TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Jaysen]

@Jaysen @Abbie Whitlock hi ! for the sjt practice on the workspace, i used to be able to see the correct order of the answers but no detailed explanations, now i can't see anything- is this correct? if not can you direct me on how to fix this please!

Hey - checking this now. I'll drop you a DM

 

[hmevey]

Hey - checking this now. I'll drop you a DM

thank you!

 

[KSM]

i think we'll have to brace for pfo, heard someone got progressed

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 :,)

 

[law123456789]

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

 

[bristol rovers]

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

I’m assuming you’re asking as you’ve heard this from somebody else? What usually happens is a TC offer is made and then reference checks will happen.

 

[law123456789]

I’m assuming you’re asking as you’ve heard this from somebody else? What usually happens is a TC offer is made and then reference checks will happen.

No - I interviewed with them, haven’t heard back yet, but my referee told me she gave a reference today

 

[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!

 

[bristol rovers]

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!

I’m on my 3rd paralegal job and they all had a 3 month notice period.

I wouldn’t worry about the rest. It’ll just be a template contract used for all employees (paralegal to partner) it won’t be applicable to you

Point 2 is irrelevant if you’ve worked at the firm for more than 6-months as the 3 months limitation is the same as your notice. I’m not sure why you would wanna leave before this period and you are gonna struggle to find another job with less than 6 months experience anyway. You really do need experience for roles like finance paralegal and it sounds like you’ve done well securing this job.

Re point 4 - yes you don’t get paid for overtime. You will get a set yearly salary the same as solicitors do (you’ll be lucky to earn over 32k) - and don’t get paid by the hour like in other jobs.

I’ve never worked past 6 in 2 years paralegalling (although the practice areas I’m in aren’t the most demanding). The workload does build up though the more months you do at a firm.

 

[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!