TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[A worried paralegal]

Hey! I think the best way to approach these questions is to treat them like mini personal statements. I would keep them personal and tailored to DLA Piper, and reflective of your own experiences when you can.

Here is how I’d break it down:

Personal Experience and Motivation for Law

This question is asking you to go beyond generic motivations (like problem-solving or liking to debate) and focus on something that genuinely developed your interest. This is ideally something that you personally experienced or were actively involved in.

The typical structure I would follow is:

1. Briefly explain the context - what was the experience, and why was it relevant?
2. Reflect on what you realised from this experience - did it change your perspective? Did it spark an interest in a distinct area, such as regulation?
3. Link this to your long-term career ambitions - how did it lead you to pursue a career in law? Why does DLA Piper align with that?

This doesn’t have to be a legal experience! It could be something like helping someone navigate complex systems, a moment that taught you analytical thinking, or a personal situation with a legal element. The main thing is that you have to clearly link it back to your motivation for law!

DLA Piper Insights Article

This is your opportunity to showcase your commercial awareness and understanding of the firm’s work, and how your interests align.

I would structure my response using the following:

1. Choose an article on a client sector that you find interesting - this should ideally be something that overlaps with your genuine interests and your background (e.g. emerging tech, ESG, healthcare etc.)
2. Summarise the main points of the article in your own words - this should be brief, but show that you understand the commercial and legal implications
3. Explain why this topic resonates with you - what does it tell you about the evolution of the legal industry? What part of it excites you? Does it relate to something you have studied or explored in another setting?
4. Link to DLA Piper - think about the firm’s international reach, sector focus, innovation, or work with leading clients. How does this article show the kind of work that you’d be interested in working in?

I would avoid picking a random article - choose something that you have a genuine interest in, and clearly explain why that is and how it links to your future career.

I know that there aren’t a lot of words available due to the word limit, so you should aim to be as concise as possible. Hope this helps!

I know this is a bit old but I was having a look at DLA's questions.

Would you say that the article for Q2 has to refer to a specific sector or can I pick any article and discuss an industry trend?

 

[A worried paralegal]

For those who progressed to DLA Piper’s TI, how long after being told your application was being considered for the next stage did you get the invite?

Is it not worth applying then or are these TIs just for London?

 

[x_law2004]

anyone heard from pinsent masons or gowling?

 

[CuriousTrainee]

Is it not worth applying then or are these TIs just for London?

I would assume that this is just for London since the deadline was 21st of November. So for regional, would definitely say it's still worth applying

 

[CuriousTrainee]

anyone heard from pinsent masons or gowling?

I thought gowling don't let us know until 12th of Dec? That was in the email after doing the Arctic Shores test.

 

[wooliewoo]

Hi! Does anyone have any insights on Simmons VI / assessment? I am happy to provide insights on other firms like Mayer Brown, Bird & Bird, FF, and A&O AC!

 

[johnsmith]

for the other experiences section can we then just list other experiences in bullet points or pick maybe 2 of those other experiences and have bullet points/prose for each?

I think generally the advise is prose for nearly all firms but sorry I don’t actually remember their personal feelings on this

 

[Bbhu19]

Hi

Hi! Does anyone have any insights on Simmons VI / assessment? I am happy to provide insights on other firms like Mayer Brown, Bird & Bird, FF, and A&O AC!

pm

 

[ali-k]

hello, can anyone help on this... is it a good idea to include a future vac scheme in the "work experience" section for other law firms? if it would benefit me of course i would want to include it but i am unsure if it just comes off as arrogant and gives a bad impression

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

@Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock Accidentally listed my attendance at Skadden's October Open Day as a November Open Day. Although there was also a November Open Day (which I attended) but the October Open Day was selective/competitive. So it's not necessarily false info, just sort of omitting the info(?). Should I email Grad Rec regarding this (or add it as part of 'Additional Information' on All Hires)?

 

[bebbe]

@Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu

Hi, I am midway through the application season, and I realise a lot of my progressed applications are being hindered/rejected because of my VIs. Do you have any tips on how to improve on this and how much time should one be prepping for a VI given that most VIs have a deadline of 5 days?

 

[Dogecoin GC]

Anyone heard positively from the following?

Willkie Farr & Gallagher - post-Video Interview

Weil, Gotshal & Manges - post SJT

Clifford Chance - Post-WG (direct TC app)

 

[Jessica Pearson]

Hi!

You don't need to pick a story that Trowers & Hamlins has directly worked on - it can be a deal they were involved in, but it is more likely to be a broader commercial development that connects their sectors or strategic strengths. The key is showing you understand the news, why it matters in the commercial world, and how it creates opportunities or challenges for a firm like Trowers & Hamlins.

A simply structure that I would follow is:

• Briefly summarise the news story: I'd keep this concise - what happened, who is involved, and why it matters.
• Explain the commercial impact: discuss the consequences for businesses and clients - this could be regulation, investment, growth, risks, market shifts / trends, etc.
• Link it specifically to Trowers & Hamlins: this is where you show that you have tailored your answer to the firm! You could connect it to: their practice area strengths (e.g. real estate, energy, etc.), the opportunities for advisory work arising from the development, and how the story relates to trends the firm is active in (housing, regeneration, etc.).

For example, if the story is about government housing policy or investment in infrastructure, you could discuss how it aligns with Trowers' strong public sector and real estate practice and what kind of client needs might emerge (that they could assist with).

You are essentially showing that you understand what is happening commercially, why this matters, and why Trowers & Hamlins is well suited to advise on those issues.

I hope that helps!

Thanks! This is really helpful

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Does anybody have advice on whether to apply for BCLP spring/summer?
I kept on editing my answers and now idk if I'm too late for spring

 

[RJ Ruban]

CMS VI any advice or anything I should look out for?

 

[ttlaw12344]

CMS VI any advice or anything I should look out for?

congratulations, when did u do WG and when did u find out about the VI if you dont mind me asking

 

[johnsmith]

Does anybody have advice on whether to apply for BCLP spring/summer?
I kept on editing my answers and now idk if I'm too late for spring

I only heard back end of last week that I'd moved to interview stage so think you're still well within tolerance levels for applying!

 

[johnsmith]

Has anyone undertaken their Clyde & Co VI yet? Just interested to know if it's quick fire or whether it has unlimited prep time.

 

[p2bv]

CMS VI any advice or anything I should look out for?

congrats! What office did you apply for

 

[lolololol]

is latham stage 2 automatic?