Funded legal aid traineeship scheme: applications open

The Scottish Government’s £1.5 million Fund to support 40 legal aid traineeships in Scotland opened for applications on 1 June 2026.

The deadline for applications is 15 June 2026.

The Scottish Government has three main objectives for the Fund:

• to increase the capacity and capability of the legal aid profession in Scotland
• to increase diversity and equality within the legal profession by the recruitment and retention of trainees from under-represented groups across the profession including people with a disability, from minority ethnic backgrounds, or from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds
• to provide employment and training opportunities for the purpose of supporting economic regeneration and development.

More information and how to apply

Applications are made through the Law Society of Scotland. It has provided information on Eligibility and How to Apply, as well as FAQs on the Fund.

For full details please go to the Law Society of Scotland’s website.