Applications are open and close 10 January 2027
Our training contract is designed to help you build the legal, commercial and professional skills needed to thrive as a solicitor. Through our direct route, you’ll join a firm that’s collaborative, ambitious and focused on delivering high-quality work for clients. Before you start, you’ll take part in CMS Academy – our pre-joining programme that introduces you to the business of law, our clients, our people and the way we work.
Once you start, you’ll typically complete four six-month seats over two years, gaining experience across different practice areas and working alongside lawyers at all levels. You’ll be trusted with meaningful work, expected to take ownership of your development, and supported to build the judgement, confidence and commercial awareness to make a strong contribution. Because here, your growth and the firm’s go hand in hand.
Duration
Two-year programme
Locations
Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow
Opportunities for international secondments (restrictions permitting)
Eligibility
Scots Law LLB students in their penultimate or final year of study
Scots Law LLB Graduates
Current accelerated Scots Law LLB students in either their first or second year
What to expect
Broad legal experience
You’ll work across different practice groups, developing a rounded understanding of our sectors, clients and the role lawyers play in helping organisations navigate change.
Meaningful responsibility
From client meetings to live matters, you’ll gain practical experience that helps you build judgement, confidence and accountability.
Performance-focused development
Courses, lectures, technical workshops and on-the-job learning will help you build strong foundations and keep improving throughout the programme.
Support and feedback
You’ll have a seat supervisor, access to the Emerging Talent team and support from the trainee representative committee, with guidance and feedback to help you perform at your best.
Wider opportunities
There may be opportunities to undertake a client secondment, an international secondment or a secondment to another CMS office, subject to business need and availability.
About CMS Academy
CMS Academy is our flagship pre-joining programme and one of the ways we invest in our next generation of talent before the training contract begins. Across two weeks, you’ll take part in a Business of Law development programme and spend time within your chosen CMS office.
You’ll explore the commercial context in which we work, meet clients, work on live matters and build relationships with partners, colleagues and future trainees. CMS Academy is designed to help you understand the expectations of a high-performing legal environment and feel part of CMS from the beginning.
What's the next step?
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). This will be completed prior to your Qualifying Work Experience (QWE).
Salary and benefits
Location
Salary
Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen
First-year trainee (£33,000), Second-year (£35,000), Newly qualified (£68,000)
If you are offered a Training Contract with us, you will receive the following grants:
Contract
Grant
DPLP
£13,000
Application Process
The route to securing a training contract with CMS is through an assessment day. If successful, you’ll be offered a direct Training Contract and enrolled on CMS Academy before you start. The process is designed to understand your motivation, commercial awareness, judgement and potential to contribute in a collaborative, high-performing firm. Here’s what you can expect at each stage.
Online application form
Tell us about your education, experience and motivation for applying to CMS. We’re looking for clear, considered answers that show you’ve researched the firm and understand the opportunity.
Critical thinking test
A short online test focused on analytical and problem solving skills. No legal knowledge is required, and a practice test is available.
Video interview
A 15-minute interview, where you will be asked to answer a series of pre-recorded questions.
Assessment day
An in-person half day at one of our offices, including exercises designed to explore your motivation, judgement, collaboration and potential. You’ll also have the opportunity to meet people from across the firm and learn more about life at CMS.
