New Threads

An opportunity to undertake a vacation scheme at the firm, commencing in 2025.

Scheme dates: 16th June ’25 - 27th June ‘25

Apply here by 19th December 2024

An opportunity to undertake a vacation scheme at the firm, commencing in 2025.

Scheme dates: 30th June ‘25 - 11th July ‘25

Apply here by 31st December 2024

An opportunity to undertake a vacation scheme at the firm, commencing in 2025.

Scheme dates: TBC

Apply here by 31st January 2025

An opportunity to undertake a vacation scheme at the firm, commencing in 2025.

Scheme dates: 16th June ‘25 - 27th June ’25

Apply here by 15th December 2024

An opportunity to undertake a vacation scheme at the firm, commencing in 2025.

Scheme dates: TBC

Apply here - Open Until Positions Filled

An opportunity to undertake a vacation scheme at the firm, commencing in 2025.

Scheme dates: 23rd June ‘ 25 - 4th July ’ 25

Apply here by 6th January 2025

An opportunity to undertake a vacation scheme at the firm, commencing in 2025.

Scheme dates: TBC

Apply here by 16th December 2024

An opportunity to undertake a vacation scheme at the firm, commencing in 2025.

Scheme dates: 16th June ’25 – 4 July ’25 AND 14th July ’25 – 1st Aug ’25

Apply here by 3rd January 2025

I'm currently writing my application form for the Mishcon de Reya vacation scheme and would really appreciate some guidance on this question if anyone has any tips:

If we were to invite you to interview, what issue would you most like to talk about and why? This can be a non-legal issue and should be something you genuinely feel passionate about. (300 words max) *

As a non-law graduate, I am going to talk about a non-legal issue. Some ideas I have had so far have included the issue of schools shutting down in the UK and also the influence of social media on the public's perception of success.

I am not sure whether to include stats from news sites/references and make it an argumentative piece or whether it should be solely my opinion?

Thanks!!

Hi - just submitted an application for a Vacation Scheme and noticed that I spelled the firm name incorrectly (“Mischon” instead of “Mishcon”) in one of the answers - twice. Not sure how, I believe I made the typo once and autocorrect took it like that from there. Should I email the firm and apologise? Is it one door closed? Been pulling my hair out since I noticed

TC/VS applications: which firms are especially strict on academics?

Which firms are particularly strict on academics? I have heard Slaughter and May are and a number of US firms (don’t plan to apply to US firms in any case). Are there others?

I graduated with a 2.1 (non-law) from a Russell Group uni averaging 65 but my first year I averaged 59, 2nd year 60 (iirc) and final year 68. No provable mitigating circumstances though there were some in first year but I was mostly just out to have a good time before knuckling down once I’d secured an internship in second year.

I also have a merit for a recent postgraduate certificate in economics, not that it means much (dropped out of the masters at the halfway point after the regulatory econ module as it reignited my interest in a legal career), which I studied part-time alongside work.

A-levels all good (AAA).

I’m a career changer (10+ years experience in central government) and interested in commercial law in London.

Advice on firms to avoid based on that much appreciated.

Thanks.

Hey folks!


We've compiled a list of law firms that are currently accepting applications for open days and insight schemes. These events offer a great chance to get to know specific firms, especially if you're unable to apply for vacation schemes. The list will be regularly updated throughout the application cycle, so keep checking back for the latest opportunities.

Good luck with your applications!

Last updated: 4th November 2024 at 5:51 pm

Open Day and Insight Scheme Deadlines 2024/25 ​

Hey everyone,

We'll be live tonight at 6pm with BCLP to answer your questions on 'How to secure a training contract'. You can join live from 6pm to 7pm.

To sign up, click attend on this page and follow the instructions to create an account.

I am creating this thread in case anyone runs into any issues ahead of the session or during it. Please feel free to let us know here and we can resolve it for you.

One thing to flag ahead of time is that there is a 250 character limit on each message .

See you soon,
Jaysen

Hi, I was hoping someone could critique my answer to the Simmons & Simmons question. I obviously only have 250 words but decided to cover a wide range of experiences.

Please give details of your interests and activities, positions of responsibility, skills and achievements. Please also include any other information relevant to your application. (250 words max)

For the past two years, I've attended Arabic lessons (currently at A1 proficiency) to broaden my global perspective. I have always wanted to speak another language, appreciating the challenge and cultural depth it provides.

