TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[BobThebIlly]

I also passed CC's WG!

 

[Vdfrz]

Anyone heard anything from Slaughters after DTC interview last week?

Hey, when did you apply? I applied on the 16th, haven’t heard back

 

[Andrei Radu]

hi guys i received the Jones day Interview invite, any tips / advice / insight would be really appreciated please!!!

Huge congrats on getting to the interview stage! I have listed a few helpful resources bellow:

• A page on TCLA with a number of candidates describing their interview experiences at JD in detail - these are freely accessible, but are from interviews that have taken place a few years back.
• A thread with an in-depth description of the interview form 2018
• A thread where a number of people were discussing their experiences in 2019
• On the premium database, in-depth discussions of more recent interview experiences (2021 and 2022)

Also, take a look at @Ram Sabaratnam's advice based on his experience a few years back:

Hi @unknownnn7372

Well done on getting to the AC! The Jones Day AC has changed a bit since I went through it in 2022, but you may be asked questions about areas of law or business that you’ve expressed interest in at the application stage. For example, I was asked several questions about the National Security and Investment Act, which made sense since I had mentioned my interest in the defence sector in my application. Keeping on top of current developments in areas you're passionate about will help demonstrate genuine interest and thought.

Also, as with any other AC, it’s critical to reflect on why you want to join Jones Day specifically. Besides the non-rotational training system, think about the firm’s global structure (the “one firm worldwide” approach), the practice areas it’s strong in, and its top-tier reputation for client service—Jones Day consistently ranks highly in surveys on client satisfaction. Being able to articulate why these aspects matter to you will help you stand out.

In terms of commercial awareness, reading the FT and keeping up with market trends is a great starting point. When applying to firms, I also found it helpful to practice analysing news stories myself. One thing that worked for me was actively analysing why specific events and trends were relevant to law firms and their clients. Every month or so, I would try to do the following:

• Choose one business story – This can be about anything you find interesting in the last day or two.
• Ask yourself key questions:
  • How might this impact a firm’s clients?
  • What practice areas could be affected? (e.g., corporate, litigation, regulatory)
  • Could it lead to new opportunities or risks for the business or industry involved?
  • How would you advise a client on this issue?
• Take notes in bullet points – I’d jot down why it mattered from both a business and legal perspective, thinking about how the story could drive client needs or affect firm strategy. This was also an opportunity for me to practice Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis.
• Apply your insights – This approach really helped later on during ACs and written exercises. I was able to refer back to these stories and show a deeper understanding of commercial issues when asked about recent developments.

It's also worth looking beyond the FT. For instance, I also found firm websites and industry reports (particularly from groups such as Deloitte or McKinsey) really useful in learning about recent financial and commercial trends that would inevitably impact law firms.

Hope that helps, and best of luck with your AC

 

[ladyhaleinthehouse]

Has anyone heard back from Freshfields Stage 2 yet? I submitted at the end of October and not had a response yet...

 

[zoobla20]

Has anyone else noticed that a lot of firms have cut down the number of questions this year? Last year, I saw some firms have up to five or six questions in the TC app. Now, a lot of them have anywhere between 1-4 which is interesting.

 

[yk1906]

Has anyone else noticed that a lot of firms have cut down the number of questions this year? Last year, I saw some firms have up to five or six questions in the TC app. Now, a lot of them have anywhere between 1-4 which is interesting.

Thank god, honestly

 

[yk1906]

Has anyone heard back from Freshfields Stage 2 yet? I submitted at the end of October and not had a response yet...

Someone said they will send out updates after the deadline

 

[BM99]

Is CMS WG automatic?

 

[yasmars]

Is CMS WG automatic?

No! You’ve passed the first sift, congrats!

 

[lucy_p]

Just wanted to confirm that Irwin Mitchell's TC application form has no written app questions?

No written app questions but you get sent an online assessment after submitting the initial app

 

[ladyhaleinthehouse]

Someone said they will send out updates after the deadline

Oh okay, thank you!

 

[BobThebIlly]

Freshfields PFO post stage 1

 

[Lawlawland]

Weil SJT and VI invite. Applied last week.
Fan someone give Insights into what kinda question ti anticipate in the VI? Are they it competency based/ motivational/situational?

 

[lelezb1]

I went to one of their events and they said that it's usually sent within 14 days of you submitting the application if you pass their initial screen (the eligibility criteria). It's only after you pass the WG that they look at your answers on the application.

can you please share their eligibility criteria?

 

[Amgrad]

Weil SJT and VI invite. Applied last week.
Fan someone give Insights into what kinda question ti anticipate in the VI? Are they it competency based/ motivational/situational?

It's quite motivational and some commercial questions. You have 2 minutes to prepare and 2 minutes for answer, except for the first one - 3 mins. There are 4 questions in total, just prepare why weil, why law, why & what solicitor is

 

[W12345]

Hey has anyone done the CMS VI and would be willing to give any insight into it at all? I can help with Reed Smith, Weil, Willkie, Goodwin, Simmons, DLA VI + Hogan, Skadden, Pinsent, Macfarlanes, Akin Gump Goodwin and Fried Frank ACs

 

[noahsmiit01]

Does Freshfields stage 2 include vi questions, sjt, and wg? What's the point of giving the same tests as in stage 1? Why not just have vi questions only

 

[WeGotThis!]

I wanted some insights into one of CMS's training contract questions: What impact do you want to make at CMS?
Is this another way of saying 'Why CMS?' or is it asking something else? Any help will be helpful!

 

[Jess_AspiringSolicitor]

I wanted some insights into one of CMS's training contract questions: What impact do you want to make at CMS?
Is this another way of saying 'Why CMS?' or is it asking something else? Any help will be helpful!

Recommend searching CMS in the Forum search bar, this question has been asked and answered a few times since October now so you should find helpful replies - including a suggested structure.

 

[WeGotThis!]

Recommend searching CMS in the Forum search bar, this question has been asked and answered a few times since October now so you should find helpful replies - including a suggested structure.

Thank you very much! It's really helpful