TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi everyone! Would really appreciate any tips on how to go about preparing for a Direct TC AC as a penultimate year law student.

Basically I was able to switch to Firm A's DTC process (from their VS process) after accepting a VS offer elsewhere that overlaps with Firm A's VS dates.

I know that many Direct TC applicants have some work experience under their belt and are generally mature applicants; will being a penultimate year student with minimal legal work experience (at the time of AC) disadvantage me? And is there anything in particular I should focus on during AC prep in order to gain an equal footing?

I wouldn't say that direct TC applicants are generally mature applicants - there will be other penultimate year students going for direct TCs too, especially candidates like you who have secured vacation schemes in this cycle (so do have direct legal work experience).

My advice wouldn't really be any different for a penultimate year undergraduate than it would be for someone coming into this at a much later stage of their academics or career.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Kinda weird CRS puts all of us on a reserve list- how many people drop out of your ACs lol

I once went through a whole reserve list and then had 3 people no show on the day!

 

[sooae]

Hi @Jessica Booker . I was just wondering if I can still apply for vac scheme/dtc this year when the new cycle starts if take a gap year? Currently a penultimate student and supposed to complete my final year and graduate in 2026. I’m planning to take a gap year and return in 2026 instead. Thank you!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi @Jessica Booker . I was just wondering if I can still apply for vac scheme/dtc this year when the new cycle starts if take a gap year? Currently a penultimate student and supposed to complete my final year and graduate in 2026. I’m planning to take a gap year and return in 2026 instead. Thank you!

Your eligibility for vacation schemes won’t be impacted by your gap year. This will still be determined by where you are in your academic career. You’d need to check each firm’s eligibility criteria as some one take on students at certain stages of their academic career or have different schemes for those at different stages.

If you are not going to be ready to start the TC for the intake the firm is recruiting for, then you should wait for the cycle to open when you would be ready.

 

[chlawstudent]

CRS reserve list for AC

Got put on the CRS reserve list - should I effectively see this as a PFO? Or does going beyond this to an AC happen from time to time?

Cheers!

What office was this CRS reserve list for/ what did you initially apply for? I got put on the reserve list in March after applying for London VS so just wondering if this is a new development or the same thing as I haven't heard anything from them since.

 

[gazdgazd11]

What office was this CRS reserve list for/ what did you initially apply for? I got put on the reserve list in March after applying for London VS so just wondering if this is a new development or the same thing as I haven't heard anything from them since.

It’s dor direct tc

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Who else also got Bates Wells holding email for Direct TC? And did anyone get a reply from Howard Kennedy? I feel like I probably didn’t get selected for the next stage

Also did anyone hear back from Farrer and RWK Goodman for their direct TC?

 

[tomofsiobhans]

I wouldn't say that direct TC applicants are generally mature applicants - there will be other penultimate year students going for direct TCs too, especially candidates like you who have secured vacation schemes in this cycle (so do have direct legal work experience).

My advice wouldn't really be any different for a penultimate year undergraduate than it would be for someone coming into this at a much later stage of their academics or career.

Thank you sm Jessica!

 

[tryingtogetajob555]

Anyone heard back from Moore Barlow, Ashfords, RWK Goodman or PMC since applying?

Anyone heard back from Moore Barlow, Ashfords, RWK Goodman or PMC since applying?

I heard back from Moore Barlow yesterday

 

[millieplatt1]

I heard back from Moore Barlow yesterday

positive or negative if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

Have people been invited to Ashurst's case study written exercise for the DTC already?

 

[tryingtogetajob555]

positive or negative if you don’t mind me asking?

positive - i got invited for an interview!

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Have people been invited to Ashurst's case study written exercise for the DTC already?

i dont remember seeing even a single post on here about this, but maybe there are people who've got it but didnt post?

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

i dont remember seeing even a single post on here about this, but maybe there are people who've got it but didnt post?

I just saw someone on a group chat asking for assistance with it, so I assumed he had gotten the case study invite. Or maybe he was just prepping well in advance - who knows.

 

[James Wakefield]

I just saw someone on a group chat asking for assistance with it, so I assumed he had gotten the case study invite. Or maybe he was just prepping well in advance - who knows.

They had sent out invites this time last year but it seems they are given out over several days. So it’s likely they’ve started I think.

 

[Julia Wyporkiewicz]

Who else also got Bates Wells holding email for Direct TC? And did anyone get a reply from Howard Kennedy? I feel like I probably didn’t get selected for the next stage

Also did anyone hear back from Farrer and RWK Goodman for their direct TC?

Hi, I got the holding e-mail as well. I am still waiting for Howard Kennedy which is really disappointing because I felt they were initially quite clear about timeframes and now it’s just silence

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Have people been invited to Ashurst's case study written exercise for the DTC already?

I have spoken to a couple of people who will be doing this stage in the coming weeks.

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

I have spoken to a couple of people who will be doing this stage in the coming weeks.

does that mean it's over for people who haven't been invited? we got an email saying we'll be notified of the outcome by 6th may, most probably a rejection then.

 

[LegallyStressedOut]

does that mean it's over for people who haven't been invited? we got an email saying we'll be notified of the outcome by 6th may, most probably a rejection then.

Wondering the same

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

does that mean it's over for people who haven't been invited? we got an email saying we'll be notified of the outcome by 6th may, most probably a rejection then.

No - I don’t think you can make that assumption.