TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[jfb]

Guys does anyone know when I might get a response back from SH I know some people have been rejected already and people have been given offers for VC but I haven't heard back at all from them 😭

Im waiting too, not sure when they'll get back to us as they gave no timeline.

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Andrei Radu

Hello, I hope you are well!

I am a non-Law student. On a VS, where do we start with legal research? If we are tasked with a specific query, do we check LexisNexis for the current law? Kinda unsure how to find relevant statute or case law etc.

Hi @futuretrainee2025 whenever you are allocated a research task, I think the best thig to do is to actually ask this question to the person assigning the work to you. More senior lawyers sometimes forget the many things that you do not know so will not mention what to them seems obvious. However, in many cases some input from them as to what resources to start with might cut away a lot of research time. For instance, they might know that LexisNexis does not have many resources in that area and that you should only be spending your time on Westlaw.

However, in absence of any precise instructions, these are the steps I would normally take when researching a legal point:

1. General Google search with some key word variations: While this may be surprising, quite a number of senior practitioners start their research in the same manner. In most cases, the benefit will be that you will find some resources giving you some general understanding of the point you are interested in; but in some lucky cases you may find the exact information you are looking for very quickly and save a lot of time.
2. Browse through the relevant statues/regulations and explanatory notes on legislation.gov.uk or other governmental agencies websites (ie PRA, FCA, etc)
3. Westlaw and/or LexisNexis case law or academic article search: in most cases they will be equally good, so if you do not get any input as to which you should prefer for the specific issue, simply go with the one that is easier for you to use.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Andrei Radu

Hello, I hope you are well!

I am a non-Law student. On a VS, where do we start with legal research? If we are tasked with a specific query, do we check LexisNexis for the current law? Kinda unsure how to find relevant statute or case law etc.

It is perfectly acceptable to ask for guidance on this, both from the person allocating you the task or your supervisor/trainee buddy.

In addition, many law firms have knowledge management lawyers or professional support lawyers who help with these type of matters and would be good people to ask about the internal resources available.

 

[A worried graduate]

Anyone heard from Browne Jacobson?

 

[londonlawyer]

Is the recording from today's Zoom session on succeeding at a Vacation Scheme available? @Jessica Booker

 

[marisachr]

Any tips on how to approach a cover letter for Accutrainee? A bit stuck as it is very different from a traditional law firm

 

[1768972]

Anyone heard from Browne Jacobson?

Has anyone heard from the Nottingham office?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Is the recording from today's Zoom session on succeeding at a Vacation Scheme available? @Jessica Booker

The recording is only available to our Gold subscribers currently as the session was part of our Accelerator programme.

 

[User5678]

Anyone heard from Browne Jacobson?

They said that they’re gonna get back with AC invites wc 7 April post TI (vac scheme, london office).

 

[A worried graduate]

They said that they’re gonna get back with AC invites wc 7 April post TI (vac scheme, london office).

Haven't even had a TI so does that mean it's over?

 

[A worried graduate]

Brabners PFO

 

[User5678]

Haven't even had a TI so does that mean it's over?

I wouldn’t assume so, maybe some of us were the first in the lot of have a ti and gonna be first in the lot to hear about ac and then tis and ac invites continue. Ac is on 23rd and 30th April so I would wait till 15 April at least

 

[saminoriya]

Does anyone have insights into the Vac Scheme with PMC? I have mine starting on Monday and feel pretty unprepared tbh.

 

[A worried graduate]

I wouldn’t assume so, maybe some of us were the first in the lot of have a ti and gonna be first in the lot to hear about ac and then tis and ac invites continue. Ac is on 23rd and 30th April so I would wait till 15 April at least

I applied for Manchester if that changes things

 

[User5678]

I applied for Manchester if that changes things

Oh yea ofc, I put Manchester as my second choice tho. Maybe they’re getting back to people who have put london as first choice first I didn’t ask when the Manchester ac is!

 

[Zara.Th]

Has anyone previously completed a sidley VS and have any insights! pls let me know!

 

[A worried graduate]

Oh yea ofc, I put Manchester as my second choice tho. Maybe they’re getting back to people who have put london as first choice first I didn’t ask when the Manchester ac is!

Ok that is some good news for once.

 

[A worried graduate]

Has anyone here heard from Hill Dickinson after having a second holding email on Friday

If you heard back on Wednesday then ignore this.

 

[Boating]

Anything from Paul Hastings?

 

[Amma Usman]

Skadden emailed our practice areas. I’m super happy! Got my 2 first choices and hope everyone is happy with theirs. I got Lit/Arbitration and M&A

Love this! It’ll be a great chance to see how things work from both a contentious and transactional perspective. Let us know if you have any questions, and good luck on the vacation scheme!