TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[yk1906]

Do you have to complete the Irwin Mitchell VI before the deadline or just the application? Thanks

They give 7 calendar days to complete regardless of the app submission deadline

 

[co1004co]

Hi all, I hope everyone is doing well. I was wondering if anyone else has applied to the BBC L7 Solicitor Apprenticeship? If so, has anyone who completed their assessment received a feedback report or heard back? Thanks

 

[bells123]

same I put so much effort into the application too

Same here! Stings but onto the next

 

[Kakaboo]

They give 7 calendar days to complete regardless of the app submission deadline

Amazing thank you

 

[DavidJC]

Can you reapply in the same cycle?

You can for the VS but I saw someone mention here that you can't apply for both DTCs? I'm honestly not sure, when I asked Grad Rec in person back in October they said the Nov deadline DTC was the only DTC offered this year so I'm a bit surprised tbh

 

[Amgrad]

I think the DTC was for 2027 intake. They have a later intake for 2028/29 which has a deadline for mid Jan (same as the VS). They might have only had a handful of spaces for 2027. Pretty sure the firm allows you to re-apply if you were rejected after your initial application too.​

Yea, I heard they lost so many great candidates last year who didn't accept their TC 2027 offer after VS. One I know secured a TC with Hogan, she rejected Weil TC offer too. What a GOAT she isn't?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Yea, I heard they lost so many great candidates last year who didn't accept their TC 2027 offer after VS. One I know secured a TC with Hogan, she rejected Weil TC offer too. What a GOAT she isn't?

It’s odd though because Legal Cheek is advertising a second DTC window for 2028/29, closing in mid Jan, but it’s not on Travers’ website. Only seeing the Summer VS. In any case, it’s quite telling that most candidates turned their TC offer down. ​

 

[Amgrad]

It’s odd though because Legal Cheek is advertising a second DTC window for 2028/29, closing in mid Jan, but it’s not on Travers’ website. Only seeing the Summer VS. In any case, it’s quite telling that most candidates turned their TC offer down. ​

Maybe, just my assumptions they will take as many as candidates now from VS and hopefully they will open 2028 TC later in Summer like Reed Smith.

 

[Trophy]

Yea, I heard they lost so many great candidates last year who didn't accept their TC 2027 offer after VS. One I know secured a TC with Hogan, she rejected Weil TC offer too. What a GOAT she isn't?

With the 2027 TC didn’t it say March 2027 would they then expect those successful to start SQE post Christmas? As I did wonder this when applying very fast turnaround.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

With the 2027 TC didn’t it say March 2027 would they then expect those successful to start SQE post Christmas? As I did wonder this when applying very fast turnaround.

Yeah probably likely it’s March 2026 start SQE, March 2027 start TC. I was thinking of applying but decided to opt for the VS instead.​

 

[maylawwww]

Hi all, I hope everyone is doing well. I was wondering if anyone else has applied to the BBC L7 Solicitor Apprenticeship? If so, has anyone who completed their assessment received a feedback report or heard back? Thanks

Hello! Yes, I received a feedback report just after I took the test-- but it was just a standard Cappfinity report (couple of strengths, 1 weakness) but heard nothing yet about outcomes. I think last year people heard in December at the earliest

 

[itsfearless15]

A&O Shearman Direct TC AC

Massive congratulations!! If you are comfortable sharing, approx how did your feedback report look like? I'm wondering given the quite mixed results posted on TCLA after the Amberjack tests for either VS or TC apps! Thank you

 

[Liz_awa]

They give 7 calendar days to complete regardless of the app submission deadline

They give 7 calendar days to complete regardless of the app submission deadline

Were the questions for IM mainly motivational? Were there any competencies? Did you have much time to show research of the firm and your experience or was it mainly how you'd react in a situation. Were there any watson-glaser type questions because I know some firms do have those types of questions e.g. 'conclsuion follows', even though they say they don't do WG. Any insights would be really appreciated

 

[Trophy]

Yeah probably likely it’s March 2026 start SQE, March 2027 start TC. I was thinking of applying but decided to opt for the VS instead.​

I guess it’s ideal if you’ve just graduated without a TC, travelling or between jobs!

I reckon they’re prioritising those who applied for that intake for ACs rather than those who did 2028 applications.

Good luck on the VS application

 

[Rads]

Hi @Rads Slaughter and May has never had a reputation for caring a lot about how early an application was submitted. If anything, the firm is know to look for a particular type of academics-focused applicants and to often depart from common recruitment practices when targeting them. As such, if the firm sees you as having a desirable candidate profile with a strong written application, I doubt they would not seriously consider your application you simply because you have not submitted your application earlier. As for your second question about the firm's recruitment timeline, in my experience they normally start making AC invitations around late December and host ACs in late January-early February.

Thank you Andrei, this is really helpful! Hopefully I will hear back from them

 

[ellewoods26]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock, @Ram Sabaratnam and @Andrei Radu, I had a quick question about Linklaters if you don't mind me asking! I've applied for the Winter Vac Scheme and got rejected after the first stage. I was wondering if I would have any luck with the Direct TC option if the only significant improvement to my application (bearing in mind that they only ask one question about extracurriculars) is that I've gotten a place on a US firm's WVS? I'm of two minds because as their direct TC options in other offices are attractive (and I've been told by grad rec, less competitive) but I'm quite set on working in London.

 

[lolololol]

Has A&O made all the AC invites?

 

[UB1967]

Has A&O made all the AC invites?

I’m wondering the same. But I’ve only seen one AC on here so far.

 

[M123]

I’m wondering the same. But I’ve only seen one AC on here so far.

There has been 3 offers for AC in total on TCLA forums. One here and 2 on the vac scheme forum

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock, @Ram Sabaratnam and @Andrei Radu, I had a quick question about Linklaters if you don't mind me asking! I've applied for the Winter Vac Scheme and got rejected after the first stage. I was wondering if I would have any luck with the Direct TC option if the only significant improvement to my application (bearing in mind that they only ask one question about extracurriculars) is that I've gotten a place on a US firm's WVS? I'm of two minds because as their direct TC options in other offices are attractive (and I've been told by grad rec, less competitive) but I'm quite set on working in London.

In my view, having a VS without a peer firm is one of the (if not the most) impactful experience you can add to your candidate profile in terms of improving your progression chances. This is because it demonstrates that a competent recruiter in another firm identified you as being among the very best from a very large pool of talented candidates, which instantly grants you a lot of credibility and will make any grad rec think a lot harder about not progressing your application. Based on anecdotal evidence, some top firms even have a policy of automatically fast tracking candidates to a TC interview if they get a TC offer from a competitor. If I were in your position, I would therefore likely consider the WVS adds enough value to my candidate profile to warrant a reapplication.