TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Amgrad]

Why there is no pillar about the score on A&O Amberjack feedback report?

 

[WeGotThis!]

I scored a low in numerical reasoning, high in verbal reasoning and good/excellent across other areas of the Amberjack for A&O. Is it going to be a direct rejection considering the low or is there a ray of hope?

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

I have read it. It was just a question to double check as it also says graduates currently completing the PGDL, which I am

Right, but hopefully you realise that unless you're able to sit and pass both SQE 1 and 2 by March 2027, as per their website, then you should be applying for 2028...

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

I scored a low in numerical reasoning, high in verbal reasoning and good/excellent across other areas of the Amberjack for A&O. Is it going to be a direct rejection considering the low or is there a ray of hope?

Definitely still hope I'd say. The rest of your scores are really good and they'll also look at your VI responses as well as grades and work experience. I doubt they'll auto-reject you based off of one tiny data point.

 

[PFO King]

are there any tips on video interviews? I feel like preparing for them the same way one would approach a written application is not going to cut it. even though 2 minutes seem like a good amount of time to put your points through and one should be concise. for questions like why x firm and what are skills you consider important for success, how do I approach this? if this was written application I would give three reasons for why x firm and then go onto answering qualities in a concise manner. with VI I am struggling to do the same, I'm running out of time and I also don't want to come off as rehearsed.

 

[ILauw]

Did anyone get to FF Stage 2 after submitting the Stage 1 assessment just minutes after the deadline?

 

[Prudentia]

Finally hit submit on my first DTC application for this cycle to Clifford Chance! That application took me about a week even though the application questions amounted to about 600 words.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

are there any tips on video interviews? I feel like preparing for them the same way one would approach a written application is not going to cut it. even though 2 minutes seem like a good amount of time to put your points through and one should be concise. for questions like why x firm and what are skills you consider important for success, how do I approach this? if this was written application I would give three reasons for why x firm and then go onto answering qualities in a concise manner. with VI I am struggling to do the same, I'm running out of time and I also don't want to come off as rehearsed.

Hello!

Video interviews definitely feel different from written applications, but the good news is that you don't need to overhaul everything - it's more about adapting your structure so it fits naturally into 1-2 minutes and doesn't sound scripted.

For questions such as "Why X Firm", I would try choosing two strong and specific reasons instead of the three you might write in an application. Give a sentence or two on why each reason matters to you (with reference to your past experiences or future goals), and then end with a short line linking it back to your motivations. This keeps your answer natural and stops you from sounding overly rehearsed.

For skills or qualities questions, you don't need to list everything. Pick one or two key qualities, give a very brief example, and connect it to why it matters in the role. This should be more than enough information for a VI question.

The method that really helped me was preparing bullet-point prompts rather than full scripts. When I tried to memorise whole paragraphs, I sounded robotic and would lose my place or talk too quickly. With quick prompts in the form of bullet-points, you can stay structured but it still feels conversational. I also kept a small "example bank" in mind, and before completing the VI, wrote down my main experiences and discussed what skills were displayed in each. This meant that I wasn't scrambling to think of examples under pressure, and I could pick the experience that suited the question best.

There are also a few resources on TCLA that are super useful and I would check out - you can find the video interview section of the TCLA Wiki here, and I would really recommend Andrei's post in particular!

I hope that assists!

 

[Vdfrz]

I applied on the 21st September.

heya! When did you apply? I applied today lol

 

[Vdfrz]

Hey American grad here too, but non-law. I didn't apply to Freshfield London, but the 5-week London-Asia vac scheme. It has different application process, so I can't help.

Hey! Who is eligible for it? From the website it seems like you need to study in china? Or am I tripping. Also, are you allowed to apply to both the trainee associate and the London Asia scheme?

 

[Vdfrz]

I did close to the max word count

Heard back yet? From what I saw - I think they mostly recuirt vac schemers.

 

[Vdfrz]

I submitted my application the day before the deadline, so Thursday 06/11.

Hey! Just out of curiousity - would you mind sharing a bit about your background? Have you taken the SQE already? Are you non-law? I submitted on the day of the deadline too, and I think my app was pretty strong - still waiting to hear back!

