TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[User5678]

Gowling PFO and my feedback report was at the top level for almost every section. Guessing they didn't like my application answers 🤔

Same, for the first time I was satisfied with my feedback report as I scored above average (and highly) in all sections (with 3 legal experiences as well). Think I wrote my app well too. Guess too much competition especially considering they don’t look at any grades so more apps and
GREAT CANDIDATESSS!!


But well we move on

 

[User5678]

For the CMS direct TC VI, is it mostly competency/scenario-based and motivational questions (including basic firm knowledge) or should one be expecting commercial awareness/advanced firm+industry knowledge questions as well? Feel free to ignore this message if you’re not allowed to/comfortable answering 😅🤝 thank you in advance!

I didn’t apply but my friend gave the VI. I can confirm that he said it was not one of the easy VIs it’s competency/strength based (those ques were still easy/basic) he said that the firm based motivational ques were hard so I think deep knowledge of firm will be more helpful.

I don’t remember if he mentioned anything about commercial awareness tbh

More prep is always beneficial

Again, I’m not too sure as I myself didn’t give the VI but hope this helps. Best of luck!

 

[aspiringcitylawyer]

I didn’t apply but my friend gave the VI. I can confirm that he said it was not one of the easy VIs it’s competency/strength based (those ques were still easy/basic) he said that the firm based motivational ques were hard so I think deep knowledge of firm will be more helpful.

I don’t remember if he mentioned anything about commercial awareness tbh

More prep is always beneficial

Again, I’m not too sure as I myself didn’t give the VI but hope this helps. Best of luck!

Alright, thank you very much!!

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

For those that are doing / have done a critical thinking test by Shakespeare, do you have any practice questions for the Evaluating Arguments part? They are provided by Test Partnership, and the choices range from Very Strong, Strong, Fairly Strong, to Very Weak :0

 

[Tintin06]

Any experience here with Fried Frank?

 

[lilymawe1]

Does anyone perhaps know where I would be able to find the link for a direct TC with Weil Gotshal & Manges? In most calendars it states that the deadline is the 15th of December but has the deadline perhaps already passed? I cannot see any dates on their website!

​

Sorry as this reply is probably too late, but I only just saw this. I believe Weil used to do a direct TC but but owing to the fact they basically filled most places each year from the VS, they decided to stop with the direct TC - I don't know what year they stopped though, this may be first year they've changed it. I think a webinar I attended with Weil early careers mentioned this being the case now. Equally, when I applied to VS I didn't see any additional application options for a TC on application portal, so I would assume it just isn't happening... but if anyone knows any different please feel free to correct me!

 

[TeeTee123!!]

Sorry as this reply is probably too late, but I only just saw this. I believe Weil used to do a direct TC but but owing to the fact they basically filled most places each year from the VS, they decided to stop with the direct TC - I don't know what year they stopped though, this may be first year they've changed it. I think a webinar I attended with Weil early careers mentioned this being the case now. Equally, when I applied to VS I didn't see any additional application options for a TC on application portal, so I would assume it just isn't happening... but if anyone knows any different please feel free to correct me!

Thank you for this!!x

 

[OliverTwist]

Has anyone received an AC invite from CMS yet? I'm still in the post-VI space.

 

[User5678]

For kennedys test, is there a VI element in the test? I am unsure because their email said that the test would take 1.5 hours and I’m freaking out thinking it’s gonna be like the Irwin Mitchell assessment😂

 

[EK_27]

Has anyone received an AC invite from CMS yet? I'm still in the post-VI space.

Someone got a VI today, so I think they’ll follow last year’s format and AC invites will come after the Christmas break. Especially as they’re non rolling, I think they’re waiting to receive all VIs??Fingers crossed for good news 🤞

 

[GigiB2001]

hello 👋

This is my first application cycle, and I’ve been solely applying to VS.

I was wondering if it’s worth applying to direct TCs, considering that I have a non-law undergraduate degree from a Russell Group university and an LLM in commercial law. I also have legal experience in a legal clinic and 8 months of non-law professional work. Additionally, I attended an important law academy and held two leadership positions, but I’m extremely unsure if this is relevant compared to candidates who have already completed the SQE or have paralegal experience. 😅

If anyone has any input, please let me know !

