TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Hi everyone
Just wanted to say that after four cycles, around 40 applications this year and five assessment centres later, I have finally secured a training contract. There was a point this year where I had more or less made peace with it not happening. The rejections stack up, and you start questioning whether it is worth another cycle. This was the very last AC of the cycle for me, and somehow that was the one.
Thank you to Jaysen and everyone in the TCLA community. This forum kept me going across every cycle. If you are still in it, keep going. You only need one.
Just wanted to say that after four cycles, around 40 applications this year and five assessment centres later, I have finally secured a training contract. There was a point this year where I had more or less made peace with it not happening. The rejections stack up, and you start questioning whether it is worth another cycle. This was the very last AC of the cycle for me, and somehow that was the one.
Thank you to Jaysen and everyone in the TCLA community. This forum kept me going across every cycle. If you are still in it, keep going. You only need one.
holding my breath now for Macfarlanes (Post-Job Sim), and RPC (post online assessment)... anyone been invited to AC or know of anyone who has?
Well done! I too got the assessment centre invite. I had a feeling the invites would be sent after the booking window opened but I couldn't be too sure!
Huge congratulations!!
That is amazing news, and I'm so happy to hear that your hard work and perseverance has paid off!I hope you take some time to celebrate!
Hi everyone,
I have a question for you @Abbie Whitlock also, I hope you are well and are having a nice summer
I have to present something for a general practice firm. They do kind of everything, commercial, corporate, regulatory etc.
They told me, however, I can pick a topic or my choice but it has to be recent and relate to their firm. It has to relate to one or more areas of practice.
I was going to pick the EU AI Act ( not applying in Uk office) as I am very confident it really applies to many areas. E.G insurance firms
They told me I can pick any case law or any legislation. But would the EU ai act be considered recent or should I pick something very recent ( niche) it’s hard to do that though. As I will get a Q&A on it. I was thinking to pick the act because it involves many practice areas, however, I’m not quite sure.
Thank you so much
I have a question for you @Abbie Whitlock also, I hope you are well and are having a nice summer
I have to present something for a general practice firm. They do kind of everything, commercial, corporate, regulatory etc.
They told me, however, I can pick a topic or my choice but it has to be recent and relate to their firm. It has to relate to one or more areas of practice.
I was going to pick the EU AI Act ( not applying in Uk office) as I am very confident it really applies to many areas. E.G insurance firms
They told me I can pick any case law or any legislation. But would the EU ai act be considered recent or should I pick something very recent ( niche) it’s hard to do that though. As I will get a Q&A on it. I was thinking to pick the act because it involves many practice areas, however, I’m not quite sure.
Thank you so much
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Huge congratulations to you - what an achievement! Thank you so much for sharing this as it is hugely reassuring and inspirational to those of us still yet to secure a TC!
The firm’s website and L500 are pretty good
A lot of firms post recent deals in their news section. If I can’t find anything there, I go to the people section, find someone in an area I’m interested in, and the look through their recent listed matters. Have to be careful with this cause
1. sometimes it’ll have a note to say something like “this was worked on at their previous firm”
2. it can be difficult to find extra details on the deal, so can be hard to explain interest
I had added in my legal clinic experience and highlighted my skills and a couple of internships.
Hello!Hi everyone,
I have a question for you @Abbie Whitlock also, I hope you are well and are having a nice summer
I have to present something for a general practice firm. They do kind of everything, commercial, corporate, regulatory etc.
They told me, however, I can pick a topic or my choice but it has to be recent and relate to their firm. It has to relate to one or more areas of practice.
I was going to pick the EU AI Act ( not applying in Uk office) as I am very confident it really applies to many areas. E.G insurance firms
They told me I can pick any case law or any legislation. But would the EU ai act be considered recent or should I pick something very recent ( niche) it’s hard to do that though. As I will get a Q&A on it. I was thinking to pick the act because it involves many practice areas, however, I’m not quite sure.
Thank you so much
I am having a great summer, thank you! I hope you are too
Without knowing the specifics of the task, I think the EU AI Act could be a strong choice. Although it isn't the newest development, it is still very current as its provisions are being implemented in stages, meaning businesses are continuing to assess and respond to its requirements. It is also a topic that naturally spans a number of practice areas, including commercial, regulatory, data protection, employment and disputes, which makes it particularly relevant for a general practice firm.
I wouldn't feel pressured to choose the most recent or niche development just because it is newer. In my view, it is much better to pick a topic that you understand well and can discuss confidently, especially if there is going to be a Q&A afterwards. You will likely be in a stronger position if you can explain not only what the EU AI Act does, but also why it matters commercially, which clients are likely to be affected, and how the firm's different practice areas could become involved.
The only thing I would do is check that you can clearly explain why it is relevant despite interviewing for the UK office. Many UK businesses operate in the EU or provide AI systems in the EU market, so the Act can still have important implications for them. If you can make that link clear, I think it would be a perfectly reasonable topic to choose.
Wishing you the best of luck with your presentation!
just got my feedback report for macfarlanes first stage assessment, i had explainer, personal responsibility and adaptability as strengths while my area for improvement was credibility. Does anyone know if this considered good?
The feedback is specifically designed to be completely useless to the candidate. Don't bother reading it.
They got sued a few years ago for disability discrimination, and hide the "do not hire this candidate/maybe/great" scores that they show to the law firms in order to avoid any risk.
Even if you give utterly terrible answers you will still get some strengths and a weakness. It's worthless.
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