TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Trophy]

Hi all,

I've been discussing this with some friends recently and wanted to get some opinions. This is purely a hypothetical - I'm curious about the general stance on this dilemma.

If you were to secure a TC offer in one cycle (be it from a VS or DTC), but had doubts about whether the firm’s training style or practice areas aligned with your long-term vision (or that firm was less aligned than a different firm which you didn't receive an offer for that cycle), would you consider rejecting it and reapplying in the next cycle to firms rejected you and that fit better?

Because on one hand, the legal job market is competitive, and the "take what you can get" mindset is understandable. On the other, the firm and TC you choose can significantly shape your career trajectory and qualification path.

Is it strategically unwise to turn down an offer in the hope of something more aligned later? Or does it make sense to prioritise long-term fit over short-term security, especially since the practice area you qualify into down the line is quite an important decision?

Interested in hearing thoughts!

Take the tc and apply next cycle for direct Tc’s or until you secure a Vs. Then ou make your decision.

It’s all luck. This is my situation now I did a vs at a firm I thought I’d love but in fact it did. Not live up to what I thought and I know I’d be suited elsewhere. You only know a firm once you go there. I went there and I knew. I’m not applying again. Some people make little comments on the forum saying it could never be them but they’re the one without a tc so how could they remotely understand lol.

Go with what’s right for you if you get an offer and third not 100% apply and keep going. It’s not your fault you were good enough to get an offer and didn’t take it.

It would be different if you secured an offer enjoyed the fork and knew you’d take the tc but kept applying that is not fair. Why take an opportunity from someone else when you know you’d won’t take it.

Just to add you can have an offer and do vac schemes and make DTC applications. Having an offer doesn’t stop you but accepting one can bar you from applying to some vacation schemes but I think you can apply to DTC not sure.

 

[lawstudent2]

Hi all,

I've been discussing this with some friends recently and wanted to get some opinions. This is purely a hypothetical - I'm curious about the general stance on this dilemma.

If you were to secure a TC offer in one cycle (be it from a VS or DTC), but had doubts about whether the firm’s training style or practice areas aligned with your long-term vision (or that firm was less aligned than a different firm which you didn't receive an offer for that cycle), would you consider rejecting it and reapplying in the next cycle to firms rejected you and that fit better?

Because on one hand, the legal job market is competitive, and the "take what you can get" mindset is understandable. On the other, the firm and TC you choose can significantly shape your career trajectory and qualification path.

Is it strategically unwise to turn down an offer in the hope of something more aligned later? Or does it make sense to prioritise long-term fit over short-term security, especially since the practice area you qualify into down the line is quite an important decision?

Interested in hearing thoughts!

Being honest I would just take the TC and then move to another firm upon qualification, this process is so competitive and luck based that I wouldn't be able to take the chance of potentially not getting one the next year

 

[Winter]

Fieldfisher test invite for TC 2028! - applied 11 Nov.

 

[Scottishlion]

Is there still a chance for AO AC or PFO?

 

[routetotrainingcontract]

Is there still a chance for AO AC or PFO?

Unless they’re holding another set of ACs then it’s highly unlikely for them to invite anyone for the AC as it’s next week

 

[yk1906]

Unless they’re holding another set of ACs then it’s highly unlikely for them to invite anyone for the AC as it’s next week

So the ACs are next week only?

 

[sans]

So I applied for the Dubai TC. I'm a bit scared though since it's been a week and I haven't heard anything back yet.

Same! I applied to the Dubai TC and still haven't heard back yet.

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

Actually there might still be hope for A&O. This is what they said at the legal cheek fair apparently: "DTC result will be announced in next/second week of December and AC will be held a week before Christmas."
Going by that, they still might send out invites next week...

 

[Trophy]

Ooh I didn't know or think that one could have an offer and still apply haha. I would assume that offer would expire if you don't accept it by a certain date, so either you accept and be barred from applying again, or you reject it and keep on applying.
That's very true, you won't know if that firm suits you until you experience it yourself. It makes me wonder how DTC applicants navigate that.
Can I ask what factors made you confirm that that firm wasn't for you if you initially really loved it?

The offer must not expire before 15 September in your final year of undergraduate study, or four weeks from the date the offer is made, whichever date is later.

Many firms will extend offer deadlines for longer (they’ll ask you what firm). I knew someone who got a Tc offer after their winter scheme last year had a spring scheme (didn’t convert) had 2 summer schemes and convert the summer and took that tc offer.
I’ve heard some firms don’t allow you to take a vs at another firm you accept an TC offer with them but many do.

