TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Didn't realise there was a thread just for training contracts. I was wondering if I could get some advice. I have had a very stressful couple of days due to personal reasons and I am not sure I can meet the Stephenson Harwood VS deadline next Friday. Does anyone here know if the firm heavily recruits from their VSs? Would I be massively limiting my chances applying to their direct TC instead 😭😭 I don't know whether to take annual leave and work on the app and rush it in or send off a solid direct TC app later



Would appreciate your thoughts @Jessica Booker @Andrei Radu

Honestly, we’re not entirely sure. The general consensus on this forum is that SH recruit a high percentage of trainees (around 50%ish) from Direct TC applications.

However, I think this data is quite outdated.

I made it to SH’s direct TC AC last year, and they only made a few offers via the direct TC route.
The year before, they took 5 people from the direct TC route.

I’d recommend emailing and asking Grad Rec. However, chances are, they won’t be transparent (partially because the numbers will vary each year).

I’d say a safer bet is applying to the VS

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Honestly, we’re not entirely sure. The general consensus on this forum is that SH recruit a high percentage of trainees (around 50%ish) from Direct TC applications.

However, I think this data is quite outdated.

I made it to SH’s direct TC AC last year, and they only made a few offers via the direct TC route.
The year before, they took 4 people from the direct TC route.

I’d recommend emailing and asking Grad Rec. However, chances are, they won’t be transparent (partially because the numbers will vary each year).

I’d say a safer bet is applying to the VS

Really helpful, thank you. That's not particularly encouraging that they made such few offers via direct TC tbf. When was your AC for direct TC btw?

 

[RS Sanjanaa]

Does anybody know if Stephenson Harwood sponsors visas for their placement schemes for international students?

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Really helpful, thank you. That's not particularly encouraging that they made such few offers via direct TC tbf. When was your AC for direct TC btw?

I believe it was around October time. They started getting back to people in September though, shortlisting them to video interview.
They don’t recruit on rolling basis for direct TC, so it’s a long waiting game ahaha

 

[Miss Chocolate]

I believe it was around October time. They started getting back to people in September though, shortlisting them to video interview.
They don’t recruit on rolling basis for direct TC, so it’s a long waiting game ahaha

I would have thought the AC would be in the summer. So that means if I apply for the direct TC, I won't have the chance to potentially start the SQE this summer so I can start the TC in 2026 as opposed to 2027. Am I correct in assuming that? Is this the case for most direct TC recruitment process or does SH particularly start their TC recruitment late?

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

I would have thought the AC would be in the summer. So that means if I apply for the direct TC, I won't have the chance to potentially start the SQE this summer so I can start the TC in 2026 as opposed to 2027. Am I correct in assuming that? Is this the case for most direct TC recruitment process or does SH particularly start their TC recruitment late?

This is something I was also confused about when I was going through the process with SH.

They have 2 trainee intakes. One in March and one in September. So I think if they run direct TC ACs late again, you’d likely be in the March 2027 intake, if that makes sense.

Most firms definitely recruit in the summer, in order for their future trainees to start the PGDL / SQE in September and join the firm the folllwing year.
SH are just unique lol

 

[norothrow324]

I believe it was around October time. They started getting back to people in September though, shortlisting them to video interview.
They don’t recruit on rolling basis for direct TC, so it’s a long waiting game ahaha

This year they’re reviewing it on a rolling basis.

“We review applications on a rolling basis but never make offers to fill all our places before the application deadline.”

 

[Miss Chocolate]

This is something I was also confused about when I was going through the process with SH.

They have 2 trainee intakes. One in March and one in September. So I think if they run direct TC ACs late again, you’d likely be in the March 2027 intake, if that makes sense.

Most firms definitely recruit in the summer, in order for their future trainees to start the PGDL / SQE in September and join the firm the folllwing year.
SH are just unique lol

I was legit about to have a meltdown because 5 of the apps I have yet to send are all direct TCs and I would ideally like to start the SQE in the summer lol. I need to research the direct TC route a bit more for sure. Thanks so much for clarifying that!

