TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[whywhy88]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what time of year the ACs for HL direct TC were held last year?

 

[Chris Brown]

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). 🙂​

 

[RS Sanjanaa]

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?

 

[Chris Brown]

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]

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]

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, 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. 🙂​