Ask BCLP Anything! (2025-26)

[Jaysen]

Hey everyone,

We're excited to have Isabel Elsey, BCLP's Legal Recruitment Manager, live in this forum thread right now!

Izzy plays a key role in BCLP’s trainee recruitment process and will be answering your questions about the firm, applications, and what graduate recruitment looks for in future trainees.

All you need to do is hit reply and ask any questions that you have.

Best,
Jaysen

---

And here are the upcoming BCLP Deadlines

Vacation Schemes

London Spring Vacation Scheme 2026: Apply by 12 December 2025
London Summer Vacation Scheme 2026: Apply by 16 January 2026

Training Contract

London Training Contract 2027/28: Apply by 31 May 2026

 

[Isabel Elsey]

Hi everyone,

It’s great to meet you all – I am looking forward to answering any questions you may have.

To introduce myself, I’m Isabel and I’m the Legal Recruitment Manager here at BCLP. I oversee the recruitment of our Trainees and Associates across EMEA. I’ve been at the firm for 6 years now so would be very happy to answer any questions you may have about the firm and/or our application process!

 

[Oluwaseun]

Hi Izzy.
I did my undergraduate and pre university degree in Nigeria, and I currently live there.
Please what are the Nigerian equivalents of the pre-university exams you require in your application form. Why should I fill in when you ask about the school/grades/exams I sat for when I was 16-18, etc

Thanks

 

[futuretrainee101ac]

Morning Isabel,

I hope you are well. I have two questions this morning.

1. Do BCLP recruit on a rolling basis for the Spring Vacation Scheme? If so, when can we expect to receive a response after receiving the feedback from the test.

2. Would it be possible to have a timeline breakdown including months from sending application to receiving a vac scheme offer please?

Thank you so much for your time.

 

[Oluwaseun]

Hi everyone,

It’s great to meet you all – I am looking forward to answering any questions you may have.

To introduce myself, I’m Isabel and I’m the Legal Recruitment Manager here at BCLP. I oversee the recruitment of our Trainees and Associates across EMEA. I’ve been at the firm for 6 years now so would be very happy to answer any questions you may have about the firm and/or our application process!

Hi Isabel,
I did my undergraduate and pre-university degree in Nigeria, and I currently live there.
Please what are the Nigerian equivalents of the pre-university exams you require in your application form. Why should I fill in when you ask about the school/grades/exams I sat for when I was 16-18, etc

Thanks

 

[Isabel Elsey]

Hi Izzy.
I did my undergraduate and pre university degree in Nigeria, and I currently live there.
Please what are the Nigerian equivalents of the pre-university exams you require in your application form. Why should I fill in when you ask about the school/grades/exams I sat for when I was 16-18, etc

Thanks

HI Oluwaseun,

I would include your pre University education for 16 - 18 and your University education in the University subject box, Please don't worry about trying to convert your grades, as we have software that does this our side.

 

[Oluwaseun]

Okay
Thank you very much

HI Oluwaseun,

I would include your pre University education for 16 - 18 and your University education in the University subject box, Please don't worry about trying to convert your grades, as we have software that does this our side.

 

[Isabel Elsey]

Morning Isabel,

I hope you are well. I have two questions this morning.

1. Do BCLP recruit on a rolling basis for the Spring Vacation Scheme? If so, when can we expect to receive a response after receiving the feedback from the test.

2. Would it be possible to have a timeline breakdown including months from sending application to receiving a vac scheme offer please?

Thank you so much for your time.

Hi there

Yes, we recruit on a rolling basis. If you have failed our online assessment, you will hear from us quickly. If you have passed the online assessment, your application form will then go on to be considered for interview, so it may take longer to hear from us.

 

[Oluwaseun]

Okay
Thank you very much

Please is there anything you advise I do to stand out in my application as a Nigerian student?

Also, does BCLP provide visa sponsorship for training contracts

 

[futuretrainee101ac]

Hi there

Yes, we recruit on a rolling basis. If you have failed our online assessment, you will hear from us quickly. If you have passed the online assessment, your application form will then go on to be considered for interview, so it may take longer to hear from us.

Thank you very much!

 

[Isabel Elsey]

Morning Isabel, I hope you are well.

I would love to hear about the training contract structure at BCLP particularly, what seat option trainees choose from.

