TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[legallyells]

boodle hatfield direct tc AC invite!!

 

[yk1906]

I would assume that the majority of ACs are back to being in-person, as the accommodations due to Covid fade into obscurity.

Well, that's just sad, considering how much they advertise their inclusivity. But obstacles are a part of life. Good luck to every fellow international here

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

Whilst they may be open to international applicants my guess is that the majority of international applicants are already international students studying in the UK and that is what they are catering to rather than applicants applying from abroad?

 

[mcqueens]

Has anyone heard back from HFW? I

Still waiting to hear back :/

 

[yk1906]

Whilst they may be open to international applicants my guess is that the majority of international applicants are already international students studying in the UK and that is what they are catering to rather than applicants applying from abroad?

Does not change my point

 

[farrow]

Does not change my point

Inclusivity doesn’t mean firms have to warp the process around every individual constraint. It means giving fair access to those who can meet the requirements of the job. If they have a diverse pool of internal to the UK applicants, why would they go outside of that pool?

Go ask the subreddit /uklaw, and you'll get the most honest to God answer of what it means to be an international applicant. It is a brutal browse.

NB: I am an immigrant.

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

Whilst they may be open to international applicants my guess is that the majority of international applicants are already international students studying in the UK and that is what they are catering to rather than applicants applying from abroad?

I do think a large number of international graduates of UK universities end up in the scenario of being forced to apply from abroad if they don't secure something before their visa runs out.

 

[yk1906]

Inclusivity doesn’t mean firms have to warp the process around every individual constraint. It means giving fair access to those who can meet the requirements of the job. If they have a diverse pool of internal to the UK applicants, why would they go outside of that pool?

Go ask the subreddit /uklaw, and you'll get the most honest to God answer of what it means to be an international applicant. It is a brutal browse.

NB: I am an immigrant.

I wholeheartedly agree with you and understand how hard it is. It wasn't my point that it should be easy, plus I know and follow the UK government's position on immigration My point is that if they do welcome internationals as they say, it would be fair to be transparent about ACs/interviews being held in-person only.

I follow the /uklaw subreddit and it's full of enraged British citizens, unfortunately. I am fully aware of my chances as an international but it does not make me less ambitious.

N.B. not trying to argue here, just posting my personal opinion. I hope you get a TC soon!

 

[farrow]

I wholeheartedly agree with you and understand how hard it is. It wasn't my point that it should be easy, plus I know and follow the UK government's position on immigration My point is that if they do welcome internationals as they say, it would be fair to be transparent about ACs/interviews being held in-person only.

I follow the /uklaw subreddit and it's full of enraged British citizens, unfortunately. I am fully aware of my chances as an international but it does not make me less ambitious.

N.B. not trying to argue here, just posting my personal opinion. I hope you get a TC soon!

I would assume that all ACs are in person unless explicitly stated. Not the other way around. (For anyone ghost reading this). If you cannot attend an in-person AC, ask before you apply. I would be so disappointed if I did all that work, made it that far in the application process, and could not join an in-person AC.

The subreddit is full of people who have also seen the underbelly and exploitation of international students, who often times get sold a pipe dream by universities about qualifying and getting a UK job. They often receive waves of posts from disappointed and at times tragically stressed international students and graduates.

Your comment about enraged British citizens, well, aren't we after a training contract in Britain? Where we would contribute to the British country, economy, and values? I'm confused by that comment.

It is good to be ambitious. It is also good to have a frank conversation around expectations, and likelihoods. We can be outliers, however not everyone can be an outlier. The reality is stark and brutal, and I think a healthy dose of reality is important.

 

[yk1906]

I would assume that all ACs are in person unless explicitly stated. Not the other way around. (For anyone ghost reading this). If you cannot attend an in-person AC, ask before you apply. I would be so disappointed if I did all that work, made it that far in the application process, and could not join an in-person AC.

The subreddit is full of people who have also seen the underbelly and exploitation of international students, who often times get sold a pipe dream by universities about qualifying and getting a UK job. They often receive waves of posts from disappointed and at times tragically stressed international students and graduates.

Your comment about enraged British citizens, well, aren't we after a training contract in Britain? Where we would contribute to the British country, economy, and values? I'm confused by that comment.

It is good to be ambitious. It is also good to have a frank conversation around expectations, and likelihoods. We can be outliers, however not everyone can be an outlier. The reality is stark and brutal, and I think a healthy dose of reality is important.

