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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

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Jessica Booker

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Graduate Recruitment
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Aug 1, 2019
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Is it possible to have your training contract start earlier than the year you apply for if you’ve graduated and completed the sqe?
It is sometimes possible - firms may have people renege on their offers, want to increase their trainee intake, people may fail the SQE and lose their TC, or sometimes people ask to defer their TC to a later intake.

Given it is dependent on so many factors though, there is no guarantee this will happen. You should speak to the firm you have an offer with and ask if there is any opportunity to start earlier.
 
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hannah04

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Jan 9, 2023
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Just one question, here. Do you think direct TC applicants already start behind and have a great disadvantage as most firms have few spots that they can offer to direct TC applicants anyway? I think I know the answer to this question myself but I am really looking for a different perspective as I feel I'm working towards something which has low odds of success to begin with. Thanks in advance.
Not Jessica, but just in my opinion, it depends on the firm - though I wouldn't say in any case its a "great disadvantage". Some firms (like Freshfields) do recruit a fairly large proportion from direct TCs, and these candidates are not disadvantaged compared to the VS counterparts, especially because I'm fairly sure that their VS is only available for those who are penultimate years. Some other firms also advertise that both routes are equally viable and it is totally up to you which you prefer. But for other firms (tend to be the US firms/smaller trainee intakes) the direct TC is not as prevalent a route, and there are apparently a few firms who filled up their TC spots with VS students and closed their TC route. That said, I wouldn't say that they start behind or are greatly disadvantaged, if the application is still open, there will be people they recruit through this route!
 
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RiverJules

Star Member
Feb 16, 2024
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I heard back today that I’ve been invited to first round interview. I know that last year they got back to everyone after this point

Hi, I have also been invited to first round interview. Although I did apply last year and was unsuccessful after application but they did let all candidates know the outcome of their application.
They also did provide advice on my application after I reached it following my rejection letter which I believe massively helped this year.
Hi, thank you so much for this! It is very reassuring to hear, as I was really hoping to get feedback from them.

Huge congrats on the interview invite!! Good luck with the rest of the application process, I hope it all goes well :))
 

livvymurphy

Standard Member
Jan 19, 2024
5
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Hello- does anyone who has studied the LPC know whether we are tested on our knowledge from our LLB? and if so what pre-reading should I be doing now to prepare for my LPC? It's been quite a few years since I studied the core modules like tort, land, trusts- so should I refresh my memory on these? thank you
 

LawEnthus

Star Member
Oct 2, 2020
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Hello- does anyone who has studied the LPC know whether we are tested on our knowledge from our LLB? and if so what pre-reading should I be doing now to prepare for my LPC? It's been quite a few years since I studied the core modules like tort, land, trusts- so should I refresh my memory on these? thank you
LPC student here! I would say that refamiliarising yourself with the principles for tort and land would definitely be helpful. Trusts might be helpful it depends on what electives you choose. You don’t need to know these in great detail before you start because they do signpost due to the undergraduate areas that you need to become familiar with again as you go through the courses, but, if it feels like a different memory, I would go through those two and some contract law if you intend to do M&A or commercial law as an elective. Best of luck!
 

livvymurphy

Standard Member
Jan 19, 2024
5
37
LPC student here! I would say that refamiliarising yourself with the principles for tort and land would definitely be helpful. Trusts might be helpful it depends on what electives you choose. You don’t need to know these in great detail before you start because they do signpost due to the undergraduate areas that you need to become familiar with again as you go through the courses, but, if it feels like a different memory, I would go through those two and some contract law if you intend to do M&A or commercial law as an elective. Best of luck!
Thank you so much!!
 
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