TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[yk1906]

It might be better to explain exactly what you did in the role and what transferrable skills you gained as a result.

By saying “engaged in” and “assisted in”, it is probably not going to show what contribution you made, or what your duties actually were, in an effective and accurate way. 🙂

I also think it’s better to stick to the word count for the personal statement. Given it is 20 words over, making minor changes to the phrasing of sentences might be a good idea. 🙂

Best of luck with your Freshfields application!!

Thank you!

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Any graduates who are full time working, do you quit your job for vac schemes? Or is that the plan? Would you book annual leave for a vac scheme but is that unethical?

Annual leave or unpaid - it’s not unethical because you will likely have to tell them anyway since most contracts include a clause saying you can’t undertake paid employment elsewhere without consent

 

[0livia.pope]

Has anyone had experience writing a brief for a written assessment task? This is for the BBC solicitor apprentice role and I am struggling on how I can prepare.. would it be similar case study style task but with a media law focus?

Any insights would be greatly appreciated !

 

[yk1906]

By the way, how would you recommend preparing for the SJT test? Any resource recs would be appreciated!

 

[TC129129]

Has anyone done the Bristows VI

 

[Amma Usman]

Thank you so much! I think i will just talk about two and try and go in depth. Would you recommend any resources to help research this question? I listen to the FT news briefing everyday but i still do not think my commercial awareness is good enough for the applications !

Hey,

I’ve linked below a thread I made on resources to boost commercial awareness.

When I was applying, I didn’t jump straight to the FT to help with CA because I knew that I wasn’t going to understand much. The terms were unfamiliar and so were many of the concepts, so I took some time off to understand these first. This in itself, is commercial awareness. To this effect, I have linked a couple more threads to help.

The Weekly Brief: Commercial Awareness Updates

Hey everyone! Welcome to this thread, where I'll be sharing regular commercial awareness updates to keep you in the loop on the latest trends and news—perfect for staying sharp ahead of those crucial law firm interviews and assessment centres. My goal is to post a new update every day from...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

50 Capital Markets Terms To Know

Hey TCLA Community! In this thread, I’ve complied a list of 50 Capital Markets terms and their respective definitions. This will be particularly useful for those of you drawn to transactional law and are keen to know more about how these bustling financial markets work! The first step? You...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

10 Commercial Awareness Sources

Hey all! I hope you’re all having a fantastic mid-week! I’ve included below 10 sources to help solidify that commercial awareness! Let’s keep going and building up on that skill everyday…!!! Pro-tip: Take building commercial awareness as a lego exercise - building little blocks everyday before...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

100 Key Financial and Legal Terms

Hey all! In this thread, I’ve included a list of 100 terms I believe are essential to building that commercial awareness. I’ve made a 50/50 split, covering financial and legal terms. Feel free to add any more terms and definitions you feel are essential ! ;) 50 Financial Terms 1. Asset...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[spamelinazoid]

Does anyone know if Freshfields have a spring/summer window for Direct TC apps? I feel like they did in previous years.

I was going to apply for this winter cycle but with the new test (and if they have another cycle in the summer) may be better to wait and prepare a better app/practice for this test…

It is a bit wild that they didnt mention this test to people earlier. Considering people spend upwards of 15 hours on an application its not great practice imo to blindside people like this and not allow them sufficient information to prepare for a test…

 

[Chris Brown]

Does anyone know if Freshfields have a spring/summer window for Direct TC apps? I feel like they did in previous years.

I was going to apply for this winter cycle but with the new test (and if they have another cycle in the summer) may be better to wait and prepare a better app/practice for this test…

It is a bit wild that they didnt mention this test to people earlier. Considering people spend upwards of 15 hours on an application its not great practice imo to blindside people like this and not allow them sufficient information to prepare for a test…

I think they have now scrapped the summer window for direct TC to make way for the new winter VS. The winter VS is open to law and non-law finalists and graduates and lasts for a week. I think the first VS is this year and applications open in August. 🙂

The introduction of the new VS is why they have added an automatic SJT for the direct TC route. It should have been mentioned earlier tbh. This would give applicants sufficient time to prepare for the SJT. 🥲

 

[spamelinazoid]

I think they have now scrapped the summer window for direct TC to make way for the new winter VS. The winter VS is open to law and non-law finalists and graduates and lasts for a week. I think the first VS is this year and applications open in August. 🙂

The introduction of the new VS is why they have added an automatic SJT for the direct TC route. It should have been mentioned earlier tbh. This would give applicants sufficient time to prepare for the SJT. 🥲

Ah I see, that’s genuinely a shame.

