TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[Jessica Booker]

I’m just freaking out tbh because I really thought I pulled my finger out my arse this cycle and brought my A game- and since not hearing back I’m worried about being rejected.

Especially since they said they’d get back to us by the 20th which is tommorow

When firms say they will come back to you by a deadline, it usually means they will get back to you on the deadline. I expect you will hear back today.

 

[lawyerdreams]

Just curious, does anyone know why Bird & Bird are recruiting for Sept 2025 and Sept 2026 direct TCs this cycle? Is this something they typically do, i.e. recruit for earlier start dates?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Just curious, does anyone know why Bird & Bird are recruiting for Sept 2025 and Sept 2026 direct TCs this cycle? Is this something they typically do, i.e. recruit for earlier start dates?

It maybe that they are increasing TC numbers, or have had people drop out of these intakes (reneging offers, people not passing the SQE).

Sometimes these earlier opportunities pop up and I think they are a great way for those who can start their TC earlier to potentially get an offer. I wouldn’t say it happens a lot, but every now and then a handful of firms will recruit earlier intakes and actively recruit for them.

 

[Niall]

Anything from Stephenson Harwood yet?

 

[Victor87]

Hey guys, does anyone know what the ratio of vac scheme to direct TC intakes is for Gibson Dunn? Also, is there any available database that gives this sort of breakdown for firms?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hey guys, does anyone know what the ratio of vac scheme to direct TC intakes is for Gibson Dunn? Also, is there any available database that gives this sort of breakdown for firms?

With roughly 22 vac scheme places and 8 TCs a year, I would expect the vast majority of TCs to be filled by the vacation scheme students.

 

[Victor87]

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With roughly 22 vac scheme places and 8 TCs a year, I would expect the vast majority of TCs to be filled by the vacation scheme students.

Thanks Jessica, this is very helpful!

 

[👩🎓]

Hi @Jessica Booker, on the Kennedys application it asks whether you have completed their virtual work experience programme - does this have an effect on your application, if you haven't?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker, on the Kennedys application it asks whether you have completed their virtual work experience programme - does this have an effect on your application, if you haven't?

I don’t think it will have a deciding factor on whether your application will be successful or not. If you have no evidence of engaging with the firm through other means, then consider completing the programme. However, if you have networked with the firm through other events or activities, I don’t think you have to complete the virtual programme.

 

[👩🎓]

I don’t think it will have a deciding factor on whether your application will be successful or not. If you have no evidence of engaging with the firm through other means, then consider completing the programme. However, if you have networked with the firm through other events or activities, I don’t think you have to complete the virtual programme.

Thank you Jessica!

 

[Aspiring_City_Solicitor]

Hi forum - I recently secured and accepted a TC from a mid-sized City firm following their vac scheme. However, I want to continue applying to larger firms through the direct TC route. I have checked my TC offer and it does not appear to prohibit me from applying (I will double check though!). My question is, if I were to apply to other firms I would want to publicise that I have completed a vac scheme at the firm that offered me a TC, but what if I am asked why I did not get a TC during an interview? Would it be acceptable to say that I had been offered a TC but wanted to apply elsewhere?

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi forum - I recently secured and accepted a TC from a mid-sized City firm following their vac scheme. However, I want to continue applying to larger firms through the direct TC route. I have checked my TC offer and it does not appear to prohibit me from applying (I will double check though!). My question is, if I were to apply to other firms I would want to publicise that I have completed a vac scheme at the firm that offered me a TC, but what if I am asked why I did not get a TC during an interview? Would it be acceptable to say that I had been offered a TC but wanted to apply elsewhere?

From what I've understood, you're generally free to withdraw from a TC offer up until you’ve accepted any financial support from the firm or started any onboarding processes, such as law school/SQE prep or the formal TC onboarding. I would encourage you to carefully consider the terms of your offer. That said, it’s important to keep in mind that some firms may not allow you to participate in their vacation schemes if they know you’ve already accepted a TC offer with another firm. It's worth checking individual firm policies to avoid any issues.

