TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[lucky2]

Every paralegal role i've come across requires at least a year of experience. Seems impossible to find any aimed at graduates with no exp!

It’s honestly frustrating! I feel your pain ahaha

 

[Matt Murdock]

RPC test invite! weird. They sent it at 3AM

 

[tc_cc]

Does anyone have any insights into Howard Kennedy AC that they would be willing to share?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

BCLP DTC PFO. I sent the app 17 May and took the test 18 May. Think this is now PFO number 33…​

 

[Gioiabwear Yong]

I’ve seen somewhere in this thread that firms are more picky with DTCs than Vac Schemers - bcuz for DTCs, I’m told that firms want trainee ready people, not just students looking to explore. But please do correct me if I’m wrong!

As a person’s finished the Barrister’s Training Course, may I know if this gives me any advantage? If so, what are the advantages? (E.g, stronger advocacy skills??).

Thank you very much!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

I’ve seen somewhere in this thread that firms are more picky with DTCs than Vac Schemers - bcuz for DTCs, I’m told that firms want trainee ready people, not just students looking to explore. But please do correct me if I’m wrong!

As a person’s finished the Barrister’s Training Course, may I know if this gives me any advantage? If so, what are the advantages? (E.g, stronger advocacy skills??).

Thank you very much!

Hey!

I think there is some truth to that, but I would be careful not to overstate the VS vs DTC distinction. Firms do generally expect DTC applicants to show a bit more certainty around wanting a career in law and understanding the trainee role, but DTC offers are still ultimately made on potential as well as readiness (rather than whether someone already feels like a trainee!). I was successful through the DTC route, and I didn't have a substantial amount of legal experience to show I was ready for the role of a trainee (apart from a paralegal placement year and some VS').

On the BTC specifically, I do think there can be advantages if you frame it well rather than assuming the qualification speaks for itself. Advocacy is absolutely one (especially communicating clearly under pressure), but I would also highlight things like handling complex information quickly, responding to challenge, structured analysis, and confidence interacting with clients. Additionally, depending on the firm, experience with drafting and managing competing arguments can also transfer really well to the role of a solicitor/trainee.

One thing I would add though is that if you have completed the BTC, firms may probe a bit more into your reasons for pursuing a TC rather than pupillage. This isn't necessarily in a negative way, but they'll want to understand whether this has been a recent shift, what changed, and why commercial law is now the better fit for your long-term goals. So I'd make sure that you have a clear and positive narrative around that transition - focusing less on why you moved away from the bar, and more on what draws you towards the solicitor route and that firm specifically

 

[Gioiabwear Yong]

Hey!

I think there is some truth to that, but I would be careful not to overstate the VS vs DTC distinction. Firms do generally expect DTC applicants to show a bit more certainty around wanting a career in law and understanding the trainee role, but DTC offers are still ultimately made on potential as well as readiness (rather than whether someone already feels like a trainee!). I was successful through the DTC route, and I didn't have a substantial amount of legal experience to show I was ready for the role of a trainee (apart from a paralegal placement year and some VS').

On the BTC specifically, I do think there can be advantages if you frame it well rather than assuming the qualification speaks for itself. Advocacy is absolutely one (especially communicating clearly under pressure), but I would also highlight things like handling complex information quickly, responding to challenge, structured analysis, and confidence interacting with clients. Additionally, depending on the firm, experience with drafting and managing competing arguments can also transfer really well to the role of a solicitor/trainee.

One thing I would add though is that if you have completed the BTC, firms may probe a bit more into your reasons for pursuing a TC rather than pupillage. This isn't necessarily in a negative way, but they'll want to understand whether this has been a recent shift, what changed, and why commercial law is now the better fit for your long-term goals. So I'd make sure that you have a clear and positive narrative around that transition - focusing less on why you moved away from the bar, and more on what draws you towards the solicitor route and that firm specifically

Hi Abbie! Thank you for the helpful answer - yes, during the BTC were made to learn practical skills like conference (talking to clients, draw out more info to help them present their case, be nice and empathetic etc). So not everything is identical to the SQE, but it’s not entirely useless - there are transferable skills.

And actually I’ve always wanted to be a solicitor, because my uni focuses a lot on commercial awareness and asking bigger law firms to come to career fairs. It’s more like the people around me and my education so far? It’s something like this: I got influences by my surroundings / peers.

During my applications this round, I have tried to explain that I prefer being a solicitor over a barrister because barristers do a lot of law, whereas for solicitors they handle their work while considering issues in that sector / industry - like sanctions, war, or just increasing gov regulation. It just gives a lot more variety to my work life?? Is this a valid reason?

 

[DaemonBlackFyre]

Hi everyone,

Recently received a PFO and in the general feedback (wasn't specific to my application), they said that students should not focus on one practice area when answering why the firm since they are a full-service firm, this pretty much contradicts what I have seen from many successful candidates who pinpoint a specifc practice area, a deal within that practice area etc, citing this as a reason for why the firm?

Thoughts?