TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Jessica Pearson]

How many days did you get to complete the VI?

5 days

 

[NorthernerInLondon]

For those who have received a FF AC invite- wondering if the AC is online or in-person?

In person

 

[BM99]

Seems like Freshfields is issuing PFOs for DTC (from what I saw in VS thread LOL), bracing myself...

 

[yuhhhh]

Seems like Freshfields is issuing PFOs for DTC (from what I saw in VS thread LOL), bracing myself...

same hahah

or who knows they might send out more ACs

 

[anon78365222111]

same hahah

or who knows they might send out more ACs

Hoping they’re like other firms, send out ACs then PFOs then more ACs

 

[Lawyergyal123!]

has anyone heard back from Freshfields for DTC, its been sooooooooooooooooooooo long if they reject after this imma lose all hope cuz just reject me now.

 

[Lawyergyal123!]

has anyone heard back from Freshfields for DTC, its been sooooooooooooooooooooo long if they reject after this imma lose all hope cuz just reject me now.

oh sorry just read the thread LOL not very good attention to detail from my side

 

[Janellehahah]

So just to clarify, has Freshfields sent out any DTC PFOs? Or is it just ACs so far

 

[anon78365222111]

So just to clarify, has Freshfields sent out any DTC PFOs? Or is it just ACs so far

They sent PFOs it’s on the Vac scheme forum, no more ACs yet so far

 

[seriouscandidate_]

Has anyone heard from Irwin Mitchell?

I'm wondering this too... I haven't heard at all post online assessment

 

[赐给我tc]

Did anyone hear back from cms? Are they still gonna call tmrw?

 

[c.li]

Did anyone hear back from cms? Are they still gonna call tmrw?

got a TC offer this morning. but you never know!

 

[jj238]

Anyone have insights on Goodwin VI? I can help with CMS, A&O, Baker Mckenzie, Latham, Weil VI, also been to Weil, Baker Mckenzie, Latham Open days

Hi have you done Baker’s VI? If so, I’m happy to provide insight on Goodwin’s VI.

 

[tc_cc]

Hey guys anyone else been offered an Irwin Mitchell assessment centre or had one in the past? Just heard back today!

Congrats! Can I ask which office this is for?

 

[silonthesofa]

For HL DTC, one question is providing details of any open days and events you’ve attended. Do I just list them or give further details? Anyone who’s applied for HL DTC please help, thanks!

I treated it as an opportunity to respond to a written question, so I wrote in paragraphs. However, I've had no guidance on this from them directly, so it's just what I chose to do.

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

bank of england pfo :/

 

[TheSaulGoodman]

For HL DTC, one question is providing details of any open days and events you’ve attended. Do I just list them or give further details? Anyone who’s applied for HL DTC please help, thanks!

I just gave a list

 

[Z48]

For HL DTC, one question is providing details of any open days and events you’ve attended. Do I just list them or give further details? Anyone who’s applied for HL DTC please help, thanks!

I treated it as an opportunity to respond to a written question, so I wrote in paragraphs. However, I've had no guidance on this from them directly, so it's just what I chose to do.

I attended an event last year and I’d say this is the right approach, they suggested picking 3 or 4 and going into detail about what you learnt/gained

 

[TCGrad1642]

For HL DTC, one question is providing details of any open days and events you’ve attended. Do I just list them or give further details? Anyone who’s applied for HL DTC please help, thanks!

I think its common practice to just list!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Thanks for the advice on HL everyone! Have another question on this: how do firms usually treat applications when you haven’t attended any events/open days with them? And should you list events with other firms as well? Appreciate any advice, thanks!

Hi!

In most cases, not having attended events or open days with a firm won't disadvantage your application - I hadn't attended open days or events with the firms I did VS' with or the firm where I have a TC! The graduate recruitment team know that places are limited (and often very competitive!), and that not everyone has access to them. What matters far more is whether you can articulate genuine interest and understanding of the firm through your application, regardless of how you got that insight. If you have attended a firm's event, it can be nice to reference it briefly if it informed your motivations - however, it is absolutely not expected, and I would definitely avoid using it as a tick-box exercise.

As for listing events with other firms, I would say that it is worth including them if they influenced your wider motivations (e.g. it sparked an interest in a practice area that relates to the firm you are applying to), or if the application specifically asks about them. However, if you feel it doesn't add any actual value to your applicaton, it is completely fine to leave them out. Your space is often better used showing why you are interested in this firm, rather than displaying the wide range of events you have previously been to.

As long as you can show that you have researched the firm and have clear motivations for applying there, you are not missing out by not having gone to any of their events