TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[CharlieandLola]

Hey!

I would try not to panic just yet (although I appreciate that is easier said than done!). It is not uncommon for firms to send contracts or joining information quite close to the start date, particularly if they are still waiting for final checks to come through.

You have done the right thing by emailing them, and I'm not sure there's much more you can do right now. If you don't hear back by the end of the day tomorrow, I would give the graduate recruitment team a call (or send them another quick email if there is no phone number), just to double check with them. It is most likely just an administrative delay, rather than an indication that there's a problem.

Hopefully they'll get back to you soon, and best of luck for your vacation scheme next week!

Thank you!!!

 

[cs3008]

HFW PFO!

 

[aanushhhkaaaa]

HFW PFO!!! This one stung oof

 

[TCapplicant1005]

HFW PFO!!! This one stung oof

same

 

[aanushhhkaaaa]

if anyone has gotten HFW AC, pls let me know, I'd love to have a chat!

 

[rrr]

if anyone has gotten HFW AC, pls let me know, I'd love to have a chat!

second this!

 

[shays]

if anyone has gotten HFW AC, pls let me know, I'd love to have a chat!

yeah llikewise actually

 

[anon78365222111]

Perkins Coie sent anyone an invite for LBA or are we all being ingnored to just be rejected !

 

[AndreaHernandez123]

If anyone completed an interview with Watson Farley & Williams for the training contract?
Please message me; I'm happy to advise on firms too!

 

[elisel]

Anyone heard from Fried Frank?

 

[baj5]

I heard nothing from HFW, positive or otherwise but apparently someone from there looked up my linkedin

 

[siilvert0ngue]

so tired of this application process. it really beats you down after a while. i'm curious if anyone on this sub or if @Abbie Whitlock has heard of people negotiating an earlier TC and SQE start date after receiving an offer. (i,e if i receive an offer next cycle for sept 2029 start, what's the success rate of asking to start in sep 2028 instead?)

 

[Bread]

so tired of this application process. it really beats you down after a while. i'm curious if anyone on this sub or if @Abbie Whitlock has heard of people negotiating an earlier TC and SQE start date after receiving an offer. (i,e if i receive an offer next cycle for sept 2029 start, what's the success rate of asking to start in sep 2028 instead?)

it depends entirely on whether there is space in the intake. It definitely happens

 

[iklawapps]

Hi everyone. Out of curiosity has anyone else finished the BCLP AC : )

 

[ufdj]

Perkins Coie sent anyone an invite for LBA or are we all being ingnored to just be rejected !

the firm is so unserious it's actually a joke

 

[aanushhhkaaaa]

yeah llikewise actually

yeah because i genuinely dont think they read any applications submitted post may

 

[LucasLask1]

Did anyone hear back from Browne Jacobson post their AC?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey everyone.

I have another question for @Abbie Whitlock and I apologise for the many questions I have had during this cycle, but you answering them, they all helped.

When the interviewer is telling you this is going to be a tough question but I may use any work/ life/ college example. “ Tell me about a time you have done something challenging you were proud of, but unfortunately you didn’t get the result you wanted. “ What are they trying to assess exactly?

I gave them a life example about how I moved at 16 to the UK without speaking English and had to improve, STAR and my actions were based on the Q “ faced a challenge” so all the actions I took to get over that challenge. For the result I just said unfortunately I didn’t get the result I wanted, but I was able to achieve a lot since then and I’m proud etc.. reflecting back on that- persistence and resilience goes a long way etc.. I’m really not sure what they’re trying to assess here? I did say I was disappointed I didn’t get the result I wanted, but yeah. Idk what they’re trying to assess and whether my answer was good. Just based my answer on how you have to have perseverance and keep trying.

Thank you!

Hey!

Please don't apologise at all - that's exactly what I'm here for!

I think your interpretation of the question is probably the right one. Questions like this are usually assessing things like resilience, self-awareness, perseverance, and how you respond when things do not go to plan, rather than whether you have always been successful.

From what you have described, your example sounds relevant. Moving to the UK at 16 without speaking English is a significant challenge, and it is completely valid to use a life example if the interviewer says you can use work, education or personal experiences. The key is making sure you spend enough time explaining your actions, what you learnt from the experience, and how that has influenced the way you approach challenges now.

I also don't think the interviewers are necessarily looking for a dramatic failure. Sometimes they are interested in whether you can acknowledge disappointment, reflect honestly on it, and demonstrate that you kept going rather than giving up. Your point about perseverance and resilience is exactly the type of takeaway and reflection that I'd aim for too.

Without hearing the full answer it is impossible to say how it came across, but from your description, I wouldn't necessarily worry that you misunderstood what they were assessing. It sounds like you addressed the core competency they were exploring, and gave a genuine example of when you have been in a situation like that.

Wishing you the best of luck with the outcome!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Jaysen @Abbie Whitlock
I just wanted to ask how long can you wait before signing a TC offer...and if you hear back from one firm and the other has not responded after 2 weeks, should you reach out to get an answer? I ask because I don't want to be pushy but at the same time I don't know what the best action is. I have asked others in my VS cohort if they've heard back and they have said no (but they might not be able to say).

Hey!

Congratulations on the offer!

It will depend on the deadline the firm has given you - some firms ask for a response within a week or two, while others are happy to give longer if you explain that you are waiting to hear back from another application. If you haven't already, I'd check your offer email first to see whether they mention a deadline.

If another firm has been silent for a few weeks and you are approaching your acceptance deadline, I don't think it is unreasonable to send a polite email explaining that you have received another offer and asking whether they are able to provide an update on your application. You're not asking them to rush a decision, just giving them context that you need to make an informed choice - I did a similar thing last cycle, and I was able to get an answer a few days later from the firm that I had been waiting to hear from.

I know it can feel a bit awkward, but the graduate recruitment team will be used to candidates managing multiple applications, especially after vacation schemes. As long as you are polite and transparent (and reiterate your interest in the firm), I don't think it'll come across as pushy at all.

Fingers crossed you hear back soon, and congratulations again!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

so tired of this application process. it really beats you down after a while. i'm curious if anyone on this sub or if @Abbie Whitlock has heard of people negotiating an earlier TC and SQE start date after receiving an offer. (i,e if i receive an offer next cycle for sept 2029 start, what's the success rate of asking to start in sep 2028 instead?)

Hey!

I completely understand how you are feeling - the application process can be really draining, especially over multiple cycles, and it can feel even worse when you feel you've got really close but don't quite have an offer yet.

In terms of bringing a training contract forward, it does happen, but I wouldn't say it is something you can rely on. It usually depends on the firm's business needs, whether they have capacity in an earlier intake, and whether any spaces become available (e.g. someone asks to defer, or someone fails a portion of their exams). Some firms are more flexible than others, but many recruit years in advance as they have planned those cohorts already.

If you do receive an offer for a later start date, there is no harm in politely asking whether an earlier intake is possible. The worst they can say is that there isn't any availability. Sometimes firms will also contact future trainees themselves if spaces open up and ask whether anyone would be interested in bringing their start date forward, so I'd also keep an eye out for that if needed