TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker, I hope you are enjoying your Sunday.

I am answering 'Why am I interested in pursuing a legal career in the city?'. Should I mention the kind of work and the international appeal? can I also state that I have established my life here in London?

Additionally, there is another question asking why I would like to participate in B.U.I.L.D @ Shearman. What should I consider when answering why a specific scheme?

Thank you in advance.

For the second question, yes - you should ensure the answer is tailored specifically to that programme/opportunity.

For the first question, it really depends on what is important to you. For some people it’s not really the international aspect that appeals. I don’t think you really have to go into detail as to why you want to live in London, especially if you have ties to the city already. I would ensure your answer takes about what the long-term career in London will provide to you that maybe other opportunities outside of the city would not.

 

[Gday33]

Is there anyone else who's done the BCLP test that could lmk how long it took for you to get a feedback report?

I didn’t get mine so I emailed them and they sent it over

 

[Shreya Verma]

Hello everyone!

Does anyone have any idea as to pay scale of a trademark training contract in London/UK?

 

[TonyStark]

Can anyone recommend any resources that would help me understand what a trainee is expected to do in the main departments of a law firm e.g. what are the tasks/what are the main deliverables that are being produced?

@Jessica Booker do you have any suggestions please?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hello everyone!

Does anyone have any idea as to pay scale of a trademark training contract in London/UK?

This will be much more dependent on the firm rather than it specifically being a trademark TC. I would look at what comparative firms are paying their Trainees.

 

[AS24]

For the second question, yes - you should ensure the answer is tailored specifically to that programme/opportunity.

For the first question, it really depends on what is important to you. For some people it’s not really the international aspect that appeals. I don’t think you really have to go into detail as to why you want to live in London, especially if you have ties to the city already. I would ensure your answer takes about what the long-term career in London will provide to you that maybe other opportunities outside of the city would not.

Thank you so much @Jessica Booker

 

[VMS]

I didn’t get mine so I emailed them and they sent it over

Thank you, I'll do that tomorrow then!

Have you heard anything back yet?

 

[Ceci003]

Has anyone got an AC for DAC Beachcroft?

 

[OllieCockman]

Has anyone heard anything from Kingsley Napley? The deadline is today.

 

[sunnyd]

I heard back on Wednesday regarding an AC

Congrats! That's brilliant - I did too x

 

[tealzeal]

Still nothing from Kingsley Napley 😬

 

[sunnyd]

Has anyone applied for a direct TC with Wedlake Bell? (WB)

 

[Legal111]

Still nothing from Kingsley Napley 😬

I’m now thinking that they may not have realised it would be bank hol today when they originally set up the timeline (I’m hoping lol)

 

[random6035]

Is it standard practice to ask a firm for a paralegal role in the meantime if they offer you a TC starting in 2026/27? How/when would you go about doing this -- after all the contracts have been signed or to ask when they first give you the TC offer? @Jessica Booker

 

[tealzeal]

I’m now thinking that they may not have realised it would be bank hol today when they originally set up the timeline (I’m hoping lol)

True I almost forgot today was a bank holiday! It'd prob come out tmr then because I doubt anyone would be in the office today lol

 

[Jessica Booker]

Is it standard practice to ask a firm for a paralegal role in the meantime if they offer you a TC starting in 2026/27? How/when would you go about doing this -- after all the contracts have been signed or to ask when they first give you the TC offer? @Jessica Booker

You can ask for them to keep you in mind for any vacancies that may come up before you start (assuming you don’t have to complete the SQE before your TC starts). There are absolutely no guarantees they can give you a role though, but they can keep you in mind if anything suitable comes up. You can mention this at any time - but if you are going to accept the TC it makes sense to just wait until you have accepted the TC offer in writing.

 

[Aliceczernia]

Do people think it’s a PFO for Ashurst now? Last year people heard back up to 10th May?

 

[spamelinazoid]

How do people handle situations where you cant attend an AC day? Due to e.g. a pre-planned vacation that cannot be moved (plane and train tickets, hotels ect)

Does GradRec usually accommodate requests to move an AC or is that likely to piss them off?

 

[Jessica Booker]

How do people handle situations where you cant attend an AC day? Due to e.g. a pre-planned vacation that cannot be moved (plane and train tickets, hotels ect)

Does GradRec usually accommodate requests to move an AC or is that likely to piss them off?

It’s not going to piss them off - the worst that is going to happen is they don’t have any other availability for alternative dates. But you are not going to anger them by asking in case they do have alternatives.

 

[LawfulRust00]

I received a 2024 training contract offer in early March, which I accepted. I haven’t received the contract or any other related documentation yet. I have chased once or twice, as it was mentioned that I would have it by now. Should I be concerned?