TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2022-23

[Jessica Booker]

If you’ve had to re-sit a few exams on the LPC, are you still exempt from SQE 1? Or do you have to pass all exams first time in order to be exempt?

As long as your LPC has been completed and passed, you are exempt from SQE1

 

[Jessica Booker]

Morgan Lewis TC!! Anyone else? 😁

Amazing news - congratulations!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Unsure for Trowers, but I’ve had confirmation from a number of firms that you are exempt from both SQE 1 and 2

You won’t be exempt from SQE2 just with the LPC. Firms don’t get to choose this - it’s only in the SRAs control to apply exemptions.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thank you, is that irrespective of when you completed your LPC too?

There is currently no time limit - so you could have passed your LPC 20 years ago, and still be eligible to skip SQE1

 

[Jessica Booker]

This is the general approach of firms including T&H. If you have not completed the LPC you will have to do both SQE 1&2

I think there is confusion here between taking the course and sitting the assessments.

A firm may ask you to complete a course that prepares you for SQE1 and SQE2 together.

However, the firm cannot make you sit SQE1 exams if you have an exemption. That is not in their power to do so.

They can sponsor you on a combined SQE1 and SQE2 prep course though to make sure you have enough training to sit SQE2.

 

[LawIsInTheAir]

Are ACs for the direct tc route more difficult than the ones for vac schemes? Or do law firms tend to conduct the interviews and exercises in the same way?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Are ACs for the direct tc route more difficult than the ones for vac schemes? Or do law firms tend to conduct the interviews and exercises in the same way?

I would say the expectations are different - the exercises are likely to be similar or even the same, but firms will have higher expectations for a TC compared to a VS, because it’s a much bigger commitment, and so they are likely to take fewer risks

 

[LegalC]

I think there is confusion here between taking the course and sitting the assessments.

A firm may ask you to complete a course that prepares you for SQE1 and SQE2 together.

However, the firm cannot make you sit SQE1 exams if you have an exemption. That is not in their power to do so.

They can sponsor you on a combined SQE1 and SQE2 prep course though to make sure you have enough training to sit SQE2.

Thanks for clarifying Jessica. Although, could you explain in more detail please re firms sponsoring you to do the SQE 1 and 2 prep course to do the SQE 2 (if someone falls under the exemption of having completed the LPC)? Does that mean you would attend SQE 1 workshops etc but won’t have to sit any exams? And would it still take an entire academic year to complete?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Thanks for clarifying Jessica. Although, could you explain in more detail please re firms sponsoring you to do the SQE 1 and 2 prep course to do the SQE 2 (if someone falls under the exemption of having completed the LPC)? Does that mean you would attend SQE 1 workshops etc but won’t have to sit any exams? And would it still take an entire academic year to complete?

It depends on the nature of the course.

If it is an LLM, you would need to complete all modules, including exams as it is a postgraduate course. However, you would not need to sit the SQE1 assessments (these are technically separate to your course anyway) as you are exempt from these.

If the course is not an academic course (eg PG Diploma or Masters level course), like some of the flexible courses provided by the CoLP or BARBRI, then you would need to complete the course to set you up for success for the SQE2 assessments, and if you are being sponsored through the course, you’ll want to attend courses as that’s likely to be monitored by your firm anyway.

 

[lawapplicant]

Hi, has anybody got the DLA Piper vacation scheme questions with word count from last year?

One question about recent news story that interests you. Word count was 200 or 250.

 

[Tintin06]

Had a dream about getting a TC at White & Case. ‘Manifesting good vibes’ seems to work. 🤞🏻

 

[hannah04]

How long does it usually take for you to prepare for an AC?

 

[Us416]

You won’t be exempt from SQE2 just with the LPC. Firms don’t get to choose this - it’s only in the SRAs control to apply exemptions.

Hi Jessica

I’m slightly confused. I’m training with my firm in 2024 (completed LPC 2021) and they have confirmed no need for SQE 2 but will still do the PSC? I also attended a session held by BARBI and they confirmed those who have done the LPC and have a TC will not need to do any part of the SQE 2, rather if I did not have a TC then I could do the SQE 2 and get QWE as a paralegal and qualify that route instead?

