Clifford Chance (CC) has become the first magic circle firm to launch graduate training schemes in the Middle East.

The firm will offer the programme in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, with the first intake of graduates set to join the firm's United Arab Emirates office next month.

Dubai trainees will undertake two seats in the UAE and two seats in London, each lasting six months.

They will be able to practice as an England and Wales Qualified Solicitor after completing a Legal Practice Course (LPC) at London's College of Law.

Applications for the March 2015, March 2016 and September 2016 intakes for the two-year Dubai based training contract will be open until 10 August.

The Saudi Arabian graduate scheme offers Saudi nationals a two-year training period with rotations in the corporate and banking and finance practices of CC's Riyadh office. The next application window will be in October this year.

The firm will be taking four trainees in each office, with the Middle East programme complementing existing graduate schemes in Germany, Tokyo and Paris.

Next year will mark 40 years since CC opened its first UAE office. The firm was named International Law Firm of the Year at the Corporate Counsel Middle East Awards in May, jointly hosted by Legal Week.

The firm hopes to release its London trainee retention figures in the coming fortnight.

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