TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[katie2911]

Hey, sorry for this vent and idk what I’m looking for here but I’m so done. This is my second cycle, and I have gotten rejected at every firm I applied to and only made it to the VI for 1 of them. I’m an international student (out of the UK) and don’t have the A-level grades most firms ask for. I’m so exhausted, and today’s rejection absolutely broke me. It was the only VI I’d given, and I was rejected again. I don’t know how to improve anymore. My uni profile and internships are good, but my nationality and A-level grades isn’t something I can change. I don’t think I’ve enough courage to apply again. I’m exhausted and in so much pain it hurts physically. I don’t even know what I’m doing wrong, just that no matter what I do, I don’t think I’ll ever get a TC.

Hello, don't be disheartened, although it's a very competitive process, if you've done your degree outside of the UK, this will put you at a major disadvantage, alongside your grades, my advice would be to you that work in your country for a couple of years, then do the SQE and try for TCS or do a masters degree or the SQE LLM from the UK, this will give you a better chance of getting in, as you have to show strong relation to the country you want to work in, as at the end of the day, the firms are businesses, and make extremely calculated investments into their potential employees. BUT you still have a chance if you do these, and then you can leverage your international background to ensure that your application stands out, using your disadvantage to give you an edge! I hope this helps, don't stop dreaming but reflect and find practical ways to them ) ATB!!

 

[soph107048]

There are some law firms with a DTC route only, and some have a relatively healthy DTC intake (meaning they don’t really prioritise vac schemers). First thing I’d check is the firms’ FAQs on this. If no available info I’d encourage you to email. And of course in contrast some firms make it quite clear their preference for vac schemers, and only take a handful trainees from the DTC route.

Heyy may i ask which firms recruit though DTC alone?

 

[AryanAgg]

Heyy may i ask which firms recruit though DTC alone?

Think Fried Frank, King & Spalding and maybe Paul Hastings are few from the list above

 

[johjo199]

Are all candidates invited to the first stage interview for Harbottle & Lewis?

 

[choicefox212]

Are all candidates invited to the first stage interview for Harbottle & Lewis?

I haven't heard anything from them, it's been months

 

[lowkeyloser]

Does anyone know the typical hours for King & Spalding? Can't seem to find anything online. Is there a lot of weekend work, do you get a life?

I'm wondering the same for Arnold & Porter.

 

[Ronnie114]

has anyone heard from Shoosmiths (Manchester) post online test

 

[addy2004]

same, i thought the online test was automatically sent after submission? I havent heard anything tho.

I've not heard anything either, though their website says they primarily recruit from VS. I imagine once they finalise that, we should hear about DTCs

 

[summersun]

I've not heard anything either, though their website says they primarily recruit from VS. I imagine once they finalise that, we should hear about DTCs

it's automatic but manually sent so it usually takes a while to receive it.

 

[hanz123]

has anyone heard from Shoosmiths (Manchester) post online test

said we'd hear back by the 20th of May for all offices

 

[AryanAgg]

Does anyone know when can we expect to hear from slaughters and linklaters?

 

[Dogecoin GC]

Does white & case allow for reapplying to dtc within the same cycle if VS application is rejected? And would like to know about orrick as well.

Yes, but it depends on when you were rejected. I’m fairly certain if you’re rejected before any interview interviews take place, then you can apply again for a training contract in the same cycle.

 

[AryanAgg]

Yes, but it depends on when you were rejected. I’m fairly certain if you’re rejected before any interview interviews take place, then you can apply again for a training contract in the same cycle.

Is this for white & case or orrick?

 

[Dogecoin GC]

Is this for white & case or orrick?

W&C

 

[AryanAgg]

W&C

Understood, thank you very much.

 

[LLM Applicant 2026]

Hi everyone! I’ll be starting an LLM in Corporate Law at Durham University for the academic year 2026–27, and have about six years of experience in corporate practice (M&A, PE/VC, advisory) at top law firms in another common law jurisdiction.

Quick question: since firms are currently accepting applications for 2028 TCs from penultimate and final year students, can I apply now as an incoming LLM student, or only after graduating in 2027? My concern is that waiting might push me into the 2029/30 cycle and create visa timing issues.

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Heyy may i ask which firms recruit though DTC alone?

There are quite a lot! I find LawCareers.Net has a rather comprehensive list of deadlines - I’m sure you’ll find it helpful!

Training contract deadlines | Law training contracts

If you are looking for law training contracts, you need to have a strong grasp of when your target firms have their training contract deadlines! This page is designed to provide a list of firms’ deadlines for training contract applications.

www.lawcareers.net

 

[1136PX0]

Does white & case allow for reapplying to dtc within the same cycle if VS application is rejected? And would like to know about orrick as well.

No. During my feedback call, grad rec expressed that they are changing their policy this cycle, so you cannot apply twice in the same cycle

 

[Z48]

Hi everyone! I’ll be starting an LLM in Corporate Law at Durham University for the academic year 2026–27, and have about six years of experience in corporate practice (M&A, PE/VC, advisory) at top law firms in another common law jurisdiction.

Quick question: since firms are currently accepting applications for 2028 TCs from penultimate and final year students, can I apply now as an incoming LLM student, or only after graduating in 2027? My concern is that waiting might push me into the 2029/30 cycle and create visa timing issues.

You can apply now for TCs beginning in 2028! Most of them mention graduates/postgraduates are eligible as long as you’d be ready to start the TC by 2028. After graduating from the LLM in 2027, you could do the SQE from Sept 2027 then start the TC in Sept 2028, so you are eligible

(Unless you don’t have a ‘qualifying law degree’? You may have to do the PGDL too so that would be another year)

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Hi everyone! I’ll be starting an LLM in Corporate Law at Durham University for the academic year 2026–27, and have about six years of experience in corporate practice (M&A, PE/VC, advisory) at top law firms in another common law jurisdiction.

Quick question: since firms are currently accepting applications for 2028 TCs from penultimate and final year students, can I apply now as an incoming LLM student, or only after graduating in 2027? My concern is that waiting might push me into the 2029/30 cycle and create visa timing issues.

I would suggest you apply directly to Associate Level Position