Legal Scots-law Traineeship September 2025

abrdn

22d ago

Applications are closed

Internship
Full-time
Off-cycle Internship
Legal
Edinburgh

Requirements

Communication skills: Clear and effective written and verbal communication.
Team Work: Collaboration and breaking down boundaries when working with others.
Trust & Integrity: Work delivered with integrity and to high ethical standards.
Planning & Prioritising: Proactive and takes initiative. Accomplish tasks efficiently, prioritising objectives based on relative value, importance, and urgency.
Attention to detail: Accuracy, consistency and organisation in work.
Analytical: Collection and analysis of information to facilitate and support decisions. Problem Solving skills.

Responsibilities

There is an opportunity to join the Edinburgh Legal, Secretariat and Public Affairs team at abrdn in September 2025 for a two-year, Scots-law traineeship.
Our Legal, Secretariat and Public Affairs team supports all of our businesses – Investments, Adviser and interactive investor – while playing a role in helping the company reach its strategic aims, protecting our reputation and looking after our clients’ and customers’ needs.
Not only will trainees develop technical knowledge of asset management, but they will have a breadth of opportunity across many different kinds of legal work, including contracts for services, private & public company obligations, corporate transactions, and funds.
From the day you join, we expect to give you the opportunity to be involved in a range of projects with seasoned professionals across all growth vectors.
The trainee programme normally includes a total of approximately three trainees across both trainee years, combining secondees from principal legal advisers and our in-house trainee team.
Trainees rotate through four six-month seats, working flexibly across teams to meet our business partners’ needs.
During your traineeship, you will work towards your entry qualification to the Law Society of Scotland.
We will provide access to mandatory training under the PEAT 2 programme through one of our external firms and other providers, giving our trainees the ability to network more broadly in the Scottish legal community.
There will also be talks and workshops from other teams, to provide insight into many different commercial and technical matters.
This programme gives legal graduates the chance to initiate their career while gaining high-quality skills and experience.

FAQs

What is the closing date for applications for the Legal Scots-law Traineeship in September 2025?

Applications close on 22nd March 2025.

Where will the traineeship be located?

The traineeship will be based in Edinburgh.

How long is the duration of the traineeship?

The traineeship lasts for two years.

What will trainees be working towards during their traineeship?

Trainees will work towards their entry qualification to the Law Society of Scotland.

What kind of experience can trainees expect during the program?

Trainees can expect a well-rounded program with experience in various legal work areas, including contracts for services, corporate transactions, and compliance with company obligations.

How many trainees are typically in the program at one time?

The program usually includes approximately three trainees across both trainee years.

What benefits does abrdn offer to trainees?

Benefits include 40 days of annual leave, a 16% employer pension contribution, private healthcare, and a range of flexible benefits.

What qualities are abrdn looking for in candidates for this traineeship?

abrdn seeks motivated candidates with strong communication skills, teamwork ability, integrity, planning and prioritisation skills, attention to detail, and analytical thinking.

Will there be networking opportunities during the traineeship?

Yes, trainees will have access to networking opportunities through mandatory training and workshops provided by external firms and other providers.

Is there an inclusive culture at abrdn?

Yes, abrdn is committed to building inclusive work environments and values diversity within its workforce.

How can candidates request reasonable accommodations during the application process?

Candidates can notify the recruitment team by completing the relevant section in the candidate questionnaire or contacting abrdn's Early Careers team directly for support.

Does abrdn have any specific commitments regarding disability?

Yes, abrdn has become a Disability Confident Committed – Level One employer and offers support through the application process for candidates with disabilities.

abrdn

Finance

Industry

5001-10,000

Employees

Mission & Purpose

At abrdn, we empower our clients to plan, save and invest for their futures. We structure our business into three areas – and together they reflect our focus on enabling our clients to be better investors:Investments: We work with clients to create solutions across markets, asset classes and investment strategies – combining our global network of investment professionals with research, data and technology. Adviser: We offer market-leading platform technology and tools that enable UK wealth managers and financial advisers to look after the diverse needs of their clients. Personal: We help people throughout the UK plan for their financial futures – through our financial planning business, our digital direct-to-consumer services and discretionary fund management services. Through the expertise, insight and innovation of our team, we aim to help clients create more ways for money to make an impact. We set our sights on giving them more confidence to achieve their goals, and more clarity about what they need next. And we focus on delivering outcomes that are more than just financial – by investing sustainably to build a better world. We’re a global business. We manage and administer £532 billion of assets for our clients, and we have over 1 million shareholders. (Figures as at 30 June 2021)Capital at Risk.