I read on the VS thread that some haven't heard back for their Spring and Summer schemes yet. So I think it's going to be a while until they get back to DTC candidates.
-
Hey Guest, Have an interview coming up? We’ve opened new mock interview slots this week. Book here
-
TCLA Premium: Now half price (£30/month). Applications, interviews, commercial awareness + 700+ examples.Join →
TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
For baker mckenzie dtc, is more weightage put on the assessment centre or is it a higher benchmark than the VS application throughout the process?
Bristows PFO after WE.
Hi all, I was previously on the forum with a name like aspiringtcholder but deleted my account because I’ve actually decided to stick with my current career (I graduated a few years ago and now work in local government) because it has proven to be stimulating, relatively well compensated and flexible (so that I can care for a family member). I’m happy with my decision but it’s taken a long long time for me to accept that I don’t actually want to be a lawyer because I worked so hard during my degree, got academic awards, did lots of legal volunteering and experience etc.
Okay anyway! I had applied to firms this year and while I have withdrawn alllllll of my applications (before anyone comes for me that I’ve taken up someone else’s potential space!), I’m actually still receiving some updates from firms which I then respond to immediately saying I’ve withdrawn anyway.
I got to the second round for Shoosmiths and just now WFW. Again I obviously have withdrawn and will confirm that again now with them but wanted to use these emails to someone else’s benefit in case they applied to these firms and wanted to know if anyone has heard back.
I do hope this is useful and I can continue to do updates if I get any more emails if anyone wants? Obviously I don’t need to be here so if no one cares I’ll be on my merry way out!
Edit: I knew I didn’t want to be a solicitor when I realised I had spent maximum 2 hours on an application while watching Netflix - I was rushing through applications because if I’m being frank, I didn’t really care! I did get PFO for a few firms, WBD comes to mind and Fladgate and BCLP
Okay anyway! I had applied to firms this year and while I have withdrawn alllllll of my applications (before anyone comes for me that I’ve taken up someone else’s potential space!), I’m actually still receiving some updates from firms which I then respond to immediately saying I’ve withdrawn anyway.
I got to the second round for Shoosmiths and just now WFW. Again I obviously have withdrawn and will confirm that again now with them but wanted to use these emails to someone else’s benefit in case they applied to these firms and wanted to know if anyone has heard back.
I do hope this is useful and I can continue to do updates if I get any more emails if anyone wants? Obviously I don’t need to be here so if no one cares I’ll be on my merry way out!
Edit: I knew I didn’t want to be a solicitor when I realised I had spent maximum 2 hours on an application while watching Netflix - I was rushing through applications because if I’m being frank, I didn’t really care! I did get PFO for a few firms, WBD comes to mind and Fladgate and BCLP
Invited to Foot Anstey VI and assessment!
I don't think so. I can only see Edinburgh and ME. And London DTC for internal applicants.
No recruitment via DTC. I have a VS place and was told that recruitment is only really via the VS.
Does anyone have any insights or advice for second stage Macfarlanes test? ANYTHING would be appreciated xx
Did you ask for reasonable adjustments / extra time? It's the only thing I can think of.
I do have adjustments (25% and not 50%), but the extra time was during the recording of the interview and not the prep time, unless I also had longer during the prep and I just didn't know, so I couldn't tell whether I should use the time. I honestly can't remember how much time I had to prep, but either way, if both times are increased that almost overcomes any benefit of extra time lol.
The email also said if we'd indicated needing adjustments it would be taken into account when scoring - and while I didn't think this was the fairest thing to do, I assumed it meant that I'd get the same time as everyone else. I didn't email to request anything during the VI.
not sure whether to email them and ask or just leave it bc I can't change anything anyway.
It might be worth emailing to clarify - framing it as curiosity/seeking information (checking if it was a bug or intentional), without framing it as being disconcerting?
Whilst not for HL, I have had issues with reasonable adjustments being applied/not being applied before. I find that if you ever think there is an issue, just to kindly email them - most firms are very reasonable and will try and resolve an issue. Good luck!
thank you!
I had to contact them earlier because I had an email from rare saying that my initial invite to the job sim was never sent becuase of a system outage so I wanted to clarify the deadline. I'm genuinely the antithesis of someone who sends lots of chasing emails to grad rec, so I want to avoid being annoying haha
Honestly do not worry about it! I try to place myself in their shoes, and if I would have found it reasonable, I try not to let it stop me sending off an email. Most of the time they really do want you to suceed.
They aren’t opening DTC route for London this year (and probably going forward if I am guessing correctly). They only take on 3 London trainees and have ended up recruiting all (or at least the vast majority) of these trainees from the vac scheme for the past few years I believe. I guess they are just simplifying things and not making DTC applicants go through the whole process and get let down.
Does anyone have an idea of when Hogan Lovells gave out DTC ACs last year? Can't seem to find a timeline anywhere for 2025
This years' hiring process (tests, for example) are different to last year, so I assume the timelines will be different too
Similar threads
- Sticky
