TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Ram Sabaratnam]

any tips for cappfinity tests, never seem to pass those

Hiya @ohnoselim

I've generally found these tests a bit tricky to prepare for, especially because they tend to be quite varied depending on the firm and the specific role. From what I’ve seen (and from my own experience doing a CAPP test for Linklaters and BCLP) they often include a mix of situational judgement scenarios and questions that feel more like they’re assessing your personality traits. Some versions also include a Watson Glaser-style element.

From having read the forum on the topic, I’d say the best way to approach it is to first get a sense of what the firm is actually looking for. In effect, you'll want to consider their key competencies or values, because that’ll help give you a sense of what they’re likely assessing in the test. Then it can really help to do a few practice SJTs just to get comfortable with the format and start thinking through how you might approach different scenarios.

Also, as far as I know, most of these tests aren’t timed. At least, when I did the Linklaters one, I was able to take as long as I needed. I just gave myself the time to really think through each question and what the best or most appropriate response might be. I'm also including the following links which @Chris Brown had posted on the forum a few months back. These look really helpful for getting a feel for the format and practising a bit beforehand:

• Preparation Hub – Practice Assessments
• FAQs about the CAPP test

Hope that helps, and good luck!

 

[OliverTwist]

You email grad rec just attach a screenshot and proof

Hey - have you been paid yet?

 

[Chris Brown]

Return of the Mack! And best of luck to you too on your legal journey 🫶🏾🫶🏾🫶🏾

Hi guys, it’s Breezy here! I’m happy to be back on the forum. 😅😅

 

[TCpleasex]

I have an interview in a couple of days with Eversheds for a paralegal role.

Has anyone interviewed with them for a paralegal role before & have any advice?

P.s I know this is for VS advice, however, not really sure where else to post as there’s no paralegal forum 🥺

 

[dolchii]

Has anyone who got PFO after Gateley AC received detailed feedback as to why?

 

[lawgal1908]

Unless there are terms in either your VS or TC offer that stop you from doing the vacation scheme because you have accepted the TC, you can choose to do the VS should you want to.

Thanks Jessica! If my VS offer does states I can't do the vac scheme with a TC offer, is it best to just withdraw or worth asking the firm I got the TC from whether I would be able to extend the deadline for signing my contract.

 

[a512003]

Thanks Jessica! If my VS offer does states I can't do the vac scheme with a TC offer, is it best to just withdraw or worth asking the firm I got the TC from whether I would be able to extend the deadline for signing my contract.

Would also like to know if a firm requires you to withdraw from any other processes as a term of signing the TC and you go ahead with another scheme and renege on the offer what could the firm actually do against you?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Thanks Jessica! If my VS offer does states I can't do the vac scheme with a TC offer, is it best to just withdraw or worth asking the firm I got the TC from whether I would be able to extend the deadline for signing my contract.

For clarity, it will only be if you have accepted an offer that such a term will be in place. You can hold an offer that you haven't decided on.

If you would not accept a TC with the VS firm over the existing TC offer you have, then I would withdraw from the vacation scheme - there is little to no point doing a vacation scheme if you are definitely going to accept the TC offer you have. If you want to explore the opportunity with the VS firm and may potentially decline/renege the offer with the original TC firm, then you could ask the TC firm to potentially extend the offer period. However, they could decline this request.

Ultimately some people do accept offers, keep it exceptionally quiet (e.g. no posts on social media/don't tell many people) and then continue with the VS despite having accepted a TC elsewhere. Although they will be in breach of their employment contract, they manage to keep it quiet and the VS firm does not always find out. It isn't without its complications though, especially when asked by your VS firm how your other applications/VS opportunities have gone, whether informally during a scheme or during a TC conversion process.

However, I have heard of at least three people this cycle who have had their VS offer withdrawn within this cycle when the firm found out they had an accepted TC offer elsewhere. Ultimately you are in breach of the employment contract, so the firm doesn't have to do anything as such - you have technically terminated the contracted by being in breach of it, rather than the firm having to withdraw the offer.

In this instance, because the term is in the VS offer, not the TC, that is a risk you would take. I think its trickier to consider when the term is in your TC offer though.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Would also like to know if a firm requires you to withdraw from any other processes as a term of signing the TC and you go ahead with another scheme and renege on the offer what could the firm actually do against you?

The firm technically doesn't have to do anything. You are in breach of contract - so you have technically terminated the agreement by being in breach of the offer, not them.

