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.
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
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bank of england pfo :/
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
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
Thank you!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
I want to do some DTC application but I am very aware of the fact that I have never done a VS and I don't have much legal work experience. At the moment, I am working on both but would that necessarily be a deal breaker for firms?
It largely depends on the firm. At the end of my second year, I applied to Ashurst's DTC and made it to the final round without any legal experience (only open days). But I have heard that other firms (Macs, HL) tend to be more picky about the exp required for the DTC route.
But regardless, I would still apply to the firm you're interested in unless explicitly told by grad rec that they prefer experience for these routes. You have nothing to lose
anyone else hear back from freshfields for ac or pfo, seems like they were giving out both early this week.
Hey - I saw that a few people have been receiving PFOs/AC invites for Freshfields DTC this week. Did anyone complete Stage 2 in October/November and still not heard anything?
So my Uni allows retakes to improve grades. I’ve passed all exams on first attempt, but I’m considering retaking 2 exams in which my faculty was changed mid-semester and I feel I could’ve done better in those. Do I need to disclose these retakes considering I passed my exams in first try?
Irwin Mitchell PFO, gutted 😭
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