TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[elle woods]

The offer must not expire before 15 September in your final year of undergraduate study, or four weeks from the date the offer is made, whichever date is later.

Many firms will extend offer deadlines for longer (they’ll ask you what firm). I knew someone who got a Tc offer after their winter scheme last year had a spring scheme (didn’t convert) had 2 summer schemes and convert the summer and took that tc offer.
I’ve heard some firms don’t allow you to take a vs at another firm you accept an TC offer with them but many do.

Also if you had a spring scheme got a tc off the back off that but had a summer scheme you can accept the spring tc offer and do the summer one as you hadn’t accepted a tc offer at the time of signing the contract for the summer scheme. There are many caveats.

You could just accept a tc offer and continue applying for DTC that is allowed. Being barred from applying to firms whilst holding a training contract is subject to the firm and they’ll put these in their t’s & c’s but obviously you wouldn’t know until you get the offer. But it’s not a thing that you’re automatically barred.

You can also just not tell them go about your day and do the vs whilst holding a tc. Many people do this so don’t feel bad. But feel bad if you know you’ll take the original tc and are just applying for the sake of it.

I have nothing against the firm I hold a tc offer at. It has a niche and that niche isn’t for me I’m interested in a different area of law and I don’t want to be pigeonholed into an area of law I did not enjoy on my scheme. Many Of the trainees and associates stayed within the selected few firms that specialise in this area and I knew moving out would be a challenge I went with how I felt and that’s not to be stuck. This is ultimately you making a life decision at such a young age. Don’t accept any tc because someone on a forum with a fake ass name told you to because they would. You like CC find other firms similar to that firm that you like and apply don’t settle.

Excuse any spelling or grammar I’m on a plane with very slow WiFi.

:O

it's not against anything to withdraw from accepting a TC offer? I would assume the firm would be quite annoyed maybe since they've already arranged for your future as a trainee there haha

Mmm I see where you're coming from - thank you for sharing your perspective!! I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on this matter! and have a safe rest of the flight!

 

[elle woods]

Don’t raise my hopes 😩🙏🏾 did they say if the second ac includes dtc again? Seems like the ac before Christmas will be for vac schemers

I'm not too sure on the DTC point, but I do know that all the ACs for the vac schemes are done (I did mine for the summer vac last week and heard back today)

 

[ellamai0]

I'm not too sure on the DTC point, but I do know that all the ACs for the vac schemes are done (I did mine for the summer vac last week and heard back today)

Hey, were you successful? I didn’t hear back today and have a theory those who did were successful, and the Monday outcomes will be rejections

 

[elle woods]

Hey, were you successful? I didn’t hear back today and have a theory those who did were successful, and the Monday outcomes will be rejections

Hey, yes I was successful! Ahh keep faith, you never know, they may still have a few more calls to get through on Monday - it's hard to predict if they have gotten through all offer calls yet. I know that rejections are usually sent by email, so if you haven't received an email, you're technically still in the running! Best of luckk

 

[ellamai0]

Hey, yes I was successful! Ahh keep faith, you never know, they may still have a few more calls to get through on Monday - it's hard to predict if they have gotten through all offer calls yet. I know that rejections are usually sent by email, so if you haven't received an email, you're technically still in the running! Best of luckk

Thank you for responding! and congratulations I’m sure it’s well deserved

 

[elle woods]

Thank you for responding! and congratulations I’m sure it’s well deserved

of course! and thank you so much! good luck, I hope things go well 💗