TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[HMajesty]

Does anyone know how strict King Spalding, Arnold Porter and Fried Frank are on grades?

Know of KS to be quite strict, looking for 2:1 minimum across modules. Not sure about the rest.

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Can someone pls confirm this?

Idk, but I'd apply to Baker McKenzie if I weren't offered any TC in April. Maybe email GR to clarify as they might finalise VS first.

 

[tarastar]

For HL DTC, one question is providing details of any open days and events you’ve attended. Do I just list them or give further details? Anyone who’s applied for HL DTC please help, thanks!

I wrote about three open days I attended and what they involved, rather than just listing them.

 

[letsdothis]

Know of KS to be quite strict, looking for 2:1 minimum across modules. Not sure about the rest.

During the open day they actually said they’re quite flexible

 

[lowkeyloser]

Hi there, does anyone know if Arnold & Porter accept applicants from their direct TC process? I read somewhere on this forum that the vac scheme is their primary source of recruitment, which I must say has panicked me a little.

 

[BM99]

Has anyone received any updates re Links DTC AC or saw any changes in percentage in their portal?

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Anyone got invited to S&M event post holding email?

 

[TCGrad1642]

Any updates on ACs for freshfields dtc, sat second stage in december

 

[i-want-a-tc]

Now that I don't have anymore VS applications, time to move over to the dark side, DTC. It's so funny how much less this forum has been used but maybe it will be busy in next few months 😂

 

[Partcore22]

Irwin Mitchell PFO, gutted 😭

What office and business or individual stream?? I haven’t heard back!!

 

[legallybrunette14]

Has anyone heard from Linklaters DTC generally, and in particular Linklaters Middle East? I've heard back from all of the firms I applied to in the Middle East except them🤨

 

[nalinp]

fieldfisher pfo after being put into second group - all spaces were filled

 

[Bob142]

Has anyone heard back from CC post-AC?

 

[Winter]

fieldfisher pfo after being put into second group - all spaces were filled

Same - absolutely ridiculous. I finished the online test for them in Dec 5th. And never heard back since. Assumed I was in the first batch since I submitted my app quite early in the process but guess not!

 

[Almostgivingup]

Same - absolutely ridiculous. I finished the online test for them in Dec 5th. And never heard back since. Assumed I was in the first batch since I submitted my app quite early in the process but guess not!

I'm personally never applying to the firm again, this is the second time they have wasted my time.

 

[asdfghjk1997]

Does anyone remember when CC called with feedback in previous years post-AC?

 

[nalinp]

Same - absolutely ridiculous. I finished the online test for them in Dec 5th. And never heard back since. Assumed I was in the first batch since I submitted my app quite early in the process but guess not!

wow you submitted the online test too?!?! so ridiculous

 

[Scottishlion]

fieldfisher pfo after being put into second group - all spaces were filled

How do you know what group you're in? and what does it mean if no PFO yet? This is all v confusing

 

[cinnamonspice]

Bristows rejection<3 Just what I needed at the end of the day

 

[lucy_p]

Bristows rejection<3 Just what I needed at the end of the day

Same here