TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[trainee4u]

I passed GLP. Still probably get a PFO next week but better than one now I guess.

I got my TC!
I hope other forum members got good news!

 

[Gwarne]

Me too! First preference, GLD Generalist Bristol well done!!

 

[yasmars]

I got my TC!
I hope other forum members got good news!

Congratulations!!

 

[summersun]

I got my TC!
I hope other forum members got good news!

Me too! First preference, GLD Generalist Bristol well done!!

Congratulations to you both !!!

 

[rr23]

Hi everyone, I would be grateful for some views from anyone who has worked as a paralegal at a City/US firm or has seen similar employment contracts.

I have been offered a finance paralegal role in London and there are a few provisions in the employment contract that I am unsure are standard for paralegals.

1. Notice period: I am required to give 3 months' notice from the beginning of employment. During the 6-month probation period, however, the employer only has to give me 1 month's notice. Is it normal for a junior paralegal to have a 3-month notice period, particularly during probation?
2. Post-termination non-compete: There is a 3-month covenant preventing me from being involved with a business "in competition with" the part of the employer's business I worked in. As I would be working in banking/finance, I am concerned about whether this could theoretically cover subsequently joining another law firm as a paralegal or trainee. Are non-competes like this normal in paralegal contracts?
3. Future employer disclosure: The contract also says that, during employment and until the expiry of the last restrictive covenant (6 months post-termination), if I accept another position I must give the future employer a copy of the restrictive covenants and disclose the identity of the future employer to my current employer. Has anyone seen this in a junior paralegal contract before, and is this generally standard?
4. Overtime: My hours are stated as 9:30am to 6pm, but I can be required to work reasonable additional hours without additional remuneration. I appreciate that transactional work can require longer hours and I am completely happy to do them when needed, but other City/US paralegal roles I have seen offer paid overtime. Is unpaid overtime common for permanent paralegals, and would it be reasonable to ask whether there is either paid overtime or TOIL time-off for material additional hours?

I am otherwise very interested in the role, so I am not looking to challenge ordinary boilerplate unnecessarily. I mainly want to understand which of these provisions are genuinely standard for junior paralegal employment and which would be reasonable to query before signing. Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[aanushhhkaaaa]

What I’m assuming as well, I assume K&L Gates progressing people gradually and then will probs do a big fat PFO to the rest end of this week I reckon. Another cycle we go sigh :,)

welp yeah. got K&L gates pfo

after all the effort man highk makes you wanna give up

 

[KSM]

welp yeah. got K&L gates pfo

after all the effort man highk makes you wanna give up

Same.... Lowkey at the end of my rope. We keep moving ig :/

 

[Amelia.05]

welp yeah. got K&L gates pfo

after all the effort man highk makes you wanna give up

Im sorry, its gutting. I still havent heard but am bracing for it.

 

[Jaysen]

I got my TC!
I hope other forum members got good news!

Well done!

 

[law123456789]

Anyone know if slaughters only contacts references for those who they want to give a TC offer?

Update: got the TC!!!!!

 

[141120]

Hi everyone, I would be grateful for some views from anyone who has worked as a paralegal at a City/US firm or has seen similar employment contracts.

I have been offered a finance paralegal role in London and there are a few provisions in the employment contract that I am unsure are standard for paralegals.

1. Notice period: I am required to give 3 months' notice from the beginning of employment. During the 6-month probation period, however, the employer only has to give me 1 month's notice. Is it normal for a junior paralegal to have a 3-month notice period, particularly during probation?
2. Post-termination non-compete: There is a 3-month covenant preventing me from being involved with a business "in competition with" the part of the employer's business I worked in. As I would be working in banking/finance, I am concerned about whether this could theoretically cover subsequently joining another law firm as a paralegal or trainee. Are non-competes like this normal in paralegal contracts?
3. Future employer disclosure: The contract also says that, during employment and until the expiry of the last restrictive covenant (6 months post-termination), if I accept another position I must give the future employer a copy of the restrictive covenants and disclose the identity of the future employer to my current employer. Has anyone seen this in a junior paralegal contract before, and is this generally standard?
4. Overtime: My hours are stated as 9:30am to 6pm, but I can be required to work reasonable additional hours without additional remuneration. I appreciate that transactional work can require longer hours and I am completely happy to do them when needed, but other City/US paralegal roles I have seen offer paid overtime. Is unpaid overtime common for permanent paralegals, and would it be reasonable to ask whether there is either paid overtime or TOIL time-off for material additional hours?

I am otherwise very interested in the role, so I am not looking to challenge ordinary boilerplate unnecessarily. I mainly want to understand which of these provisions are genuinely standard for junior paralegal employment and which would be reasonable to query before signing. Thanks in advance for any help!

Hi - I paralegal at a silver circle firm and have a couple friends who work at US. We all get overtime. This is industry standard for permanent and temporary paralegals in the City.

 

[Jaysen]

Update: got the TC!!!!!

These are my favourite updates. Well done YOU!

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Is the GDL equivalent to the PGDL for the purpose of being a sufficient conversion course for non-law graduates. e.g. if a firm requires you to complete the PGDL if you secure a TC, would having already completed the GDL mean I would not have to essentially repeat this by completing the PGDL? I only ask since PGDL is Level 7 and GDL is Level 6.

 

[Kenomy]

Orrick pfo finally

 

[Matt Murdock]

Orrick PFO

 

[Shiv Lawy]

Orrick WG invite....and to think I'd given up this application cylce and taken a job in VC...

 

[AryanAgg]

Orrick WG invite....and to think I'd given up this application cylce and taken a job in VC...

It's time to lock in and secure that TC, I believe in you!