TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

For this question - If applicable please state any additional information which you think is relevant to your application or which you think has not been covered adequately in this form.
Can i split the answer between extracurricular activities and my visa conditions. The question they ask about visa conditions in the beginning is "Do you require permission or a visa to work in the office to which you are applying?' with a YES/NO option - with no room to explain. Would it be okay to use this space to tell them I have a visa for the VS but not for the TC?
But I'm not entirely sure if this would be right.
Any advice would be appreciated @Abbie Whitlock
Thank you in advance!!!

Hi!

Yes, you can absolutely use that additional information section to clarify both areas - it's there for anything you feel hasn't been captured anywhere else in the form.

If the visa question only gives a Yes / No response with no space to expand, it's perfectly reasonable to briefly explain your visa situation here (e.g. that you currently hold a visa suitable for a Vacation Scheme but would require sponsorship for a Training Contract). It's usually best to communicate this sort of information, as it provides the graduate recruitment team some context and clarity.

You could structure it as:

1. Visa clarification: a short sentence or two explaining your current visa status and what it covers
2. Extracurricular activities or anything else you'd like to highlight: this allows you to show a fuller picture of your experience and interests (although I'd still keep this brief)

As long as it is concise, relevant, and clearly organised, it won't look out of place - that section is designed exactly for details like this!

I hope that assists!

 

[Sharkfin]

For those who progressed to the VI portion of Latham's application, what were your top strengths and your professional development points?

Top Strengths:
Analytical / Complex Thinking
Effective Communication

Professional Development:
Self-motivation (???????)

 

[shays]

anyone struggles opening the test from Eversheds? i cant access it on any browser tells me it is invalid login details but it is literally what i click on when they sent me the email

 

[johnsmith]

Top Strengths:
Analytical / Complex Thinking
Effective Communication

Professional Development:
Self-motivation (???????)

Interesting for my OD application, I got self-motivation & effective communication as strengths, but personal responsibility as my development and didn't get invited to the VI - the irony being the roles I have at work are all about taking personal responsibility.

 

[wooliewoo]

Hi! This may be a stupid Q, but just to confirm, is the HL first stage test similar to FF and Macfarlanes first stage, in the sense that there are no VIs? Thanks!

 

[elle woods]

Hi! This may be a stupid Q, but just to confirm, is the HL first stage test similar to FF and Macfarlanes first stage, in the sense that there are no VIs? Thanks!

yes it's very similar to the HL one

 

[elle woods]

Just wondering if anyone has heard back from Hogan Lovells? I've been left in silence since completing the first OT. Should I assume PFO?

 

[wooliewoo]

Just wondering if anyone has heard back from Hogan Lovells? I've been left in silence since completing the first OT. Should I assume PFO?

I think I heard they send the tests in batches so you may be in the next batch!

 

[Amelia.05]

For those who have taken the HSFK test: how many 'moderate fit' did you guys have?

2

 

[elle woods]

I think I heard they send the tests in batches so you may be in the next batch!

😖😬 it's been 1 month so uhmmmm maybe PFO haha

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Hi!

Yes, you can absolutely use that additional information section to clarify both areas - it's there for anything you feel hasn't been captured anywhere else in the form.

If the visa question only gives a Yes / No response with no space to expand, it's perfectly reasonable to briefly explain your visa situation here (e.g. that you currently hold a visa suitable for a Vacation Scheme but would require sponsorship for a Training Contract). It's usually best to communicate this sort of information, as it provides the graduate recruitment team some context and clarity.

You could structure it as:

1. Visa clarification: a short sentence or two explaining your current visa status and what it covers
2. Extracurricular activities or anything else you'd like to highlight: this allows you to show a fuller picture of your experience and interests (although I'd still keep this brief)

As long as it is concise, relevant, and clearly organised, it won't look out of place - that section is designed exactly for details like this!

I hope that assists!

Thank you!! I hope you have a lovely weekend!

 

[legaleagle25]

anyone struggles opening the test from Eversheds? i cant access it on any browser tells me it is invalid login details but it is literally what i click on when they sent me the email

yes same

 

[FutureAntitrustLawyer]

for those who passed HSFK's test, how long did you have to wait before you found out about your results?

 

[MONA23]

SAME after ti💔

Sorry to hear that, If you don’t mind sharing, were there any particular aspects of the interview or preparation you’d recommend focusing on for next time? Any tips would be really helpful.

 

[jojo23]

It's 8am Saturday and I'm watching videos and practicing how to pronounce a law firm name correctly for the video interview...

Some names sound so different from how it's written and confuses my non-Englih brain 😶‍🌫️😶‍🌫️😶‍🌫️😶‍🌫️

I cant even spell mischon de raya properly let alone pronounce it
Is it miss + scone (s cone)😭

 

[lawyersum]

I cant even spell mischon de raya properly let alone pronounce it
Is it miss + scone (s cone)😭

MISH + CON if it helps

 

[elle woods]

I cant even spell mischon de raya properly let alone pronounce it
Is it miss + scone (s cone)😭

mishcon - mish + con
The german in me kept spelling it as mischon, but I realised after a while that it is shcon lol
Mishcon de Reya

 

[Sharkfin]

Interesting for my OD application, I got self-motivation & effective communication as strengths, but personal responsibility as my development and didn't get invited to the VI - the irony being the roles I have at work are all about taking personal responsibility.

I'm always in 2 minds about these type of assessments. l like them because they offer people (like me) with a low 2:1 a chance to prove themselves beyond academics, but at the same time there have been so many times where the "areas of weakness / development" just do not make objective sense considering past experiences.

 

[Wompycapy]

Any insights on Hogan Lovells online test?

 

[flower1]

Hello @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock
When researching about a firm for an AC, what's the sort of things we should cover? I feel like making a long list of random facts isn't helpful, but at the same time, I don't want to miss covering anything important. Is there a criteria we can follow when researching firms for AC?

Thank you