TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Slickoo202]

Another day without hearing from CMS (I’m going crazy )

Going insane

 

[user123987]

Going insane

Which office did you apply for ?

 

[cos]

Has anyone heard back from Gowling WLG post VI? AC's are coming up in a couple of weeks and I have been SO anxious.

 

[legalbeast]

anyone know when we will hear back from Kennedys / Stephenson Harwood re. direct TC? Completed Kennedys VI + SH form

 

[WeGotThis!]

I have a partner interview on Monday and I wanted to know what are some of the questions that I should prepare for and what can I expect from the interview? Thank you

 

[ashley_s]

Hi everyone! I am struggling to figure out how to structure the following question:
'If you were asked to write an article for one of our sectors or practice areas, what topic would you choose and why?' (200 words)

Is this asking us to explain why a topic within a particular area captures our interest while showing commercial awareness? Do we have to explain 'why' in terms of the topic being something the firm's clients are interested in, or something we are interested in writing?

 

[iklawapps]

Terrified to ask but has anyone heard back after the Travers DTC AC yet? ik it’s probably a rejection for me but wondering how everyone else is doing : ) good luck!!

 

[Filia]

Did anyone apply to Lewis Mathys Emmerson?

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

Hi everyone! I am struggling to figure out how to structure the following question:
'If you were asked to write an article for one of our sectors or practice areas, what topic would you choose and why?' (200 words)

Is this asking us to explain why a topic within a particular area captures our interest while showing commercial awareness? Do we have to explain 'why' in terms of the topic being something the firm's clients are interested in, or something we are interested in writing?

Hi. Here's how I'd go about it in response to your questions. 1. Every question is an opportunity to show commercial awareness, this one more than most as it relates to sectors and or practice areas. 2. Unless specifically prompted, don't talk about it from the view of the firm's clients as you likely don't know their view. This question is asking you personally what you are interested in and is trying to gage commercial awareness and get a sense of you as a person simaltaneously.

 

[Slickoo202]

Which office did you apply for ?

Manchester

 

[Bree]

Terrified to ask but has anyone heard back after the Travers DTC AC yet? ik it’s probably a rejection for me but wondering how everyone else is doing : ) good luck!!

Hello have people heard back?

 

[switchingup]

I remember thinking this way very early on in my journey, and you're not wrong - it's wise to be thinking this way, and also encouraged. These thoughts are what is going to make the conversations surrounding your seat rotations more powerful one day. Do some research on LinkedIn if you can, see what other NQ's have gone on to do after training at LS. I used to think that only elite firms took on elite trainees as NQ's but when I looked into this as part of a BD task, I realised that this may not always be the case when you actually look at the data.

Thanks for this by the way, @Afraz Akhtar. I ended up completing LS’s (very long lol) application, and whilst prepping/researching and writing, I realised this firm is actually a really strong fit for me. We’ll see how it goes, but I’m happy I’ve applied no matter the outcome!

 

[user123987]

Anyone heard from CMS

 

[oliviabeijing]

Anyone heard from CMS

NO but i'm hoping it's this week. There's a possibility we might not hear back until next week though...

 

[user123987]

NO but i'm hoping it's this week. There's a possibility we might not hear back until next week though...

WHAT… I just want to hear back plsssss

 

[Eeeeeeeek]

I applied for MacFarlane's on Friday and am yet to receive the automatic invite to the first assessment - I assumed this was because it was over the weekend, but still nothing. At what point should I email grad rec?

 

[oliviabeijing]

WHAT… I just want to hear back plsssss

REAL. Which office are you waiting on?

 

[oliviabeijing]

Hi all, slightly losing my mind over here and hoping some and hoping to seek some advice...

I have an AC with CMS in 10 days for a DTC, I have 10 other applications I am waiting to hear back from, and am hoping to apply to another 4 before the end of the cycle.

Would you guys recommend that I spend the next 10 days solely preparing for the AC at CMS or should I be continuing to write my applications for the other firms? (None have deadlines before this AC). I am trying to juggle this on top of being a paralegal at an investment bank so don't get too much time to focus on either ://// thank you!

Honestly, although I haven't been to an AC yet, I would suggest bin off the other 4 you plan to do (unless they are absolute dream firms).

Because the success rate chance you make it to another AC is probably slim in the grand scheme of things. If you consider how many applications you have sent this cycle, in comparison to how many made it to the AC stage...?

That is in no way me diminishing your ability, but if your time is currently limited then make that time you do have really count.

If it were me, I would focus on the AC you DO have.

 

[nansies]

Also, does anyone know if Withers prefers VS over DTC as well?

I emailed some time ago and they sent a very kind email back, telling me to apply to whichever route I prefer. They didn’t share any stats on which route is more successful, although I remember reading somewhere online the VS is better…

 

[radssss]

Also, does anyone know if Withers prefers VS over DTC as well?

I think they allow you to make 2 applications per cycle so I’d suggest apply to the vac scheme and then if unsuccessful apply for the dtc again.

Can someone also confirm this as I remember last year we could make 2 applications per cycle.