TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock & @Andrei Radu
I hope you are doing well
Recently I completed a VI in which they asked 'why commercial law at X firm'. I structured it in this way - First - why commercial law and then why commercial law at this firm. It was also only 2 minutes - so I'm trying to prepare more in case it comes up again.
I would deeply appreciate any thoughts on how you would structure this?

 

[Unknowncabbage]

There isn't really a fast track, just that you won't have to take any tests. You are not guaranteed an AC if you attended the open day.

so if you apply for their VS, they just assess your written application? (obvs because you have already passed the tests/VI).

 

[applicant3000]

For Cleary's Watson Glaser - does anyone know whether you have to meet a minimum benchmark or if they invite the candidates with the higher scores to the AC?

 

[l789]

Latham open day PFO- got a whole 365 to perfect that SJT

 

[TCLA0322]

Can graduates apply to Fieldfisher's Pathways to Practise Insight Scheme or only students? Its not specified in the website

Same question here, confused on their eligibility. And also on the app form for Pathways to Practice-there is a question: This programme has been designed for underrepresented student groups, please can you confirm which under-represented student group(s) you identify with.* But they did not say their criteria or under-represented category in any place-what accounted as their criteria.

 

[johnsmith]

Latham open day PFO- got a whole 365 to perfect that SJT

Same! Someone said if you apply to the VS you get to re-do the SJT - was surprised to read that but might give it a go!

 

[marisachr]

Same question here, confused on their eligibility. And also on the app form for Pathways to Practice-there is a question: This programme has been designed for underrepresented student groups, please can you confirm which under-represented student group(s) you identify with.* But they did not say their criteria or under-represented category in any place-what accounted as their criteria.

Same, very confused! I have emailed Grad Rec to get some clarity on this

 

[TC seeker]

For those that passed Freshfields 1st stage assessment how long did you spend on the Watson Glaser section and overall? Just trying to gauge as I feel like it took me ages😂

what FF's 1 st assessment includes? only WG?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

could anyone give me some advice on how to approach this question? i'm being asked 'focus on a situation where you had to think critically to solve a problem or make a decision. in your response, please cover
-how you identified the key issues
-what information you sought to complete your research
-how you involved others
-the outcome of your actions or decision
-how the experienced influenced the way you have approached similar situations since'

the word limit is quite long (500 words). feeling a bit intimidated because i'm only a recent graduate with limited work experience haha

Hey!

You definitely don't need years of professional experience to answer a question like this well! They're interested in how you think and approach problems, not whether you've managed a huge project etc.

You can absolutely draw on experiences from university, part-time jobs, internships, volunteering, or even group projects. The key is to show a logical thought process and reflection. One way to structure your answer could be:

1. Set the scene briefly: describe the situation or challenge. It doesn't have to be dramatic - something like a tough group project, a time you had to fix a mistake, or organise something under pressure works fine!
2. Identify the key issues: make sure to explain what the main problem was and how you recognised it. Examples of issues could be communication gaps, missing information, or conflicting priorities.
3. Gather information: talk about what you did to understand the issue better. This could be asking for feedback, researching, looking at data, etc. Make sure to outline the steps you took to address the situation to show how you assess problems.
4. Involve others: mention how you worked with teammates, a supervisor, classmates, or friends to come up with solutions. They will be looking for teamwork and collaboration, so it's important to outline what your role in that team was.
5. Describe the outcome: what happened as a result of your decision or action? Try to show a tangible result, including something positive or a lesson learned.
6. Reflect: I would end your answer by saying what the experience taught you, and how you'd apply that insight in the future. You can discuss the skills learned as well, and how these may be applicable to problems you would encounter as a trainee.

Even if your example feels "small", focus on how you thought through the situation - that's the main part that the graduate recruitment team will be evaluating

 

[FutureAntitrustLawyer]

Does anyone know if Arnold Porter accepts graduates for their vac scheme?

 

[mg42guy32]

Same! Someone said if you apply to the VS you get to re-do the SJT - was surprised to read that but might give it a go!

Hey yes you definitely can I know a future trainee who didn’t get the open day but did the vac scheme in the same cycle

 

[Bbhu19]

Anyone here apply for Deloitte litigation, advisory and settlement graduate programme

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock I have an AC coming up and wanted to ask if you guys had any advice on how to tackle the case study elements? There will be 2 x case studies- one where I'm given a bundle and have to present for 10 mins followed by questions where they act as the client. [Here, I'm looking to structure my presentation as issue- impact - solution but do share if you think of alternative structures]

I believe there will also be a contract so apart from familiarising myself with contracts terms, is there anything else you suggest, as these always throw me off!

