We offer traineeships in both our Edinburgh and Glasgow offices. Effective collaboration is key, and we operate a hybrid working model which allows our people to work both in the office and remotely, in a way that enables them to do their best work.
Each year, we offer up to 20 legal graduates a two-year legal traineeship. As a trainee, you will spend six months in four different seats, offering you a great insight to life in the legal profession. Whilst a strong academic record is important, we are particularly interested in your personal characteristics.
We look for trainees who are confident and demonstrate a positive ‘can do’ approach, naturally good communicators who can establish new and effective relationships with clients and colleagues, and those who enjoy problem-solving and use their initiative.
Applications for our traineeships commencing in 2026 are now closed.
Important dates in the application process are noted below:
- Applications Open: June 2024
- Traineeship Information Evenings: Thursday 18 July (Glasgow) and Thursday 25 July (Edinburgh)
- Closing Date for Applications: 5 August 2024 at 9am
- Group Interviews and Written Exercise: Thursday 15 and Friday 16 August
- Assessment Day: Saturday 31 August
Our trainee recruitment process has three stages.
Stage One: The application form
You will be asked to provide personal details, academic results and answers to questions which will give you an opportunity to tell us more about what who you are and what you are looking to achieve from your traineeship. After you complete the written part of the application form, you will be required to answer two video questions. Your application won't be considered complete until you have answered the video questions.
We use a contextual recruitment system (RARE) to help identify high-achieving individuals who may have missed our shortlist cut-off.
This tool measures those who have performed well despite social disadvantage, which allows us to compare candidates more effectively. Within the application form, you will be asked for details such as eligibility for free school meals, if you are a refugee or the first generation of your family to go to university etc. Please complete this information accurately, and be assured that it will be kept confidential.
Due to the volume of applications we receive, we regret that we cannot provide individual feedback after this stage.
Stage Two: Group and written exercises
Applicants who are invited to the next stage of applications will be invited to a small group video meeting, hosted by Morton Fraser MacRoberts’ HR team. This will involve two speaking exercises and a written exercise. The speaking exercises are designed for you to think on your feet and we will be assessing your overall contribution, including your ability to speak clearly, confidently and concisely, along with your general approach and interpersonal skills.
The written exercise will be carried out individually and will require you to use supplied documents to complete a couple of tasks and email them back to us within a strict time limit. This exercise is designed to test your ability to quickly identify key issues and communicate professionally in a written format.
During the video meeting, there will also be an opportunity for you to ask us any questions you may have about the firm, the traineeship etc.
For those who are not shortlisted to the next stage, we will provide feedback to you over the phone.
Stage Three: Assessment Centre
This is usually scheduled for a Saturday. Applicants will be invited to our Edinburgh office for three hours, either in the morning or afternoon. Travel expenses will be reimbursed.
Recruitment is a two-way process, and this stage is a good opportunity for you to see our working environment, meet some of our business leaders and discuss traineeships with some of our current trainees in total confidence.
Throughout the assessment period, you will take part in two activities:
1. Short interview with two of our partners, senior lawyers or directors
The interview will follow a set format with questions designed to find out more about your career motivations, commercial awareness, knowledge of our firm, your personal strengths etc.
2. Role play exercise
You will be given a background scenario to read and will then be asked to role play with an assessor who will act as a client and you will be required to conduct a meeting with them.
Once you have completed the two exercises, you will be taken on a tour of the office with current trainees and will have an opportunity to talk freely with them.
Feedback and offers will be provided that evening.
