TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Krausaar]

I just recieved an AC invite for CC. Any resources or advice on how to prepare best?

 

[switchingup]

Hi everyone! First time posting here, although I've been lurking without an account for ages lol. I'm a career changer, and this is my first application cycle.

I'm posting the DTC apps I've submitted with dates. Hope this helps with timelines! I'll try my best to keep this updated, but working full-time + juggling these apps is no joke lol. Bear with me!

• CC: applied 17th Nov
  • Received WG: 18th Nov
  • Took WG: 23rd Nov
  • Passed benchmark: 23rd Nov
    • Email came immediately after test
  • PFO: 4th Dec
• CMS (London): applied 21st Nov
  • Received WG: 28th Nov
  • Received VI: 4th Dec
  • No further communication as of 19th Dec
• Freshfields: applied 22nd Nov
  • Received Stage 1 invite: 24th Nov
  • Took Stage 1: 29th Nov - scored highest in Embracing transformation (AS), Thriving under pressure (AS), Championing our clients and giving them the edge (AS), and lowest in We thrive as a team (AS) and Challenging ourselves (AS).
    • Report came immediately after completing the assessment
  • Received Stage 2 invite: 4th Dec
  • Received confirmation of Stage 2 completion, "we'll be in touch" email: 7th Dec
  • No further communication as of 19th Dec
• Slaughter and May: applied 22nd Nov
  • Received jumpscare holding email: 19th Dec

Pending: Ashurst, Lewis Silkin

I've also applied to the following firms for VS: Bird & Bird, Cooley, DLA (London), HSFK (Spring), Linklaters, RS, Simmons, White & Case, Willkie. I've posted app updates on the VS thread.

Best of luck to everyone

 

[nicoledm]

Anyone heard from Kennedys after taking their SJT?

Got my feedback report today and apparently strengths were "Supporter", "Flex" and "Initiative" with my weakness being "Accountability". No scores though so not really sure what any of that means

How long did it take you to get your feedback !

 

[xMontmorency]

Does anyone know whether White & Case actively recruits from its direct TC route? For context, I’ve already done a vacation scheme and multiple legal internships in my home country. Just wanted to gauge whether I should take my chances with VS, given that many people have already progressed, or make a direct TC application later on.

They do recruit directly but their primary pool of candidates is VS candidates so you should apply for VS if you can.

 

[AMullin]

How long did it take you to get your feedback !

Did the test Wednesday morning and got the feedback this morning.

 

[switchingup]

Hi! What did the Slaughters holding email say? I applied around the same time as you but haven't received...

Copy and paste below!

“Dear [my name],

Thank you for applying to Slaughter and May, and we apologise for not being able to get back to you yet with a decision on your training contract application.

We received a very high number of applications just before the deadline at the end of November - as every application is individually reviewed as part of our selection process, we are still reviewing applications and will be in contact with you as soon as possible.

If you are holding a training contract offer which expires soon and need a response sooner, please contact us at [email protected].

In the meantime, you might like to sign up to one of our virtual events taking place this February and March, which are designed to provide you with insights into life as a lawyer at Slaughter and May.”

Then it just lists a bunch of upcoming events in Feb/March. I’m positive this is being sent to everyone, perhaps in batches!

 

[Scottishlion]

Hi everyone! First time posting here, although I've been lurking without an account for ages lol. I'm a career changer, and this is my first application cycle.

I'm posting the DTC apps I've submitted with dates. Hope this helps with timelines! I'll try my best to keep this updated, but working full-time + juggling these apps is no joke lol. Bear with me!

• CC: applied 17th Nov
  • Received WG: 18th Nov
  • Took WG: 23rd Nov
  • Passed benchmark: 23rd Nov
    • Email came immediately after test
  • PFO: 4th Dec
• CMS (London): applied 21st Nov
  • Received WG: 28th Nov
  • Received VI: 4th Dec
  • No further communication as of 19th Dec
• Freshfields: applied 22nd Nov
  • Received Stage 1 invite: 24th Nov
  • Took Stage 1: 29th Nov - scored highest in Embracing transformation (AS), Thriving under pressure (AS), Championing our clients and giving them the edge (AS), and lowest in We thrive as a team (AS) and Challenging ourselves (AS).
    • Report came immediately after completing the assessment
  • Received Stage 2 invite: 4th Dec
  • Received confirmation of Stage 2 completion, "we'll be in touch" email: 7th Dec
  • No further communication as of 19th Dec
• Slaughter and May: applied 22nd Nov
  • Received jumpscare holding email: 19th Dec

Pending: Ashurst, Lewis Silkin, White & Case

I've also applied to the following firms for VS: Bird & Bird, DLA (London), HSFK (Spring), Linklaters, RS, Simmons, Willkie (pending: Covington). I've posted the app updates for these on the VS thread.

Best of luck to everyone

I didn’t receive confirmation from freshfields for stage 2 completion. Should I be worried?

 

[manifestingthetc]

Anyone heard from Kennedys after taking their SJT?

