TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[sibs23]

Hey, anyone else here applying for or has already applied to Cripps? I am struggling to get very close to the 500 word limit given that we are being asked about only one change that can be put in place in only one day. Not sure how best to structure it which has led me to putting a lot of waffle into my current draft lol. Any tips as to how to approach this would be very much appreciated!

 

[rain2801]

Hi @Jessica Booker

Need some advice on my application. I'm a mature Indian applicant years of age in the penultimate year of my degree. I took a gap of 4 years post high school to undertake work, then joined a top law university in India via its entrance exam. I am currently on track to graduate with a first class with honours, but my grades in the last year of high school are abysmal. Unfortunately, we did not have a provision for mitigating circumstances in India, so I am unsure how to explain that on my application. I have a combined work experience of around 8 months across various practice areas in major Indian law firms and am certain I wish to practice in the UK as a commercial lawyer. But given my background (grades in final year of high school + gap), I am apprehensive of applying since it seems like a waste to even apply, given I'm most likely to be rejected. Do you think I should give this a chance still and if so, how do you suggest I proceed with my application?

 

[Zaidoz10]

Anyone know anything about the Trowers OTS Law Advance test? Can’t find anything online.

 

[pickyportkey]

Has anyone gotten Slaughter and May AC invites after Christmas?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi @Jessica Booker

Need some advice on my application. I'm a mature Indian applicant years of age in the penultimate year of my degree. I took a gap of 4 years post high school to undertake work, then joined a top law university in India via its entrance exam. I am currently on track to graduate with a first class with honours, but my grades in the last year of high school are abysmal. Unfortunately, we did not have a provision for mitigating circumstances in India, so I am unsure how to explain that on my application. I have a combined work experience of around 8 months across various practice areas in major Indian law firms and am certain I wish to practice in the UK as a commercial lawyer. But given my background (grades in final year of high school + gap), I am apprehensive of applying since it seems like a waste to even apply, given I'm most likely to be rejected. Do you think I should give this a chance still and if so, how do you suggest I proceed with my application?

The gap ahead of your degree will not be an issue.

Many firms do not heavily assess A-level equivalents and so would look much more favourably at your degree results, which as you have said you is a strong result, so you will have a chance.

It is challenging for international candidates, and especially those with no experience (educational or work related) in the U.K. - that will be a bigger barrier than academics for many, but at the same time plenty of international candidates manage to secure TCs so it shouldn’t be something that stops people from trying to secure something.

 

[Mug Fan]

Hey! When is your AC? I have one on 27 Feb

Yes, I’m also 27th! 😂

 

[gazdgazd11]

Kennedys rejection post test

 

[FoxStella]

Hello! Long time lurker here, I'm a non law career changer and have done about 10 applications for TCs or VSs, heard back from a couple with PFOs so haven't really felt the need to post anything yet.

However I've just had an interview invite from Slaughter and May! Has anyone got experience with their interview process and what I should prepare? Any advice for this would be fantastic and greatly appreciated, it's my first interview for any legal role and I am bricking it!! 😰

 

[👩🏼💼]

Hello! Long time lurker here, I'm a non law career changer and have done about 10 applications for TCs or VSs, heard back from a couple with PFOs so haven't really felt the need to post anything yet.

However I've just had an interview invite from Slaughter and May! Has anyone got experience with their interview process and what I should prepare? Any advice for this would be fantastic and greatly appreciated, it's my first interview for any legal role and I am bricking it!! 😰

Congratulations! You only need one to go right and getting to interview is a serious achievement already ☺️

I can give some insight for their interviews. Is it for one of the Vac Schemes?

 

[FoxStella]

Congratulations! You only need one to go right and getting to interview is a serious achievement already ☺️

I can give some insight for their interviews. Is it for one of the Vac Schemes?

Thank you! As a graduate, I could only apply for their non-law direct TC

 

[GettingThereSomehow]

Hey, I completed CMS video interview about 6 weeks ago and still haven't heard back. Should I assume a pfo?

Hi, I applied to CMS on the DL for apps, and only completed my VI Friday 3rd Jan, so it might be that they're reviewing all?
What office did you apply for?

 

[P_6]

Hello! Long time lurker here, I'm a non law career changer and have done about 10 applications for TCs or VSs, heard back from a couple with PFOs so haven't really felt the need to post anything yet.

However I've just had an interview invite from Slaughter and May! Has anyone got experience with their interview process and what I should prepare? Any advice for this would be fantastic and greatly appreciated, it's my first interview for any legal role and I am bricking it!! 😰

Hey, Congratss on the AC invite! May I ask when you applied to S&M?

 

[LB24]

Hi congratulations first of all was this for the direct tc or for the vac scheme?

Thanks, and it was for the direct TC

 

[FoxStella]

Hey, Congratss on the AC invite! May I ask when you applied to S&M?

I applied around mid Nov I think!

 

[Aimanhussain004]

Same, I was reading mine a few days ago, thinking “oh gawd” 😂

Do you guys reckon Goodwin will send out more VI's ? I think my app was actually really good T_T [took two weeks doing it]

 

[xMontmorency]

Hello! Long time lurker here, I'm a non law career changer and have done about 10 applications for TCs or VSs, heard back from a couple with PFOs so haven't really felt the need to post anything yet.

However I've just had an interview invite from Slaughter and May! Has anyone got experience with their interview process and what I should prepare? Any advice for this would be fantastic and greatly appreciated, it's my first interview for any legal role and I am bricking it!! 😰

I did the S&M AC for direct TC in October.

One thing I'd say is, unless they've changed it, the written exercise was very challenging for me. You have to write a report on a company's business strategy. There's not a lot of time to think (you have an hour to read different materials, prepare and write the report), and I think it's very easy to fall into the trap of regurgitating information without adding nuanced opinions.

Interviews were bog standard. I personally think the interviewers were a bit unfriendly, but that's luck of the draw.

Hope that helps.

 

[rain2801]

The gap ahead of your degree will not be an issue.

Many firms do not heavily assess A-level equivalents and so would look much more favourably at your degree results, which as you have said you is a strong result, so you will have a chance.

It is challenging for international candidates, and especially those with no experience (educational or work related) in the U.K. - that will be a bigger barrier than academics for many, but at the same time plenty of international candidates manage to secure TCs so it shouldn’t be something that stops people from trying to secure something.

Thank you for this response! I just had a follow up- I do have work experience in the legal field though not in the UK. How do you suggest I can best translate this in my application?

 

[Boating]

Has anyone had a delay in received the Osborne Clarke test/not received it… I applied last night

 

[doglover123]

Hi, I applied to CMS on the DL for apps, and only completed my VI Friday 3rd Jan, so it might be that they're reviewing all?
What office did you apply for?

Do you mind me asking which office you applied for? I applied for London

 

[AfVio24]

Has anyone who did a CMS VI in/around December heard back? Saw some AC's were given late November but was wondering if there had been anything since?