TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[ashwright]

Has anyone heard back from Linklaters? Any indication of when they might get back to us?

 

[silonthesofa]

Has anyone applied to HL TC and heard back as they are supposedly rolling

I haven't even been sent their automatic test and it's been literally two months tomorrow since I sent my application. Have you been sent anything or just confirmation of your application submission and that they'll be in touch soon?

 

[yuhhhh]

Does Kirkland offer many DTC spots? I've heard that pretty much all the training contracts go to VS students (even though they have DTC applications open) and only if there are leftover spots will they then turn to DTC candidates

Wait fr? I thought that both the VS and DTC pool are considered at the same time

 

[cos]

Gowling DTC PFO, as expected with score below 15. First Arctic Shores ever! For those rejected with 16 or more, seems the benchmark is higher than NRF and they're seeing your answers.

I actually got 13 on my arctic shores and got a video interview! not sure how it’s calculated but they must have liked my written application

 

[Trophy]

I haven't even been sent their automatic test and it's been literally two months tomorrow since I sent my application. Have you been sent anything or just confirmation of your application submission and that they'll be in touch soon?

Only the confirmation on my end, they are pretty slow when it comes to direct TC but 2 months is extreme slow wow!

 

[Trophy]

Does Kirkland offer many DTC spots? I've heard that pretty much all the training contracts go to VS students (even though they have DTC applications open) and only if there are leftover spots will they then turn to DTC candidates

Is it? In the past they’ve cancelled their VS and given direct TC offers but I didn’t know they didn’t consider DTC applicants before VS for those spots. Seems quite unfair.

 

[Rads]

Any non-law students have heard back from Slaughter and May for their DTC? It says application under consideration but should I consider PFO?

 

[hanz123]

unsuccessful after fieldfisher online assessment, need something positive this cycle

 

[Winter]

unsuccessful after fieldfisher online assessment, need something positive this cycle

Sorry to hear! Did you receive the email letting you know that your app + test score was being forwarded to early careers team before you received the PFO?

 

[yk1906]

Sorry to hear! Did you receive the email letting you know that your app + test score was being forwarded to early careers team before you received the PFO?

Do you know whether the test is automatic, please? I cannot find any info on that

 

[WeGotThis!]

echoing this i would still apply.

I checked with grad rec on when we can expect to hear back and was told it would be after the deadline.

I also asked the original poster and was ignored so nothing is confirmed atm - just apply youve got this!

Thank you! And you too @Trophy

 

[Winter]

Do you know whether the test is automatic, please? I cannot find any info on that

I don't think it's automatic. I applied on 11 Nov and received the test on 5th Dec.

 

[yk1906]

I don't think it's automatic. I applied on 11 Nov and received the test on 5th Dec.

Okay, thanks a lot

 

[hanz123]

Sorry to hear! Did you receive the email letting you know that your app + test score was being forwarded to early careers team before you received the PFO?

no I didn't

 

[silonthesofa]

Only the confirmation on my end, they are pretty slow when it comes to direct TC but 2 months is extreme slow wow!

Yeah, I haven't been too bothered to chase it up up till now because I've had a lot of other things to do without needing to worry about another online assessment, but it is pushing it given the whole "rolling" thing. Their winter vacation scheme ends today, so I think I'll email them next week to ask what's up.

Still though, it seems like no one that's submitted an application for HL's DTC has been sent the test invite even, right?

 

[Z48]

hi guys, do you think its worth me applying to Ashurst DTC? I don't have nearly the amount of legal work experience firms are looking for in a DTC applicant though... but I really like the firm and was planning on applying to their VS until I realised that I could no longer make the dates of their scheme. Is it worth spending time on despite the fact that chances are low? Or is time better spent on focusing on academics because lowkey I really need to catch up aka basically, do I have a realistic chance or is time better spent elsewhere?

I applied for Ashurst DTC in my penultimate year with basically no legal experience and got to the final interview, so I’d say you should go for it! I don’t think they explicitly say you need a certain amount of experience like some other firms unless things have changed. But they offer a majority of TCs through the VS so that’s something to bear in mind

 

[Amgrad]

I actually got 13 on my arctic shores and got a video interview! not sure how it’s calculated but they must have liked my written application

Congrats! I got 10/20 , but quite tailored my app. Mentioned I won a bronze medal on earth science Olympiad with stem degree and attended their webinar series on INRE

 

[ashwright]

For people awaiting a response from Hogan Lovells - when I checked with GR, they said that they're first working through the VS apps & may start responding around the TC deadline (so potentially another month still!)

 

[Amgrad]

hi guys, do you think its worth me applying to Ashurst DTC? I don't have nearly the amount of legal work experience firms are looking for in a DTC applicant though... but I really like the firm and was planning on applying to their VS until I realised that I could no longer make the dates of their scheme. Is it worth spending time on despite the fact that chances are low? Or is time better spent on focusing on academics because lowkey I really need to catch up aka basically, do I have a realistic chance or is time better spent elsewhere?

If you're still in doubt, you can ask on the legal cheek law fair on March 24 to ask about DTC. Its deadline is 27/03 and many DTC will close in summer.

 

[Deleted member 43292]

I applied for Ashurst DTC in my penultimate year with basically no legal experience and got to the final interview, so I’d say you should go for it! I don’t think they explicitly say you need a certain amount of experience like some other firms unless things have changed. But they offer a majority of TCs through the VS so that’s something to bear in mind

I see! thank you for this! hmm I think it may be worth a shot then By the time the deadline closes anyways I'm sure I won't be as busy with my VS apps anymore