TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[spamelinazoid]

Ah, the long awaited SH rejection

 

[MZJxLadha]

Dumb question but what does pfo mean?

Haha this forum’s way of meaning rejection but stands for please f off

 

[MZJxLadha]

Ah, the long awaited SH rejection

real

 

[username10341034]

SH pfo too

 

[livelaughlawve]

Somehow passed SH app review last year but not this year? Love going backwards

 

[divya balani]

Anyone who received vi invite on Friday may 15th but has not received ti invite?

 

[Futuretrainee002]

I have an AC coming up in Bevan Brittan and one of the questions in past interviews has been: "why do you want to apply for the London office?".

The only other offices they have are in Bristol, Birmingham and Leeds.

There's a video on TCLA addressing how to answer "Why do you want to train in London?" but I'm still not sure how to tackle it or how much of the answer in that video would apply.

Hey, I was asked this very question at another firm and I successfully answered it through discussing three main reasons:

Firstly, i would recommend focusing on London office exclusive teams, do they have a particular offering only in the London office which you find attractive or a particular way of working/structuring an offering? This would also be good to show off your research into the firm and you can talk about what makes the firm unique to competitors.

I would also talk about that offices specific culture, have you spoken to any employees or read any testimonials about the London office’s culture which you found attractive and could draw upon? Is the London office larger than their other offices and thus good because of proximity to higher mandate deals or is it smaller and also good as you will get to know everyone and be more than just a face etc.

And then finally simply talk about the normal reasons, do you live in london already and therefore call it home, or would you want to live there? Is it more convenient for you to commute to london than any other office? Etc

Hope this helps! Best of luck with your AC!

 

[givemeaTCalreadyT^T]

Anyone who received vi invite on Friday may 15th but has not received ti invite?

W&C?

 

[shays]

Somehow passed SH app review last year but not this year? Love going backwards

lol same, passed last year and the year before that and this year they were like nope, though for vac scheme this year but still

 

[username10341034]

Did anyone get a positive result from SH haha

 

[DiploSha361]

Has anyonbe who applied to W&C on the deadline or that weekend - received a subsequent VI?

 

[futurelawyer45]

Did anyone get a positive result from SH haha

I've yet to hear anything if that helps not too sure what that means though, but no PFO till it's in my inbox, I guess

 

[Garak]

Hey, I was asked this very question at another firm and I successfully answered it through discussing three main reasons:

Firstly, i would recommend focusing on London office exclusive teams, do they have a particular offering only in the London office which you find attractive or a particular way of working/structuring an offering? This would also be good to show off your research into the firm and you can talk about what makes the firm unique to competitors.

I would also talk about that offices specific culture, have you spoken to any employees or read any testimonials about the London office’s culture which you found attractive and could draw upon? Is the London office larger than their other offices and thus good because of proximity to higher mandate deals or is it smaller and also good as you will get to know everyone and be more than just a face etc.

And then finally simply talk about the normal reasons, do you live in london already and therefore call it home, or would you want to live there? Is it more convenient for you to commute to london than any other office? Etc

Hope this helps! Best of luck with your AC!

Thank you so much!

 

[Bottega_Veneta]

Hi, I am yet to receive the Baker SJT/PFO, I emailed twice to confirm whether they received my application but I was blanked. Anyone on the same boat, not received the test or rejection?

Anyone applied to S&C? Do they send PFOs on a rolling basis or after the deadline? Bracing myself

 

[Matt Murdock]

Anyone who received vi invite on Friday may 15th but has not received ti invite?

Mine received on 14/01 and submitted on Sunday 17th but haven't invited yet if that helps..

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I am pleased to announce I got an SH PFO finally, it took 73 days post app but glad it’s over lmao.

My UK firm PFO streak is continuing to expand. I’ll have Ashurst to add to the list next Friday!

I think this is the 29th PFO of the cycle now. Hope Bakers works out and I get the VI stage.​

 

[trainee4u]

Any thoughts on what I should wear for a PWC Virtual AC? Is it button-down shirt & tie?

 

[AryanAgg]

For CV's is minimum font size of 10 allowed or is it too low?

 

[lividowl03]

Does anyone know when firms usually onboard for the GDL or SQE?

I'm trying to get my student bank account extended as I'll still be a student during the GDL, but my bank wants an offer letter or confirmation of study from the uni. I accepted my TC about a month ago, but haven't heard anything further, so I'm presuming none of this has started yet.

I'll probably just email grad rec next week, but I know they're busy with direct TC applications. Was just wondering when other firms have generally started this process?

 

[ghostyb]

for fried frank, how many pages were people's CVs? Did you guys write full prose for each work experience, vacation scheme, previous employment? Thanks!!