices in England and Dubai:

  • Current law or non-law students in their final year.
  • Graduates from both law and non-law subjects.

  • Application process

    Interested in applying? Here’s an outline of the different stages involved.

    Online application form

    Online application form

    An opportunity for us to start to get to know you, your educational background, work experience and interests and why you are interested in a career with CMS.

    Critical thinking test

    Critical thinking test

    Designed to test your analytical reasoning and logic. Take a practice test here.

    Video interview

    Video interview

    A short 15 minute interview where you will answer a series of pre-recorded questions.

    Assessment day

    Assessment day

    An immersive assessment experience and an opportunity to meet other people from around the firm and learn more about CMS.

    Any questions?

    Take a look at our dedicated FAQs page