TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Irishman11]

For slaughter and may DTC, is it just one interview/AC?

Also does slaughter allow applicants to take the interview online if we are located overseas?

It's recommended quite strongly you come and do it in person in the email. But yeah it can be done online.

 

[hanz123]

Anyone else heard back from Fieldfisher post app, applied on the 28th of November

 

[SemperParatus]

Anyone else heard back from Fieldfisher post app, applied on the 28th of November

Applied 16th November and still nothing lol

 

[elle woods]

💀the fact that I ranked highest for exp this week says that I’m spending too much time on the forum and not enough time on my apps

... just noticed that I'm now currently ranked 1 for posts... guys this isn't good 😂

 

[F12M34L]

I saw their LinkedIn and website, it'd be closed 2 days earlier, so 12/12 12:00 AM

i think its too late forme to apply

 

[yk1906]

i think its too late forme to apply

Never too late!! Still 2 days to write a good application.

BTW, and I know it has been discussed somehow, but I still don't understand clearly: for Fieldfisher, we need to include our GCSE and A-level modules, but not our undergraduate ones? So sorry if it has been answered, I haven't found a clear explanation 😢😢

 

[testing123]

Hi, does anyone know how long it takes to hear back from freshfields after stage 1? did they already start with ACs?

 

[FutureAntitrustLawyer]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock, hope you're well. I was wondering if you could help me with this question.


I'm applying to Arnold & Porter for their DTC, and I'm slightly confused on how to approach this question: "What motivates you? Please support this with an example of where you demonstrated your drive and motivation." Can I state multiple motivations with different examples, or should I state multiple motivations with one single example for each?

Thanks in advance

 

[Amgrad]

i think its too late forme to apply

Not too late I just submitted it an hour ago to avoid technical issues during peak hours of closing date. Also, the heavy rain here could experience some blackout, so keep in mind.

 

[WeGotThis!]

@Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu @Jaysen

Hello All! I received a written exercise from a Boutique Law firm based in London. The question is "If you could change the law which one would you choose and why?"

I am aware that it's to test the candidates commercial awareness, however, I wanted to know how should I structure my answer. What points should I cover, what are the expectations for the firm through such a question and do I connect it to the firm's clients?

It has a 500 word limit.

Thank you!☺️☺️

 

[svb risk management intern]

i think its too late forme to apply

Never too late, it will only be some 300 words of writing the two questions, and then it is your extras question. You got this!

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu @Jaysen

Hello All! I received a written exercise from a Boutique Law firm based in London. The question is "If you could change the law which one would you choose and why?"

I am aware that it's to test the candidates commercial awareness, however, I wanted to know how should I structure my answer. What points should I cover, what are the expectations for the firm through such a question and do I connect it to the firm's clients?

It has a 500 word limit.

Thank you!☺️☺️

Hi @WeGotThis! first of all I wanted to mention I am not convinced testing commercial awareness is the main purpose of this question. Generally, a healthy starting point is that you should interpret a question on an application form by giving it the most natural/literal reading. Since the firm has not chosen to limit the scope of the question to laws related to commercial matters, I would not assume you should limit the scope of what you could discuss in this way either. I also certainly do not think you should be only seeking a legislative change proposal that you can connect to the firm's clients - only draw such links if they are indeed clear and direct consequences from something you would have wanted to discuss even if it were not for this connection.

I think it is quite unlikely the main point here is to assess your knowledge of the firm, its clients, or the recent business news; instead, I think what the firm truly wants to see with this question is whether you can write a compelling and well-reasoned argumentative piece despite the tight word limit. As you may have expected by this point, my answer to your question as to what you should seek to include is that there are no right or wrong answers. There are many different causes you could advocate for - to list but a few that come to my mind: provide access to free/decrease costs of higher education, increase aid for humanitarian causes, change the current planning and development legislation to increase the supply of residential housing, make structural changes to the tax system to ease the burden on middle class taxpayer and increase it on the ultra-wealthy, provide for tighter limits on government borrowing to reduce the burden of repayment interest on the Budget, increase awareness of and promote general public investment in securities, etc.

As for your structure, I think once again different approached can work, and what is optimal will certainly be influenced by the topic you choose. Nonetheless, some key things I would advise you to address are the following:

1. A short introductory sentence expressing the core point of the legislative change you will advocate for.
2. A brief description of how the new law would actually work (ie you should elaborate a bit on what you mean if you express your desired change in broad terms such as "a fairer tax system").
3. Present the arguments in favour of this change; here, besides arguing that the change in legislation would have net positive effects, you should also seek to explain why exactly you consider these benefits to be so important that you would choose to change the law in this particular way and not another way which could also be beneficial (thus, you could look to demonstrate pervasive benefits that positively impact many aspects of life).
4. Address any major counterarguments or objections: you want to show awareness of the other sides' points and an ability to provide a thorough analysis. As such, seek to explain and respond to at least one major objection to your points (eg if you argue to tax the ultra-wealthy more, you should consider addressing the argument that they may simply move to a different country with a friendlier tax regime, taking their wealth and business with them).

