TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Ram Sabaratnam I saw on A&O's they require candidates to have 7 GCSEs, as an international student I haven' t studied GCSE before. Can i still apply their TC?

Hi!

Yes, I'd say that you can still apply! The GCSE requirement will be aimed at UK-based applicants, and as an international student, firms like A&O will understand that you'll have studied a different qualification.

What they'll look for instead is the equivalent academic performance in your own education system. You can usually explain your grades in the application form, if there is space, and note that your qualification is the equivalent of GCSEs.

If you're still unsure, it might be worth emailing the graduate recruitment team to double-check how they interpret your specific qualification - they're usually very helpful about this and can confirm how to present it.

I hope that helps!

 

[WeGotThis!]

How do firms assess the Capp SJT? On one of them I got teamwork as a weakness but challenge myself and thrive in high-pressured situations as a strength. Considering it's the legal industry is teamwork as a weakness an automatic PFO?

 

[Bread]

How do firms assess the Capp SJT? On one of them I got teamwork as a weakness but challenge myself and thrive in high-pressured situations as a strength. Considering it's the legal industry is teamwork as a weakness an automatic PFO?

I think amberjack is more transparent when it comes to this. Capp just shows your highest and lowest ranking strengths, but it doesn’t actually tell you how well you did in those strengths, so imo it’s pointless to stress about which ones your feedback report returns

 

[lelezb1]

I’ve seen people getting TC interviews for slaughter & may, congratulations!! Is it late to apply to them this week?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

How do firms assess the Capp SJT? On one of them I got teamwork as a weakness but challenge myself and thrive in high-pressured situations as a strength. Considering it's the legal industry is teamwork as a weakness an automatic PFO?

Hi!

I can't speak much on how firms assess Capp SJT (as I don't know!), but I don't think having teamwork as a weakness is an automatic PFO. It's important to remember that just because it's the 'weakness', this doesn't necessarily mean you scored badly in that trait - it just means it was your lowest scoring trait overall. You could have still scored highly across all of them

If your score is high overall, it's unlikely that teamwork being your weakness will stop you from progressing!

 

[elliece]

I’ve seen people getting TC interviews for slaughter & may, congratulations!! Is it late to apply to them this week?

From my understanding, not at all! I spoke to grad rec at a Legal Cheek event, and they stated they interview in batches which is why the deadline is rolling, but the deadline is still over a month away (24th Nov I think), so you could get an interview in the next batch if you apply soon! I applied a few days ago after an insight afternoon, and grad rec recommended this approach to me.

 

[lelezb1]

From my understanding, not at all! I spoke to grad rec at a Legal Cheek event, and they stated they interview in batches which is why the deadline is rolling, but the deadline is still over a month away (24th Nov I think), so you could get an interview in the next batch if you apply soon! I applied a few days ago after an insight afternoon, and grad rec recommended this approach to me.

Thank you for sharing this.

 

[Deek14]

I applied to HFW in July 2025 for their direct TC 2026/2027 and got rejected in August 2028. Since this is very recent and nothing much as changed, I was wondering whether its worth it to apply again for TC 2028/2029? I am also aware that they hire on a rolling basis and since I had applied at the very last moment fpr 2026/2027, that might be the reason for my rejection.

 

[SamiyaJ]

I applied to HFW in July 2025 for their direct TC 2026/2027 and got rejected in August 2028. Since this is very recent and nothing much as changed, I was wondering whether its worth it to apply again for TC 2028/2029? I am also aware that they hire on a rolling basis and since I had applied at the very last moment fpr 2026/2027, that might be the reason for my rejection.

Hey,

It’s absolutely worth applying. I applied for the TC last November and I made it to the AC.

If you submit an application soon then it will probably be in the “early bunch of apps”, so it will definitely be considered. Just make sure your app isn’t identical to your last app and it shows some growth/deeper knowledge than before!

Best of luck x

 

[Deek14]

Hey,

It’s absolutely worth applying. I applied for the TC last November and I made it to the AC.

If you submit an application soon then it will probably be in the “early bunch of apps”, so it will definitely be considered. Just make sure your app isn’t identical to your last app and it shows some growth/deeper knowledge than before!

Best of luck x

Thanks for the advice! xx

 

[yk123489]

Hi! Is Freshfields’ test automatic?

 

[lelezb1]

Hi! Is Freshfields’ test automatic?

If you meet the eligibility criteria, then you’ll receive it!

 

[TCLA0322]

CMS wgt invite

 

[Andrei Radu]

For anyone applying to Travers Smith for their Direct TC, the maximum word count for a cover letter is 1000 words on the Vantage platform, but the one I drafted on Word was around 650. What is your best advice? Should I aim for the 1000 words?

Unless the total available word count is very high, you should generally be aiming to utilise the majority of it. Recruiters have told me that otherwise: (i) other candidates will have an advantage over you simply because they will have discussed more experiences in more depth and will have analysed their motivations and skills in more detail; and (ii) that you will be disadvantaged in that recruiters may infer that you have not put in enough effort to make your cover letter as good as possible. As such, I think you should definitely be aiming to at least reach the 950ish word count range.

To get there without being verbose or unnecessarily dragging your points, I would consider:

• Ensuring you analyse all experiences you mention using a fully-fleshed out STAR structure
• Going more in-depth in analysing the firm's USPs: for instance, instead of just mentioning a Chambers ranking for a practice area, you could discuss a deal/case it worked on, its client base, other awards and rankings, notable lateral hires and practitioners, and draw comparisons with main rivals.

 

[yk1906]

If you meet the eligibility criteria, then you’ll receive it!

Thanks! How long did it take you to receive the test? I'm pretty sure I meet the requirements

 

[lelezb1]

Thanks! How long did it take you to receive the test? I'm pretty sure I meet the requirements

I got it after 8 days. Hopefully, you’ll get yours soon!

 

[dlc3266]

Does McDermott have strict grade requirements (eg high 2.1)? Cant find information regarding eligibility anywhere on their website

 

[justkeepswimming]

Does the freshfield direct training contract application require a personal statement or any written component

 

[Prudentia]

Is anyone else approaching associates/partners from the law firms they’re thinking of applying to for tips and advice? I’ve asked a senior associate at one of the MC firms I’m applying to and have a meeting with them next week to discuss the application and hopefully gain some useful tips.

 

[qian]

Hello, I would like to ask if Walker Morris and CMS offer summer vacation schemes for final year law student?