TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[yk1906]

Slaughters PFO

 

[routetotrainingcontract]

People have got AC’s but from the looks of it they’ve applied to the 2027 TC.

I’ve yet to see someone for the 2028 TC get an AC invite.

which other person apart from the one person on this thread? i did see some invites on the other thread (vac scheme thread) but i assumed they were for vac schemes not dtc. i applied for the 2027 myself

 

[sunsoul]

which other person apart from the one person on this thread? i did see some invites on the other thread (vac scheme thread) but i assumed they were for vac schemes not dtc. i applied for the 2027 myself

same! there’s one AC invite for dtc 2027 on the vac scheme forum too so two in total. but i think it’s safe to assume pfo for those of us who applied to 2027 considering ACs are next week unless someone can call them and ask?

 

[adh3]

Has anyone heard from A&O Shearman so far this week? Whether an AC offer or rejection? I’m not sure what the general process is with ACs but if you haven’t received an offer yet, is it safe to assume it’s a rejection?

From looking at the dates of previous years' DTC AC invitations, I don't believe they are sent out in batches. Perhaps, if the people already invited to an AC perform poorly, there will be another round of invitations. However, that's purely speculative.

 

[Amgrad]

Orrick is among the list that doesn't sponsor PGDL anymore. I just realised its VC practice ranks highly both in the UK Chamber and Legal 500, even surpassing Cooley, I need to redact it from my list too. So sad but glad I haven't signed up

 

[Trophy]

same! there’s one AC invite for dtc 2027 on the vac scheme forum too so two in total. but i think it’s safe to assume pfo for those of us who applied to 2027 considering ACs are next week unless someone can call them and ask?

I’d assume anyone that got an AC invite this week was for direct TC not VS regardless of the thread they posted in. This is because the TC application closed well after the VS one therefore they’d be on two separate timelines of responding to people.

I don’t think they send invites in batches.

I want to remind optimistic and say they won’t get back to those who applied to 2028 DTC until the new year only as they won’t start at minimum until September 2026 (non law). They’d prioritise 2027 as they’d start the SQE in the next 3/4 months if they haven’t already passed.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Slaughters PFO

Sorry to hear about the PFO. Can I ask when did you apply to Slaughters?​

 

[yk1906]

Sorry to hear about the PFO. Can I ask when did you apply to Slaughters?​

Very very early, I think maybe 2 days after the apps opened.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Very very early, I think maybe 2 days after the apps opened.

Jheeze why do they take so long to respond? I thought they reviewed on a rolling basis? I applied a few weeks ago so I most likely won’t hear back until after the new year it seems. They did ask for my degree transcript last week but nothing else since then. ​

 

[yk1906]

Jheeze why do they take so long to respond? I thought they reviewed on a rolling basis? I applied a few weeks ago so I most likely won’t hear back until after the new year it seems. They did ask for my degree transcript last week but nothing else since then. ​

Perhaps for me it took longer because I’m a full on international with my bachelors from a country I’m pretty sure 0 people apply from. Maybe it took them a lot of time to understand my grades + I have almost 100 entries. Oxford says my GPA is equivalent to 2:1, might’ve been too low for them, even though it’s super hard to achieve in my country

 

[Amgrad]

I also noticed and was a little confused... If a firm doesn't sponsor the PGDL, does it mean they would require non-law grads to pay for it themselves or they would ask them to go straight into the SQE? Thanks!

You must paid by yourself I guess. Usually they do not offer retrospective pay either. For SQE they would pay for BARBRI same as Baker McKenzie, K&L Gates & Davis Polk.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Perhaps for me it took longer because I’m a full on international with my bachelors from a country I’m pretty sure 0 people apply from. Maybe it took them a lot of time to understand my grades + I have almost 100 entries. Oxford says my GPA is equivalent to 2:1, might’ve been too low for them, even though it’s super hard to achieve in my country

100 entries is insane! Sounds like a tough course you did for your undergraduate! Seems like they are still going through applications submitted at the start of their window. Tbf I think they expect a ‘good’ 2:1 which I assume means 65% or more but I have heard that they only interview people with a 68% average or above? Not sure but they seem pretty focused on academics. Best of luck with your other applications in any case!​

 

[yk1906]

100 entries is insane! Sounds like a tough course you did for your undergraduate! Seems like they are still going through applications submitted at the start of their window. Tbf I think they expect a ‘good’ 2:1 which I assume means 65% or more but I have heard that they only interview people with a 68% average or above? Not sure but they seem pretty focused on academics. Best of luck with your other applications in any case!​

Honestly, I don’t even know… And I never take anything like this personally, I don’t agree that grades and universities are an adequate indicator of one’s strengths The sad thing is that I got into LSE some time ago and couldn’t go because of the financial aspect. Maybe I should start writing that in my applications

I hope you get an interview though, and thanks for kind words!

 

[Bread]

Honestly, I don’t even know… And I never take anything like this personally, I don’t agree that grades and universities are an adequate indicator of one’s strengths The sad thing is that I got into LSE some time ago and couldn’t go because of the financial aspect. Maybe I should start writing that in my applications

I hope you get an interview though, and thanks for kind words!

Out of curiosity, how come you want to pursue a career in the UK? Feel free to pm me

 

[A2000L]

I’d assume anyone that got an AC invite this week was for direct TC not VS regardless of the thread they posted in. This is because the TC application closed well after the VS one therefore they’d be on two separate timelines of responding to people.

I don’t think they send invites in batches.

I want to remind optimistic and say they won’t get back to those who applied to 2028 DTC until the new year only as they won’t start at minimum until September 2026 (non law). They’d prioritise 2027 as they’d start the SQE in the next 3/4 months if they haven’t already passed.

Does anyone know if A&O Shearman DTC 2028 AC is also week of 15 December? I've booked a holiday from next week and not sure if I should cancel it

 

[yk1906]

Out of curiosity, how come you want to pursue a career in the UK? Feel free to pm me

It’s a very logical reason, really I’ll PM

 

[Trophy]

Does anyone know if A&O Shearman DTC 2028 AC is also week of 15 December? I've booked a holiday from next week and not sure if I should cancel it

It’s worth emailing them as they’re the only people with answers unfortunately

 

[TCLAAAA]

Does anyone know if A&O Shearman DTC 2028 AC is also week of 15 December? I've booked a holiday from next week and not sure if I should cancel it

I already booked my holiday (13th-20th Dec) during July, so…

 

[Trophy]

Also if anyone decided to send a last minute application to linklaters you have to complete the first test before the deadline (which is today) and then the WG 5 days after you get it.

 

[A2000L]

It’s worth emailing them as they’re the only people with answers unfortunately

Yeah, you're right, thanks. I've emailed them!