TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[WeGotThis!]

Just checked it was 6 days

Thank you!!

 

[user55998384]

does anyone know for the freshfield deadline whether that entails just the online application or whether you have to do test 1 before the deadline?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Could someone advise me on firms that do a one week vacation scheme?

Also are there any direct TC applications open now that make a decision before summer? I know many decide in the summer but would rather live than drown in assessments in summer.

Hey!

As a couple other users have mentioned, they are less common but there are still a few! To add to the ones that have been mentioned, the ones I can find that are one week are:

• Reed Smith
• Davis Polk
• Fladgate
• Gateley
• Mishcon de Reya
• Penningtons Manches Cooper
• Squire Patton Boggs
• Withers

I hope that assists!

 

[LawAspirer]

DLA PFO after passing WG with top on all 4 categories 😐

 

[Trophy]

Hey!

As a couple other users have mentioned, they are less common but there are still a few! To add to the ones that have been mentioned, the ones I can find that are one week are:

• Reed Smith
• Davis Polk
• Fladgate
• Gateley
• Mishcon de Reya
• Penningtons Manches Cooper
• Squire Patton Boggs
• Withers

I hope that assists!

Stunning thanks didn’t know Davis Polk did a one week scheme 😦

 

[bh.sa]

Btw, any news about King & Spalding DTC? They said they would uplod the application from Nov 17 and there's nothing.

I emailed grad rec about this and this was their response:

'We are still in the process of launching our new online application system. This will be live by the end of the month, please keep an eye on our website.'

 

[J333]

I passed the DLA wg on the 30th oct... haven't heard back from them since. Not sure how to feel about this

 

[wooliewoo]

Hi! Does anyone have any insights on what kind of VI questions Bird & Bird asks? I can provide some info on Freshfields, Mayer Brown and A&O AC in return!

 

[AngelB]

Let me just tell everyone now, the CMS VI is a nightmare. It’s only six questions, nothing else, very unassuming. Until you start doing it and you realise you’re given a minute, yes one singular minute, response time for a question that could only just be answered in double that.

 

[anon78365222111]

Let me just tell everyone now, the CMS VI is a nightmare. It’s only six questions, nothing else, very unassuming. Until you start doing it and you realise you’re given a minute, yes one singular minute, response time for a question that could only just be answered in double that.

Yeah lol the one minute threw me off so much I’m glad none of the questions were too crazy.

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

DLA PFO after passing WG with top on all 4 categories 😐

SAME after ti💔

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Does anybody ever have a block for writing applications? I think I've been doing it for so long and now I can't write a word.

 

[flower1]

Hello @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu

If asked this in a video interview, what are we supposed to talk about? I'm unsure if it needs to be legal / commercial or general. If general, what are some things to mention?

Introduce a topic you know about and explain why it interests you

Thank you

 

[Afuturetrainee]

“Do you require permission or a visa to work in the office location(s) you are applying to?”

When firms ask this question on the application form, is it in relation to the vac scheme or if offered a tc?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hello @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu

If asked this in a video interview, what are we supposed to talk about? I'm unsure if it needs to be legal / commercial or general. If general, what are some things to mention?

Introduce a topic you know about and explain why it interests you

Thank you

Hello!

In most video interviews, this question is usually meant to be general rather than strictly legal or commercial (unless the instructions provided by the firm say otherwise). They're trying to see how you communicate, structure your thoughts, and talk confidently about something you understand.

You could pick any topic you know well or are genuinely interested in - for example, a hobby, a recent trend, an academic area, or something from your work experience. The key is to explain:

• What the topic is
• Why it interests you
• How you've learned about it
• Why it matters or what impact it has

For example, someone might talk about AI, travelling, sustainability, a favourite sport, or even something like baking - as long as you explain it clearly and passionately! In one of my previous applications, I discussed an interest in psychology which I developed through studying it at A-Level.

So don't worry too much about keeping it strictly legal unless the question specifies. Just choose something you can speak confidently about and that shows your ability to communicate well

 

[londonlawyer]

Gibson Dunn's application portal says that the cover letter "does not need to be addressed to any individual". Does this mean that we don't even need to start the letter with "Dear Graduate Recruitment Team" and no sign off at the end either?

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Gibson Dunn's application portal says that the cover letter "does not need to be addressed to any individual". Does this mean that we don't even need to start the letter with "Dear Graduate Recruitment Team" and no sign off at the end either?

Grad Rec said same too.

They said it’s to save word count. Like it’s 650 words, so use it wisely.

 

[Vasil2004]

Does anyone have an insight into Weil or Lathams VIs? Happy to provide info on Freshfields second stage, Milbanks tests, NRF vi

 

[stilltrying]

for the Goodwin question - Which other firms are you applying to and why? (200) would you advise naming other firms im applying to or should i just describe the attributes of the firms im applying to?

 

[routetotrainingcontract]

Let me just tell everyone now, the CMS VI is a nightmare. It’s only six questions, nothing else, very unassuming. Until you start doing it and you realise you’re given a minute, yes one singular minute, response time for a question that could only just be answered in double that.

Please tell me there’s unlimited prep time 😩