TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[FutureLawyer_]

Hi
on the hours personally it varies a lot by firm
Regarding age I am 25 and have mostly seen an increase over the years (bear in mind my first cycle was really bad but compared to last year I am doing a bit better).
Also 2 people on my VS were 26 and 31 last year and both had multiple offers so not fully sure that age impacts that much. Might depend on the firms though.

Hey, can I ask where your vs was last year ? Thanks !!

 

[FutureLawyer_]

How long are people spending on their applications on average? I feel like I need to spend a month on them to even get an interview offer (I do have a full time job). I also feel like the older I get the fewer interviews I’m getting and I’m starting to question whether it’s age discrimination. I’m 26 btw a Durham law grad and work at big4 but still I’m having such little luck

hmm, I know what you mean about age, but I really doubt it’s to do with that. Almost all vs say they’re open to grads and people changing professions so I wouldn’t think too much into it.

 

[AryanAgg]

I know Elle Woods had similar stats for VS, but she is an Oxbridge student and the competitiveness for TC is higher than VS.

Your holistic profile could boost your standing, eg, your work experience and SJT result, idt Links put much on written apps as it just asked for experience outside of work and it just short and one question only.

And I did postgraduate studies from an RG university so overall with that SJT feedback, I think there might be like a 40% chance but no idea tbh

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

I had high scores in resource and work management and critical thinking and development area in excellence if that's any worth?

Idk, but someone said as long as you don't have commercial thinking as a weakness is not a red flag. Elle had motivation as a weakness and she got invited to an AC.

 

[AryanAgg]

Idk, but someone said as long as you don't have commercial thinking as a weakness is not a red flag. Elle had motivation as a weakness and she got invited to an AC.

Understood. Thank you very much.

 

[lolololol]

has anyone got the mayer brown test invite, i thought it’s automatic but haven’t received it yet

 

[WeGotThis!]

Guys for Vedder - if you haven't started SQEs yet but are due to start in September 26, would that make you eligible for the 2027 TC

I would suggest emailing the recruitment team, as it says on their website that they want candidates to be in the process (I'm it means registered with a prep course) or completed the SQE 1.

 

[TCLAuser2002]

has anyone got the mayer brown test invite, i thought it’s automatic but haven’t received it yet

they send it every monday!

 

[tclauser77898]

they send it every monday!

I applied almost a month ago and haven’t received anything?

 

[TCLAuser2002]

oh that’s weird tbh! Maybe they have not started to send the tests for DTC

I applied almost a month ago and haven’t received anything?

 

[SueD]

Has anyone heard from Harbottle?

 

[nicoledm]

Has anyone heard from Harbottle?

did you have a first stage interview

 

[SueD]

did you have a first stage interview

Haven’t had anything at all. Just hoping to find out if anybody has progressed or whether they haven’t started yet.

 

[Life_of_PFOs]

Has anyone heard back from Kennedys' London Training Contract post-AC?

 

[Jojo25]

Haven’t had anything at all. Just hoping to find out if anybody has progressed or whether they haven’t started yet.

I believe they are in the process of doing first stage interviews atm - I haven't heard anything since mine and there is every chance they will send out more invites!

 

[SueD]

I believe they are in the process of doing first stage interviews atm - I haven't heard anything since mine and there is every chance they will send out more invites!

Congratulations on getting an interview! Such a great firm. I hope you get through to the next round.

 

[shadowboxer909]

How long are people spending on their applications on average? I feel like I need to spend a month on them to even get an interview offer (I do have a full time job). I also feel like the older I get the fewer interviews I’m getting and I’m starting to question whether it’s age discrimination. I’m 26 btw a Durham law grad and work at big4 but still I’m having such little luck

I've gotten like 3 interviews (1 US, 1 UK, and 1 UK firm that merged with a US one) but none have been successful. I'm also at a Big 4 as well.

Did you do the ACA?

 

[BM99]

I've gotten like 3 interviews (1 US, 1 UK, and 1 UK firm that merged with a US one) but none have been successful. I'm also at a Big 4 as well.

Did you do the ACA?

ATT-CTA here

 

[M_m]

Has anyone who had a Bristows WE deadline for 23rd Feb managed to hear back regarding first round interviews?

 

[jacksollaf]

AC invite for Linklaters (DTC), anyone has any tips or advice??