TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

[Jessica Booker]

I’ve been offered a TC with a firm and I’m over the moon! But I have an upcoming VS with another firm and I prefer that firm more. In my TC contract there is no mention of the possibility of reneging. I just wanted to check if this is a term usually included in the contact or not?

There typically won’t be a term about reneging unless you are accepting funding and then there could be a term about paying back and costs associated with sponsorship of law school fees or maintenance grants.

 

[starbright]

There typically won’t be a term about reneging unless you are accepting funding and then there could be a term about paying back and costs associated with sponsorship of law school fees or maintenance grants.

Oh I see, thank you Jess! Does this mean I could sign the TC and then renege if I get an offer from the second firm?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Oh I see, thank you Jess! Does this mean I could sign the TC and then renege if I get an offer from the second firm?

Yes - you can do this. You are obviously in breach of contract, but a firm isn't going to seek some form of compensation for you doing so, because there is little to no value in them doing so. They will just back fill your role.

Just be mindful that the moment you even start onboarding processes for the LPC/GDL/SQE, you maybe making a financial commitment to the firm (even if you haven't started the course). So that will typically be the point in which I recommend people make a decision to either commit or renege on a firm.

 

[Rhohia]

Has anyone done the Howard Kennedy VI before? Any tips would be really really great - I am not sure what to expect!

Hey how did you find it? What did they ask
?

 

[RiverJules]

Hey how did you find it? What did they ask
?

I found it a bit tricky, to be honest. It was mainly competence-based questions, and I prepared more for motivation-type questions. Good luck, I hope yours goes better than mine did!

 

[Rhohia]

I found it a bit tricky, to be honest. It was mainly competence-based questions, and I prepared more for motivation-type questions. Good luck, I hope yours goes better than mine did!

Thank you so much. So sorry you felt it didn’t go as planned, fingers crossed! Did it give you set time to prepare or was it the usual 30 seconds and starts recording?

 

[starbright]

Yes - you can do this. You are obviously in breach of contract, but a firm isn't going to seek some form of compensation for you doing so, because there is little to no value in them doing so. They will just back fill your role.

Just be mindful that the moment you even start onboarding processes for the LPC/GDL/SQE, you maybe making a financial commitment to the firm (even if you haven't started the course). So that will typically be the point in which I recommend people make a decision to either commit or renege on a firm.

That makes sense! Thank you so much!

 

[LegalLordLox]

Anyone heard back from Shoosmiths? Even though the email gives a date of 10 June, I thought they would have started the PFO's and AC offers this week.

 

[Lsc9013]

Anyone heard back from Shoosmiths? Even though the email gives a date of 10 June, I thought they would have started the PFO's and AC offers this week.

Someone said last year that they didn’t let them know until the deadline given.

I’m a paralegal at Shoosmiths, and last week they had the solicitor apprenticeship assessment centre so Emerging Talent will be busy with that right now.

 

[norothrow324]

Does anyone that has been contacted by them for a VI / passed test know when BCLP plans to have ACs? Or does anyone know how they went about it last year

 

[LegalLordLox]

Someone said last year that they didn’t let them know until the deadline given.

I’m a paralegal at Shoosmiths, and last week they had the solicitor apprenticeship assessment centre so Emerging Talent will be busy with that right now.

Thank you, very helpful!

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Does anyone that has been contacted by them for a VI / passed test know when BCLP plans to have ACs? Or does anyone know how they went about it last year

Have people been getting video interviews already? I thought there had only been rejections

 

[icebear]

bclp pfo an hour ago lol (after test)

 

[LawEnthus]

Simkins interview invite! it will be my first in-person interview for a firm and I would be very grateful for any advice 🙏

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica, I’m struggling on what approach to take when asking for work in other departments on a vac scheme. Do I just reach out to the individuals I’m interested in doing work for if I have nothing on my plate (without asking for approval) or do I first ask my supervisor/ trainee buddy if there’s any work and if there isn’t, if it would be okay for me to reach out to the individual in the other department?

I would always ask your supervisor first - going off and working for another department without asking is rarely a good idea, as for all you know your department may have something to give you. I think it also risks you not showing an interest in the team you are allocated to.

Instead of asking for work from another department, you can just arrange a coffee catch up at the start/end of the day or close to lunchtime. You don't have to work for other departments either - there is not an expectation for you to do this unless you are in a firm that is known for this approach where trainees are not really allocated to a department and have to find their own work.

 

[Deleted member 31343]

@Jessica Booker

If I had already completed the bar course would I still need to do SQE 1 & 2 or just SQE 2?

Thank you

 

[Jessica Booker]

@Jessica Booker

If I had already completed the bar course would I still need to do SQE 1 & 2 or just SQE 2?

Thank you

Assuming you mean the bar course in England & Wales, then there are no exemptions for the course alone.

 

[Jazlaw]

Hi all. I applied for a September 2025 TC role and have been offered a TC commencing September 2026. Although I'm really pleased by this, the wait is longer than I would like (I have completed my LPC and am currently a paralegal). Do you think its worth it to ask if I can start earlier or is there no point? I don't want to come across as ungrateful. Thank you!

 

[SolicitorHopeful]

Has anyone heard back from Wedlake Bell, TLT, or Wiggin?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi all. I applied for a September 2025 TC role and have been offered a TC commencing September 2026. Although I'm really pleased by this, the wait is longer than I would like (I have completed my LPC and am currently a paralegal). Do you think it’s worth it to ask if I can start earlier or is there no point? I don't want to come across as ungrateful. Thank you!

There is no harm in asking. I suspect if you applied for a 2025 opportunity but have been given 2026, they have already taken this into consideration, but there is absolutely no issue with asking if there are any opportunities to start earlier. The worst that is going to happen is that they say no, but that puts you in no different a position than you are in now.