FAQs

Why do we have three 8 month seats?
Our trainees rotate seats in September, May and January which means there is a 4 month overlap of first and second year trainees in the Practice Group. This allows the new trainee the opportunity to learn from one of their peers with experience of the Practice Group when they are just starting out.

We feel that this system differentiates MMS from other firms and that having eight months in a Practice Group enhances the trainee’s employability.

Is there an opportunity to work in another jurisdiction?
MMS has offices in both Scotland and London. We may therefore be able to offer our trainees the prospect of allocating one of your seats to an alternative office (subject to business need), be it a swap from Scotland to London or vice versa. Should the opportunity arise, we will support you fully during the time you are away including the provision of accommodation, should you require it.

Am I able to choose my Practice Group and location?

Yes, you will be able to submit your seat preferences and preferred location. We will endeavour to accommodate your seat preferences, depending on business needs.

What contact is there from MMS between accepting an offer and starting?

We have a future trainee programme to enable us to keep in touch with you prior to starting. We arrange a couple of events for trainees who have been recruited during the year leading up to your start date

Firstly, we hold an informal event in December which enables you to meet your future peer group and current trainees within the Firm to give you an understanding of what life as a trainee will be like.

We will also invite you to a presentation evening 6 months prior to starting your traineeship where you will hear from lawyers from across the Firm who will provide some insight into our legal practice groups before you select your seat preferences.

What happens once I qualify?
During the course your traineeship, you will develop a feel for the areas in which you may wish to specialise. In spring of your second year we will discuss with you the newly qualified positions that are available across the firm. If you have completed your traineeship successfully, we will hopefully be able to offer you a job in the department of your choice. Experience of the past few years shows that we have been able to keep on a high proportion of those qualifying who want to stay with us. Many have remained with us to become Associates and Partners.