TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

EG3

Star Member
Mar 6, 2025
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This will be my final time asking but did anyone ever hear anything from Penningtons/PMC DTC? I assume I have been rejected as it is now the end of June but equally haven't seen anything posted on this forum nor have I heard from the firm.
I received an email on 23/05 saying they expect to provide an update on outcomes by the end of July!

So don't stress yet, apparently they usually take a while.

(Email was from @talent.icims.eu if you wanted to check your spam folder for it)
 

TortillaTC

Star Member
May 10, 2025
38
24
Can anyone that has previous experience with Dorsey or specific knowledge of the firm DM me please? I’d really appreciate it and can offer advice about SH and Hogan Lovells (reached AC before with both). It’s literally impossible to research the firm due to its size in London and very limited info online (trying to make the most of their website)
 

ilovegardening1111

Star Member
Premium Member
Nov 12, 2024
42
16
Can anyone that has previous experience with Dorsey or specific knowledge of the firm DM me please? I’d really appreciate it and can offer advice about SH and Hogan Lovells (reached AC before with both). It’s literally impossible to research the firm due to its size in London and very limited info online (trying to make the most of their website)
Sorry I dont have any previous experience with the firm but just wondering if you received a first-stage interview invite?
 

ssszzg

Active Member
Dec 3, 2024
13
15
Just did the GLD VI. Does anyone know if there’s a baseline pass mark for each question or whether it’s an overall grade for all questions? I messed up one question big time but the others went quite well I thought 😟
Haven't done mine yet but I'm sure you did better than you think!
We usually get stuck on our mistakes and don't give enough credit to the parts we did well :)
I would assume they'd take in your answers in a holistic approach, such as your overall performance - even if you think you've messed up maybe they'll consider how you did in the next one as a "how did they bounce back"
 

Amma Usman

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Sep 7, 2024
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Hello all, does anyone know if the prep time for the Government Legal Trainee VI is limited?

Hi there,

I’m unsure about this, but I do know that generally, prep time is limited. I have only ever heard of one firm, SH, that has unlimited prep time. However, in any case, feel free to email the recruitment team to confirm this.
 
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Amma Usman

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Can anyone that has previous experience with Dorsey or specific knowledge of the firm DM me please? I’d really appreciate it and can offer advice about SH and Hogan Lovells (reached AC before with both). It’s literally impossible to research the firm due to its size in London and very limited info online (trying to make the most of their website)

Hi there. If you haven’t already come accros these in your formative research, here are a few sources to help -






 
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Amma Usman

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Feeling disregarded and left behind. I'm just going to enrol on an SQE course and hope for the best at this point.

I’m really sorry to hear that you are feeling this way. I totally understand how stressful the process can feel at times, but I really just want you to know that everything will be okay - regardless of how it may feel like right now. I always ay this - the mere fact that you are still in the process is a sign that something great will come out of it eventually. I also trust that if you do decide to enrol on the SQE course right now, it means you have evaluated all the key considerations that are important to you, so I am sure you will do great in it. Please do not feel left behind at all, as you are exactly where you need to be and will get to where you want to be by constantly pushing through. Please remember to take it easy though, and take breaks when you need to, to avoid burnout.
 

Amma Usman

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Haven't done mine yet but I'm sure you did better than you think!
We usually get stuck on our mistakes and don't give enough credit to the parts we did well :)
I would assume they'd take in your answers in a holistic approach, such as your overall performance - even if you think you've messed up maybe they'll consider how you did in the next one as a "how did they bounce back"

You’re such a positive force @ssszzg , and this is so true! It would be very rare for a candidate to precisely nail all questions. Think of it this way, and from a very simplistic and logical perspective - there are certain things any given individual prefers to talk about, than others. This is likely the case even if they have a good grasp of several topics. It’s the same logic when applied to video interviews - there will be some questions one may nail better than others, some questions where better examples will be given, and some answers that will naturally sound more enthusiastic than others. This does not mean that a law firm will immediately send out a rejection - all answers will likely be looked at holistically. So in short, nothing to worry about in my opinion!
 
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Amma Usman

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Hi guys, I’ve had an email from Beale and co HR saying i will be sent a link to a questionnaire and should’ve received it by now but I haven’t gotten it (checked my junk folder as well)

Can anyone confirm if they’ve received it?

Many thanks

If you haven’t received it yet, I suggest following up with an email stating this promptly, including how it didn’t end up in your junk/spam folder.
 
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TortillaTC

Star Member
May 10, 2025
38
24
Hi there. If you haven’t already come accros these in your formative research, here are a few sources to help -






Thank you so much!!
 
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Amma Usman

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I'm applying for a paralegal role and the application asks for a salary expectation.

I've got an LLM in the relevant area of law (undergrad is BSc) and it'd be my first full-time job (no prior legal experience but its not necessary for the role). It's a national commercial firm, one of the top for the relevant practice area, and its in one of their southern regional offices.

What should my salary expectation be? I have no idea what is reasonable

Before accepting any offer, try to find out whether the role is paid hourly or comes with overtime, as this can make a significant difference to your total pay. Some firms offer fixed salaries with no overtime, even if you're expected to work extra hours. Others do pay overtime, which can substantially boost your earnings, sometimes by 20 to 30 percent above your base salary, occasionally even surpassing trainee solicitor pay.

Entry-level salaries can vary widely. With little or no experience, base pay can reach up to £32,000 to £34,000. In firms where overtime is paid, some paralegals earn over £40,000. Generally, I do know of a couple of US firms that pay around 50k as well.

Law firms generally pay more than other sectors, so there’s a good chance they’ll offer you a competitive salary, especially if they’re investing in your training and development via the paralegal role. Even if you listed a lower expected salary on your application, firms often offer more if they think you're worth it, since underpaying risks early leave.

If the offer doesn’t meet your expectations, consider asking whether overtime is paid, if you’ll be eligible for a bonus, typically after six months, whether there’s a salary review cycle, and what the benefits package includes. Some firms offer flexible perks that, if unused, can be paid out as extra taxable income.

Get all the details before making your decision, as you might be surprised by the full package.
 

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