TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[LARALRARATC]

Has anyone done VI for Baker Mckenzie? Happy to swap for Slaughter & May, Weil, CMS, Goodwin, Latham, Freshields and A&O Shearman!

 

[p2bv]

Do you know if they have interviewed candidates for this yet? i applied a while ago and received the same email and haven't heard anything

My interview was for DTC

 

[Slickoo202]

Has anyone got a response from CMS (Manchester) after the interview?

 

[livelaughlawve]

It doesn't help that Freshfields' feedback report for stage 2 gives you no indication whatsoever whether you are likely to progress! I hope they back to all of us soon

I didn't get a feedback report after the second assessment....

 

[Maddy]

Does Clifford Chance application has a pre-recorded VI?

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

It doesn't help that Freshfields' feedback report for stage 2 gives you no indication whatsoever whether you are likely to progress! I hope they back to all of us soon

Seems to be the way with lots of the Cappfinity tests! Hopefully they get back to us soon!

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

Hey! i am not sure how to approach this question, would the TCLA team have any insights to this, please? Tell us how lawyers can add value for their clients beyond providing technical, legal expertise. Why is this especially important in today's market?

I initially thought of client care and innovation but i think i may be overthinking it

Thank you so much!

Thought I'd pitch in. Lawyers can be more than legal experts, they are advisers who often have oversight into the operations of countries and can green or red light business and strategy calls. They are consulted by pretty much everyone in companies to make sure that what they're doing is above board. They frequently work with departments like risk management and marketing to give a second opinion on certain company decisions. Political and optics advice is often part of that. That being said, I'd just be careful how you answer this question. Many things, like investment advice, are regulated financial activities, and without the appropriate statutory exemption, lawyers can sometimes face risks when they are approached for advice outside of their expertise. Just be careful talking about how lawyers can be advisors as for things like investment advice, they are not all able to do it.

 

[user123987]

Another day without hearing from CMS (I’m going crazy )

 

[Rads]

Hey, has anyone heard anything from Slaughter and May since holidays? Should we assume that they have all AC slots filled up?

 

[manifestingthetc]

I haven't heard back from BCLP DTC post assessment and it is rolling, should i be concerned? im not sure if the team are focusing on vs apps first?

 

[Rads]

I haven't heard back from BCLP DTC post assessment and it is rolling, should i be concerned? im not sure if the team are focusing on vs apps first?

They mentioned in one of the TCLA meets that they will only review DTC apps after vac schemes are done

 

[nicoledm]

I don't know if I should email a firm about my interview outcome, they said results will be communicated on the 31st of December. I haven't heard anything yet but they got back about vac scheme interviews today, should I wait or send an email to chase up

 

[radssss]

I don't know if I should email a firm about my interview outcome, they said results will be communicated on the 31st of December. I haven't heard anything yet but they got back about vac scheme interviews today, should I wait or send an email to chase up

I suggest email on Monday. That would give them a week post holidays!

 

[radssss]

I haven't heard back from BCLP DTC post assessment and it is rolling, should i be concerned? im not sure if the team are focusing on vs apps first?

They focus on vs first and prefer to hire most trainees from vac scheme so don’t worry if you hear back later on!

 

[oliviabeijing]

Does anyone know from previous years what the schedule was for CMS? E.g. when people were invited to AC?

 

[nicoledm]

Does anyone know from previous years what the schedule was for CMS? E.g. when people were invited to AC?

My friend got a TC with CMS last year for a regional office, her AC was last week of Jan. Someone else has said on here that they’ve been fast tracked to an AC I think for Sheffield because they did an insight programme and it takes place first week of feb. I think cause VIs only took place just before christmas we’ll hear back in the next two weeks

 

[oliviabeijing]

My friend got a TC with CMS last year for a regional office, her AC was last week of Jan. Someone else has said on here that they’ve been fast tracked to an AC I think for Sheffield because they did an insight programme and it takes place first week of feb. I think cause VIs only took place just before christmas we’ll hear back in the next two weeks

Amazing, thank you!

 

[lawstudent2]

Has anyone heard back from Freshfields post stage 2 test?

 

[Willgetatc]

Hey, has anyone heard anything from Slaughter and May since holidays? Should we assume that they have all AC slots filled up?

Haven’t heard anything since holding email

 

[Scottishlion]

I didn't get a feedback report after the second assessment....

Same, should I be worried?