TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[jojo23]

Anybody heard back from Reed smith, Bird & Bird or HL lift off post application?

 

[BillSikes]

Hi everyone,

With the qualifier "Is this law-related work experience?", do we feel this only covers experience specifically within a law firm? I'm a career changer, and have client-side legal experience from dealing with matters, and have also worked in legal recruitment.

In addition, where do people mention Forage? I'm currently in a job and didn't really feel it fits under "work experience", but often there is no logical space to add it, unless it specifically asks if you completed one of our Forage tasks.

Thanks!

I know Forage is not proper work experience and that you would be hesitant to add it to the work experience section - but if the Forage Work Exp was a programme made by that firm, I would certainly include it in the work exp section (if there is nowhere more appropriate). After all, the reason we have done it is to show interest in that firm!

 

[floral.tcla]

any advice for technical case studies?

 

[berocca567]

Hi, does anyone know what 70% on hold for Linklaters means, and has anyone progressed from 70%?

I have 70% too, and I presume it just means you've done the application & tests, and now it's with them to look at

 

[c.t.tc]

Anybody heard back from Reed smith, Bird & Bird or HL lift off post application?

I got a WG invite from Bird & Bird on the 26th

 

[aspringlawyer25]

I cant believe it, I’ve got an email with an invitation to A&O Shearman’s AC for the WVS!! Best of luck to anyone who hasn’t heard back and I’d really appreciate any advice for case studies, scenario based interviews and esp A&O Shearman’s AC as I’ve heard it’s very hard🥺

Congratulations! can I ask when you applied?

 

[TortillaTC]

How many WE entries is "too many" on an open day application? Goodwin doesn't have an additional Q about extracurriculars, so I'm including that under WE too + open days/events experience alongside actual WE.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi everyone,

With the qualifier "Is this law-related work experience?", do we feel this only covers experience specifically within a law firm? I'm a career changer, and have client-side legal experience from dealing with matters, and have also worked in legal recruitment.

In addition, where do people mention Forage? I'm currently in a job and didn't really feel it fits under "work experience", but often there is no logical space to add it, unless it specifically asks if you completed one of our Forage tasks.

Thanks!

Hello!

That's a really good question. I would say that "law-related work experience" is usually interpreted quite broadly - it doesn't have to be limited to time spent in a law firm. Client-side legal work, where you've had exposure to legal issues or worked with lawyers, definitely counts. Legal recruitment can also be framed as law-related, especially if it gave you insight into how firms operate, the skills they value, and the industry as a whole. The key is showing how those experiences have developed skills or understanding that are relevant to a legal career.

In relation to Forage, if there wasn't a specific space dedicated to Forage tasks, I usually placed mine in the work experience section. If you have done a few, it might be handy to group them together so that they take up less space in the section - but I think either way would be perfectly fine!

I hope that helps

 

[GT1205H]

Hi everyone,

With the qualifier "Is this law-related work experience?", do we feel this only covers experience specifically within a law firm? I'm a career changer, and have client-side legal experience from dealing with matters, and have also worked in legal recruitment.

In addition, where do people mention Forage? I'm currently in a job and didn't really feel it fits under "work experience", but often there is no logical space to add it, unless it specifically asks if you completed one of our Forage tasks.

Thanks!

Hi, I have to disagree with the other member that said they are not proper work experience. During events and fairs I have spoken to multiple firms’ recruiters (S&M, HL, Linklaters, A&O to name a few) and asked them about Forage.

They absolutely love it and value it, to quote a recruiter from Linklaters “of course we want to hear about, they take 4-5 hours to complete so of course they are valuable, but specially what you learn from it”.

So my understanding is the value depends on what you actually got from it, was it legal concepts? Was it a practice area? Did you learn about the role of a trainee? The firms work?

I would advise that if you have a many of those (not from the firm) maybe put together 2-3 in one single entry (highlighting what you got). If you have done the firms programme then I would recommend making it an entry and talked about what you got from it and at the end you can mention briefly others that you have completed if different in content from the firm’s one.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

any advice for technical case studies?

