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Hi Everyone. i am from India, I recently graduated from a Law School.
I am interested in training contract offered by Global Law firms, does anyone has any idea if the firms are open to take Indians and what are the requirements and tips any lead will be highly appreciated.

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Hey everyone!

I've been really lucky to land spots on both Linklaters Pathfinder and A&O First, both of which are firms and programmes that I'm really interested in. However, the dates for the two schemes clash and I'm worried that I'll only be able to do which is a real shame as I worked so hard on my application for both.

If anyone has faced a similar situation or has any advice on how I can pick between the two I would really appreciate your support!

Has anyone heard back with an offer after the Debevoise & Plimpton Open Day/ AC?

I have an online insight day.

They have sent us case studies. Apparently on the day we will be in break out rooms of 8 and will go through the case study with one of the firm's solicitors/trainees for about 20 minutes.

Obviously if that was 20 minutes and a one-to-one discussion then you would need to do quite a bit of prep, to be able to answer the questions in the case studies, which are various such as 'what are the tax implications of X', or 'what kind of due diligence should be done'?

OTOH with 8 in a group it seems perhaps that you are more concerned with learning about the work they do, than trying to demonstrate that you've googled tax law (etc.) before the insight day.

So what would be appropriate prep - making sure you've read through and noted just some key points, or preparing an exhaustive answer? Presumably with an insight day the attendees aren't being assessed, so you can't increase your chance of a subsequent training contract? Or can you!?

Hi sorry if this is in the wrong place, I requested to join the junior lawyers forum on here but haven’t had that looked at if someone could pretty please help me?

Hello! Has anyone else has been accepted onto the BCLP spring vacation scheme. If so, I'd love to connect ahead of April - so please feel free to drop me a message on Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/amelia-cox-aa2302222

I am in process of editing my cv. I am applying for paralegalling roles and legal graduate schemes/internships.

For my GCSEs, I studied 8 subjects and I also did a BTEC course in Health & Social Care (which is equivalent to one GCSE).
I am slightly confused about whether I should put down on my cv that I did a BTEC course during my GCSEs. For now my cv shows that I have "8 GCSEs including Maths and English".

I have also completed my Law degree.

Hi everyone, I'm an international student interested in a training contract with city law firms in the UK. A bit of background, I applied to over 20 firms this year and got 3 ACs but no success. I'll be trying for direct TCs but my chances of getting a TC from this route are quite slim given my lack of experience.

On a personal note, it's also been difficult to resonate with others as I'm mainly surrounded by non-international students and mentors who are not able to guide me as well, especially on visa and term-time issues. I was wondering if anyone has advice for an international like me or any resources out there I could use to perhaps understand where I'm going wrong

Has anyone heard back?

Hi - I'm a Cambridge law grad with a mid-2:1 and 43/45 at IB. I mostly have experience in high-street law, mini-pupillages, and as a research assistant at a different university. I was applying to the bar, but after finding that I actually really enjoy working in firms, I've decided to apply to TCs this year instead. Currently, I'm trying to work out how to write a Baker McKenzie application, so I'm clearing my mind by doing this instead.

So far, my application cycle looks like this:

1. Hogan Lovells - Applied
2. Mayer Brown - Applied
3. Stephenson Harwood - Applied
4. Macfarlanes - Applied
5. Orrick - Applied - PFO Post App
6. Laytons - Applied
7. Withers - Applied
8. Fox Williams - Applied - Invited to Test
9. King & Spalding - Applied
10. BCLP - Applied - Passed Online Test
11. Russell-Cooke - Applied - PFO Post App
12. Howard Kennedy - Applied
13. White & Case - Applied
14. Ashurst - Applied
15. Paul Hastings - Applied
16. Dentons - Applied
17. Blake Morgan - Applied - PFO Post App
18. Beale & Co. - Applied
19. Payne Hicks Beach - Applied

I'm planning on finishing about 45 applications total including, I really, really hope, this Baker McKenzie one.

Has anyone heard back from travers smith vs ??

Hi,
I have a Spring Vacation Scheme soon, and I would like to know how long it typically takes to receive feedback regarding the Training Contract (TC) after a VS - if you got it or not. I prefer to research this information before reaching out to the firm with my inquiry.
Thanks!

I was part of the final cohort to do the traditional GDL course. I understand we now have a grace period until 2032 to complete the LPC if we're able to secure a TC at a firm who allows the GDL-LPC route.
However, the firms I'm interested in all require the SQE route. So:

1. Will I need to take any preparation courses to pass the SQE1, or simply revise the old material and look for exam technique help?
2. What's the schedule for the SQE1 exams? When do I need to apply, and when are the actual exams?

