Dubai Holding launches ground breaking lawyers graduate training programme

DUBAI, 15 April 2008: Dubai Holding today announced the first training programme by a UAE Corporate to recruit and train UAE graduates to qualify as Solicitors in England and Wales.

The three-year Dubai Holding Legal Graduate Training Program, has been organised by Dubai Holding Group Legal and launched in association with two long-established English law firms based in Dubai, Clifford Chance and Trowers & Hamlins. The programme will provide opportunities for UAE National law graduates to gain a qualification that is recognised worldwide.

Fadel Ali, Executive Chairman of Operations, Dubai Holding said: "Dubai Holding is committed to enhancing the skills of UAE Nationals. This ground breaking programme will help to create a real path for succession planning for UAE Nationals who want to pursue a legal career within our organisation."

Selected candidates will first undertake the Legal Practice Course (LPC) at one of the prescribed LPC institutions in England. The course is currently made up of skills courses, together with compulsory subjects and optional subjects. The full-time vocational course lasts a year with an emphasis placed on class room teaching alongside independent study. Thereafter, candidates complete the Professional Skills Course (PSC), recognised by the UK Law Society. The PSC is a mandatory course for all trainee solicitors. It consists of three core modules, including Client Care and Professional Standards; Financial and Business Skills and Advocacy and Communication Skills.

After completing the LPC and the PSC, candidates will be employed by one of the law firms for a period of two years to complete what is known as a Training Contract.

Gerard Hobby, Chief Legal Officer of Dubai Holding said: "The Dubai Holding Legal Graduate Training Program will enable qualified UAE National law graduates to experience a broad based training that brings increased legal awareness to future professionals. The English legal system, together with the qualification of being a Solicitor is respected throughout the world and this programme will add substantially to the knowledge base of those UAE National law graduates selected for it."

The programme will start in September 2009 and after successfully completing the three year programme, the newly qualified solicitors will be employed by Dubai Holding Group Legal or within one of the legal departments of Dubai Holding's subsidiary companies.