Frequently asked questions
Application and interview
I’ve applied – when do I hear back from you?
How many applications do you receive and how many do you interview?
I haven’t done a summer placement, will this count against me?
What is the interview process?
Do you only recruit from particular universities?
Traineeship
How many trainees do you take on each year?
Can I choose my seats during the traineeship?
Can I undertake client secondments?
How many trainees stay with Burness on qualification?
What practice areas can I choose from?
Will I get the opportunity to meet clients?
Where will I be based during my traineeship?
Will I get to meet the other trainees before starting my Burness traineeship?
Can I get involved in activities with other employees outside the office?
What happens after I have accepted an offer?
If I don’t do a summer placement with you can I still apply for a training contract?
Can I choose my PCC electives?
Do I have to pay for the PCC?
What support will I get?
What salary and benefits will I get?
Application and interview
I’ve applied – when do I hear back from you?
We’ll send you an acknowledgement to let you know we got your application form. By the end of December we will have responded to you with a decision. We’re not able to give you individual feedback at application stage. If you’re unsuccessful after attending our assessment centres, a member of the HR team will give you detailed feedback.
How many applications do you receive and how many do you interview?
We receive around 400 applications for legal traineeships each year, and we interview around 10% of these applicants. Competition for traineeships is high, so it is important that you read our What we’re looking for and our Your application and interview sections.
I haven’t done a summer placement, will this count against me?
No. We don’t expect you to have had legal experience at this stage of your career in law. That’s why it’s important that you show us evidence of transferable skills in your application.
What is the interview process?
After submitting your application, we will screen this then we will ask successful candidates to complete aptitude tests. The next stage is an assessment centre which will consist of a research exercie, competency based interview and group exercise.
Do you only recruit from particular universities?
No. You can apply as long as you have a 2.1 in Scots law or are on track to receive this, or are studying the Accelerated Degree.
Traineeship
How many trainees do you take on each year?
We recruit between 10 and 14 trainees a year.
Yes. Before every seat move, trainees are asked for their first and second choice seat preferences. We try to accommodate these as best we can.
Can I undertake client secondments?
There are opportunities for some trainees to go on client secondments, depending upon client and business needs.
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How many trainees stay with Burness on qualification?
We try and retain as many of our trainees as possible.
What practice areas can I choose from?
We currently have seats in the following practice areas: Property; Banking; Dispute Resolution; IP & Technology; Employment, Pensions and Benefits; Corporate Finance; General Corporate, and Construction & Projects.
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Will I get the opportunity to meet clients?
Yes. We try and give you the opportunity to develop business and communication skills from an early stage, and client contact is vital for this.
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Where will I be based during my traineeship?
You will be based in either our Edinburgh or Glasgow offices. We will discuss with you your preference but you may have to be flexible. There may also be occasions when you’ll have to travel between offices.
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Will I get to meet the other trainees before starting my Burness traineeship?
After you have accepted an offer with us we’ll keep in regular contact with you. You’ll be invited to attend firm wide events such as our summer BBQ and Christmas Party.
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Can I get involved in activities with other employees outside the office?
You’ll be able to get involved in after work events with other employees such as five-a-side football, softball, touch rugby, netball and activities linked to our CSR work. We also have a social committee that organise a number of social events such as karaoke nights.
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What happens after I have accepted an offer?
We’ll keep in touch with you until you join. You will be invited to attend our firm-wide events such as our summer BBQ and our Christmas Party. Our trainees will also be active in keeping in contact with you and invite you to their regular trainee nights out.
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If I don’t do a summer placement with you can I still apply for a training contract?
Yes. Competition for our summer placements is very high but we have more trainees jobs than can be filled by our summer placement students. If you applied, or were interviewed, for a summer placement but unsuccessful then you can still apply, but we will be looking to see how your skills, knowledge and experience have improved since your previous application.
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Can I choose my PCC electives?
Yes.
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Do I fund the cost of the PCC?
The firm will meet all costs associated with the PCC, both core and elective programmes.
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What support will I get?
HR have a dedicated member of their team who is responsible for looking after the trainees. As well as this, every trainee is allocated a mentor, who will be based in the same department as you. They’ll be the first point of contact for any queries or issues you have.
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What salary and benefits will I get?
Our benefits include the following:
- Highly competitive salary
- 24 days holidays
- 8 public holidays
- Accrue up to 6 days holidays through flexi time
- Discretionary Bonus scheme
- Contributory pension plan
- Life assurance
- Access to a subsidised healthcare scheme
- Interest free season ticket loans for commuting
- Cycle to work scheme
- Child care vouchers
- Health screenings
- £100 per year towards gym membership
- Free fresh fruit
- Enhanced maternity and paternity pay