TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[WeGotThis!]

Has anyone done A&O SJT that needs to be submitted with the DTC. I wanted to know if there's a VI and what's the preparation time for it.

 

[Bread]

Has anyone done A&O SJT that needs to be submitted with the DTC. I wanted to know if there's a VI and what's the preparation time for it.

There’s a VI, unlimited prep but I think it needs to be done at the same time as SJT

 

[ellewoods26]

Anyone have insights on Stage 2 freshfields? I can help with Dechert WE, Weil VI, also been to Kirkland & Ellis, HSF, Hogan Lovells Open days

 

[Naskimovski]

Anyone have insights on Stage 2 freshfields? I can help with CMS, A&O, Baker Mckenzie, Latham, Weil VI, also been to Weil, Baker Mckenzie, Latham Open days

 

[p2bv]

Anyone have insights on Stage 2 freshfields? I can help with CMS, A&O, Baker Mckenzie, Latham, Weil VI, also been to Weil, Baker Mckenzie, Latham Open days

Did you receive VI for CMS already ?

 

[Naskimovski]

Did you receive VI for CMS already ?

for 2024!

 

[WeGotThis!]

There’s a VI, unlimited prep but I think it needs to be done at the same time as SJT

Thank you!

Are the questions situation judgment or motivation based?

 

[Willgetatc]

Has anyone who did Freshfields 1st stage on the 30th October gotten an invitation to 2nd stage?

 

[dinoorchestra]

Hello, does anyone know if we can include the virtual job experiences in the work experience section of CC's new application form, or if we should only mention them in our answers or in the part of the form where we are asked if we have done any of them? And what about any open days with CC that we attended? Thank you

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hello, does anyone know if we can include the virtual job experiences in the work experience section of CC's new application form, or if we should only mention them in our answers or in the part of the form where we are asked if we have done any of them? And what about any open days with CC that we attended? Thank you

Hello!

Historically, it has been acceptable to include virtual work experiences in the work experience section of Clifford Chance's application form (in addition to open days that you have attended). I would assume that this is still the case if it allows you to enter as many work experience entries as you'd like, so you could still include them there if you'd wish!

However, if you have already mentioned these virtual programmes or open days in other sections of the application form (and you don't think there is any additional information or insights that you would add in the work experience entry), I'd say it's fine to leave them out of the section

 

[sophiajan.e]

Hey - does anyone have any advice on the Latham VI for the SVS?

I normally don't mind VIs, however I have heard that it's not a typical VI and they give you a case situation instead of skill based. Thank you!!

 

[hanz123]

How would someone approach this question: Describe the personal event or experience that, more than anything else, made you realise your desire to work in a law firm (800 characters)*

 

[Andrei Radu]

How would someone approach this question: Describe the personal event or experience that, more than anything else, made you realise your desire to work in a law firm (800 characters)*

I think the key aspect of this question is to identify what was the single most important experience that sparked/confirmed your interest in law and then provide a lot of detail as to the context of the experience and how it has shaped your thinking. As such, I would go for the following structure:

1. State the nature of the experience in a short, introductory sentence;
2. Go through the experience using a STAR structure - i.e. explain the context of how the experience came to be, what your role was, what actions you had to take and what results did they have;
3. Explain why this experience made you attracted to commercial law. For a more detailed and comprehensive answer, you could also explain how this influenced your thinking vis a vis why you prefer commercial law over other career paths you could have pursued, rather than just elaborating why you have "an interest" in the profession.

 

[Naskimovski]

Hi everyone!

I’ve just progressed to the second stage of the Freshfields training contract application. This round is a job simulation assessment, which is new to me. From what I understand, it includes at least one written trainee-style task and a few video interview questions (similar to HireVue & Cappfinity).

If anyone has experience with job simulation assessments,not just at Freshfields, but also at firms like Hogan Lovells, Macfarlanes, or others, I’d be really grateful for any insights, tips, or examples of what to expect.

Happy to return the favour by sharing what I know about CMS, A&O, Baker McKenzie, Latham, Weil, Reed Smith, NRF VI, and I’ve attended open days at Weil, Baker McKenzie, and Latham as well.

Thanks in advance!