TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[koruiwa]

Hi everyone! This is my first time posting on this forum and also my first time ever getting a VI invite!! Please could I get any tips on Bristows VI? or any tips in general on how to prepare, what kind of questions to prepare, etc.? Thank you so much and I wish everyone all the best!! <3

 

[24aa2001]

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?

 

[neveroblah]

Got invited for a Bristows VI! First time poster so any tips would be hugely appreciated

 

[andrecsaa]

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. Just think about conflicts in the VS firm and your current employer.

I don't think it is unethical, as your career goal is to become a solicitor. If your employer does not offer training toward this goal, you will definitely look elsewhere.

 

[Tattyasha]

Hi everyone! Hope everyone is coping ok and getting through this cycle as best you can 💖

Just wondering if anyone, past or present, progressed with Ropes and Gray and might be able to give any pointers on the application. It’s a real favourite of mine but my grades are poor (reasons for it but still…). My USP is work experience but that isn’t presentable. How do I write an answer compelling enough to get through to next stages with naff grades? I need to work extra hard in my answer to stand out positively so would really appreciate any insight or guidance at all.

Thank you so much in advance 🙏 unfortunately I’ve not progressed beyond app really so can’t share much by way of insights but I’ll happily offer moral support in abundance! X

 

[kokoprep]

This is what Freshfields’ email said: “You will be invited to complete the Law Online Assessment on 27 January 2025 after the application window has closed.”

thank you so much!

 

[cjwx]

Does anyone know if it’s smart to apply to SH’s Direct TC even without much legal experience? Or if they do not really consider that.

 

[yk1906]

Hi everyone! How would you advise to complete the Freshfields' work experience section? Is it alright to list my duties as "engaged in.... assited in..." ? Also, do you think it is a big issue if my motivational letter is 870 instead of 850 words?

 

[kokoprep]

do I still have time to write a good freshfields app😭

 

[M_m]

Does Baker Mckenzie offer online assessment centres? I live overseas so cannot go in person. I cannot find this information on their website

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

 

[andrecsaa]

Does Baker Mckenzie offer online assessment centres? I live overseas so cannot go in person. I cannot find this information on their website

According to their website, the assessment centre are held in person in the London office (https://uk-graduates.bakermckenzie.com/support/application-process/).

If you cannot travel to the UK, you can ask for arrangements. Global firms like Baker might be open to offering you a virtual AC.

 

[Chris Brown]

do I still have time to write a good freshfields app😭

If you are starting it from scratch now then I’m not sure because the deadline is tomorrow. 😭

I guess it depends on how fast you are able to write a good application. 🥲

I decided against applying myself because of the short time frame that was left. 🥲​

 

[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. 🥲​