TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[adfs456]

Has anyone ever successfully come off a Bristows DTC waitlist list?

 

[Bridget1130]

Mine is next Tuesday. I just hope it's not smth awfully complicated like a case study

I really don’t think it will be. They have prided themselves on having a strengths based process the entire way through so I really doubt they would change so drastically. Even the wording on the website which is about making sure we are the right fit for each definitely lends it self to checking motivations and values and things like that more than anything

 

[Bridget1130]

Mine is next Tuesday. I just hope it's not smth awfully complicated like a case study

I have spoken to people on linkedin and things and most people have said it was just a conversation and not different to an AC really. I think that was the vac scheme format though.

 

[Prudentia]

Has anyone heard from Ashurst, Bakers or SH, or are they acc gna take until 2035 to send us post app updates? Gna assume PFO atp…

I’m not expecting a response from Baker or Ashurst any time soon as I imagine they want to get the SVS and any TC offers coming from that out of the way.

 

[Maddy]

I’m not expecting a response from Baker or Ashurst any time soon as I imagine they want to get the SVS and any TC offers coming from that

I’m not expecting a response from Baker or Ashurst any time soon as I imagine they want to get the SVS and any TC offers coming from that out of the way.

Does that mean they are planning not to have anyone from DTC?

 

[Prudentia]

Does that mean they are planning not to have anyone from DTC?

Not at all, but I would imagine (and I might be wrong) that candidates who have a VS would be considered before DTC candidates. Not every VS candidate will convert, but they will just be considered first.

 

[spamelinazoid]

Does that mean they are planning not to have anyone from DTC?

They recruit from direct TC every year.

 

[Irishman11]

Does everyone get MacFarlanes job simulation

 

[bangarangbass39]

BCLP test
Strengths: Active Collaborator, Pride, and Efficiency
Weakness: Thinking critically.

I dunno if this means I failed on the last section w/ WG style questions.

 

[gayathri28]

Withers first-stage interview! If anyone has any tips or insights I’d be really grateful and happy to share insights into other firms!

Hi,

Congratulations!
If you don't mind sharing, could you tell us when you did the proof-reading test?

 

[AryanAgg]

BCLP test
Strengths: Active Collaborator, Pride, and Efficiency
Weakness: Thinking critically.

I dunno if this means I failed on the last section w/ WG style questions.

From what I've read about the test, the weakness could just be slightly lower than the strengths and it ends up as a weakness so it's not necessarily a fail.

 

[Maddy]

They recruit from direct TC every year.

Do you know approximately how many trainees they select from DTC application?

 

[spamelinazoid]

Do you know approximately how many trainees they select from DTC application?

For Bakers its usually 10-15ish, depending on the year. They host 5-8 ACs in June/July.

For Ashurst not sure how many exactly , but historically they have always recruited from DTC as well.

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Hi,

Congratulations!
If you don't mind sharing, could you tell us when you did the proof-reading test?

Thanks! I completed it on Friday

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

For Bakers its usually 10-15ish, depending on the year. They host 5-8 ACs in June/July.

For Ashurst not sure how many exactly , but historically they have always recruited from DTC as well.

I saw online that Ashurst take 50 people across the WVS and SVS so assuming 50% get a TC it’s 25/40 TCs going via VS so 15/40 via DTC?

So my guess would be 30-45 final ints, 60-90 ACs and 120-180 WEs for the DTC route, out of probs at least 2-3k apps, which is pretty cooked.

I’m just speculating the numbers here idk what it acc is lmao. But Ashurst, Bakers and SH do take a good number of people from the DTC route.​