The Post Office scandal has been in the headlines over the past few months.

An FT article has indicated that law firms Womble Bond Dickinson and Herbert Smith Freehills represented the Post Office.

What is extremely upsetting about the scandal is that victims were made bankrupt and some even took their own lives.

This has made me question about ethics and morals when working in a law firm.

If you are a solicitor working at a law firm whereby you are representing a defendant such as the Post Office that has been involved in a scandal, what is the ethically and morally right thing to do in order to not cross the professional conduct 'red' line?

Does anyone know if law firms allow you to take a gap between your SQE and Training Contract (to do an LLM for example)

so guess its time for me to use this tcla forum as my actual accountability tracker. still v lost atm but optimistic

background:
- third year llb, studying in london
- applied in 2nd year, v scattergram approach, got thru to an interview w slaughters (rightfully rejected because I knew nothing but also v grateful I was)
- 3rd year: ive gotten thru VIs with w&c, v&e and got to an ac w CC for direct tc which I consider a massive win
- atp im waiting on apps for travers and macfarlanes, I dont have much hope left for vac schemes if im honest and I might send off a few more TC apps before the cycle concludes but im kind of hoping I get a job as a paralegal/ LA post uni so I can figure out law as a career itself and get some actual experience under my belt.

currently:
- idk if ive reached my point of delulu but im optimistic going forward becasuse I know my apps are strong enough to get thru the first stage and the rest I can try and work on. im hoping to get a bit more legal work experience. I was devastated after I got rejected post AC for CC but I like to find the silver lining in things and maybe im jus not ready yet, but theres no rush, we'll get there when the time is right

lovely to meet u all

I'm a 2nd year accounting and law undergraduate and I scored 62% on my contract law exam.

I worked consistently all semester only to flop over Christmas and now I want to kill myself.

This grade is pathetic and permanent unless I resit the whole year . . .

Macfarlanes Vac scheme!! any tips on how to convert into a TC would be great

Hi ppl,

I saw others using this to stay accountable and just post anything uni/law related and Im doing the same (nothing too crazy as digital footprint is real) , quite late though lol as I'm in my final year and the vs cycle is nearly closing with only a few left open.

Oh well patience, im going to force my self to find the will to complete applications and if all else fails find a backup plan coz sqe prices are crazy, law is actually such a gatekeeped career yet they want inclusivity .... side eye fr

So heres some background:
- i set myself up in first year not knowing much about law, didn't know there was schemes, went to one open-day and was put off MC firms
- second year had some better knowledge of schemes etc, had poor technique, did like one app fluked that, got onto one open day
- now we're onto third year

Applications
-i applied to 9 VS so far
- rejected from 5, normally after WG tests (hate her so much)
- waiting to hear back from: Travers, Shoosmiths (TC, VS rejected), Stephenson Harwood, Russell Cooke, Browne Jacobson (SJT to complete)

Interests
- my interests in law: ip, tech, litigation, contracts, immigration
(its so difficult to say what i actually like because im so open-minded, this is just based on modules i took and enjoyed at uni.... how do they expect me to have a dedicated interest when im being gatekeeped from the career

Zero idea what this is about or how to prep for one - any help?

Hi everyone,

I've got a place confirmed on the MA Law Conversion at the Uni of Law, Moorgate, starting in September.

Does anyone have any insights into the timetable and how you found the workload and teaching, compared to undergrad. Just trying to set my expectations!!

Thanks!!

Hi everyone,

I am wondering if anyone could help me? I've just received my third rejection letter, this time being NRF. I really tried to put a lot of effort into my applications however I clearly am doing something wrong. Does anyone have any advice on how to approach the applications i.e., what structure to implement? what ways to be showcase my commercial awareness in my answer? etc. I have lost some hope and I feel that unless you have started their own business, it is virtually impossible to get onto any firm programmes.

thanks!

Hi All,

I've been invited to an assessment centre with Forsters which will be held next week.
The assessment centre consists of an interview, a group task and a case study exercise. That's all the info I've received directly from the firm, but from doing some reading around on here I've heard that the case study exercise in the past has specifically been a written task but of course, I want to be prepared for any changes in the recruitment process over the years.

Given the limited info I've received from the firm on what both the practical tasks entail, I was wondering if anyone's done an assessment centre with Forsters recently and could provide any insight or advice on the more specific aspects of the different tasks? Of course, I've been brushing up on my commercial awareness and firm knowledge as I would for any interview or assessment centre but any advice specific to Forsters' assessment centre would be massively useful!

Would really appreciate any advice!