Legal Trainee

Job Description

Job Title: Legal Trainee

Location: Edinburgh - 1 George Street

Role Type: 2-year programme

Start date: September 2027

Assessment Centre: April 2026

Closing Date: 6th March 2026 - We reserve the right to close early if application volumes are high

Invest in Your Tomorrow

Are you ready to launch a meaningful legal career with real responsibility and support from day one Join the Legal Secretariat Public Affairs and Sustainability team at Aberdeen Group plc and gain broad handson experience across our Investments and Platforms businesses while learning from specialists who protect our reputation help us deliver for clients and enable the organisation to achieve its strategic goals.

About the Programme

This is a two-year Scotslaw traineeship based in Edinburgh. You will rotate through four six-month seats that reflect business needs and give you a rounded view of in-house practice. Our cohort typically consists of around three trainees across both years with experience gained within our in-house team and through close collaboration with secondees from external law firms. A formal secondment to an external law firm is also likely providing further breadth and professional networks.

During your traineeship you will work towards entry to the roll of solicitors with the Law Society of Scotland and complete the mandatory PEAT 2 training via our external partners. You will also have access to talks and workshops from specialist teams across the business building both commercial awareness and technical confidence.

What you will do

Across your seats you will support the work that keeps a diversified financial services group running securely and responsibly. Typical exposure includes:

• Investments and funds. Drafting reviewing and negotiating documentation that underpins investment activity and fund operations.

• Commercial contracts. Supporting supplier and client arrangements technology and data contracts and related governance.

• Corporate transactions. Assisting with corporate and intra-group activity due diligence and corporate record keeping.

• Cross-team collaboration. Working closely with Secretariat Public Affairs and Sustainability to align legal advice with our regulatory stakeholder and ESG commitments.

You will contribute to real matters that impact our clients and colleagues always with the guidance of experienced lawyers who will help you grow your judgement accuracy and commercial instinct.

What you will gain

A broad in-house legal foundation across investments commercial and corporate work.

• Structured PEAT 2 training and support towards Law Society of Scotland entry requirements.

• Mentoring from senior lawyers and access to firm-wide technical and commercial learning sessions.

• Potential secondment experience with an external law firm to expand your perspective and network.

Who we are looking for

We welcome motivated inclusive and commercially aware applicants who will have completed the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice by the start date. We value:

• Communication. Clear concise writing and confident verbal communication.

• Teamwork. Collaborative working breaking down silos to get the best outcome.

• Trust and integrity. Sound ethics and confidentiality in everything you do.

• Planning and prioritising. Proactive ownership organised delivery and good judgement on value and urgency.

• Attention to detail. Accuracy consistency and strong matter management.

• Analytical thinking. Evidence-based problem solving and sound risk awareness.

Why Choose Aberdeen

Were a global investment company that invests in more than just markets we invest in people. Our inclusive culture commitment to sustainability and focus on long-term impact make Aberdeen a great place to start your career.

Application Process

• CV & Online application

• Online testing

• Online pre-recorded interview

• Assessment Centre (group activity case study and panel interview)

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Aberdeen is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is valued. As a Disability Confident Committed Level One employer we welcome applications from all backgrounds and provide support throughout the recruitment process.

Please contact us () if you require reasonable accommodations to be made to any stage of the recruitment process. Our Early Careers team will be pleased to discuss your needs and ensure that these are accommodated.

Apply Today

Ready to make your mark Apply now and start your legal journey with us!

For more information visit our careers site: committed to providing an inclusive workplace where all forms of difference are valued and which is free from any form of unfair or unlawful treatment. We define diversity in its broadest sense this includes but is not limited to our diversity of educational and professional backgrounds experience cognitive and neurodiversity age gender gender identity sexual orientation disability religion or belief and ethnicity and geographical provenance. We support a culture that values meritocracy fairness and transparency and welcomes enquiries from everyone.

If you need assistance or an adjustment due to a disability please let us know as part of your application and we will assist.