TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[AlarmedBookkeeper448]

Linklaters is so bafflingly slow… there’s nothing on those applications to review!

I’m not too sure about their process but maybe they fill out the vacation schemes first and then TCs ?

But tbh other than work experience idk what else they look at😭

 

[JCSax]

Can someone remind me when we expect to hear back from CC TC assessment centres?

 

[aleiy]

Has anyone heard back from CMS Dubai regarding ACs? I haven’t heard back since the VI

 

[Zaidoz10]

Anyone heard back from Gibson Dunn direct TC? White & Case Dubai? Hogan Lovells direct TC?

 

[Cl23x]

Does anyone know how many questions are asked for the bristows VI? It says on the platform it should only take 3 mins?? Thanks!!

 

[yasmars]

Does anyone know how many questions are asked for the bristows VI? It says on the platform it should only take 3 mins?? Thanks!!

I think it’s only two.

 

[AlexWilliams]

Hi all, I have been invited to Fieldfisher AC and just wondered if anyone is able to share their experiences either from the previous years or this? This is my first AC so looking for any specific or general advice. It includes a group/paired exercise, an individual case study (I believe to be a written exercise) and an interview.

For the interview, I feel confident I can prepare for it. But the other two exercises are new to me so any advice would be most appreciated. I think I have seen some case study practice exercises for AC on here before, would these help? Thanks

This is for the Direct TC.

 

[RS Sanjanaa]

does anybody know why Hogan Lovells has not been responding for a very long time? I submitted my application almost 2 months ago

 

[Chris Brown]

does anybody know why Hogan Lovells has not been responding for a very long time? I submitted my application almost 2 months ago

Is this for direct TC or SVS? The SVS deadline was the 3rd of Jan and DTC deadline is the 31st of Jan. 🙂

I imagine they are going through SVS applications first and then DTC. 🙂

I applied for the SVS mid Dec and took the online WGT on Xmas Eve. I haven’t heard back either. 🥲

They get over 4,000 applications a year across all their opportunities: LiftOff, LaunchPad, SVS and DTC. 🥲

 

[GUt02]

Heyy everyone, I hope application season is going well!
I was just curious about people applying to direct TCs. I am in my 3rd year of a 4 year LLB and although I have applied to Vac Schemes in this cycle, I was wondering whether you would recommend I also apply to some direct TCs?
Would my success rate be lower because I am still a university student and not in work etc, or would I be okay?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Izzy1026]

Hi everyone, hope 2025 has been good so far! I have a few questions about GDL start date. If the start date is in September but I for personal reason can only come back to the UK in October, is it acceptable that I only start going to class in October? To put it more bluntly, will the course provider/the firm likely to be very strict about me starting the course “on time” and in the event of me not doing so, will it jeopardise my TC?

Sorry this is an admin-ish question and not exactly TC related! But I cannot seem to find such precedent so I’d really like to know if it is viable. Thanks so much!

 

[lawyersum]

Hi everyone, hope 2025 has been good so far! I have a few questions about GDL start date. If the start date is in September but I for personal reason can only come back to the UK in October, is it acceptable that I only start going to class in October? To put it more bluntly, will the course provider/the firm likely to be very strict about me starting the course “on time” and in the event of me not doing so, will it jeopardise my TC?

Sorry this is an admin-ish question and not exactly TC related! But I cannot seem to find such precedent so I’d really like to know if it is viable. Thanks so much!

Not an expert on this situation but I would defo recommend mentioning your situation to grad rec at your TC firm. Maybe that way you can work out a solution together (e.g they can recommend negotiating with the GDL provider or you can suggest starting the course online for a month in September before you return to in-person in October). I am just brainstorming here but the first thing I would do is communicate with grad rec and let them know about your situation!

 

[Izzy1026]

Not an expert on this situation but I would defo recommend mentioning your situation to grad rec at your TC firm. Maybe that way you can work out a solution together (e.g they can recommend negotiating with the GDL provider or you can suggest starting the course online for a month in September before you return to in-person in October). I am just brainstorming here but the first thing I would do is communicate with grad rec and let them know about your situation!

Great perspective, thanks so much!

 

[lawyersum]

Great perspective, thanks so much!

No problem, I can tag @Jessica Booker for a more informed and experienced perspective too!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi everyone, hope 2025 has been good so far! I have a few questions about GDL start date. If the start date is in September but I for personal reason can only come back to the UK in October, is it acceptable that I only start going to class in October? To put it more bluntly, will the course provider/the firm likely to be very strict about me starting the course “on time” and in the event of me not doing so, will it jeopardise my TC?

Sorry this is an admin-ish question and not exactly TC related! But I cannot seem to find such precedent so I’d really like to know if it is viable. Thanks so much!

Will you be an international student on a student visa?

 

[Lawlawlaw2]

I have sent Harbottle & Lewis’s Grad Rec two emails over the past 2 months and have not received an answer. Is anyone in the same boat?

@Jessica Booker could you kindly tell me what I should do in such a case?

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

anybody got the freshfields sjt yet?

 

[Jessica Booker]

I have sent Harbottle & Lewis’s Grad Rec two emails over the past 2 months and have not received an answer. Is anyone in the same boat?

@Jessica Booker could you kindly tell me what I should do in such a case?

Is the matter urgent or about the later stages of a recruitment process or is it a general enquiry?

 

[Izzy1026]

Will you be an international student on a student visa?

Yes! Will that make a difference?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Yes! Will that make a difference?

Yes, there is a possibility that the university will need you to attend in person due to certain restrictions with student visas - they can often get audited on attendance for international students, and can get fined if authorities think they are bringing people in on visas who are not attending the course.

It’s probably worthwhile speaking to your firm and see if they can get you a point of contact at the university who could confirm either way. There are likely to be some exceptions too though.