TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Scottishlion]

Any Freshfields DTC ACs?

Are they expected to be released this week? And does anyone know when AC is?

 

[BM99]

Are they expected to be released this week? And does anyone know when AC is?

No idea at all. Emailed GR but no information provided.

 

[summersun]

Hi all,

I have a question! I know that most law firms recruit through their vacation schemes but I’m not able to apply for vac schemes. Which law firms would you recommend I apply to for the direct TC route?

Hi there is a thread on the forum about where firms recruit from. It does not have all the firms but does give a good idea of firms that consider DTC or only hire DTC applicants.

 

[jin]

For slaughter and may DTC, is it just one interview/AC?

Also does slaughter allow applicants to take the interview online if we are located overseas?

 

[DavidJC]

Hi all,

I have a question! I know that most law firms recruit through their vacation schemes but I’m not able to apply for vac schemes. Which law firms would you recommend I apply to for the direct TC route?

This thread is a year old so may potentially be outdated on some firms' stances but hopefully it helps give an idea

Where firms recruit from (Vacation Scheme vs Direct TC applications) 2024-2025

Hi folks! To help you develop a well-rounded application strategy, we’ve put together the following thread highlighting where firms typically recruit from—whether it's through vacation schemes or direct training contract routes. We've organised firms into four categories: Firms which recruit a...

www.thecorporatelawacademy.com

 

[TCLAAAA]

Finishing my CC vi- luckily just got my dear laptop back after disaster liquid damage on Friday. This really paused me from keeping applying. As no one would take laptop damage as a good extension excuse.

 

[Irishman11]

For slaughter and may DTC, is it just one interview/AC?

Also does slaughter allow applicants to take the interview online if we are located overseas?

It's recommended quite strongly you come and do it in person in the email. But yeah it can be done online.

 

[hanz123]

Anyone else heard back from Fieldfisher post app, applied on the 28th of November

 

[SemperParatus]

Anyone else heard back from Fieldfisher post app, applied on the 28th of November

Applied 16th November and still nothing lol

 

[Deleted member 43292]

the fact that I ranked highest for exp this week says that I’m spending too much time on the forum and not enough time on my apps

... just noticed that I'm now currently ranked 1 for posts... guys this isn't good

 

[Deleted member 22634]

I saw their LinkedIn and website, it'd be closed 2 days earlier, so 12/12 12:00 AM

i think its too late forme to apply

 

[yk1906]

i think its too late forme to apply

Never too late!! Still 2 days to write a good application.

BTW, and I know it has been discussed somehow, but I still don't understand clearly: for Fieldfisher, we need to include our GCSE and A-level modules, but not our undergraduate ones? So sorry if it has been answered, I haven't found a clear explanation

 

[testing123]

Hi, does anyone know how long it takes to hear back from freshfields after stage 1? did they already start with ACs?

 

[FutureAntitrustLawyer]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock, hope you're well. I was wondering if you could help me with this question.


I'm applying to Arnold & Porter for their DTC, and I'm slightly confused on how to approach this question: "What motivates you? Please support this with an example of where you demonstrated your drive and motivation." Can I state multiple motivations with different examples, or should I state multiple motivations with one single example for each?

Thanks in advance

 

[Amgrad]

i think its too late forme to apply

Not too late I just submitted it an hour ago to avoid technical issues during peak hours of closing date. Also, the heavy rain here could experience some blackout, so keep in mind.

 

[WeGotThis!]

@Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu @Jaysen

Hello All! I received a written exercise from a Boutique Law firm based in London. The question is "If you could change the law which one would you choose and why?"

I am aware that it's to test the candidates commercial awareness, however, I wanted to know how should I structure my answer. What points should I cover, what are the expectations for the firm through such a question and do I connect it to the firm's clients?

It has a 500 word limit.

Thank you!

 

[svb risk management intern]

i think its too late forme to apply

Never too late, it will only be some 300 words of writing the two questions, and then it is your extras question. You got this!

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu @Jaysen

Hello All! I received a written exercise from a Boutique Law firm based in London. The question is "If you could change the law which one would you choose and why?"

I am aware that it's to test the candidates commercial awareness, however, I wanted to know how should I structure my answer. What points should I cover, what are the expectations for the firm through such a question and do I connect it to the firm's clients?

It has a 500 word limit.

Thank you!

Hi @WeGotThis! first of all I wanted to mention I am not convinced testing commercial awareness is the main purpose of this question. Generally, a healthy starting point is that you should interpret a question on an application form by giving it the most natural/literal reading. Since the firm has not chosen to limit the scope of the question to laws related to commercial matters, I would not assume you should limit the scope of what you could discuss in this way either. I also certainly do not think you should be only seeking a legislative change proposal that you can connect to the firm's clients - only draw such links if they are indeed clear and direct consequences from something you would have wanted to discuss even if it were not for this connection.

I think it is quite unlikely the main point here is to assess your knowledge of the firm, its clients, or the recent business news; instead, I think what the firm truly wants to see with this question is whether you can write a compelling and well-reasoned argumentative piece despite the tight word limit. As you may have expected by this point, my answer to your question as to what you should seek to include is that there are no right or wrong answers. There are many different causes you could advocate for - to list but a few that come to my mind: provide access to free/decrease costs of higher education, increase aid for humanitarian causes, change the current planning and development legislation to increase the supply of residential housing, make structural changes to the tax system to ease the burden on middle class taxpayer and increase it on the ultra-wealthy, provide for tighter limits on government borrowing to reduce the burden of repayment interest on the Budget, increase awareness of and promote general public investment in securities, etc.

As for your structure, I think once again different approached can work, and what is optimal will certainly be influenced by the topic you choose. Nonetheless, some key things I would advise you to address are the following:

1. A short introductory sentence expressing the core point of the legislative change you will advocate for.
2. A brief description of how the new law would actually work (ie you should elaborate a bit on what you mean if you express your desired change in broad terms such as "a fairer tax system").
3. Present the arguments in favour of this change; here, besides arguing that the change in legislation would have net positive effects, you should also seek to explain why exactly you consider these benefits to be so important that you would choose to change the law in this particular way and not another way which could also be beneficial (thus, you could look to demonstrate pervasive benefits that positively impact many aspects of life).
4. Address any major counterarguments or objections: you want to show awareness of the other sides' points and an ability to provide a thorough analysis. As such, seek to explain and respond to at least one major objection to your points (eg if you argue to tax the ultra-wealthy more, you should consider addressing the argument that they may simply move to a different country with a friendlier tax regime, taking their wealth and business with them).

 

[Icantstopeatingfood]

Hi all. I was on the forum last application round, used my university email but now I’ve graduated I can’t access my old account.

I’ve received Freshfields AC does anyone have advice, appreciate any tips you can provide.

 

[yk1906]

Hi all. I was on the forum last application round, used my university email but now I’ve graduated I can’t access my old account.

I’ve received Freshfields AC does anyone have advice, appreciate any tips you can provide.

Hi, congrats!!! Is this for DTC? If yes, when did you receive an invite?