Got my feedback report today and apparently strengths were "Supporter", "Flex" and "Initiative" with my weakness being "Accountability". No scores though so not really sure what any of that means

i got something similar actually - my strengths were team mentality, initiative and supporter and then weakness being accountability ( which is a silly weakness to have i think!), I have no idea if this qualifies to next stage or not honestly, lets see!

 

[Florencejones]

Got an invite to Shakespeare Martineau video interview - does anyone know anyone who’s taken it in previous years as to what the questions will be?

 

[Florencejones]

Gowling DTC PFO, as expected with score below 15. First Arctic Shores ever! For those rejected with 16 or more, seems the benchmark is higher than NRF and they're seeing your answers.

Hey I also got rejected from Gowling but wondered how you found out your score?

 

[Amgrad]

Hey I also got rejected from Gowling but wondered how you found out your score?

Check your feedback report and count towards the coloured bar/dot

 

[Amgrad]

AOS PFO, finally! After being hold for 2 weeks... I guess that they have filled the space post AC

 

[DavidJC]

I just realised that I never got a confirmation email for completing Freshfields Stage 2 either, hope it doesn't mean anything bad :/

 

[switchingup]

I didn’t receive confirmation from freshfields for stage 2 completion. Should I be worried?

I don’t think so. I’ve seen lots of variation between firms on sending confirmation emails. Doesn’t seem to be any correlation

 

[nicoledm]

Just got some feedback for an interview I did and my strongest strength was my commercial awareness (which I thought was my worst) and my biggest area for improvement is that I sounded too rehearsed, which is funny because I didn’t actually prepare any answers for that interview I think that’s just the way I talk.
Basically I thought my weakest area was my strongest and that my strongest area the weakest
Does anyone have any tips for sounding less rehearsed ? I didn’t prepare any answers or memorise anything just did the normal research (although for things like why commercial law it is the same answer every time so I may have inadvertently memorised this) My feedback also said I engaged thoughtfully and was professional throughout so I think it’s just my delivery that needs work? although i’m not too sure
Already been rejected for this role this is just some feedback to help

 

[Deleted member 29181]

Just got some feedback for an interview I did and my strongest strength was my commercial awareness (which I thought was my worst) and my biggest area for improvement is that I sounded too rehearsed, which is funny because I didn’t actually prepare any answers for that interview I think that’s just the way I talk
Basically I thought my weakest area was my strongest and that my strongest area the weakest
Does anyone have any tips for sounding less rehearsed ? I didn’t prepare any answers or memorise anything just did the normal research (although for things like why commercial law it is the same answer every time so I may have inadvertently memorised this)
Already been rejected for this role this is just some feedback to help

That is quite strange honestly. My only possible advice is maybe try to seem enthusiastic as you’re talking. I always try to smile and pause while I’m speaking at “natural points”. Coming across as excited to be there always goes a long way in my opinion. Sorry I can’t offer anything more helpful, it would easier to give you advice if you were rehearsing your responses.

 

[nicoledm]

That is quite strange honestly. My only possible advice is maybe try to seem enthusiastic as you’re talking. I always try to smile and pause while I’m speaking at “natural points”. Coming across as excited to be there always goes a long way in my opinion. Sorry I can’t offer anything more helpful, it would easier to give you advice if you were rehearsing your responses.

Haha it’s okay, that’s good advice though thank you! My guess is because I was quite nervous I was a bit monotonous, I also think I may inadvertently memorised the why commerical law answer because my motivations remain the same and it’s the same question that comes up in every application/interview so maybe that’s why it came across rehearsed

 

[Prudentia]

Just got some feedback for an interview I did and my strongest strength was my commercial awareness (which I thought was my worst) and my biggest area for improvement is that I sounded too rehearsed, which is funny because I didn’t actually prepare any answers for that interview I think that’s just the way I talk.
Basically I thought my weakest area was my strongest and that my strongest area the weakest
Does anyone have any tips for sounding less rehearsed ? I didn’t prepare any answers or memorise anything just did the normal research (although for things like why commercial law it is the same answer every time so I may have inadvertently memorised this) My feedback also said I engaged thoughtfully and was professional throughout so I think it’s just my delivery that needs work? although i’m not too sure
Already been rejected for this role this is just some feedback to help

Treat an interview like a conversation, not an interview. This will not only allow you to relax, it will also mean your answers come across as more natural/likeable. Ultimately, if you get to interview stage they believe you can do the job on paper. Your personality can do a lot of heavy lifting for you here, so make sure that comes through.

 

[hxnnahrobinson]

My CMS VI cut out midway through my interview, and I cannot go back on as it would cap my second response. So I have emailed them about resetting the VI, will this be feasible?

 

[Deleted member 41929]

Treat an interview like a conversation, not an interview. This will not only allow you to relax, it will also mean your answers come across as more natural/likeable. Ultimately, if you get to interview stage they believe you can do the job on paper. Your personality can do a lot of heavy lifting for you here, so make sure that comes through.

Great advice.