hi theo...i got an automatic online acknowledgement from LK Shields.....i think......i also got one from eversheds ages ago...but i think thats because i sent away my application form before most people...friends in my class sent theirs to eversheds 2 weeks after me, around the same time that most people would have...and they didnt get anything back....prob because the forms accumulated very quickly and they havent got time/be bothered to get back to everybody with acknowledgements and will do so later in december with interview notice/rejection.....so dont worry.....beauchamps: well thats a funny one: they had an application form to fill in by handwriting and return before 31st of oct....this form was available to download until about the 24th....after that it magically disappeared....i sent it on time because i had it saved on my harddrive....a friend of mine wasnt aware of the application form (because they took it off the site) and emailed them re. application process...he got an email back saying that they are only accepting emailed cvs and will invite a small number of candidates for interview....the trainee page of their site subsequently said something about cvs for a couple of days and then went blank around the 29th of oct...and according to you, remains so.....weird....i would say they are aware of the amount of people looking for apprenticeships and are simply overwhelmed and havent got the resources to process all the applications.......also re eversheds: the UK branch, their biggest one, (they are the 8th biggest firm in UK) is in serious financial difficulty from what ive read...so i cant see how the irish partnreship would be fearing much better...im not really optimistic about them interviewing many if any at all...because like i said...they are letting people go big time in the UK.....**** times buddy...not to worry...whats meant to be is meant to be...(I wish i believed that!!!!)