Hey!

For technical case studies, I have previously found that a good approach is to break them down into different steps:

1. Understand the problem clearly - take a moment to restate the brief in your own words and identify what the key issue or objective is. This shows that you're thinking critically and not jumping straight into a solution. I always found that when I ensured that I understood the actual issue being discussed, I found it easier to then tackle the solutions and consequences and discuss this with the interviewers (if applicable).
2. Structure your answer - I would use a simple framework (e.g. outline the problem, explore possible solutions, weigh the pros / cons, and then recommend a solution based on that balance). Even if your solution isn't perfect, if you show your thought process through a clear structure, this demonstrates strong reasoning.
3. Talk through your thought process - similar to the above, interviewers often case more about how you think rather than whether you get the "right" answer. I would be transparent about any assumptions that you are making, and flag where you would need to find out more information before making a definitive answer.

It can also help to practice a few examples in advance, so that you get comfortable explaining your reasoning aloud. There are some great resources available on TCLA that I utilised when preparing for case studies (these can be found in the TCLA Wiki, which has a ton of other handy threads):

• Definitive Guide to Law Firm Case Studies by Jacob Miller
• Private Equity: A Basic Guide by Amma Usman

I hope that helps - best of luck, you've got this!

 

[applicant457]

Hi guys, I got 4/4 2/4 3/4 3/4 for my arctic shores test, got stressed and kinda messed it up. Will that cause an autoreject from NRF? Am I below the benchmark, and does anyone know what the benchmark is?

 

[LuckyLegallyBrunette]

Anyone else also having issues with Freshfields online application? Rare Recruitment says system error when I tried to upload my university grades twice.

 

[emily3827]

how do you approach the anything else to add question on apps like Dechert and hogan - is it meant to be a way to add a why commercial law why that firm answer or is it actually for other information

 

[floral.tcla]

Hey!

For technical case studies, I have previously found that a good approach is to break them down into different steps:

1. Understand the problem clearly - take a moment to restate the brief in your own words and identify what the key issue or objective is. This shows that you're thinking critically and not jumping straight into a solution. I always found that when I ensured that I understood the actual issue being discussed, I found it easier to then tackle the solutions and consequences and discuss this with the interviewers (if applicable).
2. Structure your answer - I would use a simple framework (e.g. outline the problem, explore possible solutions, weigh the pros / cons, and then recommend a solution based on that balance). Even if your solution isn't perfect, if you show your thought process through a clear structure, this demonstrates strong reasoning.
3. Talk through your thought process - similar to the above, interviewers often case more about how you think rather than whether you get the "right" answer. I would be transparent about any assumptions that you are making, and flag where you would need to find out more information before making a definitive answer.

It can also help to practice a few examples in advance, so that you get comfortable explaining your reasoning aloud. There are some great resources available on TCLA that I utilised when preparing for case studies (these can be found in the TCLA Wiki, which has a ton of other handy threads):

• Definitive Guide to Law Firm Case Studies by Jacob Miller
• Private Equity: A Basic Guide by Amma Usman

I hope that helps - best of luck, you've got this!

Thank you so much Abbie!

 

[floral.tcla]

Congratulations! can I ask when you applied?

Thank you! I applied a few days before the deadline😅

 

[tcapplicant.1]

does getting invited to Hogans 2nd stage online assessment mean your application has passed screening or just passed the first online test?

 

[lawstudent2]

How long have people had to wait to receive an email confirmation from hogan lovells after completing the second sjt?
Mine crashed halfway and I had to refresh it and I thought it was fine as at the end it said assessment completed and submitted, however, its been 5 hours and no confirmation email has arrived so I am a bit worried now.

 

[Bbhu19]

does getting invited to Hogans 2nd stage online assessment mean your application has passed screening or just passed the first online test?

Congratulation, when did you do the first test if you don’t mind me asking?

 

[coolwizard22]

Just got an invite to the Ashurst online written assessment. How can I best prepare for this? Has anyone done a written assessment before? I would appreciate any insight!

 

[c.t.tc]

Taylor Wessing Open Day invite!