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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

Miss Chocolate

Legendary Member
Nov 27, 2023
281
378
Really differs from firm to firm but with how competitive things are, I expect that lots of firms expect at least a vacation scheme under your belt if you don't have a legal support role. NRF was (before they axed direct TC completely) honest about this, they said they expected candidates to demonstrate some legal work experience to be considered for direct TC. However, this is definitely not a hard and fast rule. I know some people who have got direct TCs without any legal experience. But that's quite rare. I know the general vibe here is optimistic rather than realistic, but if you're at 0 legal work experience, I think it's better to try and gain some rather than spending time shooting for DTCs
Damn didn't NFR advertise their DTC earlier this year? I have checked the website and it's no longer on their vacancies page.
 

Chris Brown

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
596
1,970
I wanted to ask if its worth applying for direct TCs if i havent done a vac scheme previously, i havent eena able to put alot of time into my vac scheme applications this cycle because of uni but i think with the direct TC applications i will have mor etime to invest in them, is there any point if i havent previosuly done a vac scheme ?
I think it’s firm dependant. If a firm has a large trainee intake and recruits a lot of trainees from the DTC route (50% or above) then go for it. Typically, this would be the Magic Circle firms. If a firm has a small trainee intake and recruits only a few trainees per year from the DTC route, then I think they’d probably expect to see at least some form of legal experience. I don't think a VS is necessary but it’s the best way to demonstrate your potential, which would increase your chances of securing a TC in a city law firm (from the DTC route). If you don’t have a VS, perhaps another form of legal work experience would be good. I think every firm with a DTC route would want to see a lot of legal and non-legal work experience to showcase all of the transferable skills (given they wouldn’t be assessing you through their own VS). 🙂​
 

Chris Brown

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
596
1,970
does freshfields have a second cycle for the direct TC program between June-July? if yes, are you allowed to apply to that if you have failed the one in Jan post SJT?
I think Freshfields got rid of their summer DTC because they introduced the WVS (for finalists and graduates). I also think you can only send one application per cycle to Freshfields, so if you applied for the winter DTC, you would need to wait for the next cycle. The WVS (Dec 2025) is for next application cycle so you can apply for that or the winter DTC (Jan 2026). 🙂​
 

RS Sanjanaa

Distinguished Member
Jan 11, 2025
74
47
I think Freshfields got rid of their summer DTC because they introduced the WVS (for finalists and graduates). I also think you can only send one application per cycle to Freshfields, so if you applied for the winter DTC, you would need to wait for the next cycle. The WVS is for next application cycle so you can apply for that or the winter DTC (Jan 2026). 🙂​
is there any other firm which has a summer DTC and allows you to re-apply?
 

Chris Brown

Legendary Member
Jul 4, 2024
596
1,970
is there any other firm which has a summer DTC and allows you to re-apply?
I think BCLP, Macfarlanes and White & Case have a DTC route open until May-July. If you applied for the VS and were unsuccessful after application stage, then you can apply for the DTC in the same cycle. White & Case only recruit 20% of their trainees from DTC (10/50 per year), so I imagine it’s a lot more competitive. I’m not sure what other firms allow you to re-apply for DTC. There might be other firms that allow it. 🙂​
 
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legallybrunette8

Esteemed Member
Sep 9, 2023
94
313
DWF PFO post app for direct TC - did anyone else's PFO email include this:

"... However, we believe your skills and experience could be a strong fit for other opportunities within our organisation.

We would love to stay connected and add you to our talent pool so we can reach out when relevant roles arise. This will allow us to keep you informed about upcoming opportunities that align with your skills and ambitions..."


curious to know if they sent this to everyone!
 
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Katy12345

Distinguished Member
Jan 25, 2024
64
101
DWF PFO post app for direct TC - did anyone else's PFO email include this:

"... However, we believe your skills and experience could be a strong fit for other opportunities within our organisation.

We would love to stay connected and add you to our talent pool so we can reach out when relevant roles arise. This will allow us to keep you informed about upcoming opportunities that align with your skills and ambitions..."


curious to know if they sent this to everyone!
Assuming they did as I received the same!
 
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B97x

Active Member
Jun 8, 2021
10
10
DWF PFO post app for direct TC - did anyone else's PFO email include this:

"... However, we believe your skills and experience could be a strong fit for other opportunities within our organisation.

We would love to stay connected and add you to our talent pool so we can reach out when relevant roles arise. This will allow us to keep you informed about upcoming opportunities that align with your skills and ambitions..."


curious to know if they sent this to everyone!

I got the same email!
 
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