TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[LawInTheNorth]

Does anyone have any advice for the CC AC? Anything from the Case study/case study/commercial interview to the competency based interview

 

[divaination]

does anyone know how many tc offers go to cc spark and how many for direct tc?

1 in 28 for TC and 1 in 40 for spark but from what i heard from a cc rep, the ratios are more inflated this year

 

[TCAS]

I would say that might be a bit far-fetched. I would interpret recent to mean from around July/August 2022 onwards

Thank you

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi All,

On the recent news story/deal question - how recent does the deal need to be. For example, is okay to mention deals that occured in 2021?

That is fine in my opinion, especially if later on in 2021.

 

[average_jo123]

Hogan Lovells TC offer! Thank you to everyone on this forum who helped me along the way! ♥️

Hiya, I was wondering when you applied, when you sat for the WG and when did you sit the AC?

Also do you by any chance know whats the percentage of candidates they take from direct TC vs their vac schemes? I managed to get fast tracked to an AC through gaining a place on HL Lift Off but I opted for a summer vac scheme AC instead of direct TC. Now I'm wondering if I should have gone for direct TC instead.

 

[DimpledHopper]

Hiya, I was wondering when you applied, when you sat for the WG and when did you sit the AC?

Also do you by any chance know whats the percentage of candidates they take from direct TC vs their vac schemes? I managed to get fast tracked to an AC through gaining a place on HL Lift Off but I opted for a summer vac scheme AC instead of direct TC. Now I'm wondering if I should have gone for direct TC instead.

Hi, congrats on the AC!

I applied on 29 Sept, did the WG on 24 Oct, did the AC on 10 Jan and then got the offer on 11 Jan.

I don't know the exact % split between trainees taken from VS and direct TC. However, on their open day GR said they take most of their trainees from their VS and only "top up" through direct TC applications. If anything, you have a higher chance of securing a TC through their VS so I wouldn't worry! Good luck on your AC

Edit: re "topping up", I'll be joining the 2024 intake, not 2025.

 

[CorpLawyer00]

Hi, congrats on the AC!

I applied on 29 Sept, did the WG on 24 Oct, did the AC on 10 Jan and then got the offer on 11 Jan.

I don't know the exact % split between trainees taken from VS and direct TC. However, on their open day GR said they take most of their trainees from their VS and only "top up" through direct TC applications. If anything, you have a higher chance of securing a TC through their VS so I wouldn't worry! Good luck on your AC

Edit: re "topping up", I'll be joining the 2024 intake, not 2025.

Congrats legend

 

[hopefullawyer123]

Hi @Jessica Booker - thanks for responding earlier to my previous question.

I am looking into a question of what differentiates the firm from its competitors ( from a client perspective) - I have read that the firm doesn’t work on billable hour targets - would this count as a valid point to make?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker - thanks for responding earlier to my previous question.

I am looking into a question of what differentiates the firm from its competitors ( from a client perspective) - I have read that the firm doesn’t work on billable hour targets - would this count as a valid point to make?

Yes, it can be a valid point but you’d need to explain how this approach impacts clients and in particular makes the firm more attractive than those who do use billable targets.

 

[Samir_O]

Hey all - anyone know about Baker Mckenzie and RPC's direct TC intake levels? i.e. has there been a 'decent' amount of direct TC success stories for these firms?

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

Hey all - anyone know about Baker Mckenzie and RPC's direct TC intake levels? i.e. has there been a 'decent' amount of direct TC success stories for these firms?

I've heard of people gaining direct TCs from BM - I think they actually take quite a few through this route! I regret not applying to their VS, so I'm hoping to try and apply directly.

 

[jomar]

Just realised now that Freshfields has a template for its personal statement, which I did not use. Hope someone else gets the WG and uses it to their advantage.

 

[HopefulFutureTrainee123]

Just realised now that Freshfields has a template for its personal statement, which I did not use. Hope someone else gets the WG and uses it to their advantage.

Oh I couldn't find this either! Oh well, guess that's one firm I can stop hoping for a positive response from

 

[gw9]

Just realised now that Freshfields has a template for its personal statement, which I did not use. Hope someone else gets the WG and uses it to their advantage.

I don't think you have to use it anymore! If you search 'freshfields template' on the forums there's plenty of people saying they couldn't find it.

 

[jomar]

I don't think you have to use it anymore! If you search 'freshfields template' on the forums there's plenty of people saying they couldn't find it.

After a review, looks like you're right - phew.

 

[BM99]

Just realised now that Freshfields has a template for its personal statement, which I did not use. Hope someone else gets the WG and uses it to their advantage.

I applied to the graduate workshop without using a template and still got accepted, so it’s definitely fine to not use the template in this cycle

 

[TCAS]

That is fine in my opinion, especially if later on in 2021.

Thank you

 

[hanz123]

Hi everyone,
I'm a second year law student and just wanted some advice on when to start applying for TC's.

 

[sxw517]

Has anyone heard from BCLP re Direct TC?

 

[AvniD]

Hi everyone,
I'm a second year law student and just wanted some advice on when to start applying for TC's.

Hi @hanz123, a lot of firms are open to receiving applications from students in the second-last and last years at uni, so if you're doing a 3-year degree, now is a good time to start considering which firms may be right for you, attending open days and webinars, registering for law fairs etc. Keep in mind that law firms generally recruit a couple of years in advance to allow applicants to cure any deficiencies in their legal education/take the SQE so I'd leave a buffer of two years from when you apply to allow for these considerations.