TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[OliviaLM]

Hi!

Anyone heard from CRS London for DTC post VI? or from Payne Hicks Beach?

 

[Rads]

Hi has macfarlanes gotten back to anyone after the second VI test?

 

[Applicant7874652]

Have Bakers sent out test yet

 

[HasRez]

For white & case, I received the first assessment on the same time as submission of my application for vacation scheme so I think it’s the same for dtc.

Nice list! Is white and case rolling or non-rolling?

 

[Bah Bah Pink Sheep]

Nice list! Is white and case rolling or non-rolling?

DTC is non rolling. Will be reviewed after deadline of May 10 (only VS is rolling).

https://www.whitecase.com/careers/locations/uk/early-careers/how-apply

 

[HasRez]

For tracking purposes:

1. Stephenson Harwood - app submitted Feb, waiting for next stage
2. Mayer Brown - app submitted March, test received
3. Baker McKenzie - app submitted March
4. King & Spalding - app submitted March
5. Orrick - app submitted April

 

[Lawlilly]

Hey! What’s this for

Hey! This is for the graduate solicitor apprenticeship but any AC advice would be useful for me at this stage x

 

[M_]

Good evening, If anyone has any advice about Dentons' Video Interview, please pm me.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I have insight with Baker McKenzie, Kennedys, CMS, Clifford Chance, White & Case, Charles Russell Speechlys, Mishcon de Reya and other firms too!

Thank you!

 

[livelaughlawve]

@livelaughlawve

Good spread!

Do you know if the W&C test is only received after a first initial sift of your written app or it comes at the same time?

Thanks

Ali

it is automatic

 

[livelaughlawve]

Dentons VI (London)!

Congrats! Can I ask when you applied?

 

[neverdidiever]

white and case doesnt have cover letter this year?

 

[DiploSha361]

white and case doesnt have cover letter this year?

I noticed this. Raises interesting questions about where to include your 'Why W&C' content.

 

[Bridget1130]

Has anyone heard from Irwin Mitchell regarding when their insight day will be?

 

[AryanAgg]

I noticed this. Raises interesting questions about where to include your 'Why W&C' content.

Think that the deal explaining question is the main one for that.

 

[Irishman11]

Anyone hear back from Hogan Lovell

 

[W5690]

Has anyone heard anything from Arnold & Porter post-app?

@FutureAntitrustLawyer No. You?

 

[W5690]

Who else has applied for a DTC at Arnold & Porter? Do people know when we should get AC responses?

@lowkeyloser Hi! Have you heard from Arnold & Porter? As far as I am concerned, I have not.

 

[johnjoh199]

@Abbie Whitlock Hi Abbie, I have an urgent question to ask. I got invited to an AC from RPC, but the date of AC overlaps directly with my upcoming VS I don't think it is possible to take a day out from VS coz the firm expects full attendance. What should I do in this situation?

 

[DennyCrane]

@Abbie Whitlock Hi Abbie, I have an urgent question to ask. I got invited to an AC from RPC, but the date of AC overlaps directly with my upcoming VS I don't think it is possible to take a day out from VS coz the firm expects full attendance. What should I do in this situation?

I've had this. I think you just have to decide which one you prefer/stand the best chance at converting. Unless there are multiple AC dates

 

[soon-to-be trainee]

Hello!

This is a really common piece of feedback, and something I definitely struggled with during my first couple of interviews. However, it is definitely fixable with a bit of structure and practice!

A big part of being concise is having a clear structure in your head before you start speaking. For most answers, I would try to think in a simple framework such as: point -> example -> result. You almost want to lead with your conclusion first (so that it is clear what you are discussing), rather than building up to it. For example, instead of talking around an experience and hoping the point becomes clear, I would start with the key message and then briefly support it - for example, "I developed my ability to manage competing deadlines during my internship at X, where I...".

It can also really help to limit yourself to one strong example per question. It might be that your answers become longer as you are trying to include lots of information - I can totally understand why, as it might be that a few of your experiences fit the question, but one well-explained example is almost always more effective than three rushed ones.

Additionally, I would aim for answers that are around 60-90 seconds in length. When practising, it helps to actually time yourself with a stopwatch and see how long you are taking. It can definitely feel slightly unnatural at first, but it quickly builds an internal sense of what "concise enough" sounds like, and you'll often realise when you are talking for too long.

You might also find it useful to signpost your answer as you - even something simple such as "there are two main things I took from this experience..." helps keep you focused and reassures the interviewer that your answer is structured and concise. However, I would be cautious of doing this with video interviews unless you are able to practice first, as it might be that you run out of time and are unable to make the final point you wanted to make.

Finally, I would try to avoid being afraid to stop once you have made your point. In my experience, I kept talking during interviews as the silence made me uncomfortable and I felt a need to fill it, but in interviews, clarity is much more important than filling space for the sake of it.

If you can, I would really recommend recording yourself answering some of the more common questions, as it is one of the fastest ways to spot where you are over-explaining or going off track. This is something that you can improve really quickly with practice, so try not to worry too much about it!

Thank you so much for your reply, Abbie!! It helps me a lot and I will try to record myself. Hope you are having a great day