For people in full-time work Im sure more Direct TC windows would be more appreciated…if anything the processes for entering this profession are only becoming more unfriendly towards mature applicants or grads (3+ week long vac schemes??) . In most other professions the prospect of using 6 days - 3 weeks of annual leave for an AC and an internship only for the prospect* of receiving a job offer is disproportionate…

 

[Tintin06]

Ah I see, that’s genuinely a shame.

For people in full-time work Im sure more Direct TC windows would be more appreciated…if anything the processes for entering this profession are only becoming more unfriendly towards mature applicants or grads (3+ week long vac schemes??) . In most other professions the prospect of using 6 days - 3 weeks of annual leave for an AC and an internship only for the prospect* of receiving a job offer is disproportionate…

I echo all of this, honestly.

I'm lucky to be self-employed. I can just take days/weeks off. Self-employment has its own drawbacks, however. It's cost-benefit analysis ultimately, isn't it? I have met paralegal on VSs. They used annual leave for VSs. With that job, it's more accepted? Since the firms know your game. Your ultimate goal is a TC. Best of luck with your applications.

 

[24aa2001]

Would you say not to bother if you don’t have the best university grades for Freshfields. I have experience and other aspects

 

[Chris Brown]

Ah I see, that’s genuinely a shame.

For people in full-time work Im sure more Direct TC windows would be more appreciated…if anything the processes for entering this profession are only becoming more unfriendly towards mature applicants or grads (3+ week long vac schemes??) . In most other professions the prospect of using 6 days - 3 weeks of annual leave for an AC and an internship only for the prospect* of receiving a job offer is disproportionate…

The winter VS is a week long so not like the summer VS which is 3 weeks. I guess it is still not ideal for those in full-time work who have to use annual leave regardless.

It is unfortunate but I guess they believe it is a lot better for future trainees to do a VS at Freshfields before they offer them a TC. 🥲

Other MC firms like CC and Slaughter and May still have two direct TC windows. This may be because they don’t have VS for finalists and/or graduates. 🙂

I definitely agree that if anything law firms are becoming less and less inclusive by introducing these changes. It makes it harder for grads/mature applicants to enter the profession. 😞

 

[SS21]

Nope. I’m still on 60% candidate review

Same! Does your status say “on hold” though?

 

[ad.]

I think they have now scrapped the summer window for direct TC to make way for the new winter VS. The winter VS is open to law and non-law finalists and graduates and lasts for a week. I think the first VS is this year and applications open in August. 🙂

The introduction of the new VS is why they have added an automatic SJT for the direct TC route. It should have been mentioned earlier tbh. This would give applicants sufficient time to prepare for the SJT. 🥲

If we apply for direct TC now, would we potentially still be eligible to apply for the Winter Vac Scheme when it comes to the ‘one opportunity per academic year’ rule? In other words, is the Winter VS considered part of a new application cycle? I’d appreciate any insights on this, especially from @Jessica Booker . Thanks!

 

[Tintin06]

If we apply for direct TC now, would we potentially still be eligible to apply for the Winter Vac Scheme when it comes to the ‘one opportunity per academic year’ rule? In other words, is the Winter VS considered part of a new application cycle? I’d appreciate any insights on this, especially from @Jessica Booker . Thanks!

I’m pretty sure the answer’s yes.

 

[Chris Brown]

If we apply for direct TC now, would we potentially still be eligible to apply for the Winter Vac Scheme when it comes to the ‘one opportunity per academic year’ rule? In other words, is the Winter VS considered part of a new application cycle? I’d appreciate any insights on this, especially from @Jessica Booker . Thanks!

Yeah you would still be eligible because the direct TC is for this academic year (24/25). 🙂

The Winter VS is for next academic year (25/26). The applications open in Aug but close in Sep and the VS is in Dec (2025). 🙂

If not, I’m sure you could apply for the direct TC window next academic year which would open in Oct and close in Jan 2026. 🙂

 

[Jessica Booker]

If we apply for direct TC now, would we potentially still be eligible to apply for the Winter Vac Scheme when it comes to the ‘one opportunity per academic year’ rule? In other words, is the Winter VS considered part of a new application cycle? I’d appreciate any insights on this, especially from @Jessica Booker . Thanks!

yes - it would be a new recruitment cycle.

 

[t-0147]

Thank you!

They do. I did one last year. Just email grad rec about it.

 

[BM99]

Has anyone heard from Links re Direct TC? Mine still on 66%

 

[24aa2001]

Please can someone help me, should I expect a PFO if people received an AC for Kennedys