Also if you had a spring scheme got a tc off the back off that but had a summer scheme you can accept the spring tc offer and do the summer one as you hadn’t accepted a tc offer at the time of signing the contract for the summer scheme. There are many caveats.

You could just accept a tc offer and continue applying for DTC that is allowed. Being barred from applying to firms whilst holding a training contract is subject to the firm and they’ll put these in their t’s & c’s but obviously you wouldn’t know until you get the offer. But it’s not a thing that you’re automatically barred.

You can also just not tell them go about your day and do the vs whilst holding a tc. Many people do this so don’t feel bad. But feel bad if you know you’ll take the original tc and are just applying for the sake of it.

I have nothing against the firm I hold a tc offer at. It has a niche and that niche isn’t for me I’m interested in a different area of law and I don’t want to be pigeonholed into an area of law I did not enjoy on my scheme. Many Of the trainees and associates stayed within the selected few firms that specialise in this area and I knew moving out would be a challenge I went with how I felt and that’s not to be stuck. This is ultimately you making a life decision at such a young age. Don’t accept any tc because someone on a forum with a fake ass name told you to because they would. You like CC find other firms similar to that firm that you like and apply don’t settle.

Excuse any spelling or grammar I’m on a plane with very slow WiFi.

 

[routetotrainingcontract]

Actually there might still be hope for A&O. This is what they said at the legal cheek fair apparently: "DTC result will be announced in next/second week of December and AC will be held a week before Christmas."
Going by that, they still might send out invites next week...

Don’t raise my hopes did they say if the second ac includes dtc again? Seems like the ac before Christmas will be for vac schemers

 

[ellamai0]

I'm not too sure on the DTC point, but I do know that all the ACs for the vac schemes are done (I did mine for the summer vac last week and heard back today)

Hey, were you successful? I didn’t hear back today and have a theory those who did were successful, and the Monday outcomes will be rejections

 

[Deleted member 43292]

Hey, were you successful? I didn’t hear back today and have a theory those who did were successful, and the Monday outcomes will be rejections

Hey, ahh keep faith, you never know, they may still have a few more calls to get through on Monday - it's hard to predict if they have gotten through all offer calls yet. I know that rejections are usually sent by email, so if you haven't received an email, you're technically still in the running! Best of luckk

 

[ellamai0]

Hey, yes I was successful! Ahh keep faith, you never know, they may still have a few more calls to get through on Monday - it's hard to predict if they have gotten through all offer calls yet. I know that rejections are usually sent by email, so if you haven't received an email, you're technically still in the running! Best of luckk

Thank you for responding! and congratulations I’m sure it’s well deserved

 

[lelezb1]

How long does the IM test take approximately?

 

[M123]

Hey, yes I was successful! Ahh keep faith, you never know, they may still have a few more calls to get through on Monday - it's hard to predict if they have gotten through all offer calls yet. I know that rejections are usually sent by email, so if you haven't received an email, you're technically still in the running! Best of luckk

Congrats !! <3

 

[routetotrainingcontract]

Ladies and gentlemen, PFO from A&O goodluck to others still running the race

 

[aleece]

Starting the weekend strong with a PFO from A&O..

 

[Trophy]

:O

it's not against anything to withdraw from accepting a TC offer? I would assume the firm would be quite annoyed maybe since they've already arranged for your future as a trainee there haha

Mmm I see where you're coming from - thank you for sharing your perspective!! I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on this matter! and have a safe rest of the flight!

If you’ve accepted money from the firm such as a maintenance grant or they’ve enrolled and paid for your PGDL or SQE studies you’d be in a pickle as you’ve taken money and would have to pay them back. I know people who have accepted an offer got another and reneged their first offer before starting studies paid for by the firm.

They won’t have any animosity against you as it is not a rare thing for people to withdraw from a tc. Most of the time they’ll do what A&OS is and hire more people for a specific intake. Also many firms have spaces in earlier years than advertised as people fail the sqe so they’re pushed back 6-12 months.

By arranging your future all they do is send you a contract invite you to a few Christmas and summer parties which cost them nothing. It only gets real once you start the sqe/pgdl or the tc itself.

Good luck I’m sure you’ll make the right decision for you.

 

[Trophy]

Ladies and gentlemen, PFO from A&O goodluck to others still running the race

Starting the weekend strong with a PFO from A&O..

On a Saturday is just mean. Sorry guys!

I’m assuming this is for March 2027 applications?

 

[aleece]

yes March 2027!