Finally, you're right - if you're asked why you didn't secure a TC in a previous vacation scheme, it's perfectly acceptable to be honest about the fact that you were offered a TC but decided to explore opportunities at larger firms.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

@Jessica Booker i have the same query. Do you have any insight?

Hi @Maddy and @User5678

Based on a quick google search, it seems Deloitte will be opening its training contract applications on 30th September. The date can be found here. I'll get back to you both as soon as I find some reliable information on PwC's legal training contract/vacation scheme opportunities. Good luck!

 

[User5678]

Hi @Maddy and @User5678

Based on a quick google search, it seems Deloitte will be opening its training contract applications on 30th September. The date can be found here. I'll get back to you both as soon as I find some reliable information on PwC's legal training contract/vacation scheme opportunities. Good luck!

Thank you very much!! This is very helpful and please do let me know if you find out about any other in house companies I can apply to and any information you have. I am very grateful

 

[EquityTraineeGPT]

Hi has anyone heard back from Paul Hastings ? Have they already filled their cohort ? (Please react with thumbs up, ticks and any affirmatives only if you have heard back and reach with negatives if you haven't heard back either)

 

[whywhy88]

I'm currently on a year abroad and want to make the most of an extra year of the recruitment cycle, however I won't be able to do any vacation schemes this year as my year abroad is in Australia and I can't just pop back to London to do it (my bank account definitely would not allow that) so I was thinking of applying for some direct TCs. I haven't done a vac scheme before, so do you guys think I stand a chance at all with the direct TC apps? Would firms hold it against me if I were to go for a direct TC this year, get rejected, and then try for the vac scheme next year when I'm back in the UK? Sorry if it's a stupid question, I just don't want to waste this extra year, especially as so many people around me had great success in the last cycle and I only had one AC. @Jessica Booker

 

[NMA]

I'm currently on a year abroad and want to make the most of an extra year of the recruitment cycle, however I won't be able to do any vacation schemes this year as my year abroad is in Australia and I can't just pop back to London to do it (my bank account definitely would not allow that) so I was thinking of applying for some direct TCs. I haven't done a vac scheme before, so do you guys think I stand a chance at all with the direct TC apps? Would firms hold it against me if I were to go for a direct TC this year, get rejected, and then try for the vac scheme next year when I'm back in the UK? Sorry if it's a stupid question, I just don't want to waste this extra year, especially as so many people around me had great success in the last cycle and I only had one AC.

I know people that did not do vac schemes but still got a TC purely through their other experiences either working professionally or volunteering. And they were just really good at the interview stage and got on well with the assessors. You just really need to make sure your experiences are fleshed out and that you can quantify what you did, the skills you learned, and how you can transfer that to being a lawyer.

 

[Samridhi Jain]

hey! im in the same position - ive emailed them and they said they only accept TCs from those who have done their Summer Internship, so unfortunately we'll be unable to apply for a direct TC

oh no! I was really hoping to apply to DLA

 

[hmevey]

How is best to approach CC's question. It is the only one so Im not sure how commercial law focused it has to be. I was going to talk mostly about my personal experiences and just relate it to skills for being a CC lawyer. So i wouldnt mention much about the firm at all really. Is this a good approach?

In no more than 500 words, please tell us about your extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility and an achievement of importance which you are most proud of. How will these experiences help you excel as a Clifford Chance lawyer?

 

[Seville123]

Hello everyone,

I completed an assessment centre for a direct training contract with an international firm at the start of September. Graduate recruitment mentioned they would get back to us within 1-2 weeks, but I haven’t heard anything yet. I followed up with an email last week, but there’s still been no response.

I’m not sure what to do next, as I would like some feedback on my interview performance. I assume graduate recruitment is very busy at this time of year, but should I continue waiting? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!