TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Legal seeker]

For Kingsley Napley’s SJT - is the deadline tonight or tomorrow. I have 2 emails and each has a different deadline, one tonight and one on Tuesday.

Same, but on the message setting out the timelines after the SJT it say we will hear back on the 28th so I believe today is the deadline and did it just in case.

 

[spamelinazoid]

I applied for the Ashurst Direct TC for 2027 last year in November....but i've heard nothing back since while I've heard that some are getting first-round interviews for the Ashurst 2028/2029 direct TC...what's going on???

i mean i think they are starting to send out next stage invites now-ish… but do you mean you applied in November 2024 and still havent heard back?

 

[juanitasimi]

Same, but on the message setting out the timelines after the SJT it say we will hear back on the 28th so I believe today is the deadline and did it just in case.

how did you find it ?

 

[TCapplicant1005]

Has anyone heard from HL?

 

[Legal seeker]

how did you find it ?

I found it ok, obviously without giving too much away- I was surprised it was more scenario based than others I’ve taken in the past, but all in all it was ok. I am a bit worried because it said it should take an hour but it took me way longer just because I wanted to read and fully think through my answers! I hope this is not used against me- I also haven’t received my report back yet.

How did you find it?

 

[Irishman11]

Given that MacFarlanes has 33 trainee slots. How many TC's do they actually have available. Surely no more than 6 or 7 trainee positions, so potentially 30 AC's?

 

[TortillaTC]

Ashurst DTC updates anyone?

 

[juanitasimi]

I found it ok, obviously without giving too much away- I was surprised it was more scenario based than others I’ve taken in the past, but all in all it was ok. I am a bit worried because it said it should take an hour but it took me way longer just because I wanted to read and fully think through my answers! I hope this is not used against me- I also haven’t received my report back yet.

How did you find it?

Ah that sounds good! Is time a factor into the score? And I didn’t apply to KN (the 7 stages put me off haha) but one of my close friends did and has been nervous to take the test so was trying to see what general consensus was, but she’s doing it now. Good luck I’m sure you’ve done well

 

[SueD]

I thought I’d apply for the Reed Smith DTC which only has a one month application window. But… can’t find any actual questions on the Vantage platform! Just grades and work experience. Can anyone let me know where the questions are please? Or what they are! Thanks v much.

 

[TCchaser]

I thought I’d apply for the Reed Smith DTC which only has a one month application window. But… can’t find any actual questions on the Vantage platform! Just grades and work experience. Can anyone let me know where the questions are please? Or what they are! Thanks v much.

Reed Smith | Direct Training Contract 2026

Apply to our Training Contract Graduates onwards including those due to Graduate in summer 2026 are eligible to apply to our Direct Training Contract route

apply.candidats.io

 

[summersun]

I thought I’d apply for the Reed Smith DTC which only has a one month application window. But… can’t find any actual questions on the Vantage platform! Just grades and work experience. Can anyone let me know where the questions are please? Or what they are! Thanks v much.

I think there might be a problem with the website so I would may be wait until tomorrow and see if they have updated the form.

 

[sadboi]

i mean i think they are starting to send out next stage invites now-ish… but do you mean you applied in November 2024 and still havent heard back?

Sorry, I meant in 2025! But still. I've heard back from other firms for their direct TCs but Ashurst has been eluding me

 

[amb303]

I found it ok, obviously without giving too much away- I was surprised it was more scenario based than others I’ve taken in the past, but all in all it was ok. I am a bit worried because it said it should take an hour but it took me way longer just because I wanted to read and fully think through my answers! I hope this is not used against me- I also haven’t received my report back yet.

How did you find it?

I also took longer—think it took me a couple hours. Also took a while with it last year and it didn’t end up being a problem

 

[Irishman11]

Any advice for preparing for Macfarlanes second stage (job simulation)?

is it out yet

 

[Legal seeker]

I also took longer—think it took me a couple hours. Also took a while with it last year and it didn’t end up being a problem

Ah, this is good to know! Did you get through last year? Also if you don’t mind sharing, what was your lowest scoring category?

 

[aanushhhkaaa]

Hi, can anyone give some advice on how to approach Orrick's Direct TC cover letter? They have a bunch of application questions, which I believe cover mostly everything I'd like to talk about in the cover letter- (1) Why commercial law and (2) Why Orrick is already covered. I do think I should proceed to include "why me" in the cover letter- but would that suffice? Is there something else I should that would allow me to stand out? Also, I have a very specific area of law narrowed down- arbitration - wherein I've had a lot work & mooting experience too. Should I take this cover letter to include what that specific area of law, or would be counterintuitive?

Secondly, I've read that Orrick generally only hires from it's vacation scheme. Would proceeding to apply the direct TC route, especially as an applicant who would need Visa sponsorship- actually be worth it?

 

[amb303]

Ah, this is good to know! Did you get through last year? Also if you don’t mind sharing, what was your lowest scoring category?

Yeah, I was progressed to video presentation stage last year and that’s where I was eventually rejected, but the test was fine! I wish I could find what my lowest scoring category was last year but I tried the report link and it won’t let me see, sorry!

 

[ababababba]

I think there might be a problem with the website so I would may be wait until tomorrow and see if they have updated the form.

just checked - there doesn’t appear to be any questions on the app?

 

[spamelinazoid]

Sorry, I meant in 2025! But still. I've heard back from other firms for their direct TCs but Ashurst has been eluding me

I think everyone is still waiting, we got a holding email about 2 weeks ago but thats it (as far as I have seen)

 

[nfe00001]

Baker Mackenzie pfo :/