TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Bread]

Honestly, I don’t even know… And I never take anything like this personally, I don’t agree that grades and universities are an adequate indicator of one’s strengths 😁 The sad thing is that I got into LSE some time ago and couldn’t go because of the financial aspect. Maybe I should start writing that in my applications 😂

I hope you get an interview though, and thanks for kind words!

Out of curiosity, how come you want to pursue a career in the UK? Feel free to pm me

 

[RSC2001]

I’d assume anyone that got an AC invite this week was for direct TC not VS regardless of the thread they posted in. This is because the TC application closed well after the VS one therefore they’d be on two separate timelines of responding to people.

I don’t think they send invites in batches.

I want to remind optimistic and say they won’t get back to those who applied to 2028 DTC until the new year only as they won’t start at minimum until September 2026 (non law). They’d prioritise 2027 as they’d start the SQE in the next 3/4 months if they haven’t already passed.

Does anyone know if A&O Shearman DTC 2028 AC is also week of 15 December? I've booked a holiday from next week and not sure if I should cancel it

 

[yk1906]

Out of curiosity, how come you want to pursue a career in the UK? Feel free to pm me

It’s a very logical reason, really 😁😁 I’ll PM

 

[Trophy]

Does anyone know if A&O Shearman DTC 2028 AC is also week of 15 December? I've booked a holiday from next week and not sure if I should cancel it

It’s worth emailing them as they’re the only people with answers unfortunately

 

[TCLAAAA]

Does anyone know if A&O Shearman DTC 2028 AC is also week of 15 December? I've booked a holiday from next week and not sure if I should cancel it

I already booked my holiday (13th-20th Dec) during July, so…😪

 

[Trophy]

Also if anyone decided to send a last minute application to linklaters you have to complete the first test before the deadline (which is today) and then the WG 5 days after you get it.

 

[RSC2001]

It’s worth emailing them as they’re the only people with answers unfortunately

Yeah, you're right, thanks. I've emailed them!

 

[M123]

Yeah, you're right, thanks. I've emailed them!

Please let us know what they say

 

[lawcool]

Has anyone else not heard from CMS?

 

[Amgrad]

Does anyone know if A&O Shearman DTC 2028 AC is also week of 15 December? I've booked a holiday from next week and not sure if I should cancel it

Met them on law fair and they said AC for both intakes will be held before Christmas. Not sure if it's delayed.

 

[p2bv]

Has anyone else not heard from CMS?

haven’t heard back since WG

 

[RSC2001]

Please let us know what they say

I've received an email from A&O Shearman saying they will communicate decisions by end of this week.

 

[lawcool]

haven’t heard back since WG

Ahhhh I am confused as I haven't received the wg, I've passed the test and reached VI stage with them before, so I'm not sure if I just applied too late haha.

 

[Bbhu19]

I've received an email from A&O Shearman saying they will communicate decisions by end of this week.

Ah so Friday is PFO day, great

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

Ah so Friday is PFO day, great

hahaha, although... Has anyone who applied for 2028 intake heard back yet? If not, then there are still lots of AC invites waiting to be sent out.

 

[Jess_AspiringSolicitor]

But in case of Linklaters it's more direct than CC. It states on the job description it requires at least 2 week subsequent legal work experience. I was assuming it's 'slightly preferred', now I interpreted it as 'highly preferred' or even mandatory.

I also was going to apply to Links DTC, but then decided not to after asking them about that 2+ weeks legal WE requirement in a session with their grad recruitment. They told me that it is indeed a strict requirement for them, unfortunately.

 

[yk1906]

I also was going to apply to Links DTC, but then decided not to after asking them about that 2+ weeks legal WE requirement in a session with their grad recruitment. They told me that it is indeed a strict requirement for them, unfortunately.

A silly question, but I assume legal WE abroad counts? Like an internship at a law firm

 

[Amgrad]

A silly question, but I assume legal WE abroad counts? Like an internship at a law firm

Yep, it is. I have nearly 4 YOE including 2 years internship in the US and Europe, but not pure legal, just BD with some legal tasks.

 

[Jess_AspiringSolicitor]

Yep, it is. I have nearly 4 YOE including 2 years internship in the US and Europe, but not pure legal, just BD with some legal tasks.

If I could go back, I wish I would have asked them more specifically about what they consider to be 2+ weeks legal work experience. Because I am a career changer in a legal-adjacent field so I’m not sure if maybe that would have sufficed… 🤔

 

[Amgrad]

If I could go back, I wish I would have asked them more specifically about what they consider to be 2+ weeks legal work experience. Because I am a career changer in a legal-adjacent field so I’m not sure if maybe that would have sufficed… 🤔

They do accept if I were a BD at Law firm, but unfortunately I am not. Only at VC, IB, UN, NGO, and Startup