TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Hey!
I would try not to worry too much about this! These kinds of administrative mistakes happen more often than you would think, and you have done exactly the right thing by emailing them as soon as you noticed with the corrected information.
I've also known people who have accidentally mixed up exam grades or included incorrect work experience dates on their applications, and after flagging it to graduate recruitment they have still been progressed through the process. The grad rec team are generally understanding that genuine errors can happen, and they are unlikely to hold this against you if you correct it as soon as you realise.
In most cases, if the rest of your application is strong, I wouldn't expect this to be a reason for rejection. They are ultimately assessing your motivation, experience and potential, and they wouldn't let a really strong candidate slip through the cracks over a minor admin error.
I would leave it with them for now and avoid sending any further emails unless they come back with questions. Hopefully they'll simply update your application and proceed as normal.
Best of luck!
thank you!!Hey!
I would try not to worry too much about this! These kinds of administrative mistakes happen more often than you would think, and you have done exactly the right thing by emailing them as soon as you noticed with the corrected information.
I've also known people who have accidentally mixed up exam grades or included incorrect work experience dates on their applications, and after flagging it to graduate recruitment they have still been progressed through the process. The grad rec team are generally understanding that genuine errors can happen, and they are unlikely to hold this against you if you correct it as soon as you realise.
In most cases, if the rest of your application is strong, I wouldn't expect this to be a reason for rejection. They are ultimately assessing your motivation, experience and potential, and they wouldn't let a really strong candidate slip through the cracks over a minor admin error.
I would leave it with them for now and avoid sending any further emails unless they come back with questions. Hopefully they'll simply update your application and proceed as normal.
Best of luck!
Dear forum,
I would like to say thank you for this community where I was able to make friends, read in silence, contribute some times and most importantly I was able to learn, from people like @Abbie Whitlock , @Jaysen and each one of the members – and the iconic members
– that shared their experiences and opinions.
With a bittersweet feeling I must inform you that my journey here has come to an end. We did it people! We got the TC at a silver circle firm and it took a lot:
- 21 applications
- 1.5 cycles
- 4 ACs
- 1 VS
My profile is not standard:
- AAD in my A levels
- non-Russell group university
- no legal work experience
- predicted first class
- no connections in the industry
- dropped out of my previous course to pursue law
My best advice (I could write a book about this but I’m going to keep it short and sweet) is:
- Take an analytical approach to applications, tests and interviews – break down what each stage is assessing, how it is assessed and what a successful candidate will demonstrate at each stage.
- Be proactive – find yourself the easy answers, the ones you can google, use AI or find in the firm’s website. Save the tough questions (information not publicly available) for those events, early careers, lawyers etc and make sure that you maximise each interaction.
- “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." – if your writing style is not progressing your applications, your interview technique is not getting you the offers and your working style is not converting those VS then you must change them. Don’t be afraid of trying different ideas and approaches.
- Use all sources available to you, including the paid ones – there are many amazing free sources, but sometimes you got to invest in your future and pay. I’m far from being privileged, I was raised by a single mother that works as a cleaner but I work part time. So many times I had to sacrifice that takeaway, pub visit, or night out to pay for resources such as TCLA premium ( I promise Jaysen has not paid me for this
) that did make a difference and saved me time and work in my learning journey.
Good Sunday for everyone! May the almighty bless you all and open the doors of the right firm to you
I would like to say thank you for this community where I was able to make friends, read in silence, contribute some times and most importantly I was able to learn, from people like @Abbie Whitlock , @Jaysen and each one of the members – and the iconic members
– that shared their experiences and opinions. With a bittersweet feeling I must inform you that my journey here has come to an end. We did it people! We got the TC at a silver circle firm and it took a lot:
- 21 applications
- 1.5 cycles
- 4 ACs
- 1 VS
My profile is not standard:
- AAD in my A levels
- non-Russell group university
- no legal work experience
- predicted first class
- no connections in the industry
- dropped out of my previous course to pursue law
My best advice (I could write a book about this but I’m going to keep it short and sweet) is:
- Take an analytical approach to applications, tests and interviews – break down what each stage is assessing, how it is assessed and what a successful candidate will demonstrate at each stage.
