• Test Yourself with SQE Questions - Join Us On 9 April 2025 at 6pm

    Think you'll take the SQE in the future? Join us at 6pm on 9 April 2025 with BPP to test how well you would perform. You'll practise answering mock SQE questions based on your law degree (or conversion course if you're non-law). There are prizes for the highest scoring participants!

    Register Here

TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

The-PFO-Collector

Legendary Member
Oct 27, 2023
159
492
I believe they are secretly rolling…
From my understanding, ROLLING means that they hand out TC offers before the official deadline... Non-rolling means (1) that they look at no applications until after the deadline, OR (2) they look at applications and move people onto the next stage, but do NOT hand out TC offers until all applications have been read and progressed to the end stage, hence giving everyone who applies before the deadline a chance.
 
Last edited:

Mug Fan

Esteemed Member
Dec 15, 2024
89
166
Hey there! I’ve linked this thread to provide more context on the proportionality of VS and TC applications between firms - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....eme-vs-direct-tc-applications-2024-2025.9147/

I’m in the same boat! Haven’t heard anything after initial TC application
Me either! I just asked about this in the SV thread (thinking it was this one) and somebody said grad rec said to them that it might take a while!

I also found MB unusual because they didn’t have any questions! (I’m ok with that because I think I have decent experience) but it did feel unnerving at the time!
 
  • 🤝
Reactions: SamiyaJ

User5678

Legendary Member
Aug 16, 2024
258
348
I think it is common for most firms. Though recruiting from both, Addleshaw Goddard has sent invites for next stages for VS but none for direct TC.

I had emailed addleshaw to provide some additional info about my degree and they mentioned in their email that they have only started reviewing applications so they will get back soon :)

Hope this helps anyone curious about addleshaw!
 
  • Like
Reactions: andrecsaa

andrecsaa

Valued Member
  • Dec 19, 2022
    113
    86
    I had emailed addleshaw to provide some additional info about my degree and they mentioned in their email that they have only started reviewing applications so they will get back soon :)

    Hope this helps anyone curious about addleshaw!

    Good to know, last year AG held AC around February and March, and sent VS offers a couple days later. I suspect this year will be the same for TC. We should hear from them early in January.
     
    Last edited:
    • 🤝
    Reactions: User5678

    Amma Usman

    Legendary Member
    Staff member
    Future Trainee
    Gold Member
    Premium Member
    Sep 7, 2024
    942
    1,146
    Hello all! I have received a CMS Assessment Day invitation for a Direct TC and would be grateful for any tips please!!

    Hey there @lulilucha11 ,

    Well done on the AC! I’ve provided some tips below.

    • Prepare for the components as you have been told. This will enable you to laser focus on a few key areas of revision, rather than everything that could possibly come out. The firm will likely have told you this, or will in due course. It is worth reaching out to future trainees to learn from their experiences and provide more firm-specific insights.

    • Continue your commercial awareness journey. This is where it will be tested, challenged, and embraced more than at any other stage in the process. For case study and article discussions, you will find it beneficial to link even the tiniest matters to current affairs globally, and more industry-specific arenas if you have insights on that too. Now, it is also worth mentioning that commercial awareness in an interview setting also encompasses how well you can link the case discussion to the firm. In this, I mean how the firm’s practices or expertise could be utilised or affected. Doing so shows you not only understand businesses, but legal advisory as it applies to businesses. This approach has always served me well. I will note, however, doing so will enable your interviewers to challenge and question your thoughts - after all, you are mentioning the firm’s role in an advisory scope. In no way should this be viewed as a scary thing though - in fact, you are on the road to a colourful trophy if you expatiate on it well. Further, it will also be a nice opportunity to learn from your interviewers about their work too. At the end of the day, you are not only being assessed for a TC - you are surrounded by a plethora of legal talent. Utilise it and make the most of the learning opportunity. It will also turn the vibe from initially hot, to more cool.

    • Be confident in how you communicate your answers, but avoid coming off as the negative opposite of that.

    • Ask questions. There is no harm in asking for clarification when you are unsure on something. This is even more noble than making things up along the way, and your assessors will respect this.
     
    • Like
    Reactions: lulilucha11

    About Us

    The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

    Newsletter

    Discover the most relevant business news, access our law firm analysis, and receive our best advice for aspiring lawyers.