The second is a little difficult- here, the Partner [from any dept] will verbally disclose a project they are/have worked on. I'll take notes, and after, they will quiz me what I would do in their position on matters x,y,z

I've read Andrei's post on the best resources for AC prep which has been incredibly useful, along with Jacob's post. Was wondering if you had any other thoughts? I've been told the Partners will also challenge me too, so I imagine it's about striking a balance here with justifying my positions or, considering alternatives if they suit better.

Hey!

Congratulations on reaching the AC!

That sounds like a really solid approach already, especially your issue-impact-solution structure. That's a clear and concise way to tackle the case study element. If you want to expand it a little further, you could also think of it as situation-analysis-recommendation-justification. That way, you start by setting context briefly (what the client wants or the key facts), then walk the assessors through your reasoning before landing on your proposal.

A few other quick tips that might help:

• Prioritise, don't summarise - in the bundle, you won't have time to cover everything. Focus on identifying which issues matter most to the client and why. Framing your presentation around commercial priorities rather than purely legal details tends to matter the most!
• Signpost clearly - partners often appreciate structure (and it helps you to avoid rambling!). Phrases such as "There are three key risks I'd highlight..." or "I'll start with X before moving on to Y..." can help show confidence and a clear idea of what you'd like to address.
• Anticipate questions - after presenting, they are likely to challenge you on assumptions or risk trade-offs. It's perfectly fine to say something such as "That's a good point - if the client were particularly risk-averse, I might consider doing X instead". If you have a set justification for why you have chosen a particular route, it's perfectly fine to stick to your original plan and explain why to the partners. However, if they bring up something you hadn't considered, it can be a good idea to be open to changing your mind or discussing it further.

For the contract part, you're absolutely right - I was always advised that knowing common clauses helps. I'd also suggest practising how you explain them in plain English. The assessors might want to see that you can translate technical terms into practical advice a client would understand.

As for the verbal Partner scenario, I'd say that the key is active listening. Note the facts, clarify anything unclear ("Just to confirm, is the client concerned about...?"), and when responding, make sure to structure your answer logically. I might follow something along the lines of: issue -> outline considerations -> suggest next steps. It's less about having the "perfect" legal answer and more about showing a clear, thoughtful process and your judgement in these situations.

You're absolutely right about striking a balance - defend your position if it's reasoned and you can explain why, but be open to adjusting when presented with new facts or perspectives. It's definitely a tricky balance, but they'll be looking for how you think under pressure, not whether you know every detail.

You're clearly preparing thoroughly already - sounds like you're in a great position going into the AC! Best of luck!!

 

[awatling1]

Hey!

You definitely don't need years of professional experience to answer a question like this well! They're interested in how you think and approach problems, not whether you've managed a huge project etc.

You can absolutely draw on experiences from university, part-time jobs, internships, volunteering, or even group projects. The key is to show a logical thought process and reflection. One way to structure your answer could be:

1. Set the scene briefly: describe the situation or challenge. It doesn't have to be dramatic - something like a tough group project, a time you had to fix a mistake, or organise something under pressure works fine!
2. Identify the key issues: make sure to explain what the main problem was and how you recognised it. Examples of issues could be communication gaps, missing information, or conflicting priorities.
3. Gather information: talk about what you did to understand the issue better. This could be asking for feedback, researching, looking at data, etc. Make sure to outline the steps you took to address the situation to show how you assess problems.
4. Involve others: mention how you worked with teammates, a supervisor, classmates, or friends to come up with solutions. They will be looking for teamwork and collaboration, so it's important to outline what your role in that team was.
5. Describe the outcome: what happened as a result of your decision or action? Try to show a tangible result, including something positive or a lesson learned.
6. Reflect: I would end your answer by saying what the experience taught you, and how you'd apply that insight in the future. You can discuss the skills learned as well, and how these may be applicable to problems you would encounter as a trainee.

Even if your example feels "small", focus on how you thought through the situation - that's the main part that the graduate recruitment team will be evaluating

Thank you sm!!

 

[DavidJC]

Hogan Lovells ask 'Tell us about any open days and events that you have attended in the legal sector' in their VS application, but I've not been to an open day with them or a virtual event. If I talk about other firms, will it hinder me that I haven't interacted with their firm, or are they simply just testing that I have demonstrated interest and motivation in the legal sector?

