TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Applicant3728299643]

Would still deeply appreciate this, especially since there are many more applicants who are also curious!

Applied to Freshfields October 19th, received and completed stage 1 October 19th, received stage 2 November 6th and completed November 8th. Was called to AC November 28th. They told me they're running 5 ACs of 6-7 people per AC in December (mine is the 3rd AC, held this Thursday) and 2 in January, but this might just be for the specific summer scheme I applied for (20 July 2026 - 7 August 2026) and not for both. And I did include extra-curriculars in the work experience section! I found stage 2 really hard, and honestly didn't think I would be called to AC at all (I literally didn't watch the video tutorial as I assumed all video questions would be in that section, so when I inevitably was faced with a VI, I waffled incoherently for 30 seconds and then didn't know how to end the video lol.) So don't lose hope!

 

[wooliewoo]

Hi! Does anyone have any insights on the Macfarlanes VI? Happy to provide some insights on Mayer Brown, FF, Latham, and Bird & Bird in return

 

[AP2000]

FYI, I did Latham stage 1 assessment yesterday evening and got the invite for stage 2 invite just now. I know some people were asking yesterday, so please don't get too stressed if you don't immediately get the invitation to stage 2. I had pretty much ruled myself out of this process, but it's a good reminder not to read into what people are saying in online forums like this.

 

[Bree]

Hello, would anyone have inputs on Latham Stage 2 as in whether the questions are competency based or what kind? Can help with Macfarlanes Stage 1, FF Stage 2

 

[Rads]

Hello, would anyone have inputs on Latham Stage 2 as in whether the questions are competency based or what kind? Can help with Macfarlanes Stage 1, FF Stage 2

FYI, I did Latham stage 1 assessment yesterday evening and got the invite for stage 2 invite just now. I know some people were asking yesterday, so please don't get too stressed if you don't immediately get the invitation to stage 2. I had pretty much ruled myself out of this process, but it's a good reminder not to read into what people are saying in online forums like this.

Congratulations! Would you mind sharing when you applied? Is Stage 2 automatic if anyone knows?

 

[User2640]

Does anyone know whether Clyde & Co's online assessment includes a vi/written Qs component, or if it's purely a test? Thanks so much!

 

[Lovelaw77]

Hey! Can anyone provide any insights to CMS VI? I'd really appreciate ittt - I am more than happy to do the same for NRF, HSF, LL

 

[hawkins19]

did anyone else horrifically run out of time on the Taylor Wessing WE

 

[llblawstudent]

Applied to Freshfields October 19th, received and completed stage 1 October 19th, received stage 2 November 6th and completed November 8th. Was called to AC November 28th. They told me they're running 5 ACs of 6-7 people per AC in December (mine is the 3rd AC, held this Thursday) and 2 in January, but this might just be for the specific summer scheme I applied for (20 July 2026 - 7 August 2026) and not for both. And I did include extra-curriculars in the work experience section! I found stage 2 really hard, and honestly didn't think I would be called to AC at all (I literally didn't watch the video tutorial as I assumed all video questions would be in that section, so when I inevitably was faced with a VI, I waffled incoherently for 30 seconds and then didn't know how to end the video lol.) So don't lose hope!

Having applied at pretty much identical times (including for the tests) I’m assuming pfo then haha

 

[lalalailovelife]

Hello, would anyone have inputs on Latham Stage 2 as in whether the questions are competency based or what kind? Can help with Macfarlanes Stage 1, FF Stage 2

i second this any insights on latham stage 2 would be so helpful!! (From a struggling student)

 

[Maddy]

To apply to DlA piper's Dubai summer scheme is it necessary to have right to work in Dubai?

 

[AP2000]

Congratulations! Would you mind sharing when you applied? Is Stage 2 automatic if anyone knows?

Ofc - I applied on the deadline. Got the invite for stage 1 on the 7th, completed it on the 8th. Invited to stage 2 today. From what I read you need to meet their benchmark in stage 1 to get progressed, but clearly from my case there can be a bit of a time lag between completing stage 1 and getting the stage 2 email (while others got the email they were progressed almost immediately)

 

[pfoapplicant]

Hi guys! I'm currently going through the work experience section of the Reed Smith application form - ordinarily, I'd list my work experience in reverse chronological order (with current work experience entries, and work experience entries with more recent end dates, being listed before entries with less recent end dates), but Reed Smith's form titles each work experience entry as "Second placement", "Third placement", "Fourth placement", and so on.

Do you think this means that candidates are expected to list their work experience entries in forward chronological order (with placements with earlier start dates being listed first, and followed by placements with more recent start dates), or am I reading a bit too much into the wording of the form?
As ever, if anyone has any ideas, I'd be super grateful!

 

[manifestingthetc]

Has anyone received an interview for Fieldfisher's pathways of practice yet?

 

[Wompycapy]

Hello, would anyone have inputs on Latham Stage 2 as in whether the questions are competency based or what kind? Can help with Macfarlanes Stage 1, FF Stage 2

I'm also seeking stage 2 insights. However, if this helps, their VI last year was something in the lines of 'tell us about a time where your personal character was challenged' and if I remember correctly, 2 mins to record and a reasonable amount of time to respond (more than 30 secs)...

 

[AMullin]

Hi guys! I'm currently going through the work experience section of the Reed Smith application form - ordinarily, I'd list my work experience in reverse chronological order (with current work experience entries, and work experience entries with more recent end dates, being listed before entries with less recent end dates), but Reed Smith's form titles each work experience entry as "Second placement", "Third placement", "Fourth placement", and so on.

Do you think this means that candidates are expected to list their work experience entries in forward chronological order (with placements with earlier start dates being listed first, and followed by placements with more recent start dates), or am I reading a bit too much into the wording of the form?
As ever, if anyone has any ideas, I'd be super grateful!

Hi!

I’m sure it’s not mega important but for what it’s worth I had my oldest WE as “First Placement” and my current job as “Second Placement”. I managed to scrape through to the next stage so that’s either correct or they aren’t too bothered 😂

 

[User2640]

Does anyone know whether Stephenson Harwood and WFW prefers bullet points or prose for the work exp section? Has anyone asked their early career team before? Any insight would be greately appreciated!

 

[elle woods]

FYI, I did Latham stage 1 assessment yesterday evening and got the invite for stage 2 invite just now. I know some people were asking yesterday, so please don't get too stressed if you don't immediately get the invitation to stage 2. I had pretty much ruled myself out of this process, but it's a good reminder not to read into what people are saying in online forums like this.

Reading this thread, I am assuming Latham, Hogan Lovells, and Freshfields PFO if I haven't received an invite to stage 2 after so long 😭
Lord Bless my Heart

 

[Ferran_]

Anyone got macfarlanes VI tips

 

[Jennifer2003]

Does anybody know how to interpret the HL assessment? I got personal responsibility and work ethic as two strengths and ambition as a weakness but I’m not sure if that means I did well or didn’t perform highly in more areas - does it always give one weakness and two strengths? Does it matter which they are?