Hi Mansa

Thank you for this - it's probably worth going on our trainee website: https://trainee.bclplaw.com/opportunities/london/ which will give you more information on our Training Contract.

 

[Isabel Elsey]

Please is there anything you advise I do to stand out in my application as a Nigerian student?

Also, does BCLP provide visa sponsorship for training contracts

I would ensure that your application form is as personal to you and your achievements as possible! Yes, we sponsor visas for those who do not have the right to work in the UK.

 

[margauxetienne]

Good morning Isabel,

I hope you are well. I am preparing the video interview for the Spring Vacation Scheme. Outside of researching the firm's website and news, what are other ways to research/prepare for the interview?

Thank you so much!

 

[chiichii]

Hi Izzy,

I would like to know where can I practice the BCLP online test? I heard another recruitment member said that the BCLP online test is very tailored to the firm so there's not much to practice. I would like to know how can I pass the online test? Any tips on how to maximise my chances?

 

[Isabel Elsey]

Good morning Isabel,

I hope you are well. I am preparing the video interview for the Spring Vacation Scheme. Outside of researching the firm's website and news, what are other ways to research/prepare for the interview?

Thank you so much

Hi there

Our first stage interview is a Strengths based interview, so it's worth familiarising yourself with this format of interviewing. It's also worth thinking about why you want to Train at BCLP and why you want to be a lawyer.

Good luck!

 

[Sunflower342]

Hi Isabel,

thank you for this!

What are "strengths-based interview questions" and what are the most common mistakes candidates make while answering them?

For non-law graduates who no longer have access to their Law society, what setting could be the best for us to practice for the assessment centre? Any resources?

Thank you so much!

 

[Isabel Elsey]

Hi Izzy,

I would like to know where can I practice the BCLP online test? I heard another recruitment member said that the BCLP online test is very tailored to the firm so there's not much to practice. I would like to know how can I pass the online test? Any tips on how to maximise my chances?

Hi there

You have heard correctly that our online assessment is very bespoke to the firm and is tricky to prepare for. I would recommend that you utilise Cappfinity's preparation hub, which will have more information on the format of the online assessment. You should have received a link to this with your online test invitation.

 

[kirkoolim]

Morning Isabel, happy Monday!

1. I understand BCLP has removed grade requirements, however due to mitigating circumstances in first year, I had 2 modules 2.2s and a 3rd for my first year grades. However, in second year, I got a first overall. Would you still think it is worth applying in this instance?

2. I understand BCLP recruits on a rolling basis, do you think it is still okay applying to the Spring VC considering that the deadline is approaching or should I apply to the Summer VC.

3. In your experience, what are some mistakes that you see on answering application questions that aren't talked about enough - apart from the common errors such as grammatical and spelling errors, getting the firm name wrong, not answering the question ect.

 

[Isabel Elsey]

Hi Isabel,

thank you for this!

What are "strengths-based interview questions" and what are the most common mistakes candidates make while answering them?

For non-law graduates who no longer have access to their Law society, what setting could be the best for us to practice for the assessment centre? Any resources?

Thank you so much!

No problem! The link here may be useful for this: https://cappfinity.com/benefits-of-strengths-based-recruitment/

Regarding the assessment centre, it's best to prepare your presentation skills by summarising maybe a newspaper article or podcast episode, preparing a mini presentation and then practicing presenting this to friends or family.

 

[Isabel Elsey]

Morning Isabel, happy Monday!

1. I understand BCLP has removed grade requirements, however due to mitigating circumstances in first year, I had 2 modules 2.2s and a 3rd for my first year grades. However, in second year, I got a first overall. Would you still think it is worth applying in this instance?

2. I understand BCLP recruits on a rolling basis, do you think it is still okay applying to the Spring VC considering that the deadline is approaching or should I apply to the Summer VC.

3. In your experience, what are some mistakes that you see on answering application questions that aren't talked about enough - apart from the common errors such as grammatical and spelling errors, getting the firm name wrong, not answering the question ect.

Hi there

Yes, it's still worth applying as we don't have grade requirements as you mention. We have only commenced interviews for our Spring Vacation Scheme so it's worth still applying! When it comes to application questions, we give candidates 500 words per questions, so we see people fall down where they haven't provided enough detail on these questions. It's also important to tailor these questions to you as an individual to make your application authentic.