TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker do you think that being diagnosed with an auto immune condition whilst studying for my LPC which affected my attendance counts as “extenuating circumstances”?

It depends on the circumstances - extenuating circumstances are not defined by what the circumstances actually are, but more as to how they particularly impacted you. Two people could have the same condition and with one person they could miss lectures every week, while with the next person they just may have had an issue with one exam/assessment. It’s important to focus on the impact rather than the circumstance.

For instance, did you make your university aware of the inability to attend? And if so, did you receive reasonable adjustments? If you didn’t make the university aware, then was it considered serious enough (eg was it just a couple of missed days Vs months of lack of attendance).

 

[Ghassen]

Guys ! It is a bit confusing. Do I need to fill in the university, the year of completion and the country with every subject/ Grade in Addleshaw Goddard application ?
Thanks.

 

[sumi-na]

I’ve always used that section to specify any awards I have received so I think you would be fine to put it in there

Thank you!

 

[Fd321]

It depends on the circumstances - extenuating circumstances are not defined by what the circumstances actually are, but more as to how they particularly impacted you. Two people could have the same condition and with one person they could miss lectures every week, while with the next person they just may have had an issue with one exam/assessment. It’s important to focus on the impact rather than the circumstance.

For instance, did you make your university aware of the inability to attend? And if so, did you receive reasonable adjustments? If you didn’t make the university aware, then was it considered serious enough (eg was it just a couple of missed days Vs months of lack of attendance).

I did make them aware and told them I was having blood tests etc as I was not yet diagnosed as diagnosis took months and have only formally received the diagnosis now. But having missed probably about 30-40% of lessons because of how tired I was (which I now know was due to this condition), it obviously had an impact on my learning if that makes sense.

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Hi @Jessica Booker hope you are doing well. Could you please tell me, if I end up getting a TC, will the firm contact my current employer? How common is it if the answer to my question is yes? Thanks.

 

[asola]

Would it be appropriate for me to talk about how I am currently working on qualifying as a solicitor in another country to demonstrate my interest in working on cross-border transactions/ why an international firm?

 

[Jessica Booker]

I did make them aware and told them I was having blood tests etc as I was not yet diagnosed as diagnosis took months and have only formally received the diagnosis now. But having missed probably about 30-40% of lessons because of how tired I was (which I now know was due to this condition), it obviously had an impact on my learning if that makes sense.

Definitely something to mention in forms then based on that.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker hope you are doing well. Could you please tell me, if I end up getting a TC, will the firm contact my current employer? How common is it if the answer to my question is yes? Thanks.

Only with your permission, but they will definitely contact your current employer at some stage. Usually, it will only be 2-3 months before you start your TC though.

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Only with your permission, but they will definitely contact your current employer at some stage. Usually, it will only be 2-3 months before you start your TC though.

Understood. Just a follow up question here. What do people tend to do when they have an AC for a TC but also do a full-time job elsewhere. Do they lie and take the day off for the AC or do they tend to be honest with their current employers?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Understood. Just a follow up question here. What do people tend to do when they have an AC for a TC but also do a full-time job elsewhere. Do they lie and take the day off for the AC or do they tend to be honest with their current employers?

Depends on their relationship with the employer and the nature of their job.

I think for those in permanent jobs with direct competitors, they probably just take a day's annual leave and not say what it is for.

For some who have good relationships with their line managers and where their line managers know they are applying for TCs, they just explain they have an AC coming up.

 

[SarahB3]

Has anyone heard back from White & Case, Freshfields, or Macfarlanes regarding their direct TC applications yet?

 

[studrny36]

Guys ! It is a bit confusing. Do I need to fill in the university, the year of completion and the country with every subject/ Grade in Addleshaw Goddard application ?
Thanks.

Grad Rec told me you don't need to enter every module, but you can if you want. So you could just put your overall degree.

 

[Ghassen]

Grad Rec told me you don't need to enter every module, but you can if you want. So you could just put your overall degree.

Thanks for clarification. However, I put all the grades (LLB, LLM, GDL, LPC: more than 50 grades) and submitted the application this afternoon.
Thanks anyway, as they accept both ways.

 

[SarahB3]

Grad Rec told me you don't need to enter every module, but you can if you want. So you could just put your overall degree.

Grad rec told you this? Is someone able to confirm whether this is true?

 

[SarahB3]

Grad rec told you this? Is someone able to confirm whether this is true?

Sent them an email

 

[hannah04]

If an application only lets you input 3 relevant work experiences - I have 2 vacation schemes to input. For the 3rd one, I could either put a legal work experience that was 3 years ago or editorial work experience that was 2 years ago. Would it be better to put the legal work experience from 3 years ago because its law related, or the editorial work experience to show more variety/because it was more recent i.e. 2 years ago?

@Jessica Booker do you have any advice?

 

[Jessica Booker]

If an application only lets you input 3 relevant work experiences - I have 2 vacation schemes to input. For the 3rd one, I could either put a legal work experience that was 3 years ago or editorial work experience that was 2 years ago. Would it be better to put the legal work experience from 3 years ago because its law related, or the editorial work experience to show more variety/because it was more recent i.e. 2 years ago?

@Jessica Booker do you have any advice?

How long it is nor whether it’s legal or non legal shouldn’t be the deciding factor.

Think about it more like:

- which entry was the most challenging for you?
- which entry did you learn or develop the most through?
- which entry will bring something additional to your application, not necessarily evidenced elsewhere in your application?

Then pick the entry based on the one that hits most of those answers

 

[asola]

Has anyone heard back from White & Case, Freshfields, or Macfarlanes regarding their direct TC applications yet?

I received an invite to do the WG for freshfields! Nothing from w&c yet

 

[Zaidoz10]

I received an invite to do the WG for freshfields! Nothing from w&c yet

Did you receive it today? Congrats btw!!

 

[LLM2022]

Would it be appropriate for me to talk about how I am currently working on qualifying as a solicitor in another country to demonstrate my interest in working on cross-border transactions/ why an international firm?

I am in a similar boat but my initial reaction is the opposite. I was wondering if admitting that I am working on qualifying as a solicitor in another country harms my chances when it comes to a UK training contract? As it shows I am not committed?

As an international student on the graduate visa, there is no guarantee I will secure a TC and I didn't want to risk wasting a year when I could be studying for the qualifying exams in my home country if I don't end up securing a TC. However, I'm not sure if this is something that I should disclose to law firms?

For context, if I don't disclose it then it does look like I have a one-year gap in my CV, when in reality I was travelling and studying for these exams. Furthermore, I will not be sitting the final qualifying exams if I were to secure a TC so I will not be starting my TC as a qualified lawyer.

@Jessica Booker do you have any advice? Thank you.