I am assuming most firms host separate ACs for direct TCs in the summer June - August?

 

[isabelle888]

Does anyone know when White & Case/W&C are meant to get back with decisions after AC/Interview?

 

[mooonoo123]

I wanted to ask if its worth applying for direct TCs if i havent done a vac scheme previously, i havent eena able to put alot of time into my vac scheme applications this cycle because of uni but i think with the direct TC applications i will have mor etime to invest in them, is there any point if i havent previosuly done a vac scheme ?

 

[ohnoselim]

I wanted to ask if its worth applying for direct TCs if i havent done a vac scheme previously, i havent eena able to put alot of time into my vac scheme applications this cycle because of uni but i think with the direct TC applications i will have mor etime to invest in them, is there any point if i havent previosuly done a vac scheme ?

go for it

doing a vac scheme previously isnt necessary to secure a TC

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Really differs from firm to firm but with how competitive things are, I expect that lots of firms expect at least a vacation scheme under your belt if you don't have a legal support role. NRF was (before they axed direct TC completely) honest about this, they said they expected candidates to demonstrate some legal work experience to be considered for direct TC. However, this is definitely not a hard and fast rule. I know some people who have got direct TCs without any legal experience. But that's quite rare. I know the general vibe here is optimistic rather than realistic, but if you're at 0 legal work experience, I think it's better to try and gain some rather than spending time shooting for DTCs

Damn didn't NFR advertise their DTC earlier this year? I have checked the website and it's no longer on their vacancies page.

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Damn didn't NFR advertise their DTC earlier this year? I have checked the website and it's no longer on their vacancies page.

Yes and then they said actually... maybe not

Also love the subtle Lana Del Rey reference here

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Yes and then they said actually... maybe not

Also love the subtle Lana Del Rey reference here

So what about the people who did submit the applications? Curious.

Where...👀

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

So what about the people who did submit the applications? Curious.

Where...👀

Portal never opened

NRF = Norton Rose Fulbright

NFR = Norman F****** Rockwell

 

[Miss Chocolate]

Portal never opened

NRF = Norton Rose Fulbright

NFR = Norman F****** Rockwell

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL

Imagine all that effort....and all you get is 'sorry we messed up, we can't make up our mind on how to recruit hehe xoxo'

 

[whywhy88]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what time of year the ACs for HL direct TC were held last year?

 

[Chris Brown]

I wanted to ask if its worth applying for direct TCs if i havent done a vac scheme previously, i havent eena able to put alot of time into my vac scheme applications this cycle because of uni but i think with the direct TC applications i will have mor etime to invest in them, is there any point if i havent previosuly done a vac scheme ?

I think it’s firm dependant. If a firm has a large trainee intake and recruits a lot of trainees from the DTC route (50% or above) then go for it. Typically, this would be the Magic Circle firms. If a firm has a small trainee intake and recruits only a few trainees per year from the DTC route, then I think they’d probably expect to see at least some form of legal experience. I don't think a VS is necessary but it’s the best way to demonstrate your potential, which would increase your chances of securing a TC in a city law firm (from the DTC route). If you don’t have a VS, perhaps another form of legal work experience would be good. I think every firm with a DTC route would want to see a lot of legal and non-legal work experience to showcase all of the transferable skills (given they wouldn’t be assessing you through their own VS). 🙂​

 

[RS Sanjanaa]

does freshfields have a second cycle for the direct TC program between June-July? if yes, are you allowed to apply to that if you have failed the one in Jan post SJT?

 

[Chris Brown]

does freshfields have a second cycle for the direct TC program between June-July? if yes, are you allowed to apply to that if you have failed the one in Jan post SJT?

I think Freshfields got rid of their summer DTC because they introduced the WVS (for finalists and graduates). I also think you can only send one application per cycle to Freshfields, so if you applied for the winter DTC, you would need to wait for the next cycle. The WVS (Dec 2025) is for next application cycle so you can apply for that or the winter DTC (Jan 2026). 🙂​