TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Is anyone still waiting on BCLP post test? I’ve not yet heard anything (PFO or VI). I sent my app on the 17th May and took the test on the 18th…
Hey!
If there are genuine mitigating circumstances, I personally can't imagine this being viewed as a red flag in itself. Universities don't grant extra time or extensions to complete degrees lightly, so I think firms are generally aware that there can be circumstances that affect someone's timeline at university that are beyond their control, and will absolutely take those into account.
For exam adjustments (e.g. extra time), I'd expect firms to focus much more on the outcome of your degree and your overall application form rather than the adjustment itself. Equally, if someone has been granted additional time to complete their degree due to mitigating circumstances, I wouldn't assume that would count against them if there are clear reasons as to why they had that adjustment.
If there is space on the application to provide context, I'd definitely do this and keep it brief and factual. Ultimately, almost all firms look at applications holistically and will focus on the grades achieved, your experiences, and the strength of your overall application, rather than viewing a different study timeline as a negative in itself.
I've seen plenty of successful applicants take non-liner routes through university and still secure VS/TC offers. I hope that assists!
Does any know the London grad rec contact address for Morgan Lewis (ML)? I realised that I don't have a phone number for one of my references...
This week I had a feedback call after an unsuccessful AC at a transatlantic firm. The HR representative was very encouraging, and said that I performed very well. I did not progress to the final stage of the DTC assessment process, but they said that it was only "a matter of percentages".
They helped me identify one key thing to work on for future interview responses: Being more confident in presenting my conclusions and client recommendations.
Here are some thoughts about what this means for me...
Lawyers often have to make decisions when faced with inadequate information. That's just part of the job. When pressed for a "yes" or "no" answer, my first instinct is healthy academic skepticism: "Well, it depends. We need more info." Academics might have the privilege of sitting on the fence, but in commercial law, for good or ill, clients need actionable advice.
Whatever action you recommend might make things worse, of course; it might not. Either way, some decision is better than none. An interview panel is looking for a confident answer that you are able to articulate and defend.
As far as a TC interview goes, it doesn't even matter if the recommendations are wrong or right. What matters is that a candidate demonstrate that they can state a reasonable conclusion based on the facts available, even if we don't have all data necessary to offer foolproof advice.
You have two whole years of being a trainee to learn what the right thing to do might actually be. In a TC interview, it is ok to risk saying the wrong thing. Just articulate like a potential lawyer. The rest comes later.
Do you think that sounds like the right approach to take?
...
(I'm still a big advocate of academic skepticism, by the way. Philosophically speaking, we never have all the facts we need to make a perfect decision. Ironically, I wrote a whole book about how sitting on the fence is a problematic philosophical concept. It's not too surprising that law should re-open some old questions! ... If anyone is interested: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/film-negation-and-freedom-9798765105542/)
They helped me identify one key thing to work on for future interview responses: Being more confident in presenting my conclusions and client recommendations.
Here are some thoughts about what this means for me...
Lawyers often have to make decisions when faced with inadequate information. That's just part of the job. When pressed for a "yes" or "no" answer, my first instinct is healthy academic skepticism: "Well, it depends. We need more info." Academics might have the privilege of sitting on the fence, but in commercial law, for good or ill, clients need actionable advice.
Whatever action you recommend might make things worse, of course; it might not. Either way, some decision is better than none. An interview panel is looking for a confident answer that you are able to articulate and defend.
As far as a TC interview goes, it doesn't even matter if the recommendations are wrong or right. What matters is that a candidate demonstrate that they can state a reasonable conclusion based on the facts available, even if we don't have all data necessary to offer foolproof advice.
You have two whole years of being a trainee to learn what the right thing to do might actually be. In a TC interview, it is ok to risk saying the wrong thing. Just articulate like a potential lawyer. The rest comes later.
Do you think that sounds like the right approach to take?
...
(I'm still a big advocate of academic skepticism, by the way. Philosophically speaking, we never have all the facts we need to make a perfect decision. Ironically, I wrote a whole book about how sitting on the fence is a problematic philosophical concept. It's not too surprising that law should re-open some old questions! ... If anyone is interested: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/film-negation-and-freedom-9798765105542/)
Thanks, that was quick! I got mine too.
I am just wondering if Macfarlanes actually read your application alongside the first or second stage online test. I was rejected from their vac scheme after doing the first stage test. I have mostly done well in online test, so I thought the rejection was because of my written application. But given it was only a few days between the submission of first-stage test and the invitation of second test, my assumption might be wrong. Do you have any information about that?
They read your app after you pass the benchmark for the stage 2 test. They’ll review the app and VIs to decide who gets to the ACs. If you got PFOd post the stage 1 test, it’s most likely gna be that you didn’t meet the benchmark of the test so it’s auto PFO. FF and HL have the same process I think iirc.
Thanks, that's kinda surprising as I passed most tests! Fingers crossed for this time
Does anyone have any advice for strength-based interviews? Will they ask questions based on my feedback report generated from their online test?
Hey!
I have previously written a few posts on strengths-based interviews, which I have quoted below - I hope they are useful! They are typically looking to see how you would handle specific problems, your general working style, and the traits that you naturally possess that would make you a good fit for the firm.
If you have any further questions, just shout. Best of luck with the interview!
Hi!
Just to add to Andrei's advice, I thought I'd share my past experiences with strengths-based interview questions!
For these types of of questions, the important element is to answer truthfully and be yourself. They are typically looking to see how you would handle specific problems, your general working style, and the traits that you naturally possess that would make you a good fit for the firm. In preparation for the interview, I would make a note of what your key strengths are, and how they align with the skills needed to be a trainee (and what the role involves).
If you are given a hypothetical scenario, I'd talk the interviewer through each step that you would take to address the situation, and how you would use your personal strengths to aid you in handling anything that comes up.
Additionally, I've also found that the questions can be reflective in nature and may ask you specific questions about your way of workings. For an interview I did on a vacation scheme, I was asked "What type of person are you under pressure?" (which definitely threw me off!). There isn't necessarily one right answer here, and I would take a moment to actually think your answer through and consider how you usually approach these situations. It might be helpful to reflect on your past experiences and weave these into your answer, so that the interviewer can see that you are rooting your answer in concrete examples.
I hope that helps!
Hey!
It's totally normal to feel nervous, but I'd try to remember that they've progressed you this far for a reason! From my experience with strengths-based interviews, I would try to build rapport with the interviewers by being warm, engaged and genuine - try to treat it as a discussion rather than a formal assessment (whilst still remaining professional, of course!). Interviewers are human too, and sometimes asking genuine questions about their roles and career journeys can go a long way to show your interest in the firm.
When answering strengths-based questions, I'd focus less on giving a "model answer" and more on explaining how you naturally think and work. They are likely trying to see what motivates you, what you enjoy doing, and how you respond in real situations. In a previous strengths-based interview I completed, I was asked questions such as "What kind of person are you under pressure?" - this definitely threw me off, but the important part is to just be honest! You don't need long STAR-style answers, as short and specific examples are usually more than enough to demonstrate your point.
It can also help to link your answers back to the kind of environment BCLP offers (e.g. collaboration, adaptability, etc.), while still remaining genuine. The goal is to show that your strengths would translate well into how trainees at BCLP actually work day to day, and that you are motivated to work in the kind of environment that BCLP has.
I hope that assists, and wishing you the best of luck with your interview - I'm sure you'll do great!
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