TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

[EzeLaylor]

just had a question about NQs - do firms generally take on NQs on a fixed contract or is it always a permanent contract.

I read an article re lower retention rates and that Linklaters didn’t take on NQs on fixed contract - that’s a good thing right?

Linklaters retention drops again to 78 per cent

Linklaters is retaining 46 of its 59 qualifying trainees for this autumn round, posting a retention rate of 78 per cent. No qualifiers will be kept on fixed-term contracts (FTC) unlike the previous…

www.thelawyer.com

 

[mckelly]

Still nothing from Slaughters?

Even though interviews supposedly start this week or maybe next...

 

[SamiyaJ]

Still nothing from Slaughters?

Slaughters emailed me a couple of weeks ago saying they’ve withdrawn my application as this cycle is for law graduates only, and advised me to apply again in September for 2027/2028 intake 😭

 

[SamiyaJ]

Hi, are we assuming PFO for Dentons if we haven't received the test?

I am as I haven’t heard anything post app and I applied back in May…

 

[Mads91837]

Anything from RPC? AC is meant to be next week?

 

[maymays]

Anyone heard back from Hill Dickinson yet?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

just had a question about NQs - do firms generally take on NQs on a fixed contract or is it always a permanent contract.

I read an article re lower retention rates and that Linklaters didn’t take on NQs on fixed contract - that’s a good thing right?

Linklaters retention drops again to 78 per cent

Linklaters is retaining 46 of its 59 qualifying trainees for this autumn round, posting a retention rate of 78 per cent. No qualifiers will be kept on fixed-term contracts (FTC) unlike the previous…

www.thelawyer.com

Most firms will offer permanent contracts to NQs, but fixed term contracts are still used especially when the department is going under change. For instance, I have seen firm offer FTCs when they have people on maternity/paternity leave or on sabbaticals/secondments but are due to come back, or when they are waiting for a new partner to join the department.

It is obviously better to have a permanent role as it provides a little more security, but FTCs are better than not receiving a role at all and often turn into permanent roles anyway.

 

[norothrow324]

I wouldn’t assume a PFO as I got a Pfo a while back already. I think they might have already sent out rejections and the test may come in batches.

When did you hear back from them?

 

[A worried graduate]

Has anyone given the Dentons online assessment yet?

I ain’t had it yet

 

[RiverJules]

anyone hear back from howard kennedy post-AC?

 

[studentdelaw786]

Have people received any updates re Mayer Brown TC? saw a few PFOs unfortunately, but I’ve not got anything..

 

[Deleted member 31571]

Have people received any updates re Mayer Brown TC? saw a few PFOs unfortunately, but I’ve not got anything..

Got a pfo on friday

 

[legal_student2024]

I haven't heard back from Withers post-test so assuming PFO (its been over a month now)? I cannot deal with this limbo !!

 

[A worried graduate]

Anyone got a guide on applying for Walker Morris.

Nice firm but their form is absolutely awful

 

[leaaa2023]

Does anyone perform really well on WG tests? I would like some tips on some sections I get stuck on. I'll buy you a coffee/lunch, I need to get that darn test right

 

[p2bv]

anyone heard from TLT

 

[Donuttime]

Does anyone perform really well on WG tests? I would like some tips on some sections I get stuck on. I'll buy you a coffee/lunch, I need to get that darn test right

What firm are you completing a WG for btw?

 

[Deleted member 31571]

Did Weil even open for direct TC this year or not?

 

[EzeLaylor]

Did Weil even open for direct TC this year or not?

I emailed them in May about it and they said they would have both 2025/2026 TCs - was quite surprised when they didn’t open them.

maybe they ended up filling their TC places following the summer vac scheme.

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Did Weil even open for direct TC this year or not?

In previous years, they really took the “up to X trainees per year” to heart, which meant there were mostly always less trainees than X. This often left spaces for direct TC applications. But typically, the firm would be very selective. I very much get the impression that the firm preferred/prefers to take like one person from the summer direct applications who had already passed the GDL/LPC (now SQE) and was / (is) ready to start in that same September intake.

This year, I’m guessing they’re focusing on growing, and particularly within a broader range of practices. So, they’ve taken on whatever they consider to be the full amount of trainees for 2026 + made some deferred offers for the 2027 intake. I remember seeing some recent offers for 2024 even—so this vacation scheme cycle has been huge for the firm!