As Lead Legal Advisor for XYZ, I am responsible for delegating tasks to other team members, leading client meetings, and having the final say on all official correspondence before submission. This has greatly increased my communication, leadership and teamwork abilities.

Similarly, as a Wellbeing Ambassador, I am responsible for organising welfare events and providing guidance to students, strengthening my interpersonal and communication skills.

My most noteworthy achievement is being named the Regional Winner of the XYZ. My paper on XYZ offered a fresh perspective on the evolving XYZ dynamics. This award was open to all undergraduate students globally and was judged by an expert panel comprising leading academics and industry professionals, making it a very proud accomplishment.

I have also secured the competitive COMBAR Scholarship. While I believe my skills are better suited to a career as a solicitor, I was eager to pursue this opportunity as it allows me to view commercial law from a more holistic perspective, seeing how commercial litigation plays out in a courtroom.

I would also like to note that I had mitigating circumstances in the first year of my undergraduate degree. I won’t discuss them here, due to the word count, but I can provide them.

Hi everyone,

I’m currently working on my Open Day applications and would love some guidance on how to best approach the typical questions firms ask, especially:

"Why are you applying to attend an open day at X firm?" (200-300 words).

I’m hoping to get advice on:

1. Structure: How should I approach this answer to keep it clear and focused?
2. Content: What key points should I include to make my response stand out?
3. Examples: If anyone is willing to share successful application examples (anonymously, of course!), that would be really appreciated.

Any tips or insights would be extremely helpful. Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone,

I wanted to say a very special welcome to @Marcus Ketley, Early Careers Advisor at the law firm TLT, to TCLA. It has been a pleasure to get to know Marcus over the last few months and to see how much he cares about helping aspiring lawyers in their journey to securing a training contract.

He is live right now to answer any questions you have about the training contract process, TLT, making yourself stand out, and anything in between.

Welcome Marcus!

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Apply for the TLT vacation scheme by 10 January 2025

Apply for Beyond by 10 January 2025

Apply for the TLT training contract by 31 May 2025

On a recent zoom for a law firm the recruiters said a good thing to research for an application is the differences between the sectors and practices of a law firm, and why the differences might be significant.

Just a bit stuck right now as to what the differences would signify?
Thanks

Has anyone who has taken Cleary Gottlieb's Watson Glaser received an outcome yet?

Hi, does anyone know when Walker Morris applications open? As there is nothing mentioned on their website. Cheers

Hi, I am currently filling out a Simmons & Simmons Vac application but I found the work experience section to be really odd. It only gives 4 boxes and then gives another blank box to put the rest of it in. I was unsure how to structure it. Am I expected to put my work experience on chronological order in the 4 initial boxes or should I put the experience most relevant to the job? Also, in the other box, shall I put my work experience in bullet point format or shall I do full paragraphs/Sentences?

Hi Everyone,

So I'm writing applications for Vac Schemes and just had a question about (re)using examples for one of my apps. I attended an open day for a firm and definitely want to apply for their vac scheme, but I was wondering if its a bad idea to re-use the example I wrote about for my open day application for the vac scheme? I'm planning on writing about it in a different way as the questions are different but I wasn't sure if its a bad idea incase both applications are viewed by the recruitment team?

Thanks for any advice

A very special welcome to BCLP's Legal Recruitment Manager, @Isabel Elsey, in the TCLA forum.

She will be live to answer any questions you have about BCLP.

Please put any questions you have for Izzy by replying to this thread. This is a really good opportunity to ask any questions to help you understand what makes BCLP different, to better understand the application process and what Izzy is looking for, and to determine whether you should apply!

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Apply for the London Open Day 2024 by 15 November 2024
Apply for the Spring Vacation Scheme by 13 December 2024
Apply for the Summer Vacation Scheme by 17 January 2025.

An opportunity to undertake a vacation scheme at the firm, commencing in 2025.

Scheme dates: 23rd June '25 - 4th July '25 AND 7th July '25 - 18th July '25

Apply here by 10th January 2025

An opportunity to undertake a vacation scheme at the firm, commencing in 2025.

Scheme dates: 23rd June ‘25 - 4th July ’25

Apply here by 17th January 2025

An opportunity to undertake a vacation scheme at the firm, commencing in 2025.

Scheme dates: 23rd June ‘25 - 4th July ‘25

Apply here by 12th January 2025