TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

Tell me a interesting/ commercial story you have been keeping up with - how do i structure this question for a vi?

Hey!

For this question, they're essentially testing three main things:

• Whether you follow business / news generally
• How you explain concepts and updates clearly
• Whether you can link the story back to commercial awareness

Therefore, I would likely structure it in the following way:

1. Briefly explain the story - what happened and who's involved (keep this relatively brief!)
2. Why it's interesting commercially - discuss the impact on businesses, markets, consumers, etc. If you can discuss the impact it has on sectors that the firm's clients work in, that is a bonus!
3. Why you chose it - why is this particularly interesting to you and what caught your attention
4. (If you can) Link to the firm - for example, how the firm might respond to the factors discussed in the commercial story

This doesn't have to be anything super niche - it could be things such as AI adoption, retail restructuring, or major mergers (particularly in law recently!). These all work well as long as you can explain them clearly and discuss why it interested you.

I hope that helps, and best of luck with your VI

 

[EfficientBag123]

Macfarlanes AC! Applied in early September

Fair play!! When did you do their simulate assessment

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

is it okay to refer a firm's work in its regional offices when answering a VI questions for its London office (esp, if it was a big case/important ruling)? @Abbie Whitlock

Hi!

Yes, that's totally fine - especially if it was a big or well-known case! I'd just be clear that it was handled by a regional office and briefly explain why it's relevant to the firm as a whole (e.g. firm wide expertise, cross-office work, or sector strength)

 

[Vakil]

Macfarlanes PFO (Finally! did their second assessment Sep 8th!) BUT just before that, Fieldfisher AC invite!

 

[Interested_In_Law]

Fair play!! When did you do their simulate assessment

Thanks! 7th September

 

[pfoapplicant]

Hi guys! I'm currently writing my application for DWF's vac scheme; one of the questions is as follows:

"What are your motivations for wanting to pursue a career as a Solicitor at DWF?"

Am I right to interpret this question as essentially meaning "why DWF", as opposed to "why a career as a solicitor in general, and then why DWF"?

If anyone has any advice, I'd be hugely grateful!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

hi!! @Abbie Whitlock, I've recently accepted a tc offer but its delayed and I have a year to fill - I feel like you mentioned potentially working in grad rec for a bit, completely ignore me if ive gotten that wrong but is that a normal thing for future trainees to do/ easy to access, find roles - or do people tend to stick to paralegalling for that year? thank you!!

Hello!!

First of all, huge congratulations on your TC offer - what an amazing achievement! 🥳 🥳

You haven't got that wrong - I have been working in the graduate recruitment team! However, this is due to Reed Smith's Professional SQE structure, where future trainees spend a few days a week in a business services team alongside their SQE studies.

I don't think working in the graduate recruitment team is necessarily a normal thing for future trainees to do - however, it's always worth asking if it is something that you're interested in. Paralegalling is more likely to be the main option for that year, but there's no harm in enquiring about roles in a business services team. Ultimately, it will depend on the firm's needs at the time

 

[James Wakefield]

For those who applied to Mishcon, did it say you've applied to 'Talent Aquisition Portal' in your email, rather than the firm name? Thanks!

A tad concerned about this, so if anyone could let me know, thanks!

 

[user55998384]

Macfarlanes PFO (Finally! did their second assessment Sep 8th!) BUT just before that, Fieldfisher AC invitec

congrats on the AC!! Is that for direct tc?

 

[lolololol]

Hey!

For this question, they're essentially testing three main things:

• Whether you follow business / news generally
• How you explain concepts and updates clearly
• Whether you can link the story back to commercial awareness

Therefore, I would likely structure it in the following way:

1. Briefly explain the story - what happened and who's involved (keep this relatively brief!)
2. Why it's interesting commercially - discuss the impact on businesses, markets, consumers, etc. If you can discuss the impact it has on sectors that the firm's clients work in, that is a bonus!
3. Why you chose it - why is this particularly interesting to you and what caught your attention
4. (If you can) Link to the firm - for example, how the firm might respond to the factors discussed in the commercial story

This doesn't have to be anything super niche - it could be things such as AI adoption, retail restructuring, or major mergers (particularly in law recently!). These all work well as long as you can explain them clearly and discuss why it interested you.

I hope that helps, and best of luck with your VI

thank you so much

 

[Vakil]

congrats on the AC!! Is that for direct tc?

Thanks! It's for the vac scheme.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi all, I’ve just given the HL test and unfortunately I lost my internet connection in the middle of the wgt which was time recorded but not timed. When I fixed the net, it showed that I took 8 mins to do one ques and I’m now worried. Anyone has any tips on what I should do or if I should email Grad rec?

Hello!

I'm sorry to hear that happened - try not to panic, as these things do happen!

Whilst it states that it is not timed, if you are concerned, it might be worth emailing the graduate recruitment team and briefly explaining what happened - just so it is on record. As the test isn't timed, it's unlikely to be an issue, but firms are usually understanding about genuine technical issues anyway

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Hi!

Yes, that's totally fine - especially if it was a big or well-known case! I'd just be clear that it was handled by a regional office and briefly explain why it's relevant to the firm as a whole (e.g. firm wide expertise, cross-office work, or sector strength)

Thank you!

 

[tjeya26]

For Taylor wessing online tests, how quickly do you find out if you haven’t met their benchmark?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

An application question has the following question: "Which law would you change and why?"

I was wondering what is the structure that I should adopt for this answer and should I link it back to the firm's practice area or deals?

Thank you!☺️

Hello!

This is a great question, and I'd say it focuses more on your reasoning rather than having the "right" law. A structure that I would follow would be:

1. Briefly explain the law as it currently stands
2. Identify the problem - what currently doesn't work and who this affects
3. Explain the change you'd make
4. Justify these changes - this could involve discussing the legal, commercial, or societal impact as a whole

I don't think it is necessary to link it to the firm (and I wouldn't try to force a link), but if you can naturally tie it to a practice area or sector the firm works in, that is a bonus! The key is to show your thought process, and that you have balanced the consequences to come to a clear conclusion.

I hope that helps!

 

[Trophy]

Hello!!

First of all, huge congratulations on your TC offer - what an amazing achievement! 🥳 🥳

You haven't got that wrong - I have been working in the graduate recruitment team! However, this is due to Reed Smith's Professional SQE structure, where future trainees spend a few days a week in a business services team alongside their SQE studies.

I don't think working in the graduate recruitment team is necessarily a normal thing for future trainees to do - however, it's always worth asking if it is something that you're interested in. Paralegalling is more likely to be the main option for that year, but there's no harm in enquiring about roles in a business services team. Ultimately, it will depend on the firm's needs at the time

woahhh that is such a cool initiative!! lemme go put my RS application in aha

 

[Amgrad]

Thanks! 7th September

Crazy, it took them 3 months and one week, I'll be getting that in new year maybe 😢 when will your AC?

 

[johnsmith]

A tad concerned about this, so if anyone could let me know, thanks!

Yes it shows like that!

 

[Amgrad]

For Taylor wessing online tests, how quickly do you find out if you haven’t met their benchmark?

I think someone here got it in hours or days I forget it. You can search on this thread, though.

 

[Trophy]

I have just got Gibson test it is automatic but i wondered if it was JUST an sjt? any vi or surprises? would be grateful for your help