 

[MayaM0921]

Had a dream about getting a TC at White & Case. ‘Manifesting good vibes’ seems to work. 🤞🏻

Have you already heard back (anything) since app?

 

[LlamaLaw]

Hi Jessica

I’m slightly confused. I’m training with my firm in 2024 and they have confirmed no need for SQE 2 but will still do the PSC? I also attended a session held by BARBI and they confirmed those who have done the LPC and have a TC will not need to do any part of the SQE 2, rather if I did not have a TC then I could do the SQE 2 and get QWE as a paralegal and qualify that route instead?

If you're not at all doing the SQE route but instead doing the LPC route it's an SRA requirement to do the PSC.

If your firm decides that they're still happy to let those eligible qualify via the LPC route then yes, no need to do any part of the SQE. As we're still in the transition period, it's possible some firms decide that everyone will qualify via the SQE, even those with the LPC but seemingly not all have decided that yet.

If you didn't have a training contract, then your route to qualification would be via the SQE as you can't do the LPC route without one. You can get an exemption for SQE1 but not SQE2 hence the need to do SQE2 and QWE to qualify that way.

 

[Us416]

If you're not at all doing the SQE route but instead doing the LPC route it's an SRA requirement to do the PSC.

If your firm decides that they're still happy to let those eligible qualify via the LPC route then yes, no need to do any part of the SQE. As we're still in the transition period, it's possible some firms decide that everyone will qualify via the SQE, even those with the LPC but seemingly not all have decided that yet.

If you didn't have a training contract, then your route to qualification would be via the SQE as you can't do the LPC route without one. You can get an exemption for SQE1 but not SQE2 hence the need to do SQE2 and QWE to qualify that way.

Thought as much reading guidance on SRA. Thanks

 

[LlamaLaw]

How long does it usually take for you to prepare for an AC?

"It depends" (sorry!). If it's your first or among the first, and/or you've applied for a lot of firms so you need to brush up on your research, then give it a few days of prepping with a few hours each day to go through your CV, think through competencies, commercial awareness, etc.

If you're comfortable with ACs, you know the firm well (it's your first choice, one of only a few applications, etc) then you could probably only spend few hours actually preparing. It will depend a little on what they expect you to do at the AC but many things can't be explicitly prepared for like group exercises.

There's definitely a risk in over preparing if it gets you into a cycle of nerves or you're trying to memorise lots of things. One of the best pieces of advice I had was that not all preparation will be reading, researching, practicing, etc. At least some should be just thinking - go for a walk or go somewhere quiet and just take time to think about what you've already prepared, how you might approach tasks or phrase things.

 

[davinap99]

Thought as much reading guidance on SRA. Thanks

Hi, could I please ask if the firm you’re talking about is CMS? If so, then if you’ve done the LPC, the firm will automatically enrol us onto the PSC when we start the training contract

 

[SemperParatus]

Anything from Weil?

 

[PirateShip]

I need to vent anonymously.

Arctic Shores might be some of the biggest load of rubbish I've ever had to go through for a job application.

Yes, I realise the tests are designed to predict traits like stubbornness or short-term memory capacity. However, I can't imagine they are able to draw any meaningful conclusions based on the isolated instances that the test provides.

For example, the test designed to gauge your ability to emphasise and recognise facial cues. When real meatspace human beings express emotions, they don't maintain a static facial expression like some Playstation graphics monstrosity. So how can my ability to assign an emotion to a failed Graphic Design 101 project reflect my ability to read an actual human being?

Or let's talk about the tests designed to measure your attention and short-term memory. When you're being given instructions for a task, do you:

A) write down the instructions as they are being delivered so you can refer back to a set of notes like a functioning adult
B) memorise the tasks in the order of delivery so you can reply in mimicry?

How does my ability to follow a colour pattern or press the correct arrow keys reflect any real world application of the skills required to be a successful commercial solicitor?

From now on, I'm avoiding any firm that utilises Arctic Shores or something of similar ilk. I'm sure they're great when you get plenty of applications and need to screen them out to a manageable level, but I'd rather not put myself through HR's astrology quiz once again.