- Be proactive – find yourself the easy answers, the ones you can google, use AI or find in the firm’s website. Save the tough questions (information not publicly available) for those events, early careers, lawyers etc and make sure that you maximise each interaction.
- “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." – if your writing style is not progressing your applications, your interview technique is not getting you the offers and your working style is not converting those VS then you must change them. Don’t be afraid of trying different ideas and approaches.
- Use all sources available to you, including the paid ones – there are many amazing free sources, but sometimes you got to invest in your future and pay. I’m far from being privileged, I was raised by a single mother that works as a cleaner but I work part time. So many times I had to sacrifice that takeaway, pub visit, or night out to pay for resources such as TCLA premium ( I promise Jaysen has not paid me for this
) that did make a difference and saved me time and work in my learning journey.Good Sunday for everyone! May the almighty bless you all and open the doors of the right firm to you
Huge congratulations - that is amazing news!!Dear forum,
I would like to say thank you for this community where I was able to make friends, read in silence, contribute some times and most importantly I was able to learn, from people like @Abbie Whitlock , @Jaysen and each one of the members – and the iconic members
With a bittersweet feeling I must inform you that my journey here has come to an end. We did it people! We got the TC at a silver circle firm and it took a lot:
- 21 applications
- 1.5 cycles
- 4 ACs
- 1 VS
My profile is not standard:
- AAD in my A levels
- non-Russell group university
- no legal work experience
- predicted first class
- no connections in the industry
- dropped out of my previous course to pursue law
My best advice (I could write a book about this but I’m going to keep it short and sweet) is:
- Take an analytical approach to applications, tests and interviews – break down what each stage is assessing, how it is assessed and what a successful candidate will demonstrate at each stage.
- Be proactive – find yourself the easy answers, the ones you can google, use AI or find in the firm’s website. Save the tough questions (information not publicly available) for those events, early careers, lawyers etc and make sure that you maximise each interaction.
- “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." – if your writing style is not progressing your applications, your interview technique is not getting you the offers and your working style is not converting those VS then you must change them. Don’t be afraid of trying different ideas and approaches.
- Use all sources available to you, including the paid ones – there are many amazing free sources, but sometimes you got to invest in your future and pay. I’m far from being privileged, I was raised by a single mother that works as a cleaner but I work part time. So many times I had to sacrifice that takeaway, pub visit, or night out to pay for resources such as TCLA premium ( I promise Jaysen has not paid me for this
Good Sunday for everyone! May the almighty bless you all and open the doors of the right firm to you
Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and share this! I know there will be so many people reading your post who will see parts of themselves in your story (myself included!), and it is such an important reminder that there isn't one "perfect" profile that firms are looking for.
I also love the advice you have shared, particularly about being willing to adapt and taking a proactive approach. I think that is something that can be overlooked quite easily, but it is one of the biggest differences between continuing to apply and actually improving with each application cycle.
Wishing you all the best as you start your SQE/TC - I'm sure you'll make a fantastic trainee!!
Hey!
Whilst I don't know too much about HFW and WFW, I would differentiate them as:
- HFW is best known for shipping, aviation, commodities, and insurance. They are particularly strong in disputes, and were recently ranked as having the highest win rate in the English commercial court among major litigation firms.
- WFW is a key asset finance firm, and have the world's largest dedicated aviation and maritime finance legal teams. They are also very active in energy and infrastructure.
- Stephenson Harwood is more sector-diverse, and focus on five core areas: Energy Transition, Life Sciences, Private Capital, Technology, and Transportation. They have a strong disputes practice (especially in group actions and high-value commercial litigation) and solid corporate/M&A practices. Compared with HFW and WFW, it has a more diversified client base across a wider range of practice areas.
I hope that assists!
Haven’t heard from Macfarlanes since completing the first assessment last Sunday, still hoping for the best.
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