Hey, I spoke to them at an event a few weeks ago and they said they want to see how you have interacted with Hogan Lovells through these events or how they relate back to Hogan Lovells. So for example, in my application, I talked about attending Skadden's Open Evening and a discussion I had about Competition Law, and linked that back in terms of international firms doing international work at the intersection of government/regulation and business (something HL strategically aims towards).

As a general rule of thumb with questions like these, you should try and list what it was, talk about what you learned/gained from it or any positive outcomes, and try and link that back to the firm you're applying to.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock & @Andrei Radu
I hope you are doing well
Recently I completed a VI in which they asked 'why commercial law at X firm'. I structured it in this way - First - why commercial law and then why commercial law at this firm. It was also only 2 minutes - so I'm trying to prepare more in case it comes up again.
I would deeply appreciate any thoughts on how you would structure this?

I think this structure makes sense; when answering this kind of question, I also used to split it up in a 'Why commercial law generally" and a "Why the firm" part, allocating around 1 minute of speaking time to each. I like this structure because it makes it very clear that you are addressing both points in the question directly; and ensuring the recruiter doesn't get lost when listening to your answer is crucial for progression.

That said, if there is significant overlap between your general why commercial law reasons and your firm-specific motivations, you could also bridge the analysis and go for the following approach:

1. Explain reason 1 why you want to work in commercial law; and the explain how this motivation makes the law firm particularly well-suited for you (e.g. if you want to go into commercial law because you enjoy advocacy and working on contentious matters in a business context, you could make a nice link to how this fits well with the strengths in disputes of firms such as HSFK).
2. Explain reason 2 for pursuing commercial law, and then explain how this also makes the firm a particularly good fit.

Nonetheless, if you choose to go down this route, you should be careful of two things: (i) you should avoid making strained connections between the "why commercial law" and "why the firm" motivations; and (ii) you should ensure you are very clear as to when you are discussing the general commercial law point and when you are discussing the specific firm point, so that the recruiter can be sure you have adequately addressed both.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi,

I was just wondering, if a firm rejects you for their open day, is it worth still applying to their Vacation scheme?

Does a rejection from the firm open day effect chances of getting into the VS?

Hello!

It definitely is still worth applying! The application process for the open day and the vacation scheme are both competitive, but they are looking for completely different things.

As long as you submit a strong, tailored application for the vacation scheme, there is no reason why you can't be progressed to the next stage (despite being rejected for their open day).

Best of luck!

 

[Goingtogetatc]

Anyone here apply for Deloitte litigation, advisory and settlement graduate programme

I did !

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hogan Lovells ask 'Tell us about any open days and events that you have attended in the legal sector' in their VS application, but I've not been to an open day with them or a virtual event. If I talk about other firms, will it hinder me that I haven't interacted with their firm, or are they simply just testing that I have demonstrated interest and motivation in the legal sector?

Hey!

Try not to worry - it definitely won't hinder you if you haven't attended a Hogan Lovells event specifically. That question is mainly there to see whether you've engaged with the legal sector as a whole and taken steps to learn more about the profession, rather than to test that you've interacted with that firm specifically.

You can absolutely talk about other firms' events or broader legal-sector experiences - for example, insight days, commercial law webinars, student law society panels, or even networking sessions where you heard from lawyers. What matters is that you show:

• You've actively sought opportunities to understand the world and culture of commercial law firms
• You can reflect on what you learned and how it's influenced your motivation to apply to Hogan Lovells specifically

So for instance, you could say something like:

"Through attending X firm's insight day, I developed a stronger understanding of how cross-border work operates in practice, which particularly attracted me to Hogan Lovells given its international client base."

In short - they're testing your curiosity and initiative, not whether you have attended an event of theirs specifically. You'll be absolutely fine as long as you show genuine engagement and how what you learned has drawn you to Hogan Lovells.

Best of luck with the application!

 

[Trophy]

You asked ChatGPT to clear something up which is literally the definition of 'relying on AI', no?

I didn't elaborate because I didn't think it needed explanation considering it's probably the biggest legal news story over the past year and I didn't want to clog the forum up with a debate about it. Some people got it, some people didn't and that's okay lol.

This has nothing to do with me or anyone else not knowing about the “biggest legal story”. You were being cryptic. Others on the forum asked you to explain further. Simple.

This also does not mean I use/rely on AI in applications.

Good day and good luck this application cycle😄