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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

3000to1shoteverytime

Legendary Member
Dec 9, 2023
172
207
that's a bit strange cos not even a single soul on tcla has made it to the dtc ac then. id expect atleast 1-2 people here to make it to the AC stage
It doesn't mean they haven't. It just means they haven't posted. Previously I have posted but upon realising that at some there are so few applicants that I would be easily recognisable I no longer do because I want to retain my anonymity.
 

Chris Brown

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
682
1,726
that's a bit strange cos not even a single soul on tcla has made it to the dtc ac then. id expect atleast 1-2 people here to make it to the AC stage
The only thing I can think of is that there might have been some people on TCLA who did get to the Linklaters AC but they chose not to post about it. 🤷🏾‍♂️​
 

futuretraineesolicitor

Legendary Member
Forum Winner
Dec 14, 2019
1,062
516
It doesn't mean they haven't. It just means they haven't posted. Previously I have posted but upon realising that at some there are so few applicants that I would be easily recognisable I no longer do because I want to retain my anonymity.
got it. but why wait so long to get back to people when ur gonna reject them ultimately? weird
 

Chris Brown

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
682
1,726
is bakers actually rolling for dtc?
on their site and email after sending the application:

-February 1st 2025 - Applications open.
-February 1st - April 1st 2025 - Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. All applications will be reviewed prior to online tests being sent out.
-April 1st 2025 - Application deadline.
-April 2025 - Successful candidates sent invite to undertake online tests and a video interview.
-May 2025 - Successful candidates will attend an assessment centre.
-May - June 2025 - Successful candidates will be offered a Training Contract to commence in March or September 2027.
I think they review on a rolling basis but don’t recruit on a rolling basis, based on the above. 🙂​
 
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futuretraineesolicitor

Legendary Member
Forum Winner
Dec 14, 2019
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afaik, bakers is the only firm that doesnt mandate non law grads to undertake the pgdl (it just has some law foundation thing which takes 1-2 months before the actual sqe prep). Also, its sqe prep can be done 100% remotely, without being physically present in the UK. does anyone know of similar firms? @Amma Usman @Andrei Radu thanks
 

desperateTCseeker1998

Legendary Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Jan 1, 2023
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desperateTCseeker1998

Legendary Member
Gold Member
Premium Member
Jan 1, 2023
420
489
Re K&S...

For "What sets King & Spalding apart from other law firms? What attracts you to the firm?", are we meant to treat this as essentially "why this firm?"

For "In your view, what are three attributes or qualities that a lawyer needs to be successful? Please provide examples of where you have demonstrated these qualities", are people going qualities like personal characteristics or do we think skills are also fine?

For the news story one, are people relating this to the legal industry at all? Also how are people defining 'news story'? I'm thinking I'm going to do a quite specific issue that's in the news opposed to a singular article
 
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Miss Chocolate

Legendary Member
Nov 27, 2023
411
469
Didn't realise there was a thread just for training contracts. I was wondering if I could get some advice. I have had a very stressful couple of days due to personal reasons and I am not sure I can meet the Stephenson Harwood VS deadline next Friday. Does anyone here know if the firm heavily recruits from their VSs? Would I be massively limiting my chances applying to their direct TC instead 😭😭 I don't know whether to take annual leave and work on the app and rush it in or send off a solid direct TC app later


any insights would be appreciated!! x
 

SoonToBeTrainee

Legendary Member
  • Dec 29, 2023
    141
    334
    Didn't realise there was a thread just for training contracts. I was wondering if I could get some advice. I have had a very stressful couple of days due to personal reasons and I am not sure I can meet the Stephenson Harwood VS deadline next Friday. Does anyone here know if the firm heavily recruits from their VSs? Would I be massively limiting my chances applying to their direct TC instead 😭😭 I don't know whether to take annual leave and work on the app and rush it in or send off a solid direct TC app later



    Would appreciate your thoughts :) @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu
    Honestly, we’re not entirely sure. The general consensus on this forum is that SH recruit a high percentage of trainees (around 50%ish) from Direct TC applications.

    However, I think this data is quite outdated.

    I made it to SH’s direct TC AC last year, and they only made a few offers via the direct TC route.
    The year before, they took 5 people from the direct TC route.

    I’d recommend emailing and asking Grad Rec. However, chances are, they won’t be transparent (partially because the numbers will vary each year).

    I’d say a safer bet is applying to the VS
     
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    Miss Chocolate

    Legendary Member
    Nov 27, 2023
    411
    469
    Honestly, we’re not entirely sure. The general consensus on this forum is that SH recruit a high percentage of trainees (around 50%ish) from Direct TC applications.

    However, I think this data is quite outdated.

    I made it to SH’s direct TC AC last year, and they only made a few offers via the direct TC route.
    The year before, they took 4 people from the direct TC route.

    I’d recommend emailing and asking Grad Rec. However, chances are, they won’t be transparent (partially because the numbers will vary each year).

    I’d say a safer bet is applying to the VS
    Really helpful, thank you. That's not particularly encouraging that they made such few offers via direct TC tbf. When was your AC for direct TC btw?
     

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