TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Rosie_Kitten]

Does anyone know what the Hogan Lovells Online Immersive Assessment consist of? My research says SJT, Watson Glaser and Proof Reading - is that correct? (Don't want any surprises!)

Id recommended doing the practice hub assessments, they explain everything.

 

[nicoledm]

has anyone heard back from Harbottle post interview/know when we can expect to hear back

 

[thepfocollector]

Quick question here for people that have been applying for the DTC route:

I’m an LPC Graduate with Distinction Honours
First Class LLB (Non Russell Uni - but still considered a top uni for law)
A Levels: BBB (but I have managed to get around the min A Level requirements, through my overall academic performance.

Have legal experience (paid and non-paid) and should be starting as a commercial litigation paralegal at a boutique firm just outside of London (pending final approval)

Is this profile good to apply for DTC? I have been applying mainly for vac schemes, because I wasn’t sure whether I have the profile for a DTC. Thank you if you read all this!

I attended an open day at Baker McKenzie in October and one of the trainees said that they secured their TC through the direct route without any legal experience.

 

[ADhillon01]

I attended an open day at Baker McKenzie in October and one of the trainees said that they secured their TC through the direct route without any legal experience.

Damn 😳

I guess I’m good to have a go at DTCs then. Open days/insight events do definitely help esp at a targeted firm, they cover that experience gap.

 

[ADhillon01]

From what I mostly hear from early careers from many firms, if a firm has no preference as to which route you apply for, they would strongly suggest you apply for a vac scheme if you don’t have or have limited legal exp. I don’t think that’s the case for you - you have a law degree, legal work experience, and you’re starting a COMMERCIAL Paralegal role soon so it’s all very relevant. I don’t think I’ve ever heard about academics being a factor in deciding which route to apply for. However if you make DTC to firms that take more from vac schemers, I guess it may make sense the overall benchmark for DTC to get past the initial application stage could be higher.

Hey 👋

Sorry I forgot to reply this yesterday. I really appreciate that 🙏 & yeah that’s what always put me off the DTC route because I felt the difficulty level was extremely higher than VC.

I presumed that academics (finishing undergrad and postgrad) would be a contributing factor for DTC. I think it’s a mixture of everything. But I’m going to give DTCs a try if (hopefully not “when”) my VC apps end in tears …

 

[Starfish31]

Might be quite late but has anyone heard from slaughters since sending an app?

 

[Applicationally-challenged]

Has anyone else not heard from Macfarlanes since their first stage test, or been PFOed? I completed it about a month ago and have had silence, but seen that other people got the second stage really quick

 

[nordicnomad]

anyone heard back from cc today?

 

[SueD]

has anyone heard back from Harbottle post interview/know when we can expect to hear back

I thought they hadn’t done any interviews yet?

 

[nicoledm]

I thought they hadn’t done any interviews yet?

I had my first interview last week, not sure if they’re doing it in batches !

 

[thepfocollector]

Damn 😳

I guess I’m good to have a go at DTCs then. Open days/insight events do definitely help esp at a targeted firm, they cover that experience gap.

Yeah - they also went to a non-russell group university so do not stress about that

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Quick question here for people that have been applying for the DTC route:

I’m an LPC Graduate with Distinction Honours
First Class LLB (Non Russell Uni - but still considered a top uni for law)
A Levels: BBB (but I have managed to get around the min A Level requirements, through my overall academic performance.

Have legal experience (paid and non-paid) and should be starting as a commercial litigation paralegal at a boutique firm just outside of London (pending final approval)

Is this profile good to apply for DTC? I have been applying mainly for vac schemes, because I wasn’t sure whether I have the profile for a DTC. Thank you if you read all this!

Hey!

I would say that you have a good profile to apply for DTC! For context, I got my training contract at Reed Smith through their DTC route and had a relatively similar background to you - First Class LLB from a non-RG (though mine wasn't particularly great for law haha!) and around a year of paralegal work at a boutique commercial property firm in London.

However, there are also plenty of people in my DTC cohort that had no legal experience and still received an offer. From my understanding, whilst it differs between firms, the focus is on how you perform in the assessments as they often have a higher benchmark than the VS applications. If you are confident in ACs and interviews, I would absolutely go for it!

 

[TCGrad1642]

Is there any merit in applying to Baker McKenzie DTC if I would be unable to start their BARBRI course in August? Would they allow deferring for a year?

 

[SueD]

I had my first interview last week, not sure if they’re doing it in batches !

That is brilliant! Congratulations! Such a fabulous firm. I am keeping everything crossed I get to hear something from them…

 

[hawkins19]

Does anyone know if Freshfields DTC AC is conducted CV blind?

 

[choicefox212]

Those who’ve heard back from Harbottle - when did you apply? I submitted it on the deadline and haven’t heard back yet. I know it hasn’t been long, but I wonder if they’ve now reviewed all of the apps and decided not to inform me of my PFO

 

[Francis G.]

no video questions

Just to clarify, no need to recard a vedio? since it exists in the HL Prehub. Thanks!

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Just to clarify, no need to recard a vedio? since it exists in the HL Prehub. Thanks!

The stage 1 test is just an SJT and WG. The stage 2 test is a job sim which includes 3 VI questions. So use the HL Prehub practice stuff for those.​

 

[EMB]

Guys, I had a written assessment at a regional firm, it was an email, and how did I forget to write an executive summary and headings 💔💔💔 Is it over for me?

 

[iklawapps]

hi everyone : ) I'm just wondering if anyone has heard back about Travers post final interview yet and if so how long? Ive had mine and just waiting a little stressed. good luck and I hope you hear back really soon!! < 3