TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

[Jmk]

TLDR: it all comes down to money...

Basically, things have gotten so stratospherically expensive within the past 2 or 3 years to the point that if you're not in a position like banking/ consultancy/ commerical law/ entrepreneur etc. you will find yourself struggling on an average entry level salary especially if you dont have the luxury of living with parents.

This is also coupled with much more international competition since there has been a massive increase in the number of international students being accepted into universities. This is because unis are esentially being forced to take on more internationals since they pay more tuition fees compared to domestic students and unis need to keep up with their own rising costs.

And, many law firms are reducing their intake to save on costs especially as most of them keep putting up salaries and need to fund this cost by taking on less trainees.

Can you provide a source saying universities are taking more international students?

 

[jwantsatc]

Can you provide a source saying universities are taking more international students?

I'm also interested to understand what @RonRod13 what you meant by "more international competition" - just because there are supposedly more international students at UK universities, why does this translate to more competition for training contracts?

 

[EzeLaylor]

Bit of a mini rant here that I feel like others can relate to - but why is it so darn hard to get a TC ?! I understand that getting a job in today's market is difficult no matter what field you are in , but it seems like these days so many people are applying for vacation schemes and training contracts. It is what it is, but i'm genuinely curious about why there seem to be a billion people (and it seems to be more each year) that are trying to get into commercial law - and obviously there isn't enough room for everybody. So, does anyone know why everyone and their mother wants a training contract?!

There are lots of non-law students becoming interested in law which has increased competition for training contracts/vac schemes - some useful stats - Source: Chambers Student 2023

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

reasons not to leave submitting your application until deadline day: you can’t predict a microsoft outage fml

 

[RonRod13]

Can you provide a source saying universities are taking more international students?

Here’s a couple:

International students boosted UK economy by £42bn in 2021/2 – study | International students | The Guardian

Report finds economic benefit to UK rose by a third in three years, making overseas students a significant contributor to economy

amp.theguardian.com

https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-7976/CBP-7976.pdf

 

[RonRod13]

I'm also interested to understand what @RonRod13 what you meant by "more international competition" - just because there are supposedly more international students at UK universities, why does this translate to more competition for training contracts?

You’re right, correlation doesn’t imply causation. But there’s been a sharp increase (more than double) in overall interest in UK jobs. This is also coupled with a large increase in internationals switching to work visas. Now, obviously not every single one of these students or workers are going to be interested in law but you can make a reasonable assumption that the number of international applicants are increasing nonetheless and id say there’s strong enough evidence out there to conclude that there is a causal link.

 

[Lastseasonwonder]

Has anyone heard from Fried Frank after first stage interview and commercial exercise?

 

[legallybrunette8]

Just got a call from Eversheds for their AC! Surprised bc I completed their VI when I was super ill 😭

 

[The-PFO-Collector]

Just got a called from Eversheds for their AC! Surprised bc I completed their VI when I was super ill 😭

I've not even heard back post app, lol...
I must be in the PFO pile...
Ah well, you win some, you loose some

 

[potentialsolicitor2b]

Has anyone heard back from Addelshaw Goddard?

 

[EzeLaylor]

Given the competitive legal market, what alternative careers are law graduates considering?

Banking is quite open to law grads - I know two people (both law graduates) who switched to investment/corporate banking after doing vac schemes and not converting to a TC. The work is similar (and probably more interesting) as are the salaries.

 

[abdskurts1]

Anyone still waiting to hear back from Dentons post-app?

 

[ashwright]

Newbie here with two quick qs -

1. Whilst I am an incoming final year law student, I have zero legal work experience (e.g., vac schemes). Am I correct in understanding that I should exclusively be applying for VSs and that no firm would think me an appropriate candidate for direct TCs?

2. If I secure a winter vac scheme for firm A, is it worth me applying (after securing the VS) for firm B's TC?

Thank you. Whilst I'm pretty aware of the recruitment processes etc. I am still struggling to wrap my head around the various cycles and timeframes of qualification etc.

 

[hehostressed]

Has anyone heard back about Browne Jacobson yet
Apparently we were meant to get the results today

 

[lawtc2026]

Any news for boodle Hatfield?

They said they aim to respond to direct TC applications within the next month.

 

[Iwantatcpls]

Anyone heard from Slaughters or Freshfields??

 

[lawyerletsgo]

Wfw AC feeling happy but nervous because I’ve never done one before

 

[Jessica Booker]

Newbie here with two quick qs -

1. Whilst I am an incoming final year law student, I have zero legal work experience (e.g., vac schemes). Am I correct in understanding that I should exclusively be applying for VSs and that no firm would think me an appropriate candidate for direct TCs?

2. If I secure a winter vac scheme for firm A, is it worth me applying (after securing the VS) for firm B's TC?

Thank you. Whilst I'm pretty aware of the recruitment processes etc. I am still struggling to wrap my head around the various cycles and timeframes of qualification etc.

For direct TC applications, you will be in a stronger position with legal work experience. You can still apply for TCs but you will need strong alternative employment with clear transferable skills and exceptionally well thought through career motivations (both for the career and the firm). For most people with limited/no legal work experience, applying for vacation schemes will likely be the better route.

You can apply to a mix of VS and TCs though. Even if you do a vac scheme with one firm, it maybe that you realise the firm is not right for you, and so making other VS or TC applications elsewhere is usually the best approach.

 

[ChasingTCS]

did anyone get the email for the W&C video interview? dm pls

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

did anyone get the email for the W&C video interview? dm pls

did they get back to you already?