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Hi all! Any info on the Winston & Strawn interview? I can't find anything online

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi all! Any info on the Winston & Strawn interview? I can't find anything online

We don’t have a lot of information, but we understand that previous candidates have been asked situational judgement questions that ask you to think about how you might respond to situations trainees experience and also commercial awareness questions specifically about the firm and its position in the market.

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

We don’t have a lot of information, but we understand that previous candidates have been asked situational judgement questions that ask you to think about how you might respond to situations trainees experience and also commercial awareness questions specifically about the firm and its position in the market.

Thank you Jessica! Just to be sure, is this from the one post from 2018, or from your experience hearing from other candidates in more recent years? Thanks

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Thank you Jessica! Just to be sure, is this from the one post from 2018, or from your experience hearing from other candidates in more recent years? Thanks

This is from the last recruitment cycle.

We understand there is a new commercial element to the final round interview stage that is new for this year and that we don’t have any information on this where it is new.

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

This is from the last recruitment cycle.

We understand there is a new commercial element to the final round interview stage that is new for this year and that we don’t have any information on this where it is new.

Thank you very much!

 

[lovedalaw]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica, I had a question about doing a vac scheme in Dubai and what it would mean to potentially accept a TC offer if I am offered one. For background, I'm an EU national (not pre-settled as moved to the UK for uni in 2021), and my family is based in the UAE. It would be a scheme for a very big UK law firm, and one of the four seats would be in London, confirmed. I would also be doing my SQE in London, as the firm would be sending me to be with the UK cohort.

I wanted to ask firstly whether, from your experience, if I ever wanted to return to London it would be near impossible or very difficult to move that way, and whether trainings outside of London, in Dubai or Hong Kong, are seen as being less intensive or taken less seriously.

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

@Jessica Booker Hi Jessica, I had a question about doing a vac scheme in Dubai and what it would mean to potentially accept a TC offer if I am offered one. For background, I'm an EU national (not pre-settled as moved to the UK for uni in 2021), and my family is based in the UAE. It would be a scheme for a very big UK law firm, and one of the four seats would be in London, confirmed. I would also be doing my SQE in London, as the firm would be sending me to be with the UK cohort.

I wanted to ask firstly whether, from your experience, if I ever wanted to return to London it would be near impossible or very difficult to move that way, and whether trainings outside of London, in Dubai or Hong Kong, are seen as being less intensive or taken less seriously.

Moving between the UAE and London won't be impossible, but it won't necessarily be straight forward either.

Although you will be qualified in England and Wales, your experience will be predominately on UAE matters rather than English law matters, which will make it somewhat more difficult to compete with associates in the English job market who will have more experience in local matters. It will depend on what area of law you qualify into and also how supportive the firm you train with are in willing to either allow you to move on further secondments or permanent moves to London. It is likely to be far easier to move with your existing employer than with a new one, and therefore you may want to look at how many of their current lawyers in London are people who trained in the UAE.

It will also depend on the job market at the time you want to move - if there is high demand for lawyers it will be easier.

Your training will not be seen as less intensive or taken less seriously though. It is just in a different jurisdiction, with different clients. The major benefit you will have though is that you will be qualified within England and Wales.

 

[BillSikes]

Hi, I was wondering what the best way to answer 'why commercial law' is?

I gave a verbatim answer at an AC I did recently where I outlined my interest in chronological order of my work experience and how this has sparked my interest - as this is what was recommended in the Jake Schooger book.

However, I received negative feedback for this answer. For those who have been successful at AC, how did you approach the 'why commercial law' question?

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Hi, I was wondering what the best way to answer 'why commercial law' is?

I gave a verbatim answer at an AC I did recently where I outlined my interest in chronological order of my work experience and how this has sparked my interest - as this is what was recommended in the Jake Schooger book.

However, I received negative feedback for this answer. For those who have been successful at AC, how did you approach the 'why commercial law' question?

Sometimes this approach can be longer than is necessary. Motivations can come from outside of your work experience too.

Instead I would focus on no more than 3 of they most influential aspects that have contributed to your decision for the career. This will keep your answer more focused. Sometimes it will make sense to put these in chronological order, especially if they contributed to one another, but there can be more logical ways of presenting things depending on what you decide to talk about.

 

[pax]

Gateley VS offer!!!

 

[JustwantaTC]

Hi @Jessica Booker i applied for a paralegal role and was instead offered month long placement which seems like a red flag as i have legal experience and a vacation scheme as well as non-legal experience in hospitality. They mentioned this will basically assess me for a permanent role. Why cant an interview do this instead? Is this normal? thank you