TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[amb303]

Also, I’d really appreciate some advice on how to list work experience. I have considerable experience, but I don’t think I’m able to effectively convey it. My usual style is preliminary details (duration, team, etc.) followed by bullet points of the specific work I did. However, I realised after someone pointed out that since I’m an international candidate, the specific bullet points may not effectively be conveying the kind of work I did. They suggested using prose, but I haven’t been able to find samples that I feel satisfied by. Any suggestions are welcome!

I’ve been advised at open days and things to articulate what skills/ competencies you’ve developed in those experiences and make it relevant to legal work if possible!

 

[rain2801]

I’ve been advised at open days and things to articulate what skills/ competencies you’ve developed in those experiences and make it relevant to legal work if possible!

I've been advised this as well, but somehow it just doesn't seem correct. I think it's because I've always been advised to keep my work entries as specific to the task as possible, so I have a lot of task entries which don't seem to work well in prose. An example of my usual work exp. entry is:

"I interned at Firm XYZ in the ABC team for four weeks. During this time, my responsibilities included:

1. Assisting in drafting parts of appeal in the PQRS dispute.
2. Attending and taking notes for proceedings before the DEF court.
3. Researching and preparing detailed notes on:

• effects of contractual silence in the interpretation of a contract; and
• remedies in case of the fat-finger error."

I remain unsure of how to best convey information like in the above bullet points in prose and highlight my skills. Do you think I should make a separate heading for skills?

 

[silonthesofa]

I've been advised this as well, but somehow it just doesn't seem correct. I think it's because I've always been advised to keep my work entries as specific to the task as possible, so I have a lot of task entries which don't seem to work well in prose. An example of my usual work exp. entry is:

"I interned at Firm XYZ in the ABC team for four weeks. During this time, my responsibilities included:

1. Assisting in drafting parts of appeal in the PQRS dispute.
2. Attending and taking notes for proceedings before the DEF court.
3. Researching and preparing detailed notes on:

• effects of contractual silence in the interpretation of a contract; and
• remedies in case of the fat-finger error."

I remain unsure of how to best convey information like in the above bullet points in prose and highlight my skills. Do you think I should make a separate heading for skills?

Honestly, just turn it into sentences exactly as is.

"I interned at Firm XYZ in the ABC team for four weeks. During this time, my responsibilities included assisting in drafting parts of appeal in the PQRS dispute, as well as attending and taking notes for proceedings before the DEF court. Additionally, I researched and prepared detailed notes on the effects of contractual silence in the interpretation of a contract and on remedies in case of the fat-finger error."

 

[rain2801]

Honestly, just turn it into sentences exactly as is.

"I interned at Firm XYZ in the ABC team for four weeks. During this time, my responsibilities included assisting in drafting parts of appeal in the PQRS dispute, as well as attending and taking notes for proceedings before the DEF court. Additionally, I researched and prepared detailed notes on the effects of contractual silence in the interpretation of a contract and on remedies in case of the fat-finger error."

Thank you! I think this is it. Sorry I tend to overthink a lot. Do you think after this I should just add a line on my skills?

 

[gayathri28]

withers written exercise !

Congratulations! Just to clarify, was this after the sjt?

 

[nicoledm]

Congratulations! Just to clarify, was this after the sjt?

Thank you and yes! I got invited to the SJT on the 9th of April and completed it yesterday

 

[gayathri28]

Thank you and yes! I got invited to the SJT on the 9th of April and completed it yesterday

It's interesting they changed the format of the exercise from proof reading to written exercise I did the proof reading exercise 2 weeks ago.

Anyways good luck!

 

[nicoledm]

It's interesting they changed the format of the exercise from proof reading to written exercise I did the proof reading exercise 2 weeks ago.

Anyways good luck!

Oh sorry!! It is the proofreading task, just skimmed the email, my bad

 

[Armaan111]

Hey guys, just wondering if anyone can help me with this q. On Vantage applications theres a box for SQE1 and 2 information. I'm not sure whether to put my BPP LLM grade + modules, or my actual SQE grades + mark breakdown. Thanks in advance!

 

[dgdfhdfhfss]

Could someone dm with tips and tricks on an e-tray excercise? Or more broadly, if they have any tips for an RPC AC? (Especially if specific to Bristol)