TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[lucy_p]

Has anyone heard from Irwin Mitchell?

 

[Sel]

Just got the AC invite for DTC with Gowling!!! Does anyone have any tips?

 

[rain2801]

CMS VI! Any advice would be appreciated, have never done a VI before.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Does anyone have any practice case studies they could send to me please? Thank you!

Hello!

I used this resource from Jacob Miller when preparing for case studies last cycle, and I found it super useful - it might be a good starting point!

Best of luck

 

[nicoledm]

Congrats!! I didn't think they would be rolling omg.. How much notice did they give for the interview?

They had multiple slots available over the next two weeks

 

[Maddy]

Any response from Pinsent Masons ME?

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Hi guys, just wanted some advice. As someone who after graduating decided to go into legal tech at a MC firm and now a few years after graduating is looking to go into practice, do you think it is worth looking at TC applications? I’ve been so focused on VS applications but since not progressing as far as I would have wanted this application cycle, do you think I can apply for direct TCs? Despite not having done any VS but I have worked in a law firm just not in a directly legal capacity.

That is the question. What level of experience is required to do a DTC @Jaysen could you help?

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Hello everyone, I thought it might be a good idea to have a place to discuss some commercial issues - how they affect law firms and clients especially. Feel free to drop anything that has caught your eye in the news and let's discuss!:

Commercial Discussion 2026

Hello everyone, I thought it might be a good idea to have a place to discuss some commercial issues - how they affect law firms and clients especially. Feel free to drop anything that has caught your eye in the news and let's discuss!

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[amas202]

Pinsent Masons ME AC Invite

 

[a1289]

CMS VI! Any advice would be appreciated, have never done a VI before.

Hey I did mine in Dec and would say that the questions weren't too difficult, but the answering time is quite short being only 1 min so be concise! They also asked me about legal tech so that might come up

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi guys, just wanted some advice. As someone who after graduating decided to go into legal tech at a MC firm and now a few years after graduating is looking to go into practice, do you think it is worth looking at TC applications? I’ve been so focused on VS applications but since not progressing as far as I would have wanted this application cycle, do you think I can apply for direct TCs? Despite not having done any VS but I have worked in a law firm just not in a directly legal capacity.

Hey!

The short answer is yes - it is definitely worth looking at direct TC applications! Even though your background isn't directly legal, even having experience in a corporate setting can be hugely beneficial. What matters is how you explain the insight you've gained into how a law firm operates, how lawyers work, and why that exposure has confirmed that you want to train to be a commercial solicitor.

When applying for the direct TC route, you just need to be very clear and reflection about your motivation for becoming a solicitor, what you've learned from your past experiences, and why you want to work at this particular firm. I secured my TC through the direct route at my firm, and whilst I have some vacation scheme experiences, there are also a few in my DTC cohort that have no legal experience at all! Whilst some firms do require legal experience as a prerequisite for applying via their DTC route, many don't - I'd do some research and apply to those that you are interested in!

Best of luck

 

[Ben14014]

How did everyone who did the CC AC find it ?

 

[Jessica Pearson]

DAC Beachcroft VI (DTC). For reference I applied on the 18th Dec and received the invite this morning. If anyone has any insights please help. I seemed to have flopped all the VI's I've done so far so if there's anyone that can help me out, I'll really appreciate it. Thanks!

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Has anyone applied to Brown Rudnick? Do they sponsor PGDL and SQE with maintenance grant?

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

So who’s going to email Freshfields now and ask for a realistic timeline for when we’ll hear back? The wait is getting comically long at this point 😂

 

[BM99]

So who’s going to email Freshfields now and ask for a realistic timeline for when we’ll hear back? The wait is getting comically long at this point 😂

Emailed two times already, basically the same email stating 'we will provide an update in due course'. I'm not going to send a third one lolll

 

[anon78365222111]

Emailed two times already, basically the same email stating 'we will provide an update in due course'. I'm not going to send a third one lolll

The way this forum is going to go off that week we all get replies loool

 

[NorthernerInLondon]

CMS London said that they interview 60 applicants at AC. Does anyone know on average, how many they take?

 

[I’m a celebrity get me out of here - VS/TC edn]

So who’s going to email Freshfields now and ask for a realistic timeline for when we’ll hear back? The wait is getting comically long at this point 😂

What their email? I’ll do it on “hide my email”😬😭

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

What their email? I’ll do it on “hide my email”😬😭

ukearlycareers@freshfields.com