TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Andrei Radu]

Hi everyone, I have a first interview with travers smith next week and I understand a frequent question they ask is if you could introduce a bill to parliament what would it be, or something similar along those veins. I wrote an essay before about the loss of control defence and how it is has arguably failed its objective, I was wondering if this would be appropriate to talk about ? My worry is that it’s not very commerical minded but it’s something that I would be comfortable answering follow up questions to etc

I do not think your answer here has to necessarily involve a commercial matter; your focus should simply be on answering the question as it was stated to the best of your ability. To that end, you should have an explanation as to why you would choose to introduce and one bill over many others you could think of. In effect, you will need to justify choosing one worthy end to pursue over other worthy causes, so you will have to think carefully about your motivations. I think the point of this question is to assess your ability to advocate for a cause and defend your views, while also showing your personality more than you would when answering traditional interview questions.

 

[Amgrad]

Ahhh that makes sense, as fresh graduates have the post-study work visa option. Thanks for your response.

I'm actually applying for their Dubai TC but annoyingly it still requires you to complete 1 week of their CMS academy in London. Sigh.

Hey don't be upset. You still can apply Dubai TC at Clifford Chance, Stephenson Harwood, White & Case. They offer accommodation and flights ticket too, especially if you are at least bilingual fluent in Arabic, having roots from the middle east and/or citizen in the Arab League or GCC.

 

[itsfearless15]

Hi all, has anyone who's done the Freshfields stage 1 test for the direct TC approx 2ish weeks ago now heard back re stage 2? If I haven't, should I assume PFO or perhaps just sorted into a later batch?

 

[yk1906]

Hi all, has anyone who's done the Freshfields stage 1 test for the direct TC approx 2ish weeks ago now heard back re stage 2? If I haven't, should I assume PFO or perhaps just sorted into a later batch?

Hi, they've completely changed their app process this year, so I personally would not assume anything of this sort!

 

[yk1906]

Has anyone received Slaughter's PFO?

 

[TortillaTC]

If I have to write a max one-page cover letter for a law firm’s open day, and there is no indication on the content, is it okay to just write about (1) my motivations to attend the open day and (2) why me? I think if I wrote about “why commercial law?” too, it’d be unnecessarily long.

@Abbie Whitlock thank you in advance!

 

[flower1]

Has anyone received Clifford Chance WG test - thought it was supposed to be sent early November?

 

[WeGotThis!]

Has anyone received Clifford Chance WG test - thought it was supposed to be sent early November?

Does their application have questions?

 

[Flu1dity]

Has anyone received Clifford Chance WG test - thought it was supposed to be sent early November?

It's not even 3pm on the first working weekday of November...

 

[Apple]

Weil VI

 

[yk1906]

Weil VI

Congrats!! For VS? Do they have DTC open?

 

[Apple]

Congrats!! For VS? Do they have DTC open?

VS, wrong thread, sorry.

 

[lawyergal101]

Does anyone know roughly how long it takes Travers to get back with a decision post first-stage interview?

 

[p2bv]

Does anyone know roughly how long it takes Travers to get back with a decision post first-stage interview?

How was your experience !

 

[lawyergal101]

How was your experience !

My interviewer was really lovely and it was very conversational. But I defo stumbled in places and waffled on some answers so not super confident

 

[yk1906]

Does anyone know roughly how long it takes Travers to get back with a decision post first-stage interview?

Hi! Could you please share how long it took them to contact you after the initial app submission? Thanks and good luck!

 

[lawyergal101]

Hi! Could you please share how long it took them to contact you after the initial app submission? Thanks and good luck!

Hey! I submitted my app on 21st Oct and got a call on the 30th.

 

[yk1906]

Has anyone who completed the first stage of the Freshfields assessment around the 28th/29th of October received an invitation to the second stage?

 

[p2bv]

anyone heard back from CMS post WG?

 

[Deleted member 41929]

My interviewer was really lovely and it was very conversational. But I defo stumbled in places and waffled on some answers so not super confident

Agreed. It was such a good interview experience. Relaxed, fair, and conversational.