TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[TCLA Moderator]

Hi everyone!

We just wanted to post a quick reminder about what can and can’t be shared on TCLA. We really appreciate how much everyone contributes - your insights help make the legal profession more accessible, and it’s great to see you all supporting others on their journey.

At the same time, we want to ensure we strike the right balance between sharing useful information and maintaining the integrity of firms’ recruitment processes.

✅ You are welcome to share:

• The structure of an interview or assessment;
• Examples of interview questions;
• General themes from case studies, written exercises, or assessments;
• Your positive or negative experiences of the process; and
• Advice on how to prepare for interviews and assessments

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• Video interview questions; or
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We know everyone here wants to help others succeed, and thank you for continuing to do that while keeping the process fair for all applicants!

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[Deek14]

Hi, does anyone have any tips for the Freshfields' online assessment for their direct TC? Is it more like the Watson Glaser, or more scenario-based about a trainee’s day-to-day work?

 

[silonthesofa]

Hi, does anyone have any tips for the Freshfields' online assessment for their direct TC? Is it more like the Watson Glaser, or more scenario-based about a trainee’s day-to-day work?

If you go to their preparation portal - https://freshfields.preparationplus.com/ - that's the best indication of what the online assessment is like.

 

[ashwright]

Hello!

I've just had a look, and I also cannot seem to get to their application through the Vantage portal - it seems that the only way to apply this year is through their website (but if anyone finds an alternative way, please do share!).

If the website doesn't confirm whether the WG scores roll over from the previous cycle, it might be worth emailing the graduate recruitment team to double check. When I applied a couple cycles ago, it sent you an automatic email after submitting your application that stated - "I am pleased to confirm that as you previously completed and passed the test within the last two recruitment cycles with us, you do not need to do the test again this year".

It might be easier to confirm their stance in advance if you don't want to wait until after submitting your application

Best of luck with your application!!

Thank you so much!! You’re the best, Abbie!!
I managed to find out the answer on their FAQ - they do continue to allow you to carry over your WG for 2 cycles 🥳
Thank you ☺️

 

[Popsmoke]

Hey @Jaysen do you know roughly how long it takes to hear back from a last stage partner interview for a direct training contract? I did the interview on Friday last week. And there were only a handful of candidates who made it to the final partner stage and all have been interviewed. Surely it’s a case of just calling who made it or not 😭

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey @Jaysen do you know roughly how long it takes to hear back from a last stage partner interview for a direct training contract? I did the interview on Friday last week. And there were only a handful of candidates who made it to the final partner stage and all have been interviewed. Surely it’s a case of just calling who made it or not 😭

Hi!

Just thought I'd jump in and add my thoughts!

First of all, congratulations on making it to the final stage partner interview - I totally get how nerve-wracking the wait is, especially since it's the final stage!

Usually firms take about a week or so to finalise things after partner interviews, but sometimes it can stretch a bit if partners are busy or decisions need sign-off. Since everyone's been interviewed, you should be hearing soon!

Hang in there - you've done the hardest part already! Wishing you the best

 

[Popsmoke]

Hi!

Just thought I'd jump in and add my thoughts!

First of all, congratulations on making it to the final stage partner interview - I totally get how nerve-wracking the wait is, especially since it's the final stage!

Usually firms take about a week or so to finalise things after partner interviews, but sometimes it can stretch a bit if partners are busy or decisions need sign-off. Since everyone's been interviewed, you should be hearing soon!

Hang in there - you've done the hardest part already! Wishing you the best

Thank you so much, honestly your words have genuinely calmed my anxiety!

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Has anyone heard anything back from Freshfields?

 

[BM99]

Can anyone confirm if the online assessment for Freshfields is automatic?

 

[lolololol]

Slaughter pfo, disheartened first rejection of thr cycle

 

[Andrei Radu]

Slaughter pfo, disheartened first rejection of thr cycle

Hey @lolololol I am very sorry to hear about the rejection, and I completely understand how you must be feeling right now. I can certainly relate to the incredible frustration of being rejected after spending hours and hours researching a firm and then honing an application to perfection. I also definitely relate with how disheartened that can make you feel. This is an experience almost every single successful candidate will know - even the ones who eventually ended up securing multiple offers from top firms. It is important to remind yourself of that so that you do not judge yourself too harshly or deem your situation hopeless.

Thus, I think you should internalise the fact that even the most successful candidates are rejected in the vast majority of their applications: a friend of mine who ended the last application cycle with 5 VS offers (including from elite US firms such as Weil, Akin, and White & Case) started the application cycle by being rejected at the application stage 6-7 times in a row. The point is that what matters is not whether you succeed or not with any individual firm, but whether you can be resilient, use your frustration as a source of motivation, and simply show up again and again. You should know that if you keep submitting great applications, and if you keep doing your best to improve yourself as a candidate, you will eventually end up succeeding.

 

[lolololol]

Hey @lolololol I am very sorry to hear about the rejection, and I completely understand how you must be feeling right now. I can certainly relate to the incredible frustration of being rejected after spending hours and hours researching a firm and then honing an application to perfection. I also definitely relate with how disheartened that can make you feel. This is an experience almost every single successful candidate will know - even the ones who eventually ended up securing multiple offers from top firms. It is important to remind yourself of that so that you do not judge yourself too harshly or deem your situation hopeless.

Thus, I think you should internalise the fact that even the most successful candidates are rejected in the vast majority of their applications: a friend of mine who ended the last application cycle with 5 VS offers (including from elite US firms such as Weil, Akin, and White & Case) started the application cycle by being rejected at the application stage 6-7 times in a row. The point is that what matters is not whether you succeed or not with any individual firm, but whether you can be resilient, use your frustration as a source of motivation, and simply show up again and again. You should know that if you keep submitting great applications, and if you keep doing your best to improve yourself as a candidate, you will eventually end up succeeding.

thank you for the kind words!

 

[Deek14]

Is Clifford chance rolling or non rolling for their direct TC?

 

[emily3827]

has everyone received the test from Freshfields?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Is Clifford chance rolling or non rolling for their direct TC?

Hi!

According to this thread, it looks like they are non-rolling!

 

[Tcmaker]

Slaughter & May TC interview invite!
Please share any advice!! Thank you.

 

[LegallyBrunette_]

I've also been invited to TC interview for Slaughter and May and would similarly appreciate any advice that anyone can share!

 

[Bread]

I've also been invited to TC interview for Slaughter and May and would similarly appreciate any advice that anyone can share!

Slaughter & May TC interview invite!
Please share any advice!! Thank you.

Congrats to you both! Would you mind sharing when you applied?

 

[LegallyBrunette_]

Congrats to you both! Would you mind sharing when you applied?

I applied on the 21st September.

 

[TC seeker]

@Ram Sabaratnam I saw on A&O's they require candidates to have 7 GCSEs, as an international student I haven' t studied GCSE before. Can i still apply their TC?