TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[bells123]

Stage 1 test is a mix of both of those two.

Thanks so much! This is helpful for my prep🫶🏻

 

[Prudentia]

I thought you'd be progressed as you said your app was in review when mine had already archived.

I don’t think that status meant anything tbh.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Slaughter and May PFO post app. Applied around 2-3 weeks ago.​

 

[ashwright]

CC PFO! I passed the WG last year with a >90% score, so the score is clearly not 'the' deciding factor.
CC has been a longtime favourite of mine; admittedly, I'm a little disappointed in myself.

At times like this (of which I have had many!), I try to remind myself of my old favourite quotation: "Everything will be alright in the end. If it's not alright, it is not yet the end." For the rest of the PFO crew, keep your head up - the game is still on.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Ah I just wish I was a nepo baby with Partner-level connections at this point. It's so tiring to keep proving yourself constantly

Same here matey. At least it will all be worth it in the end when we finally get that ‘yes’, knowing it was through our hard work and determination that we got through this process. ​

 

[BM99]

CC VI

 

[Deleted member 41929]

Bird & Bird PFO after a VI — but fortunately received the CC VI immediately afterwards.

 

[rain2801]

CC PFO 😭

 

[Singh241]

Joining the club of CC PFO!! WOHOOO

 

[Singh241]

Anyone who has taken the FF Stage 1 test could provide some insight please?

 

[Prudentia]

Joining the club of CC PFO!! WOHOOO

We have tea, biscuits and plenty of tissues for the tears! 😂

 

[Deleted member 43292]

guys... PFO from CC

 

[Ronaldo04]

Hey guys, this has probably been asked already, but does anybody have any idea as to whether A&O will send any more AC invites for TCs? From what I've seen, they only sent on Monday this week, so probably unlikely they will send more?

 

[yk1906]

Hey guys, this has probably been asked already, but does anybody have any idea as to whether A&O will send any more AC invites for TCs? From what I've seen, they only sent on Monday this week, so probably unlikely they will send more?

Nobody knows

 

[Deleted member 43292]

i actually need a big cry rn but I'm in the middle of doing Freshfield's stage 1 OT lol... maybe I shouldn't have checked my emails while doing the test LMAO

 

[Trophy]

guys... PFO from CC - I'm pretty sure I'm probably one of the first ones to be rejected this year lol.
I'm actually devastated...I love the firm so much and worked super hard on my application...I'm not sure why I couldn't make it past application review.
I have committed to applying to them continuously every year until I get them but maybe it's just not the way to go...
I'll have to try and up my game next year - I got trainees to look over my application and everything this year, so I'm not too sure what went wrong (I will conduct a deep analysis and reflection though).

They probably rejected us as they knew we’d be too competitive and too many firms would want us so they gave up keeping us at the first hurdle😭

 

[Prudentia]

guys... PFO from CC - I'm pretty sure I'm probably one of the first ones to be rejected this year lol.
I'm actually devastated...I love the firm so much and worked super hard on my application...I'm not sure why I couldn't make it past application review.
I have committed to applying to them continuously every year until I get them but maybe it's just not the way to go...
I'll have to try and up my game next year - I got trainees to look over my application and everything this year, so I'm not too sure what went wrong (I will conduct a deep analysis and reflection though).

Keep applying for CC but keep your options and mind open to other opportunities. You may find a firm that’s a better fit (and doesn’t reject you multiple times).

 

[bells123]

Anyone who has taken the FF Stage 1 test could provide some insight please?

Stage 1 test is a mix of both of those two.

Jess very kindly indicated to me that it was a mixture of WG-style questions and also SJT-style like they have on Prep Plus

 

[yk1906]

Keep applying for CC but keep your options and mind open to other opportunities. You may find a firm that’s a better fit (and doesn’t reject you multiple times).

I'm also thinking you could qualify with another firm and move to your dream one afterwards.

 

[Prudentia]

I'm also thinking you could qualify with another firm and move to your dream one afterwards.

Exactly. This is also another way in. You don’t actually have to train at your dream firm.