TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker Is it common to accept a TC with one firm and then reapply in the next cycle to other firms?

I wouldn’t say it is common but enough people do it. I don’t really agree with doing it from a moral standpoint as it will limit and reduce the number of TCs available to people, but at the same time I understand people have to have a level of being selfish when it comes to their future career too.

The biggest thing to point out os when they do they only do so up to the point they haven’t received any financial support from the firm nor started the onboarding process for the GDL/LPC/SQE.

I have only heard of a handful of people who took this approach after some form of support was given and for all of them it got exceptionally messy. When you do it at that stage, you are effectively planning to have to pay for whatever you have committed to with the firm yourself. You will most likely have to pay back the original firm and your new firm may not be able to reimburse you for that expense.

 

[hehostressed]

Any response from Weightmans?

 

[SamiyaJ]

Hi all,

If I’m in full time employment and I secure a TC starting in 2 years time, how does obtaining references work? Does the firm contact the workplace immediately or?

A very hypothetical question at this point lol but would be good to know!

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi all,

If I’m in full time employment and I secure a TC starting in 2 years time, how does obtaining references work? Does the firm contact the workplace immediately or?

A very hypothetical question at this point lol but would be good to know!

References generally aren’t requested until 2-4 months before you start your TC.

 

[futuretraineesolicitor]

References generally aren’t requested until 2-4 months before you start your TC.

I have a follow-up question here: If we start a new job after obtaining a TC, surely the law firm won't contact the newest employer, right? since they would have our employment details only until we made the TC application.

 

[ke.nabbk26]

Hi all,

If I’m in full time employment and I secure a TC starting in 2 years time, how does obtaining references work? Does the firm contact the workplace immediately or?

A very hypothetical question at this point lol but would be good to know!

Huge congrats!

Would you quit your job for the SQE prep? Do firms offer the option to take the SQE prep lessons online?

 

[SamiyaJ]

References generally aren’t requested until 2-4 months before you start your TC.

Thank you Jessica

 

[SamiyaJ]

Huge congrats!

Would you quit your job for the SQE prep? Do firms offer the option to take the SQE prep lessons online?

Don’t congratulate me yet, I have secured nada!

If I do secure a TC, I will probably quit my job. I don’t think firms allow you to study for it part time (please correct me if I’m wrong) and I don’t think I’ll be able to manage a job and SQE at the same time!

Not sure if they allow you to do the prep online

 

[sibs23]

Anyone here heard from Cripps?

 

[norothrow324]

This thread has been so slow lately haha. Waiting sucks.

 

[desperateTCseeker1998]

Linklaters are taking the P

 

[cjwx]

Anything from CRS DTC route?

 

[Zaidoz10]

Anything from CRS DTC route?

They said end of February/beginning of March so will be another couple of weeks minimum.

 

[chlawstudent]

Anyone here heard from Cripps?

What stage are you at? I completed the video task and have not heard anything since. But they said they would get in touch with us about whether or not we are invited to AC by the 21st of February so we should hear tomorrow!

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

I wouldn’t say it is common but enough people do it. I don’t really agree with doing it from a moral standpoint as it will limit and reduce the number of TCs available to people, but at the same time I understand people have to have a level of being selfish when it comes to their future career too.

The biggest thing to point out os when they do they only do so up to the point they haven’t received any financial support from the firm nor started the onboarding process for the GDL/LPC/SQE.

I have only heard of a handful of people who took this approach after some form of support was given and for all of them it got exceptionally messy. When you do it at that stage, you are effectively planning to have to pay for whatever you have committed to with the firm yourself. You will most likely have to pay back the original firm and your new firm may not be able to reimburse you for that expense.

I do not plan on reneging the TC after receiving any financial support. I'm just trying to gauge if the firm will/can pursue a claim against me or anything of that sort. Do you reckon they still can?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

I do not plan on reneging the TC after receiving any financial support. I'm just trying to gauge if the firm will/can pursue a claim against me or anything of that sort. Do you reckon they still can?

They technically can but no one does for entry level roles.

It would be ridiculous to try and pursue a claim when trainees are easily replaceable. You only would pursue costs if there was substantial costs incurred through the breach of contract - there isn’t really any major costs until the training kicks in. The legal costs of pursuing any action would far outweigh any potential costs recovered.

 

[bellini]

Hey, has anyone heard from Freshfields post-AC?

 

[sl0712]

Hi! I was wondering if someone could explain how the use of ChatGPT in applications might be viewed. I’ve used ChatGPT to improve the logic and structure of my sentences, paraphrase, check grammar, and cut my answers into fewer words. All the facts in my application were real and truthful. I'm not sure if my application was rejected because of that, but could the use of AI impact my future prospects in any way? For example, they mentioned that the firm could report to the SRA. (Sorry if my question sounds silly, I’m just really worried)

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi! I was wondering if someone could explain how the use of ChatGPT in applications might be viewed. I’ve used ChatGPT to improve the logic and structure of my sentences, paraphrase, check grammar, and cut my answers into fewer words. All the facts in my application were real and truthful. I'm not sure if my application was rejected because of that, but could the use of AI impact my future prospects in any way? For example, they mentioned that the firm could report to the SRA. (Sorry if my question sounds silly, I’m just really worried)

Who mentioned that the firm would report people to the SRA?

 

[sl0712]

Who mentioned that the firm would report people to the SRA?

There was a statement at the end of the application forms saying that the firm is regulated by the SRA and expects honesty and integrity. Essentially, it was the same text on each application sent through Vantage, stating that using ChatGPT was prohibited, even though the firm’s website said it was allowed