 

[tania_tt0901]

Someone got a VI today, so I think they’ll follow last year’s format and AC invites will come after the Christmas break. Especially as they’re non rolling, I think they’re waiting to receive all VIs??Fingers crossed for good news 🤞

Hi do you know when did the person receiving VI today finish their WG test?

 

[nyanchan22]

CMS Dubai WG invite! Honestly was expecting a PFO so I’m happy!!

 

[EK_27]

Hi do you know when did the person receiving VI today finish their WG test?

Hey I don’t sorry, I saw it on the VS forum if that helps

 

[ilovegardening1111]

does anyone have any tips for passing the kennedys SST?

 

[andrecsaa]

hello 👋

This is my first application cycle, and I’ve been solely applying to VS.

I was wondering if it’s worth applying to direct TCs, considering that I have a non-law undergraduate degree from a Russell Group university and an LLM in commercial law. I also have legal experience in a legal clinic and 8 months of non-law professional work. Additionally, I attended an important law academy and held two leadership positions, but I’m extremely unsure if this is relevant compared to candidates who have already completed the SQE or have paralegal experience. 😅

If anyone has any input, please let me know !

Many candidates gain work experience through VS and try to convert it into TC. Perhaps you should try a VS before a TC if you are insecure about your work experience. Try to focus on transferable skills required to become a solicitor.

Tbh I do not believe most of the candidates have completed the SQE as one of the benefits of getting a TC is the funding for the SQE studies and exams. Don't compare yourself with other candidates and do your best in the applications.

 

[sibs23]

Hey, can anyone advise as to how many Forsters usually take from the direct TC route? I want to know if they will always look at the direct applicants or will they only be considered if they cannot pick the right candidates from VS? My preference is to try for as many direct TCs as I can this year given I have quite a lot of paralegal and VS experience already, but if the odds are against me, ofc, I would go for VS instead. Any insight from previous years would be greatly appreciated!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hey, can anyone advise as to how many Forsters usually take from the direct TC route? I want to know if they will always look at the direct applicants or will they only be considered if they cannot pick the right candidates from VS? My preference is to try for as many direct TCs as I can this year given I have quite a lot of paralegal and VS experience already, but if the odds are against me, ofc, I would go for VS instead. Any insight from previous years would be greatly appreciated!

Looks like historically most of their trainees comes from the VS but that they purposely keep a direct TC route open for those who cannot apply for VS:

 

[gggg]

Hi Guyss, any commerical awareness preparation needed for CMS VI? Would appreciate it!

 

[pfoapplicant]

Hi guys - apologies in advance if I'm posting this on the wrong thread! I originally posted this as a standalone thread, but didn't get any responses, so I thought it might be more useful to post in a busier thread.


I’m graduating from university in June, and although I’ve done well academically so far (I'm at a good university, and I've got good grades), it’s looking likely (for various reasons) that I’m not going to have a training contract at a commercial law firm lined up by the time I leave university.

I’m currently trying to work out what the best course of action is (immediately after graduation) if I don’t graduate with a training contract – at the moment, I’ve narrowed it down to two broad choices: (1) doing the SQE in some form, or (2) doing some work as a paralegal. Obviously, with either option (1) or (2), I’ll be applying to firms for vacation schemes and/or training contracts at the same time as working/studying (as the case may be).

Out of these two options, what would you guys say would be the best thing to do, in order to be in the best position in which I can be vis-à-vis future vac scheme/training contract applications?

Also, would you say that it’s advisable to do at the SQE (at least in some form) in order to even be able to land a paralegal role at a decent firm (and if so, would it be enough to just do the SQE1 in the short term, rather than the whole SQE1&2 LLM option)?

If I don’t graduate with a training contract, then in an ideal world, I’d quite like to do some work as a paralegal after graduation (not least because the various SQE options, if self-funded, are quite expensive!), but I thought it best to get the benefit of your advice.

If you can give any pointers, I’d be really grateful!

@Jessica Booker @Jaysen