TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[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.

 

[x_law2004]

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

 

[Trophy]

A friend of a friend has received A&O 2028 DTC AC 🥲

 

[yk1906]

A friend of a friend has received A&O 2028 DTC AC 🥲

When??

 

[Trophy]

When??

Monday

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

A friend of a friend has received A&O 2028 DTC AC 🥲

Are they running a single AC with only 4 people or something? 😂
I feel like In previous years I saw loads of people say they received one…

 

[TCLA0322]

Are they running a single AC with only 4 people or something? 😂
I feel like In previous years I saw loads of people say they received one…

Honestly, I just want a response at this point, because my holiday is so booked, and I’m already overexcited about the upcoming trip

 

[BM99]

What are people's percentage on the portal for Links DTC application?

 

[yk1906]

What are people's percentage on the portal for Links DTC application?

70%, what does it mean?

 

[Trophy]

What are people's percentage on the portal for Links DTC application?

Oh my not this again. This happens every year people try to decipher the links percentage system.

It was assumed that 66% was a failure of the tests and 70% you passed. I got to 100% for an open day application and didn’t get invited although I don’t think I was far off as my cap test results imo were very good. Maybe it was a grades thing who knows.

 

[routetotrainingcontract]

Are they running a single AC with only 4 people or something? 😂
I feel like In previous years I saw loads of people say they received one…

You think they might be cutting down on tc post merger or am I just using that as a coping mechanism?

 

[TCLA0322]

Oh my not this again. This happens every year people try to decipher the links percentage system.

It was assumed that 66% was a failure of the tests and 70% you passed. I got to 100% for an open day application and didn’t get invited although I don’t think I was far off as my cap test results imo were very good. Maybe it was a grades thing who knows.

Don't overexcite me, I just went to check and saw a 70%

 

[Trophy]

I don’t think 66% is a failure of tests. Last year I scored in the 94th percentile but was stuck on 66%. However, you are right in saying that 66% was not good news whereas 70% usually had better outcomes 😂

You can pass the WG and not the Capp test it is assumed that the Capp tests hold more weight than the WG as you retake these on the AC anyway.

Didn’t someone get 99 percentile and still get rejected for the VS😭