 

[Icantstopeatingfood]

Hi all. I was on the forum last application round, used my university email but now I’ve graduated I can’t access my old account.

I’ve received Freshfields AC does anyone have advice, appreciate any tips you can provide.

 

[yk1906]

Hi all. I was on the forum last application round, used my university email but now I’ve graduated I can’t access my old account.

I’ve received Freshfields AC does anyone have advice, appreciate any tips you can provide.

Hi, congrats!!! Is this for DTC? If yes, when did you receive an invite?

 

[Bbhu19]

Hi all. I was on the forum last application round, used my university email but now I’ve graduated I can’t access my old account.

I’ve received Freshfields AC does anyone have advice, appreciate any tips you can provide.

Depends on the task you have to do, but a partner interview is guaranteed so if you know who’s interviewing you definitely do your research on them, make sure you have multiple competencies ready, that you fully know your cv from back to forth and that you have multiple reasons for why the firm

 

[Icantstopeatingfood]

Hi, congrats!!! Is this for DTC? If yes, when did you receive an invite?

Yes it is

 

[Icantstopeatingfood]

Depends on the task you have to do, but a partner interview is guaranteed so if you know who’s interviewing you definitely do your research on them, make sure you have multiple competencies ready, that you fully know your cv from back to forth and that you have multiple reasons for why the firm

Thank you

 

[Winter]

Yes it is

Congrats!! Did you receive your invite today? And when did you complete ur 2nd stage test?

 

[yk1906]

I guess if you haven't been invited to FF AC by now, it's a guaranteed PFO? 😢

 

[WeGotThis!]

Hi @WeGotThis! first of all I wanted to mention I am not convinced testing commercial awareness is the main purpose of this question. Generally, a healthy starting point is that you should interpret a question on an application form by giving it the most natural/literal reading. Since the firm has not chosen to limit the scope of the question to laws related to commercial matters, I would not assume you should limit the scope of what you could discuss in this way either. I also certainly do not think you should be only seeking a legislative change proposal that you can connect to the firm's clients - only draw such links if they are indeed clear and direct consequences from something you would have wanted to discuss even if it were not for this connection.

I think it is quite unlikely the main point here is to assess your knowledge of the firm, its clients, or the recent business news; instead, I think what the firm truly wants to see with this question is whether you can write a compelling and well-reasoned argumentative piece despite the tight word limit. As you may have expected by this point, my answer to your question as to what you should seek to include is that there are no right or wrong answers. There are many different causes you could advocate for - to list but a few that come to my mind: provide access to free/decrease costs of higher education, increase aid for humanitarian causes, change the current planning and development legislation to increase the supply of residential housing, make structural changes to the tax system to ease the burden on middle class taxpayer and increase it on the ultra-wealthy, provide for tighter limits on government borrowing to reduce the burden of repayment interest on the Budget, increase awareness of and promote general public investment in securities, etc.

As for your structure, I think once again different approached can work, and what is optimal will certainly be influenced by the topic you choose. Nonetheless, some key things I would advise you to address are the following:

1. A short introductory sentence expressing the core point of the legislative change you will advocate for.
2. A brief description of how the new law would actually work (ie you should elaborate a bit on what you mean if you express your desired change in broad terms such as "a fairer tax system").
3. Present the arguments in favour of this change; here, besides arguing that the change in legislation would have net positive effects, you should also seek to explain why exactly you consider these benefits to be so important that you would choose to change the law in this particular way and not another way which could also be beneficial (thus, you could look to demonstrate pervasive benefits that positively impact many aspects of life).
4. Address any major counterarguments or objections: you want to show awareness of the other sides' points and an ability to provide a thorough analysis. As such, seek to explain and respond to at least one major objection to your points (eg if you argue to tax the ultra-wealthy more, you should consider addressing the argument that they may simply move to a different country with a friendlier tax regime, taking their wealth and business with them).

Thank you very much! This was really helpful. Do you reckon I can talk about a trend? I was thinking about the recent UK Listing Rules or the move towards assessing ESG in M&A transactions, something along these lines. I am still researching, but would love to get your insights too.

@Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu