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Hi, I am completing the VS application and saw this question for Norton Rose Fulbright:

"Norton Rose Fulbright has a sector led approach. Which one of our sectors do you think has the most potential for growth over the next 12 months, and why, and what opportunities do you see for the firm to maximise this potential? (300 words)*"

I'm not certain the best way to approach it or what the discuss and I was wondering if anybody had any examples of responses or any talking points or advice?

The question that often makes you pause for a moment. You know why you want to pursue this, you’re certain it’s what you want. Yet, putting it into words — especially in a way that resonates with recruiters — is a challenge. Then, you see it in an application form, and it’s just like “argg!” How do you craft an answer that shows you really want this? What would be a stellar response to get you past the application stage? The truth is, authenticity is key. Being yourself and effectively communicating your unique ‘why’ is what will make your answer stand out.

It’s a difficult question indeed—we’ve all been there.

Let me reiterate the importance of communicating your ‘why’ and why it’s so crucial for law firms. It’s because it demonstrates individuality. Many candidates might say they want to become commercial lawyers because it’s highly stimulating, involves cross-border deals, or because they want to help people—many professions offer that, including investment banking, consulting, and marketing. So what makes answering this question for commercial law different?

The answer lies in the intersection between commerce and law. Before being lawyers, it’s arguable that commercial lawyers are business advisors first. This is what sets them apart from other types of lawyers. They understand their clients, they advise, and they execute. A deep understanding of this dynamic will help you frame your answer to “why commercial law?”

So, why does the commercial aspect appeal to you? Why do you want to work with businesses rather than, say, the government (public law) or individuals on estate management (trusts and estates law)? This requires you to reflect on your interactions with businesses. Have you managed a family business? Set up your own? Attended open days at law firms? Why did those experiences appeal to you? What was it about the business connection that intrigued you? Really dig deep—this will help you uncover your ‘why.’

Personally, it took me a while to find my own ‘why.’ I had to take a week off during my first-year scheme application cycle to truly understand my motivations. It did two things: it helped me craft more compelling answers because I knew what was driving me, and it affirmed my choice to pursue commercial law. By the end, I was convinced this was the right path, and I was ready to work hard to achieve it. Once I understood my drivers, the practice areas I was interested in, and the kind of firms I wanted to target, communicating why I wanted to become a commercial lawyer became much easier. I no longer felt the need to apply to every firm—I knew exactly what I was looking for in terms of work and fit.

Now, to the second part of the question: why do you want to be a lawyer? For me, it started with studying a law degree that I genuinely enjoyed. I was also drawn to how commercial lawyers work on some of the most impactful deals in the market. I liked the idea of waking up and seeing in the news a deal that I had been working on with my firm. These are all valid reasons, and they were some of my initial motivators. But I soon realized that this wasn’t enough for an application answer. On paper, it appeared generic. So, I took time to reflect deeper. I found the best way to answer this was through my past experiences and how they all aligned with my desire to be a trusted legal advisor.

I referenced interning at the Ministry of Justice, which introduced me to public law. Then, I worked as a legal advisor at a local city law clinic in Leicester, which confirmed that I enjoyed working in the law, irrespective of specialization. However, it was through my internships at L’Oréal and an insurance company that I realized I preferred the intricacies of commercial law—the client-centric approach, the opportunity to provide fresh perspectives on global deals, and the interplay between strategic thinking and legal execution.

So, take your time with this question. Your ‘why’ should be constant. A setback today shouldn’t influence why you want to become a commercial lawyer. Your answer should reflect the core, foundational reasons for choosing this path. As you progress, new experiences may reinforce or complement your ‘why’—mention those in your applications. The bottom line is: Tell your story. Show your journey. Our journeys are more compelling than we often realize. See that value and convey it confidently in interviews and online applications.

Best of luck!

Hello, I would like advice on how to increase my chances of having a TC. Unfortunately, I didn't get the grades I wanted as I got BBC in Bio, Chem and History A-levels with an A in the EPQ. I was able to get into my Firm in York, as I had completed a Summer School program between Years 12 and 13, which lowered the grade requirements. Whilst not trying to excuse the results, I have been homeless and living in temporary accommodation during my GCSEs and sixth form, with the situation worsening this year as my council forced my family to move on short notice in the middle of Year 13 despite me writing a letter of appeal to postpone the move
.This caused a lot of mental strife as I felt severely depressed and anxious due to feeling that I didn't have any stability in my life and being scared at the time, I still deal with it as sometimes I feel that I didn't deserve to get into York.

I want to get advice on what I should do next as I am aware that some law firms have AAB minimum requirements, and many others don't have any requirements but will heavily scrutinise poor A-levels. I am aware that some Law firms do take in mitigating circumstances, but I don't know if mine would count as one(I have the paperwork from the council forcing me to move as proof). I also want to ask if could UCAS tariff could be used to overcome some firms' minimum requirements as the BBC(112 pts) + the EPQ(24pts) would be equal to 136pts which is equivalent to AAB as I am aware that some accept a tariff score.

Finally, I would like to know what I can to do equal the playing field towards those with higher grades. I am considering doing a Placement year at a firm or somewhere to have stronger experience and work experience as well as get advice from career personnel about what to do next.

Thank you for reading and I hope I don't sound like I'm victimising myself.

Hello TCLA family! I’ve listed below a non-exhaustive list of M&A terms/definitions that should help out with interviews. As this becomes a hotter topic for law firm case studies, we hope you find this useful.

• Merger: When two companies join to form a single new entity, usually to expand their customer base, reduce costs, and increase market share. It’s like you and a friend bringing together two toys to make an even better, more valuable toy.

• Acquisition: When one company buys another, with the acquiring company taking control of the target company’s operations, assets, and liabilities. In the example above, it’s like you asking your friend for the right to own their toy, if you give them some money for it.

• Synergy: When the value of a combined company is greater than the sum of its individual parts. There was a very thorough way @Jaysen had explained it on TCLAs instagram page a while back, and it has stuck with me ever since; using the 2+2=5 mechanism, the 1 represents the added value from the M&A activity, whether cost reduction (cost synergy) or revenue enhancement (revenue synergy). These could be through strategic hiring, employing the latest technology, etc.

• Due Diligence: A thorough investigation by the buyer to check if the target company is healthy, legal, and worth buying. It’s like looking closely at a toy before buying it to make sure it doesn’t have any defects.

• Deal Structure: The way a transaction is set up, such as asset purchase, share purchase, or merger. Deciding if you want to buy just some parts of the toy, all of it, or combine your toy with someone else’s to make a bigger one.

• SPA (Share Purchase Agreement): A contract that states the rules for buying and selling shares in a company. It’s like making a promise with a friend to buy their share of a toy, so you own more of it.

• APA (Asset Purchase Agreement): A contract where some assets are sold, not the entire company. Like buying just the wheels and headlights of a toy car, instead of the whole toy. It’s like a cherry picking game.

• Representations and Warranties: Statements the seller makes about the company to reassure the buyer about its condition. It’s like your friend saying, “I promise my toy is not broken, and it has all its parts intact.”

• Indemnities: A clause to protect the buyer by making the seller pay for specific problems if they arise. Like saying, “If this toy breaks tomorrow, you have to give me my money back.”

• Earn-Out: Part of the payment is made later, based on the company’s future performance. If the toy works really well and doesn’t break, I’ll give you an extra juice box later!

• Escrow: Money held by a third party to ensure all promises are kept after the deal. Like giving your candy to a grown-up until you and your friend keep your promises.

• Completion/Closing: The moment when ownership of the company officially changes hands. When you finally swap toys and they’re all yours!

• Conditions Precedent: Specific requirements that must be met before the deal can close. You can only get the toy if you clean your room first, just like the rules your parents set.

• Break Fee/Reverse Break Fee: A fee paid if one side backs out of the deal without a good reason. If you say you’ll swap toys but change your mind, you have to give your friend some of your candy.

• Material Adverse Change (MAC) Clause: A clause letting the buyer cancel the deal if something seriously bad happens to the company. If your friend’s toy suddenly breaks before you swap, you don’t have to take it anymore.

• Drag-Along and Tag-Along Rights: Drag-Along lets majority shareholders force a sale; Tag-Along lets minority shareholders join the sale. If your big brother sells his toy, you can make your little sister sell hers too (Drag-Along), or she can choose to join in (Tag-Along).

• Locked Box Mechanism: Purchase price is set at a historical date, and no value is allowed to leave the company afterward. Agreeing on the toy’s price based on how it looked a week ago, with no changes since.

• Post-Closing Adjustments: Adjustments made to the purchase price after the deal closes to show certain changes. If you see later that the toy’s lights are missing, you ask your friend to return some of your candy.

• Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA): An agreement to keep shared information confidential during the deal process. It’s like making a promise to keep a secret and not tell anyone.

• Non-Compete Agreement: An agreement preventing the seller from starting a competing business post-transaction. After selling your toy car, you promise not to start making new ones and competing with your friend.

• Anti-Trust/Competition Clearance: Approval needed to make sure the deal doesn’t reduce market competition. Making sure you don’t have ALL the toys, so other kids still have some to play with. A Competition practice in a law firm will oversee these aspects of an M&A deal.

This thread is for the general discussion of the Article PRIVATE EQUITY : A BASIC GUIDE. Please feel free to add to the discussion here.

Hello,

As an international student with a civil law background, I am planning to undertake a conversion course at the University of Law. I am hesitating between the MA Law (SQE1) and MA Law Conversion. I do not really know whether an SQE1 preparation course included in a law conversion course is worth considering. For those of you who have enrolled into/completed the MA Law (SQE1) or MA Law Conversion, what are your thoughts? How did you make your decision?

Many thanks.

Hi Everyone,

I have completed both my LLM and LLB and am wondering whether I need to list out individual modules in my CV or just the final results (eg 2.1)?

Also, should I follow the Google XYZ resume format for my bullet points (i.e. in one sentence, what I’ve accomplished (X) + the qualitative results (Y) + the skills or experience I utilised to achieve the outcome (Z))?

Thanks!

Hello everyone,

I am applying to multiple TCs with non-law background. So I apologize if this question is very basic.

1. For extracurricular activities I didn't participate in any activities due to covid can I put part-time jobs (working at 7-11) as extracurricular?
2. In my free time I participate in game jams every 3-4 months. Is it ok to put it in extracurricular? I am afraid this is not as "serious" as doing volunteering (probably overthinking on my part)
3. For positions of responsibility and achievement of importance can I mention an example from work? I have not mentioned it in the work experience section.

Hello,

As an international student with a civil law background, I am planning to undertake a conversion course at the University of Law. However, I am hesitating between the MA Law (SQE1), MA Law Conversion and PGDL. I have researched about those courses and I am wondering whether law firms pay particular attention to any of them. I would be more interested in the MA Law (SQE1) or MA Law Conversion, but I have noticed that some law firms require non-law students to complete the PGDL, hence my doubts. @Jessica Booker Could you please let me know your thoughts on this? Also, I do not really know whether an SQE1 preparation course included in a law conversion course is worth considering, hence my hesitation between the MA Law (SQE1) and MA Law Conversion. Many thanks.

I would like to add that I am aware of the fact that completing a qualifying law degree or a conversion law course is no longer a regulatory requirement by the SRA.

Many thanks.

I am currently studying full-time at ULaw, sitting for SQE1 in January 2025 and would like to get more insight into practice / mock tests in preparation for the SQE1.

1. I am aware of this thread posted some time ago for free / paid practice tests — was wondering if any new ones that anyone is aware of that might have come up since then and maybe we can compile a more comprehensive list?
2. For those who studied the SQE prep course with ULaw and passed the SQE1, did you find that the ULaw question bank was enough practice? Or would you have appreciated more external practice tests? If so, which ones would you recommend? I have heard feedback that ULaw questions are perhaps too easy compared to the actual assessments — I wonder if there are any merits to this view. I know a lot of this can come down to personal preference / learning style, but would nevertheless still be helpful to get thoughts from a few more people.
3. I heard that the QLTS mocks are very convoluted / weirdly worded and not very commensurate with the difficulty / style of questions in the actual assessment but nevertheless is good exposure to more difficult questions. However, the whole pack costs £2,000+. Even if I managed to convince my whole class to chip in to buy it together it would still cost a bomb for each of us. And for us who are already studying full-time with another course provider, we don't need all the other content in the pack, only the mock tests. For those who studied at ULaw or BPP, did you or your classmates eventually invest in QLTS or any other external practice tests together in addition to the practice questions provided by your course provider? If yes, did you find it was necessary and if no, did most of your cohort survive just fine without?

Hi all, I just found out I didn't pass SQE1 a couple of weeks ago...disappointing to say the least.

Just wondering if anyone has suggestions on how to best retain and memorize the huge breadth of material? I find just reading the material and doing practice questions to be soul crushing and not particularly engaging. It's hard to simply recall the relevant legal knowledge to be able to answer the questions properly.

I feel like I have decent exam-taking strategy, but struggle with just the sheer amount of base content.

Any tips on how to improve knowledge retention?

Thanks in advance

Hello Everyone - Mid life Career changer here I have a Non Law Masters (MBA), always had the urge to get into Law but life got in the way . Looking to start slow with SQE1 course however confused by the myriad of options. I have whittled the selection down to

Barbri - Structured but lacking depth
QLTS - In depth, great MCQs however not that structured
FQPS - Easy on the pocket, however looks and feels like a social media outfit.
Any suggestions for which provider you'd recommend for a Non Law Graduate in full time employment?

TIA

Hi all, please can you help me answer a potentially silly and obvious question but I cannot find the answer anywhere - IF (big if) I were to be successful for a training contract ( for example, Chance & Clifford etc), they say you have to have the PGDL and SQE finished before the Training Contract starts in 2027/2028.