 

[Vdfrz]

Hey everyone! Sorry the spam, but I'm really confused about FF’s process. There is a work experience section + grades and then you get sent out the invite? Do you get access to the entire test or is it divided or smth? Man I'm so confused, yet to submit my app -

 

[Amgrad]

Hey! Who is eligible for it? From the website it seems like you need to study in china? Or am I tripping. Also, are you allowed to apply to both the trainee associate and the London Asia scheme?

No, in fact it says they will sponsor visa. You can check it on Q&A. Once you clicked the app, it will show you the priority for Mandarin, Korean or Bahasa Indonesia speakers. I'm assuming they welcome Thai and Vietnamese speakers too as we all emerging markets and not using English in daily basis. Also, typically they're not allowing multiple app in one cycle. You can clarify to them on the legal cheek law fair tonight.

 

[WeGotThis!]

Has anyone done Irwin Mitchell's assessment?

 

[jacksollaf]

Good evening everyone,

Wanted to ask you all, or whoever would like to assist, for some advice. Basically, I'm a final year law student in London, and I did not manage to secure a TC yet (did a vac scheme but couldn't convert). I obviously applied this year for vac schemes and direct TCs but I feel less hopeful about securing a TC.

Accordingly, I am really wondering whether I should pursue the LLM SQE myself next year ; or whether I should go to a national/local firm in the GCC (where my father is a partner) and just work two years there to convert that into QWE and then in Sep 2029 (so with two years of experience) do my LLM SQE and pass the SQE... Is the wait better, in terms of chances of transferring back to the UK, or would me leaving the UK be sort of an impossible way to return for grad recs in London?

I ask this because applications this year are for 2028, so if I do my LLM, I would technically be unemployed from June 2027 until Jan/March/Sep 2028 (although I could work in the local firm in the meantime)...

Also, assuming I choose the working two years abroad option, after returning and doing my LLM SQE (technically at this point I would become a solicitor), how would I even enter the UK legal market? would they want another training contract, or as an associate? would it be more difficult than me currently trying to secure a TC or slightly more relaxed? Would I need to work a few extra years abroad so I gain even more experience, so say PQ1+ or it would work without? because I really want to work in London but it's just so competitive...

Idk who to @ but I guess whoever could help that would be truly appreciated. Many thanks.

 

[Vdfrz20]

As a fellow international candidate, my best advice is to connect yourself to London commercial law as much as you can. Attend insight events, open days, law fairs, mentoring schemes etc. because you’ll need to answer the “why commercial solicitor” question on almost every application and that should be tailored to working in the UK specifically. The firms I’ve succeeded with so far (SC, US and other top global) asked about this without exception.

Also, you’re not eligible for vac schemes (maybe with the exception of Reed Smith if I’m not mistaken), so you’re essentially restricted to direct TCs with top firms that sponsor foreigners - this is an insanely competitive process. You’ll need PERFECT and tailored applications with plenty of legal experience, even with firms that do hire 50% from the direct route like Stephenson Harwood or MCs. Start working on applications way ahead of the deadline. Your academics look good, it helps if you got any awards or distinctions at uni. And you could always do an LLM in the UK to help your case, but I personally think that only Oxbridge or perhaps LSE would make a significant difference, besides getting a UK visa of course.

Overall it’s doable and once you pass the first application stage, it’s all about how good you are and not your non-UK academics or need for visa sponsorship. Practise all kinds of tests and case studies that could come up in advance, and I’d start prepping for interviews every day - nothing more annoying that when you finally get an interview invite and in the midst of applications you forgot to prepare.

hey! I am also an international candidate - would you mind sharing what firms were you successful with?

 

[abeni]

Anyone did the online blended assessment for Pinsent Masons? How was it? Tips for case study , video interview and sjt?

 

[aspiringlawyer2028]

Anyone heard back from slaughters after interviews last week?

 

[Prudentia]

WG test from Clifford Chance received. Sunday is the deadline. I'm actually really enjoying all the practice tests and I've asked ChatGPT to make practice questions that are even harder than the actual test. Can anyone who has done the real thing provide any insight into the difficulty?