Freshfield's confirmed via a pre-launch webinar thingy that I attended the other day that they have changed the application process quite significantly. Instead of long answer questions, there is only an initial application form with work experience etc and then an online assessment (which I believe is like a mix of critical reasoning and SJT type questions with a few video questions thrown in as well) and then, if successful, an AC. They have a preparation portal on their early careers website (like Hogan Lovells) and the whole thing is ran by Cappfinity I believe.
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
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- Sep 9, 2024
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I think it makes sense to elaborate your points a bit more in the work experience section now that you do not have the further opportunity to so so in the personal statement. You could, when appropriate, draw links as to how some experience developed your interest in commercial law, or in a particular practice area the firm excels in. You could also just explain how it led to the formation of relevant skills. Nonetheless, you should do so sparingly, as you do not want all your work experience entires to sound repetitive or to seem like you are clearly trying to circumvent the firm's choice to drop the written motivational question element from the application form.
I think they are part of the online assessment thingy but I could be wrong
- Sep 9, 2024
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Hi @rjay the Slaughter and May interview is usually split in two parts: a competency/motivational interview part and a commercial article-based discussion.
My main tip for the competency interview would be to come very prepared to be challenged and questioned on your motivations and experiences. Firstly, you need to be able to discuss any point in your CV in depth, and particularly any educational point. Be ready to explain every grade in university and to be asked why you have not performed very well in certain modules - particularly if any of them have links with commercial law. Secondly, you should have a watertight motivation for why commercial law and to be able to explain your preference for over your other passions and potential careers. It will likely not suffice to state some of the commonly met reasons as you will likely get a number of follow up questions. Thirdly, you should have a very good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the firm's model, particularly when compared to the other Magic Circle firms. You should also be able to make a plausible argument as to why you in particular are a good fit for their model and interested in it (as opposed to being a good fit/being as interested in the model of the other MC firms).
For the article discussion, as you prepare you should think of different arguments to support potential views about the subject matter, as you may be asked to defend positions you do not necessarily agree with. You should also expect to be challenged a lot here, as partners want to test your resilience and advocacy. Be flexible and willing to integrate their points into a synthesis view, but stand your ground and do your best to justify your core claim despite their pushback.
For further advice, see the links bellow with posts other community members made about the Slaughters interview experience:
ttps://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/slaughter-and-may-interview-preparation.1830/
https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....nd-may-training-contract-interview-2018.1157/
https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/slaughter-and-may-interview.124/
https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....or-slaughter-and-may-interview.314/#post-7971
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