I don't think anyone has heard. I think we should all brace ourselves for a mass PFO since, whilst they do offer direct TCs, it's really a route for them to shore up those who don't accept TCs given out post VS. Their final summer VS only ended c 3 weeks ago so I expect to hear an outcome in the coming weeks...
Training Contract Application Deadlines 2023/24 [Training Starting 2026]
- Thread starter Niyati Nagda
- Start date
Can anyone access the application form. The application is supposed to open today but I cannot find the button to the portal
Probably not unless you have significant legal/ paralegal/ direct industry experience
Thank you.
By the way, if anyone has advice on applying to BigLaw, MoneyLaw and white shoe firms with bad grades (ABBBBCCC at GCSE, AAA at A-Level, and 62.5% 2.1), that’d be greatly appreciated.
Thank you. The trouble is my current role pays more than any Trainee position but it isn’t direct experience. Therefore, I’d have to take a huge pay cut to become a paralegal and would still lose money doing a VS.
By the way, if anyone has advice on applying to BigLaw, MoneyLaw and white shoe firms with bad grades (ABBBBCCC at GCSE, AAA at A-Level, and 62.5% 2.1), that’d be greatly appreciated.
I've seen folks get direct TCs without* any VS so disagree that you need one. Additionally, those are not 'bad' grades. The GCSEs are low for what is seen in the candidate pool. But 3 As and a 2:1 are not bad grades. I understand you are talking about 6 places at X US firm but can we keep perspective.
I did not have A’s in my A-levels. I had not done a VS or before nor did I have any legal work experience before applying, but managed to secure a direct TC with a magic circle firm. I did have previous work experience though, but in other sectors.
It’s definitely possible. Do not let anyone give you the impression that having any legal work experience is necessary for securing a TC. There are always transferable skills in any job that you do. You just have to be able to sell those skills and justify why you would be willing to take a pay cut to start all over as a trainee at a law firm (speaking from personal interview experience).
I would probably try not to think about grades in this manner. I have five GCSEs at C or above, no A-Levels as I did an access course, and averaged around 60% with only one module receiving a first. I’m also a future trainee at a City firm.
There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to displaying why you will make a good trainee, but I do know that spending too much time focussing on what you perceive to be ’bad’ grades (your grades are not bad in the slightest) will only make you feel angry and frustrated.
Are there any law firms that recruit for training contracts one year in advance instead of the traditional two years in advance?
Hi, thanks a lot for this list! I had a question on timelines - for TC apps that begin sometime sept-oct and close in the summer of next year, does that mean no matter how early we apply, we will only hear back from them next summer? I'm assuming most firms prefer vac scheme students so wait for those outcomes before considering direct TC apps made during this time of the year? Please confirm. Thanks.
Yes applied. What was the timeline like when you heard back for the interview in 2019?
Hi @Kseh05
The time of response of the firm would strongly depend on whether they recruit on a rolling basis or not.
Several firms only hire for training contracts through their vacation scheme, however, others tend to have direct applications available.
Firms responses can also put your application on hold because they often hire one to three years in advance of the start date of the training contract.
There is no direct way to know whether these firms have exhausted all their seats (especially if they prefer vacation schemers over direct training contract applicants), but if they consider you to be a good candidate and if they don't have places to offer you, they can defer you to the upcoming application cycles.
The responses to your queries will largely depend on the specific firm you're considering : )
If you need more detailed information, it's a good idea to contact the graduate recruitment team using the contact details on the firm's website. They can provide more clarity if the information you're looking for isn't readily available to the public.
Hi @BonanzaBih_
You can determine whether a firm uses a rolling or non-rolling recruitment method here.
Firms typically maintain consistency in their recruitment approach for both vacation schemes and training contracts to ensure uniformity in their recruitment process.
Therefore, even though the information is presented in the context of vacation scheme deadlines, it should also be accurate for training contracts.
Hope this helps!
Has anyone applied to the A&O 2025/ 2026 Training Contract? It says there will be 2 video questions and an assessment - I'm assuming the assessment is an SJT and I'm not sure what the 2 video questions might be. Are those Why A&O and Why Commercial Law? Could someone please help me identify that as these are video questions?
- Sep 14, 2023
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@Samridhi Jain hey, I am afraid video interview questions cannot be revealed on the forum, however I would say that as long as you prepare the typical questions (such as the ones you have mentioned) I am sure you will be fine. Good luck with it and the whole application cycle! I am sure you'll be successful!
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