Application Timeline
Timeline 1.4

Eligibility

We welcome applications for our summer vacation scheme from anyone who is on track to receive a 2.1 or higher in Scots Law or who is studying the Accelerated LLB or Diploma in Professional Legal Practice at any university.

If you don’t meet this criteria and you have mitigating circumstances, then you will have the opportunity to explain this in your application and we will take this into account.

If you have any questions before you start about your eligibility or any stage of process just get in touch with our Graduate Recruitment team who will be happy to help you.

We use a contextual recruitment system from Rare throughout our application and selection process. This helps us to better understand your achievements in the context of your background.

We are committed to making our recruitment processes as inclusive as we can. We are able to make reasonable adjustments to our application and selection process to make sure you are able to do your best. It can be difficult to talk about a disability or long term health condition but our Graduate Recruitment team are here to support you – please get in touch to discuss what we can do for you.

Email us at gradrecruitment@burnesspaull.com

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Application Process

1: Online application form

To apply for a summer placement place you will have to complete an online application form. It is a competitive process, so use your application form as your opportunity to stand out from other candidates and show us your potential.

2: Behavioural testing

For the first stage of our process we use the Arctic Shores task-based assessment. 
Arctic Shores is designed to measure your unique behaviour and skill indicators so that we can see your potential to grow with Burness Paull and be successful during your summer vacation scheme. It allows us to see beyond your CV and current experience, giving every candidate a fair and consistent chance to stand out.

2: Telephone interview

Following the behavioural testing, we’ll then schedule an appointment with you for a telephone interview. This is our first chance to speak to you directly and we’ll use the opportunity to understand more about you, what motivates you to want to work for a commercial law firm and why you’ve chosen Burness Paull.

4: Assessment centre

If you are successful after testing, we will invite you to an assessment centre. These are held in person at our offices in Aberdeen, Edinburgh or Glasgow.

You will have an interview with a partner and a member of the HR team. The interview will last around an hour and a half and will be split into two parts.

5: Outcome

We try to make our hiring decisions as quick as we can and we will call you as soon as possible to let you know the outcome of your assessment centre. We will give feedback to everyone who attends one of our assessment centres.

GenAI

Tools like ChatGPT are transforming how we approach tasks. As a forward thinking employer, we encourage candidates to use these tools to refine ideas and improve clarity, but not to replace your voice and experiences. When using ChatGPT, avoid copying and pasting responses or relying on automated personalization, as this can lead to generic applications that won't help you stand out.
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For a more detailed breakdown of each step of the application process, and to know what to expect, click here:

Recruitment FAQ's

  • How important are academic grades?

    • We welcome applications from students who have achieved, or are on track to achieve, a 2.1 in their undergraduate degree.
    • If you don’t meet this criteria and you have mitigating circumstances, then you will have the opportunity to explain this in your application and we will take this into account.
    • We use Rare’s contextual recruitment system throughout the application and selection process, which allows us to evaluate your achievements in the context of your background.

  • Can I apply for more than one programme or location?

    • You can only have one active application per campaign. If you apply to multiple locations, you will be asked to indicate your preferred location to proceed with your application.

  • Can I still apply if I have other commitments and may not be able to take four weeks off?

    • Yes! If taking four weeks off might be a challenge, let us know in your application, and we will try to accommodate.

  • Can I reapply if I wasn’t successful last year?

    • Absolutely. Our process is competitive, and we welcome applications from students who applied previously but were not successful.

  • How can I find out about future events?

    • For the latest information on our events, follow us on Instagram (@burnesspaullgrads) or LinkedIn (Burness Paull Graduates)

  • I am in my first or second year. Are there any opportunities open to me?

    • We host our “Spring Into Success” brunch each May which is aimed at first and second year LLB students.

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