TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[yeezyee]

did you email them first? asking cos if it was an email sent out to every direct tc applicant then i didnt get something like that haha

yeah i didn’t either…

 

[RS Sanjanaa]

did you email them first? asking cos if it was an email sent out to every direct tc applicant then i didnt get something like that haha

yes yes, I mailed them

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

yes yes, I mailed them

Ah fine. Any info on whether they are gonna predominantly hire from the vac scheme route? Asking since we’ve seen the most ACs for the vac scheme route and just one for the direct TC route. Are they really holding a scheme this time? Thanks.

 

[RS Sanjanaa]

Ah fine. Any info on whether they are gonna predominantly hire from the vac scheme route? Asking since we’ve seen the most ACs for the vac scheme route and just one for the direct TC route. Are they really holding a scheme this time? Thanks.

no idea about this

 

[nyanchan22]

Anyone heard back from CMS Dubai post-WG yet? It's been about a month now...

 

[Rhohia]

Anyone heard from Bristows?

 

[gimmeavacschemepls]

Has anyone received an update from BBC yet? I am beginning to feel anxious!

 

[summersun]

Has anyone received an update from BBC yet? I am beginning to feel anxious!

No I haven't but they said mid January and it's only the 16th so until beginning of next week I would not be worried.

 

[Lamb7075]

Anyone has any insights on the Fragomen video interview?

 

[Synapser]

Has anyone received an update from BBC yet? I am beginning to feel anxious!

Nope... Nothing yet!

 

[RS Sanjanaa]

anybody have any idea about the status of applications for BCLP?

 

[kokoprep]

Does NRF hire a lot from DTC?

 

[Mug Fan]

Just got VI invite from W&C, anyone else had one? Just want views on the deadline… is it 72 hours from receipt of email? Quite a quick turnaround.

ETA: oops, it was Summer Vac, not DTC. Ugh.

 

[jta227]

Does NRF hire a lot from DTC?

They said they prefer VSs to assess the candidate closer and that DTC process has a higher standard for applicants. It's still possible to get hired that way though

 

[andrecsaa]

I got pfo from all the firms in the application stage. Though I have some direct TC applications pending review, I am wondering how to improve the four applications I have left to submit (and for winter VS in the worst-case scenario).

I have written about my academic interests and work experience in litigation, investigations, and corporate crime relating to the firm's reputation in these practices and available seats. I included a few lines demonstrating my interests in regulatory compliance, investment funds, and banking and finance (I studied these topics in the modules of my LLM in Banking and Finance at RG uni and worked with regulatory compliance and banking during an internship in a regtech).

How to balance the interests in contentious in the applications?

Should I strategically focus on my interests in transactional seats (banking and finance, investment funds) and forget about litigation during the application process to enhance my chances?

@Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu @Amma Usman do you have any insights? I tried to follow the application guide, but unsuccessfully.

 

[aleiy]

Has anyone heard back from CMS Dubai office after the VI?

 

[hmevey]

How to approach this question for SH, struggling slightly!

In up to 600 words, please outline up to three significant challenges that you think all law firms will face over the next five years. You should draw on your current awareness and your commercial awareness to answer this question.- Max 600 words

 

[andrecsaa]

Fieldfisher test invite

 

[yasmars]

Fieldfisher test invite

Very happy for you congrats! My tips would be to focus on aligning your answers with the firms strengths. Feel free to DM me if you want more tips

 

[Amma Usman]

How to approach this question for SH, struggling slightly!

In up to 600 words, please outline up to three significant challenges that you think all law firms will face over the next five years. You should draw on your current awareness and your commercial awareness to answer this question.- Max 600 words

Hi there. You can touch on anything really, from ESG, energy, AI, and the likes. There is no right answer, only your ability to connect it to the commercial and legal worlds, as this is what will help demonstrate your commercial awareness. There is also a tendency for applicants to talk a lot about topics like AI, but I presume it would not be much of an issue if you mention a common topic, provided you expand on it adequately. Another thing is that you do not have to equally split the word count, but I recommend doing so (or somewhat closely) to ensure you touch on each topic in depth.

I’ve linked an example of how I would personally approach this question in the context of ESG:

One significant challenge law firms will face over the next five years is managing the escalating demand for environmental, social, and governance (ESG)-related legal services amidst rapidly evolving regulations and stakeholder expectations. Governments worldwide are introducing stricter environmental legislation, such as carbon reduction targets and mandatory sustainability reporting, while investors and clients demand greater transparency and accountability in corporate operations.

For law firms, the challenge lies in providing clients with proactive and commercially viable solutions to meet these obligations while avoiding reputational and legal risks. This requires deep expertise in emerging ESG frameworks, sector-specific regulations, and litigation risks, as well as the ability to handle the increasing complexity of cross-border ESG issues. Moreover, firms must address their own ESG commitments to attract talent and clients who prioritize sustainability and ethical practices. Balancing the cost of internal transformation with maintaining profitability will test firms' strategic adaptability.

Law firms that effectively integrate ESG advisory into their practice and demonstrate leadership in this space will secure a competitive advantage, but those that fail to keep pace risk losing relevance in an increasingly sustainability-conscious market.