TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[rain2801]

I’ve been advised at open days and things to articulate what skills/ competencies you’ve developed in those experiences and make it relevant to legal work if possible!

I've been advised this as well, but somehow it just doesn't seem correct. I think it's because I've always been advised to keep my work entries as specific to the task as possible, so I have a lot of task entries which don't seem to work well in prose. An example of my usual work exp. entry is:

"I interned at Firm XYZ in the ABC team for four weeks. During this time, my responsibilities included:

1. Assisting in drafting parts of appeal in the PQRS dispute.
2. Attending and taking notes for proceedings before the DEF court.
3. Researching and preparing detailed notes on:

• effects of contractual silence in the interpretation of a contract; and
• remedies in case of the fat-finger error."

I remain unsure of how to best convey information like in the above bullet points in prose and highlight my skills. Do you think I should make a separate heading for skills?

 

[silonthesofa]

I've been advised this as well, but somehow it just doesn't seem correct. I think it's because I've always been advised to keep my work entries as specific to the task as possible, so I have a lot of task entries which don't seem to work well in prose. An example of my usual work exp. entry is:

"I interned at Firm XYZ in the ABC team for four weeks. During this time, my responsibilities included:

1. Assisting in drafting parts of appeal in the PQRS dispute.
2. Attending and taking notes for proceedings before the DEF court.
3. Researching and preparing detailed notes on:

• effects of contractual silence in the interpretation of a contract; and
• remedies in case of the fat-finger error."

I remain unsure of how to best convey information like in the above bullet points in prose and highlight my skills. Do you think I should make a separate heading for skills?

Honestly, just turn it into sentences exactly as is.

"I interned at Firm XYZ in the ABC team for four weeks. During this time, my responsibilities included assisting in drafting parts of appeal in the PQRS dispute, as well as attending and taking notes for proceedings before the DEF court. Additionally, I researched and prepared detailed notes on the effects of contractual silence in the interpretation of a contract and on remedies in case of the fat-finger error."

 

[rain2801]

Honestly, just turn it into sentences exactly as is.

"I interned at Firm XYZ in the ABC team for four weeks. During this time, my responsibilities included assisting in drafting parts of appeal in the PQRS dispute, as well as attending and taking notes for proceedings before the DEF court. Additionally, I researched and prepared detailed notes on the effects of contractual silence in the interpretation of a contract and on remedies in case of the fat-finger error."

Thank you! I think this is it. Sorry I tend to overthink a lot. Do you think after this I should just add a line on my skills?

 

[gayathri28]

withers written exercise !

Congratulations! Just to clarify, was this after the sjt?

 

[nicoledm]

Congratulations! Just to clarify, was this after the sjt?

Thank you and yes! I got invited to the SJT on the 9th of April and completed it yesterday

 

[gayathri28]

Thank you and yes! I got invited to the SJT on the 9th of April and completed it yesterday

It's interesting they changed the format of the exercise from proof reading to written exercise I did the proof reading exercise 2 weeks ago.

Anyways good luck!

 

[nicoledm]

It's interesting they changed the format of the exercise from proof reading to written exercise I did the proof reading exercise 2 weeks ago.

Anyways good luck!

Oh sorry!! It is the proofreading task, just skimmed the email, my bad

 

[Armaan111]

Hey guys, just wondering if anyone can help me with this q. On Vantage applications theres a box for SQE1 and 2 information. I'm not sure whether to put my BPP LLM grade + modules, or my actual SQE grades + mark breakdown. Thanks in advance!

 

[dgdfhdfhfss]

Could someone dm with tips and tricks on an e-tray excercise? Or more broadly, if they have any tips for an RPC AC? (Especially if specific to Bristol)

 

[trainee4u]

Hey guys, just wondering if anyone can help me with this q. On Vantage applications theres a box for SQE1 and 2 information. I'm not sure whether to put my BPP LLM grade + modules, or my actual SQE grades + mark breakdown. Thanks in advance!View attachment 8235

it doesn't matter, their application system is trash and doesn't reflect how SQE works, I reported it to them but they don't care and just want money from law firms and don't fix bugs. either one is fine - just choose the higher one!

 

[Armaan111]

it doesn't matter, their application system is trash and doesn't reflect how SQE works, I reported it to them but they don't care and just want money from law firms and don't fix bugs. either one is fine - just choose the higher one!

Thanks a lot! So annoying idk how this hasnt been solved yet

 

[amb303]

Thank you! I think this is it. Sorry I tend to overthink a lot. Do you think after this I should just add a line on my skills?

I think a sentence or so of “so what”/ reflection could be useful? Especially for non legal examples—at least that’s what I do—I’m sure there’s not one correct way

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Also, I’d really appreciate some advice on how to list work experience. I have considerable experience, but I don’t think I’m able to effectively convey it. My usual style is preliminary details (duration, team, etc.) followed by bullet points of the specific work I did. However, I realised after someone pointed out that since I’m an international candidate, the specific bullet points may not effectively be conveying the kind of work I did. They suggested using prose, but I haven’t been able to find samples that I feel satisfied by. Any suggestions are welcome!

Hey!

I would always recommend writing your work experience in prose (unless the firm states otherwise) as it allows you to add depth to each experience and make sure that the graduate recruitment team fully understands the context of your role, rather than expecting them to piece it together from bullet points.

In terms of structure, I would keep it quite simple and follow a structure such as:

• Start by clearly setting out what your role was and the context (e.g. the team, practice area, and type of work the organisation does)
• Then explain your main responsibilities in the role, but in a way that shows depth rather than just listing tasks
• Finally, and most importantly, highlight the skills and insights you gained and explicitly link these to how they would be useful as a trainee solicitor

The last part is often what is missing - it isn't necessary just about what you did, but what it demonstrates about your abilities and fit for the role. For example, rather than just describing drafting or research, you can draw out skills like attention to detail, commercial awareness, managing deadlines, or communicating complex information clearly.

I always liked to think of it as telling a short story or blurb about your work experience - outlining what you did, what you learned, and why that matters for a trainee role

 

[Rads]

Has Macfarlanes given out ACs yet?

 

[nonliquetagain]

hogan direct tc ac!

 

[gayathri28]

hogan direct tc ac!

Congratulations!!

 

[Gracejonesd]

Hi has anyone heard back from KN since the holding email?

 

[Bah Bah Pink Sheep]

Has anyone done a VS AC before and also done a TC AC before? Was there a substantial difference in your experience/ what you feel they're looking for? Any advice on how to do well for DTC ACs despite having failed VS ACs?

Feel free to DM too - happy to hear from different perspectives and experiences!

(because I assume at VS ACs, they're more willing to take a risk on a candidate because there is a 2 week "interview" (VS) afterwards right? is the DTC AC higher standards?)

 

[trainee4u]

Applied for Akin ME TC; just received Capp - does anyone know if this is automatic?

 

[amb303]

Hi has anyone heard back from KN since the holding email?

I’m assuming we will hear tomorrow by end of work day but who knows!