They do sponsor these exams. But so do I have to figure out my own job/living arrangements during this time until I pass all exams? As I understand they do not just hire you without no law degrees and offer full time work alongside this training? I assume the PGDL and SQE training is full-time also, so what do people do for work during this the studies are pretty intense. I am asking as I really want to apply for this but I can't afford to stop work for these years to 2027/2028, my parents also live in Latvia so I can't move home. Have I completely misunderstood how this works?

To give a little background about me, I (31F) am a career changer with 2:1 in Performing Arts (I know), graduated in 2020 from the University of Sussex, Latvian nationality but lived in the UK these last 10 years with a settled status. Before university I worked a variety of customer service and hospitality jobs, these last 4 years I have worked for a start-up that is a government approved Endorsing Body for a certain type of business visa, in this time I met a lot of entrepreneurs, had a lot of exposure to business law, contract law, immigration law etc that has fueled my interest in law.

Thanks all for your help!

Hey guys I am looking to apply for law firm open days any tips on answering the how attending an open day would support interest in commercial law

Hi

Which statute book is better for the Company Law module ? I have to choose 1) Blackstones Statutes on company law OR 2) Butterworths company law handbook.

If you have used any of these, please comment. Thank you in advance

Another year, another application cycle.

I probably should not be writing this with a negative outlook. This year is different.

Last year I sent one application in September. I sent three this September, and I am starting my fourth.

*DEEP SIGH* lets get it.

Hi All,

I hope you are well!

I'd love to know how you would you go about answering a question which has 3 questions in 1? Such as this.

A solicitor apprenticeship is a challenging and rewarding 6-year commitment, with a blend of work and study. We are keen to understand why you are attracted to this opportunity. In your response, we would like you to discuss your motivation for joining this apprenticeship programme, your interest in a career in commercial law, and what attracts you to X.

Hope to hear from you soon

Hello, I am a foreign lawyer in a common law jurisdiction (with 1 PQE). I plan to move to UK and to qualify as a solicitor in the UK via the SQE route. In additon, I plan to pursue a LLM in London as I want to further my academic goal and to build networks.

After passing the SQE and while studying LLM, I am confused as to whether I should still apply for VS/TC in law firms or directly apply for NQ positions? Becuase I am not sure if I will be over-qualified for VS/TC on the one hand, while lacking local legal epxerience for NQ position on the other hand.

Would anyone share any insights regarding such career route? Thank you a lot!

I have a 2.1 in LLB (graduated) from LSE/UCL, 2 modules with firsts, 2 modules with 2.2s, the rest a low to mid 2.1.

An opportunity to undertake a vacation scheme at the firm, commencing in 2024.

Scheme dates: 2nd Dec '24 - 6th Dec '24

Apply here by 28th October 2024.

An opportunity to undertake a vacation scheme at the firm, commencing in 2024.

Scheme dates: Dec '24 - 6th Dec '24

Apply here by 20th September 2024.

Hi!

I am a Lawyer actively practice in another Jurisdiction for 1 Year now. So my goal is to secure a TC in the UK. I've got a Band 8 in my IELTS and the plan is to enroll in an LLM SQE prep course September 2025 in either UWE or ULaw and pass the SQE 1 and 2 By 2026 December.

I then plan to apply for a PSW for 2 years so no employer has to sponsor me. Then the plan is to try to land a Paralegal Job for 1 Year before securing a Training Contract with a half decent firm.

Does anyone have any advise or recommendations regarding this route. I know it sounds too hopeful and optimistic but that's the ultimate dream , to become a solicitor in the UK.

Will I even be eligible to sit the SQE exam even tho I don't have a UK Qualifying Law Degree but I am an Admitted Solicitor in a Non European Country.

Someone please guide me, I'm so lost and I don't know what route to follow .

Can someone provide me with clarification regarding the Legal Horizons programme at Covington & Burling?

It says on the eligibility criteria that applications are open to “university students from any discipline, from their second year”. Does this mean that the programme is for second year undergraduates only, or is it for second year undergraduates and onwards (therefore including finalists and graduates)?

Hey everyone! With application season in full swing, we’re excited to share a new tracker to keep all of you first years on top of upcoming scheme opportunities. The list is live and will keep growing as more firms release their dates and first-year programmes—so stay tuned!

Got any questions? Feel free to ask—we’re here to help!

So I haven't really passed an assessment centre stage and I was wondering what the process is like and what exactly happens in it? I'm applying for HSF Vac scheme and I want to ask do all firms ask the same thing in an assessment centre ; like what do they test you on. additionally i heard how u have to research the firm and the deals they are working on and they quiz you on your commercial awareness? is that all right? how would you prepare for all that?