TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Afraz Akhtar]

@Abbie Whitlock @Afraz Akhtar SJT: You are a trainee and have a meeting starting in 5 minutes and there is an error in work you must present to a client, alongside your supervisor. What do you do if you catch your supervisor 5 mins prior and what would you do if you only identify the error mid client meeting?

@alphabravocharlie well.. I'd obviously panic and look over my shoulder because I know the SRA is lurking somewhere. Jokes aside, I would flag this to the supervisor as soon as I get a chance, if I know the solution I'd let them know that too and if not, ask them for some help and see if we could possible push back the meeting a little while. If the issue was noticed during the client meeting, to be honest I would probably take the supervisor to the side to double check or send them a message on teams, where this isn't possible, I would flag everyones attention to the mistake and rectify it there and then.

Honesty and early detection is key here, as embarrassing and awkward as it may be.

 

[legallybrunnette]

Just did the Dechert WE. Does anyone have any idea how long they take to get back to us?

Do you have any tips? Its my first WE. Thank you!

 

[KuriTH]

Has anyone heard back from bakers ?

Yep, received an email for baker mckenzie spring vacation scheme a couple hours ago

 

[legallybrunnette]

Received Dechert WE today

Same boat. How are you planning on preparing?

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

Just wanted to get thoughts on how you guys would approach this scenario " You are new to your role and have just come out of your meeting. A manager from a different department approaches you to say that they liked your ideas and they think it would be beneficial for others to hear. They invite you to join a call with other colleagues. What are you most and least likely to do?"

A Politely decline as you are new to the role.
B Politely decline but recommend a more experienced colleague to share your ideas.
C Accept the call as you enjoy sharing your ideas with others.
D Thank the manager for the opportunity but explain you would need to check with your manager first.

I was toying between C and D, before eventually going for D as most likely. Initially I thought C would show more initiave? But then, as in the scenario you are new to the role, your manager may have things planned that might clash with the call etc. I know sometimes with the manager scenario it sounds like you are unsure of yourself and keep asking for reassurance (kind of like asking your teacher if you can go to the toilet).

 

[legallybrunnette]

are you meant to get a confirmation email after Dechert we - I can't tell if mine submitted

Would you mind sharing any insight or tips?

 

[legallybrunnette]

Any news from Dechert after WE? I feel like we should be hearing soon given WVC is soonish

Would you mind sharing any insight or tips for the WE?

 

[legallybrunnette]

Has anyone heard from Dechert post WE?

Would you mind sharing any insight or tips?

 

[legallybrunnette]

Does anyone know how long it takes for Dechert to send AC invites after the WE?

Would you mind sharing any insight or tips?

 

[Sharkfin]

Yep, received an email for baker mckenzie spring vacation scheme a couple hours ago

Massive Ws - did they mention when the ACs were running?

 

[EfficientBag123]

Yep, received an email for baker mckenzie spring vacation scheme a couple hours ago

Did you get the AC?

 

[ilikelaw]

Just wanted to get thoughts on how you guys would approach this scenario " You are new to your role and have just come out of your meeting. A manager from a different department approaches you to say that they liked your ideas and they think it would be beneficial for others to hear. They invite you to join a call with other colleagues. What are you most and least likely to do?"

A Politely decline as you are new to the role.
B Politely decline but recommend a more experienced colleague to share your ideas.
C Accept the call as you enjoy sharing your ideas with others.
D Thank the manager for the opportunity but explain you would need to check with your manager first.

I was toying between C and D, before eventually going for D as most likely. Initially I thought C would show more initiave? But then, as in the scenario you are new to the role, your manager may have things planned that might clash with the call etc. I know sometimes with the manager scenario it sounds like you are unsure of yourself and keep asking for reassurance (kind of like asking your teacher if you can go to the toilet).

im curious to see what others say as well, i would be torn between c and d too

 

[Novaa]

Just wanted to get thoughts on how you guys would approach this scenario " You are new to your role and have just come out of your meeting. A manager from a different department approaches you to say that they liked your ideas and they think it would be beneficial for others to hear. They invite you to join a call with other colleagues. What are you most and least likely to do?"

A Politely decline as you are new to the role.
B Politely decline but recommend a more experienced colleague to share your ideas.
C Accept the call as you enjoy sharing your ideas with others.
D Thank the manager for the opportunity but explain you would need to check with your manager first.

I was toying between C and D, before eventually going for D as most likely.

I would personally pick C, because you’re saying yes to an opportunity to grow and connect with your wider team and learn from their ideas.

To me option D can make option C look like you aren’t respecting your manager by not getting their permission. But there’s nothing flagging to me that attending the meeting would jeopardise something. Like if it said “Your manager has said they may have additional urgent work to assign you” at the start, then I may have gone for option D.

Ugh these situations test your relationships with seniority in such subtle ways. I always hate the ones which reference your supervisor not knowing something in a client meeting.

 

[EfficientBag123]

Massive Ws - did they mention when the ACs were running?

The first two are running 9th and 14th. They said after you submit your VI.

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

im curious to see what others say as well, i would be torn between c and d too

At first I thought, it's just a call...why would I ask my manager. So I was 99% set on C. Then I started overthinking and thought that maybe, it's best to check with your supervisor first as a matter of courtesy? Now I feel like I should have gone with my gut feeling and gone for D

 

[Jennifer2003]

shoosmiths discover placement assessment!

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

I would personally pick C, because you’re saying yes to an opportunity to grow and connect with your wider team and learn from their ideas.

To me option D can make option C look like you aren’t respecting your manager by not getting their permission. But there’s nothing flagging to me that attending the meeting would jeopardise something. Like if it said “Your manager has said they may have additional urgent work to assign you” at the start, then I may have gone for option D.

Ugh these situations test your relationships with seniority in such subtle ways. I always hate the ones which reference your supervisor not knowing something in a client meeting.

Yeah I think you are right...damn overthinking really gets me in SJTs, I should just trust my gut. Hopefully it doesnt greatly impact my result...

 

[johnsmith]

Pinsent Masons AC.
Would appreciate any advice as this is my first AC. I remember earlier in the year people were talking about the in-tray exercise being quite difficult to complete within the allocated time?

Well done on your AC! Personally managed to address them all with 5 minutes to go. It's a nice AC experience and they aren't looking to trip you up 👌

 

[nbjani]

So I have a DLA AC next Tuesday, but FLK1 on Wednesday, so I’m heavily focussing in revising. This is my first AC and I want to be targeted with my prep so I can focus on the SQE. Any advice on the best way to focus the AC prep maybe an hour a day max? I’m thinking of focussing on prepping for motivational and commercial questions in the interview, as I’ve heard it’s not really possible to prepare for the other assessment types? I’m a career changer and don’t really have an issue with working in a group environment, so can’t see how to prep for the group activity.

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

I was also wondering if anyone knows how the SJTs are marked when you have to rank from most to least likely. Do you only get a point (if that's how it works) if they are all in the correct order? I actually have no clue how they are assessed.