TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Diane Lockhart]

@Jaysen @Abbie Whitlock
I just wanted to ask how long can you wait before signing a TC offer...and if you hear back from one firm and the other has not responded after 2 weeks, should you reach out to get an answer? I ask because I don't want to be pushy but at the same time I don't know what the best action is. I have asked others in my VS cohort if they've heard back and they have said no (but they might not be able to say).

Personally, I received a TC offer with a month-long deadline, while waiting on another outcome. In the last week of the offer, I reached out asking to extend the deadline, which the firm refused. So on the final day, I just accepted and signed the offer. Heard back shortly after that I did not receive the second offer anyway. Everything has been fine, though; no negatives to accepting on the deadline.

I would also say there is no negative to reaching out. As applicants, we overthink every communication, but provided your email is polite and to the point, grad rec will literally glance over it, reply, and not give it a second thought. Certainly, I've been explicitly told before by firms that the decision process can be expedited if we have competing offers, and to let them know.

 

[cs3008]

HFW PFO!!! This one stung oof

SAME!!!!!

 

[cs3008]

Hi everyone. Out of curiosity has anyone else finished the BCLP AC : )

Are they sending ACs now? :O

 

[cs3008]

I heard nothing from HFW, positive or otherwise but apparently someone from there looked up my linkedin

Rest of us received PFO.

 

[mrebeccafr]

Has anyone heard back from Browne Jacobson after their ACs? What time frames did they give? Thanks

 

[theduckytie]

Has anyone reached out to Stephenson Harwood? Unsure if it is worth emailing grad rec but I always get nervous that if I were to do so it would reflect poorly haha!

I emailed them. They replied on June 29th, "We hope to have an update in the next fortnight".

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Hey!

Congratulations on the offer!

It will depend on the deadline the firm has given you - some firms ask for a response within a week or two, while others are happy to give longer if you explain that you are waiting to hear back from another application. If you haven't already, I'd check your offer email first to see whether they mention a deadline.

If another firm has been silent for a few weeks and you are approaching your acceptance deadline, I don't think it is unreasonable to send a polite email explaining that you have received another offer and asking whether they are able to provide an update on your application. You're not asking them to rush a decision, just giving them context that you need to make an informed choice - I did a similar thing last cycle, and I was able to get an answer a few days later from the firm that I had been waiting to hear from.

I know it can feel a bit awkward, but the graduate recruitment team will be used to candidates managing multiple applications, especially after vacation schemes. As long as you are polite and transparent (and reiterate your interest in the firm), I don't think it'll come across as pushy at all.

Fingers crossed you hear back soon, and congratulations again!

Thank you! Out of interest, do you know if firms send things out in batches. I now know that at least one person got the call a few days ago so my chances are looking quite dim.

I was thinking of sending the following email:
Dear Graduate Recruitment,

I hope you're well. I wanted to let you know that I have received another training contract offer. Covington remains one of my preferred firms, so if it is possible to provide any update on the status of my application as soon as possible, I would be very grateful.

I completely understand if you're unable to accommodate this, and I appreciate your time and consideration.

Kind regards,


I would also appreciate any insights from anyone.

 

[Kenomy]

Anyone heard from Devonshires?

Got an invite to a test on Wednesday