TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[jmd247]

it’s getting long now, idk whether to email

Last year I didn't get a rejection email from them until end of August...

 

[tozziesss]

Last year I didn't get a rejection email from them until end of August...

that’s so annoying wtf !!! do you know roughly when people who didn’t get rejected heard back last year.

 

[j.a55293]

For anyone still waiting to hear back from Stephenson Harwood, graduate recruitment told me today that they will get back to us in the next fortnight.

 

[Lgrey]

it’s getting long now, idk whether to email

Might be a good shout

 

[anon78365222111]

Probably my last time asking the forum but did anyone genuinely get a reply from Perkins LBA or I guess it was just posted incase they didn’t hire enough from their vac in advance

 

[HasRez]

For anyone still waiting to hear back from Stephenson Harwood, graduate recruitment told me today that they will get back to us in the next fortnight.

How annoying

 

[choo29]

Is anyone having issues submitting the K&L Gates direct TC app? I keeps freezing and I end up at a 504 Gateway Timeout page...

 

[tcfinalboss]

Anyone know if S&M is still sending out ACs?

 

[OS23]

Is anyone having issues submitting the K&L Gates direct TC app? I keeps freezing and I end up at a 504 Gateway Timeout page...

Same here today ... did u manage to solve the issue?

 

[Kate.m]

Did anyone hear back from Browne Jacobson post their AC?

Not yet no

 

[Daylight]

Same here today ... did u manage to solve the issue?

No, it's still broken

 

[Scottishlion]

Anyone hear back from Mayer Brown post AC?

 

[StressedByAMountainOfBooks]

Orrick?

 

[Sr. Maybe]

Paul Hastings updates anyone?

 

[baj5]

HFW PFO!

 

[rrr]

Atp is there any point applying to tcs if you didnt go to a target uni?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Atp is there any point applying to tcs if you didnt go to a target uni?

Hi!

It is definitely still worth applying! From my own experience, I went to a non-target and non-RG university and I was still able to secure 3 vacation schemes and a DTC offer in my final year.

There is absolutely a chance if you didn’t go to a top RG university or Oxbridge, and I personally found that one of the main things holding me back when I was applying was that idea that I had no chance. Your university might mean you have to be a bit more proactive, but it is more about how you make the most of the opportunities available to you. I’d get involved in extracurriculars, build commercial awareness, get a mentor at a law firm, seek out legal work experience where you can (e.g. legal clinics), and put time into making strong applications. I competed in BIUCAC in 2024 and this was really instrumental in a lot of my success (and is even how I secured one of my VS), and this is only open to non-RG students - I’d definitely do some research on what’s available and get involved!

I know it is super easy to let the self-doubt creep in (speaking from personal experience!), but don’t rule yourself out before firms do. Plenty of firms recruit holistically, and there are lots of successful trainees and solicitors at top City firms from non-target universities