TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

[Future_lawyer_somewhere]

from what i understand, it's just a threshold you need to pass! you're not expected to have caught everything. again, this is anecdotal so don't quote me on this, but ik someone who failed the written but passed the AC. they still got a place on the scheme- they just had to do another written test for the exit interview. all that to say, I don't think they put too much weight on it

so i wouldn't worry too much! I am however deathly worried for the analytical interview next week lol

See they say they treat it equally as 33.3* % alongside the two interviews that form the other thirds.

So I wouldn’t think too lightly. But that’s interesting if this is true - must have done exceptionally in the interviews across board as that seems out of the ordinary.

Also likely this is for a TC not a Vac scheme - so it’s more of a deal-breaker.

 

[Future_lawyer_somewhere]

I missed some major flaws and was completly lost with the redrafting task.

I felt like this. It appears the format I had for mine (due to adjustments) meant I had to redraft the whole article. So I’m very much stressed about it - as there were no instructions or context just a title - so it was one of the hardest ones I’ve done compared to the usual “edit the errors out” style tests.

So love the idea of already starting the AC process off at a low point :/

 

[Shreya Verma]

Has anyone done the macfarlanes online assessment? How much time did it take?

 

[Shreya Verma]

My specialisation is IPR during law. Will it affect my application if I have internship experience mostly regarding Intellectual Property Rights?

 

[Us416]

Hi. Has any one heard from Cripps ?

 

[Jessica Booker]

My specialisation is IPR during law. Will it affect my application if I have internship experience mostly regarding Intellectual Property Rights?

Firms that have a broad range of practice areas will just want reassurances from your application that you are interested in a wide range of work than just IP. For instance, you may only do 6 months in IP (and in some firms possibly only 3-4 months), and so what is going to keep you interested in the other 18-21 months.

 

[erin1009]

Hi all!

I am looking for some advice for an application question.
I am at the end of the application I have had the opportunity to discuss my work experience and interests in detail. There is a final question asking me:
Please mention anything additional which you think is relevant to your application (max 500 words).

I am looking for advice as to approach this question. I have also had the opportunity to tell the firm why them. If anyone has any pointers in relation to answering this question I would be very grateful.

Many thanks!

 

[trainee2025]

See they say they treat it equally as 33.3* % alongside the two interviews that form the other thirds.

So I wouldn’t think too lightly. But that’s interesting if this is true - must have done exceptionally in the interviews across board as that seems out of the ordinary.

Also likely this is for a TC not a Vac scheme - so it’s more of a deal-breaker.

from what I recall from last year, there were instances of people doing well in the TC interviews but unfortunately not really being in contention because their written exercise (sometimes done several weeks before the interviews) was below a certain benchmark. I think it's quite a strange way of doing it but yeah my understanding is that each component is weighted equally subject to a certain benchmark being met in the written exercise.
Also, as mentioned here, this is really the only bit of written work they see at this stage so it doesn't surprise me that they place quite a bit of importance on it. The personal statement isn't considered at the AC stage and whilst the VS has a written task in which is assessed and could I suppose act as a sort of 'second chance,' the direct TC process doesn't have this.

 

[CallumJR]

from what I recall from last year, there were instances of people doing well in the TC interviews but unfortunately not really being in contention because their written exercise (sometimes done several weeks before the interviews) was below a certain benchmark. I think it's quite a strange way of doing it but yeah my understanding is that each component is weighted equally subject to a certain benchmark being met in the written exercise.
Also, as mentioned here, this is really the only bit of written work they see at this stage so it doesn't surprise me that they place quite a bit of importance on it. The personal statement isn't considered at the AC stage and whilst the VS has a written task in which is assessed and could I suppose act as a sort of 'second chance,' the direct TC process doesn't have this.

Thanks for sharing!

This is exactly what I have heard too. There is a certain benchmark in the written exercise you have to meet. If you score below the benchmark, you are out regardless of your performance in the interviews.

 

[trainingcontract]

from what I recall from last year, there were instances of people doing well in the TC interviews but unfortunately not really being in contention because their written exercise (sometimes done several weeks before the interviews) was below a certain benchmark. I think it's quite a strange way of doing it but yeah my understanding is that each component is weighted equally subject to a certain benchmark being met in the written exercise.
Also, as mentioned here, this is really the only bit of written work they see at this stage so it doesn't surprise me that they place quite a bit of importance on it. The personal statement isn't considered at the AC stage and whilst the VS has a written task in which is assessed and could I suppose act as a sort of 'second chance,' the direct TC process doesn't have this.

See they say they treat it equally as 33.3* % alongside the two interviews that form the other thirds.

So I wouldn’t think too lightly. But that’s interesting if this is true - must have done exceptionally in the interviews across board as that seems out of the ordinary.

Also likely this is for a TC not a Vac scheme - so it’s more of a deal-breaker.

i see, thank you for correcting me! let's just hope the threshold isn't too high then

 

[AndrewJoelOkosun]

Anyone doing the Hill Dickinson Assessment?

 

[Shreya Verma]

Firms that have a broad range of practice areas will just want reassurances from your application that you are interested in a wide range of work than just IP. For instance, you may only do 6 months in IP (and in some firms possibly only 3-4 months), and so what is going to keep you interested in the other 18-21 months.

I do have interest in other areas of commercial law with internship experience in them. Is it fine to show my commitment to other areas by way of insight days, open days, forage experience, etc.?

 

[Jessica Booker]

I do have interest in other areas of commercial law with internship experience in them. Is it fine to show my commitment to other areas by way of insight days, open days, forage experience, etc.?

Yes - all of those things would be great evidence. It’s just about balance, so if you your academics and work experience points towards IP, just balance it out elsewhere with other commercial interests.

 

[Future_lawyer_somewhere]

Thanks for sharing!

This is exactly what I have heard too. There is a certain benchmark in the written exercise you have to meet. If you score below the benchmark, you are out regardless of your performance in the interviews.

This is what I’m thinking - but why should we attend the in-person interviews if we are already “out of consideration” at the written exercise stage? That seems like a major waste of time and cost.

 

[CallumJR]

This is what I’m thinking - but why should we attend the in-person interviews if we are already “out of consideration” at the written exercise stage? That seems like a major waste of time and cost.

same strategy with WG invites - they invited people to WGs and rejected them despite scoring in the 99 percentile.

 

[Future_lawyer_somewhere]

same strategy with WG invites - they invited people to WGs and rejected them despite scoring in the 99 percentile.

So you mean the reverse of this?

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Does anyone know Greenberg's NQ salary? Even roughly, feel like it must be low if not disclosed?

 

[isTeapp]

Has anyone done Kennedys’ Video Interview? If so, what was it like?

 

[lawstudent5533]

Fieldfisher TI !! Does anyone have any tips/ advice? I'd really really appreciate it

Congrats! Is this for London?

 

[axelbeugre]

Hi all!

I am looking for some advice for an application question.
I am at the end of the application I have had the opportunity to discuss my work experience and interests in detail. There is a final question asking me:
Please mention anything additional which you think is relevant to your application (max 500 words).

I am looking for advice as to approach this question. I have also had the opportunity to tell the firm why them. If anyone has any pointers in relation to answering this question I would be very grateful.

Many thanks!

When I was applying I used this space to discuss in detail about all my awards I won from high school to my master degree and a couple of extracurricular activities that I did not have the space to discuss beforehand.

I would encourage to use this space to talk about something that you would like the assessors to know about yourself and that would strengthen your application, whether it is academic, professional or extracurricular.

However, since it is optional, you are not required to do it. Some people do not fill this in and are still successful so do not feel pressured in any way if you do not have anything to mention.