TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Rads]

Very fast within the day for me

I took it yesterday, for VS they were quick, should I be assuming PFO?

 

[legalbeast]

How do firms actually make offer decisions after an Assessment Centre?
I’m curious how decisions are typically made once candidates reach the AC stage.
Do firms still take a genuinely holistic view at that point (e.g. academic record, prior experience, overall trajectory), or is the decision largely driven by AC performance itself?
More specifically:

• Are candidates scored numerically across exercises (case study, interview, group task, etc.) with certain exercises weighted more heavily?
• If so, do different exercises carry different weight (e.g. case study vs competency interview)?
• Or is there still a degree of discretion and qualitative discussion when deciding who receives offers?

Interested to hear perspectives from trainees, associates, or anyone involved in the recruitment process.

 

[msclm]

Thanks, that is very interesting. So did you only talk about your experience with the firm rather than quoting things like matters, USPs etc? Was this through talking about their initiatives and so on and explicit examples, or just the feeling you got?

I legit said “I like the vibes here” in my final interview lmao

By the time you are at a final stage, the “why law” or “why this firm” becomes less important IMO

 

[confusedbird]

Thanks, that is very interesting. So did you only talk about your experience with the firm rather than quoting things like matters, USPs etc? Was this through talking about their initiatives and so on and explicit examples, or just the feeling you got?

I know I'm not that person but I second their opinion that quoting these things gets less important (especially if its post a vac scheme). If you do want to mention them, you could potentially frame your answer in two parts with - "This is why I applied" as one section where you quote this info and the second section as "This was my experience and now my motivation has just increased".

Honestly, sometimes they might just ask you a question like what surprised you about the firm based on what you knew before the vac scheme and now that you've done it rather than ask the typical why firm question.

 

[confusedbird]

Interview related - Can anyone point me in the direction of a "model answer" for interviews for a "why this firm" question. I have been told in previous interviews that my reason for rejection is not being firm-specific enough. I think I have improved on this, but I really have nothing to compare it to...

Something that might be missing in your answer could be your enthusiasm while answering the question. I would've said mention practice areas, initiatives etc but you've already improved on those aspects per your later post.
Something not a lot of people realise is that just the way you say the answer could make someone either think you know a lot about the firm and are genuinely passionate or think that the answer is not firm-specific enough despite the content of both answers being EXACTLY the same.

 

[1136PX0]

Anyone do the CMS AC today (london)? How was it?

 

[Lawlawland]

Applied for Slaughter on the last day and I have not Heard from them yet... IDK if my application was so bad they don't even wanna send me a PFO

 

[livelaughlawve]

Something that might be missing in your answer could be your enthusiasm while answering the question. I would've said mention practice areas, initiatives etc but you've already improved on those aspects per your later post.
Something not a lot of people realise is that just the way you say the answer could make someone either think you know a lot about the firm and are genuinely passionate or think that the answer is not firm-specific enough despite the content of both answers being EXACTLY the same.

OK thank you, so more "YAY" and less "I am trying to impress you and not throw up with nerves at the same time". Practice practice practice!

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

I JUST GOT A HEART ATTACK!

Slaughter and May holding email for DTC just arrived. Maybe someone here who said they'll get back to us in March is true, fingers crossed.

 

[confusedbird]

OK thank you, so more "YAY" and less "I am trying to impress you and not throw up with nerves at the same time". Practice practice practice!

Definitely! Also, if you feel like you've built up enough rapport with your interviewers, you can actually say you're nervous. I did that for the firm I have a TC with and all it did was make me sound more like a person and helped them connect with me. I have definitely not done that in the other 4 or so final stages I've done before because that comfort/connection/rapport was missing imo.

 

[cos]

has anyone heard back from gowling yet? specifically bham office? the suspense is killing me

 

[TheSaulGoodman]

Has anyone heard back from Links (DTC) or have any indication of when they may get back to us?
Also for Stephenson Harwood (DTC) has anyone been progressed? I've seen online that they're rolling but haven't seen anything regarding progression on the forum so far.....

 

[p2bv]

Anyone heard from CMS regional?

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

Please something good tomorrow...

 

[oliviabeijing]

Anyone heard from CMS regional?

No but they keep posting on insta and tiktok instead ahah

 

[Superfrozone]

Does anyone know when we can expect to hear back from McDermott?

I think online it said February but it’s around that time.

 

[IWillGetATC]

HELP why has Greenberg Traurig closed their portal?!?! website says 11:59 Friday - and that they are non-rolling.... anyone in the same boat?

 

[Rads]

I JUST GOT A HEART ATTACK!

Slaughter and May holding email for DTC just arrived. Maybe someone here who said they'll get back to us in March is true, fingers crossed.

Hello, was this by any chance for non-law DTC? And if you could tell, when did you apply?

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Yes, non-law DTC, submitted 28/11, 6.55pm GMT