TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[hmevey]

Should I apply for Howard kennedy dtc if i want to qualify in corporate?

 

[TrainingContract2024]

has anyone heard from Dentons

 

[TheSaulGoodman]

Has anyone had any DTC updates at all today?

 

[Lovelaw77]

Has anyone heard back from Goodwin post AC? or know when they'll get back to us?

 

[cinnamonspice]

Did Bevan Brittan already had applications open for the London office and I missed it? They currently have them open for Leeds, Birmingham and Bristol I believe but no London. Can anyone advise?!

 

[cinnamonspice]

Is it bad news if I haven’t heard back yet

No I think they may be waiting for people to drop out of the AC due to not being able to make it because of its set date or other reasons like already getting TC elsewhere etc. You might be 'on hold' basically which is better than straight up PFO

 

[cinnamonspice]

Congratulations on your AC and hope it goes well! Could I please ask when you applied and when you did the online assessment?

Applied in December and did online assessment mid-January

 

[SueD]

Does anyone know how soon Baker McKenzie send tests after submission of application for DTC?

 

[WeGotThis!]

Does anyone know how soon Baker McKenzie send tests after submission of application for DTC?

I read on the VS thread that some haven't heard back for their Spring and Summer schemes yet. So I think it's going to be a while until they get back to DTC candidates.

 

[AryanAgg]

For baker mckenzie dtc, is more weightage put on the assessment centre or is it a higher benchmark than the VS application throughout the process?

 

[SueD]

Bristows PFO after WE.

 

[backtononlaw]

Hi all, I was previously on the forum with a name like aspiringtcholder but deleted my account because I’ve actually decided to stick with my current career (I graduated a few years ago and now work in local government) because it has proven to be stimulating, relatively well compensated and flexible (so that I can care for a family member). I’m happy with my decision but it’s taken a long long time for me to accept that I don’t actually want to be a lawyer because I worked so hard during my degree, got academic awards, did lots of legal volunteering and experience etc.

Okay anyway! I had applied to firms this year and while I have withdrawn alllllll of my applications (before anyone comes for me that I’ve taken up someone else’s potential space!), I’m actually still receiving some updates from firms which I then respond to immediately saying I’ve withdrawn anyway.

I got to the second round for Shoosmiths and just now WFW. Again I obviously have withdrawn and will confirm that again now with them but wanted to use these emails to someone else’s benefit in case they applied to these firms and wanted to know if anyone has heard back.

I do hope this is useful and I can continue to do updates if I get any more emails if anyone wants? Obviously I don’t need to be here so if no one cares I’ll be on my merry way out!

Edit: I knew I didn’t want to be a solicitor when I realised I had spent maximum 2 hours on an application while watching Netflix - I was rushing through applications because if I’m being frank, I didn’t really care! I did get PFO for a few firms, WBD comes to mind and Fladgate and BCLP

 

[nfe00001]

Invited to Foot Anstey VI and assessment!

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Is Eversheds not offering DTC route? I thought it was open from 1st March

 

[WeGotThis!]

Is Eversheds not offering DTC route? I thought it was open from 1st March

I don't think so. I can only see Edinburgh and ME. And London DTC for internal applicants.

 

[TCchaser]

Is WFW's DTC rolling?

 

[DennyCrane]

I don't think so. I can only see Edinburgh and ME. And London DTC for internal applicants.

No recruitment via DTC. I have a VS place and was told that recruitment is only really via the VS.

 

[nonlawstudent98]

No recruitment via DTC. I have a VS place and was told that recruitment is only really via the VS.

Yeah I was going by the DTC deadline calendar and know they’ve done it previously but I guess they aren’t doing this year! Such a shame as I would’ve applied to the VS if I knew! Congrats on getting a place - that’s amazing and I hope you convert it!!

 

[hmevey]

Does anyone have any insights or advice for second stage Macfarlanes test? ANYTHING would be appreciated xx

 

[lydia25]

for the HL job sim, did anyone/everyone else get a timer with 3 mins while recording the response but a question saying to respond in 2 minutes? I shortened a few of my answers to end the video a minute earlier, but a little confused about why that was!