Assumptions lead to missed opportunities I do not undermine values and experiences of the British -- it is simply the experience I usually get on Reddit. I never get this negative energy from people on this forum.

I am realistic. But I go after every chance I get and try to do my best because you will never know until you try. Again, I am not trying to argue what you said, just saying my views on life and personal opinion.

 

[otw2atc]

Hey, I was the same as you, could only apply to DTC’s whilst doing the SQE and only made it to one AC. However this cycle I went back to vac schemes only and got 5 AC’s, 3 schemes and a TC. So it definitely gets better and remember DTC apps are harder for a reason!

In my first cycle I did only DTC applications thinking I wouldn’t be able to do a VS and got through to only one final round interview. In my second cycle I did only VS applications and I now have a TC so definitely would recommend applying for some VS if you can!

 

[farrow]

Assumptions lead to missed opportunities I do not undermine values and experiences of the British -- it is simply the experience I usually get on Reddit.

I am realistic. But I go after every chance I get and try to do my best because you will never know until you try. Again, I am not trying to argue what you said, just saying my views on life and personal opinion.

I did say, ask before you apply. Because the majority of ACs this cycle have been in-person.

Either way, all the best!

 

[trainee4u]

I do think a large number of international graduates of UK universities end up in the scenario of being forced to apply from abroad if they don't secure something before their visa runs out.

To be clear, there's a 2 year graduate visa during which you can work in McD (or anywhere), while applying for jobs following uni.
It costs ~£3k

On the other point, there's a student suing Clyde over not being offered a remote AC.

Aspiring lawyer wins right to sue Clyde & Co over alleged discrimination after TC rejections - Legal Cheek

Law grad claims she was unfairly denied remote assessment

www.legalcheek.com

However:

1) she may lose
2) she claims that Clyde advertises remote ACs

 

[Z48]

I would assume that the majority of ACs are back to being in-person, as the accommodations due to Covid fade into obscurity.

I did 5 ACs/interviews this cycle, only 1 was in person. I was also travelling at the start of the cycle and most firms I contacted said they could offer online ACs, so this is not necessarily a correct assumption.

 

[farrow]

I did 5 ACs/interviews this cycle, only 1 was in person. I was also travelling at the start of the cycle and most firms I contacted said they could offer online ACs, so this is not necessarily a correct assumption.

The key is you contacted them to confirm.

Is it not wise to assume that it is not the case, and plan accordingly? Like contacting them?

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

I did 5 ACs/interviews this cycle, only 1 was in person. I was also travelling at the start of the cycle and most firms I contacted said they could offer online ACs, so this is not necessarily a correct assumption.

what firms are these if u dont mind me asking

 

[Z48]

The key is you contacted them to confirm.

Is it not wise to assume that it is not the case, and plan accordingly? Like contacting them?

I actually didn’t contact the 5, they just ended up being online. I agree it’s helpful to check, but I don’t think we should automatically assume ACs will be in person.

There isn’t always a chance to ask beforehand, some firms don’t reply to emails for ages, and waiting could mean missing the deadline. That’s why I would apply and hope for the best.

Also there’s lots of reasons firms still offer online options, e.g. students on year abroad. During mine, I had six online ACs and only asked if I could do them online after receiving the invites.

 

[SarahO]

Please be kind or just scroll 🙏

 

[tobywstress]

Is it a PFO if there is no new email beyond the confirmation email from Dorsey?

 

[Antariksh Singh Jamwal]

Hi everyone, I’m hoping to get some guidance.

I’m currently pursuing an LLM in the UK, and I did my undergraduate law degree in India. My issue is how to address my academic grades in applications. My overall percentage is 57%, which looks quite low by UK standards. However, my university had a very strict marking system—60% is considered a first class, and 55–60% falls into the “high second class,” which can roughly correspond to a 2:1 in the UK. Despite the percentage, I was ranked 6th out of a batch of over 300 students, and I have a letter from my university confirming this.

I’ve also done over 36 months' worth of internships, won several moots, and have a strong profile in terms of practical experience.

According to TCLA’s review, my application (cover letter, commercial awareness responses, etc.) was good, so I’m wondering if the grades are possibly hurting my chances.

How should I address this in my future applications? Should I include a brief explanation in the cover letter or attach the university’s grading policy?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!