TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2023-4

[axelbeugre]

Hello. I am a 2023 graduate from a good university who intends to start PGDL either in May or September. I have some experience, working as an intern in a Bank for the past few months, but want to change to Law. Is it worth sending direct TC apps knowing that I have 0 legal experience? I would really appreciate any advice. If anyone could also advise which firms require legal experience and which don't for direct TC apps, so that I don't waste my time. Thanks again.

Law firms do appreciate people with experience in a corporate setting, so your experience in a bank will be very much appreciated. I think that you can start applying to direct training contracts and if something does not come your way, then I would prepare for vacation schemes applications starting in September. The good thing is you would have the knowledge from applying to direct training contracts now and you know what to do.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hello. I am a 2023 graduate from a good university who intends to start PGDL either in May or September. I have some experience, working as an intern in a Bank for the past few months, but want to change to Law. Is it worth sending direct TC apps knowing that I have 0 legal experience? I would really appreciate any advice. If anyone could also advise which firms require legal experience and which don't for direct TC apps, so that I don't waste my time. Thanks again.

If you have 0 experience, you may want to look to build that up in different ways before applying for TCs.

For instance, you could look out for careers events or do online work experience programmes on the likes of Forage. I would recommend building up as much alternative experience outside of internships to put yourself in the best position. You may also want to wait for some firms and apply for their winter schemes later this year as an alternative. For some firms you may need to wait 12 months before reapplying, and for those firms it may just be worthwhile waiting for their vacation scheme opportunities to come around.

 

[F12M34L]

Does anyone know if Wiggin provides visa sponsorships for trainees?

They do. Asked them back in 2022

 

[TCchaser24]

Has anyone heard back from Bristows after first round interview?

 

[SLJ00]

I've been invited to the AC at Harbottle & Lewis. Does anyone have any advice or tips on what to expect? Thanks!

 

[Untilwinter]

Does Ashurst actually recruit through the direct tc route?

 

[spamelinazoid]

Are the TC numbers that low? It’s historically been much closer to 40 TCs a year.

They increased their number to 40 last year, before that it was 30. Maybe they would be flexible if it was a strong year and they took on 30-35?

 

[Z48]

They increased their number to 40 last year, before that it was 30. Maybe they would be flexible if it was a strong year and they took on 30-35?

So last year approx 25/40 were recruited from the VS and 15/40 were recruited from direct TC apps?

 

[IR174]

Does anyone know if you need to bring anything to the Freshfields AC? Like a laptop to read the article on?

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

Hi @Jessica Booker hope you are doing well. Could you please tell me, for Ashurst's Direct TC app:

Q1 Please use this open space to tell us about yourself, you may want to cover why you would like to train as a solicitor, your skills and achievements. (750 words max) *

Q2: Tell us why you are applying to Ashurst and what you know about the firm? (250 words max) *

Is it completely fine to not talk about Ashurst in Q1 at all and only talk about what the question really asks? (and ofcourse save everything Ashurst related for Q2) Thanks in advance.

 

[evianmineral]

Does anyone know if Ashurst Direct TC test is emotify/cognify or Arctic Shores?

 

[massiveattack]

Freshfields TC offer!!!! So happy and still can`t believe it. I did my AC yesterday. Thanks everyone in this incredible community for the support! Feel free to drop me a line should you need any help

 

[CallumJR]

Freshfields TC offer!!!! So happy and still can`t believe it. I did my AC yesterday. Thanks everyone in this incredible community for the support! Feel free to drop me a line should you need any help

 

[Jessica Booker]

Freshfields TC offer!!!! So happy and still can`t believe it. I did my AC yesterday. Thanks everyone in this incredible community for the support! Feel free to drop me a line should you need any help

Amazing news! Congratulations!

 

[LillyandSilver]

Any tips on in-tray exercises, never done one and have nothing to go on.

 

[law2022x]

anything from brown rudnick?

 

[loyerloz]

for those applying direct to grad solicitor apprenticeships - is it just me or is a very well known company offering £26,500 per year (with no other real monetary perks) for a grad solicitor apprentice in london a bit of an insult? Is it possible to live off of £26,500 if you’re renting in London?

 

[Jessica Booker]

for those applying direct to grad solicitor apprenticeships - is it just me or is a very well known company offering £26,500 per year (with no other real monetary perks) for a grad solicitor apprentice in london a bit of an insult? Is it possible to live off of £26,500 if you’re renting in London?

£26,500 will be similar to many paralegal roles, which the first 6 months or so of a graduate apprenticeship will be comparative too. I'd really look at how the salary progresses throughout the programme as it should be similar to a trainee salary, particularly within 12 months of starting.

Many people do live off £26,500 a year in London - it is no doubt difficult but there will many hundreds of thousands of people in London earning less than that.

Also double check it is not a school leaver apprenticeship role too though.

 

[hannah04]

@Jessica Booker do you know if there are any long-term differences in terms of the SRA qualification you get when you qualify down the graduate solicitor apprentice route versus the training contract route?

 

[Izzy1026]

I still have not heard back from Bristows post partner review and holding email. I did my VI later than the rest (probably the last batch), but seeing that people have completed their first round interviews last week, should I email HR to check my application status? The latest email from the HR (on 22 Feb) states that " Not having heard back from us is not an indication either way. We hope to start first round interviews in March so will be back in touch as soon as we know more."