TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Novaa]

Any advice on how to handle not being offered a TC following a VS with your dream firm? I genuinely feel heartbroken right now and am struggling to lock back into prepping for upcoming interviews and ACs..

Hey!! As someone who’s been in this situation, I know it can feel like the world is ending (I cried so much we had to have a family meeting LOL).

But I just want you to know that you are amazing, and the fact that you made it through such a competitive process is a testament in itself. So many decisions go into these things, and without being part of grad recruitment, we’ll never know how close it really was.

What you do know is that you’re just one step away from that TC. If you’ve had (or will have) a feedback call, really leverage that opportunity, understand where you performed well and where there may be areas for development. Reach out to your trainee buddy too and see what advice they have.

Take a break if you need to, reflect on the feedback, and then go into your next applications using this VS as supporting evidence of your existing skills and show how you’ve taken steps to grow even further.

You’ve got this, and I can’t wait to see you announcing that you’ve got a TC!!

 

[wrpark]

Hey guys, does Michelmores not run vac schemes for their London office? I can see ones for Bristol and Exeter but not London.

 

[radssss]

Hey guys, does Michelmores not run vac schemes for their London office? I can see ones for Bristol and Exeter but not London.

No they don’t. They offer secondments in London if someone is interested.

 

[Gottagetthroughthis101]

Hey guys, does Michelmores not run vac schemes for their London office? I can see ones for Bristol and Exeter but not London.

Michelmores exclusively has trainees in Bristol or Exeter

 

[Novaa]

I just tried to do a WG for a firm, but instead of 25% extra time (so 125% total), they just gave me 25% of the regular time LOL

I sound like a broken record LOL, but the way firms have approached accessibility this cycle is very disappointing…

EDIT: LOL just to confirm, they gave you 7.5 minutes as opposed to 37.5 minutes??!

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

I just tried to do a WG for a firm, but instead of 25% extra time (so 125% total), they just gave me 25% of the regular time LOL

Grad rec struggling to work out how much extra time to add to your WG test like:

 

[maylawwww]

I sound like a broken record LOL, but the way firms have approached accessibility this cycle is very disappointing…

EDIT: LOL just to confirm, they gave you 7.5 minutes as opposed to 37.5 minutes??!

YUP

 

[needatrainingcontractasap]

has anyone heard back for summer vac schemes (even for vis) from

links
hsf
latham
mishcon
baker
white & case?

 

[wrpark]

I just tried to do a WG for a firm, but instead of 25% extra time (so 125% total), they just gave me 25% of the regular time LOL

Lmfaooo if they don't know how %s work then they shouldn't expect any better common sense from us either

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

hey i'll dm you!

ewpsieee j saw ur bigger text

 

[FoodieMcFoodieBigBack]

Does anyone here know whether Weil is running ACs beyond the immediate next week? They sent me an email yesterday inviting me to an AC, but the only available date is this coming Monday but I have an immovable class/tutorial on Monday. I was busy writing exams in person the whole of yesterday, so by the time I saw the email it was outside working hours and I couldn't reach gradrec to ask for alternative dates.

 

[whywhy88]

Have Links sent out all of their ACs for spring?

 

[A worried paralegal]

Burges salmon AC Wtff

Me too. My first!!

 

[A worried paralegal]

Me too. My first!!

Does anyone here have some good resources on either Burges Salmon or more general tips for AC's?

 

[Legal12345]

Anyone have any advice on how to prepare for a scenario discussion and a written exercise at an AC? @Afraz Akhtar or anyone with any idea please help hahah

 

[londonlawyer]

Any advice on how long the answer to why this firm should be in an interview? Just timed myself and mine is around 2 minutes. Is that good or should it be a bit longer?

 

[wrpark]

NRF PFO, scored 4,3,3,3 on Arctic Shores :/

 

[axelrod901]

Hi guys, what do you think a good answer would be for this question - Tell us how lawyers can add value for their clients beyond providing technical, legal expertise. Why is this especially important in today's market?
I was thinking maybe something along the lines of AI / Tech but I do think it's a cliche answer so if you guys have any ideas, that would be great. Thank you!

 

[Prudentia]

NRF PFO, scored 4,3,3,3 on Arctic Shores :/

They sent a PFO at the weekend? Cold.

 

[Prudentia]

Hi guys, what do you think a good answer would be for this question - Tell us how lawyers can add value for their clients beyond providing technical, legal expertise. Why is this especially important in today's market?
I was thinking maybe something along the lines of AI / Tech but I do think it's a cliche answer so if you guys have any ideas, that would be great. Thank you!

A good way to approach this question is to move beyond “lawyers give technically correct advice” and focus on how lawyers create value outside of live matters. One useful framing is reactive vs proactive. Many clients only approach lawyers when something has already happened (e.g a transaction, a dispute, or a regulatory issue that’s crystallised). However, lawyers can also add value by working upstream, through horizon scanning and foresight. That means identifying emerging legal, regulatory, and market issues before they become urgent, and helping clients understand what’s coming and how to prepare. In this sense, lawyers can be powerful strategic partners and advisors who help clients plan, reduce uncertainty, and make better decisions before risks and issues crystallise and become (expensive) problems.

You can then ground this in practical examples. For example, lawyers running training for boards or trustees on upcoming regulatory changes, hosting seminars and workshops, publishing weekly newsletters, hosting podcasts, publishing client briefings, or tailoring updates to specific sectors. The key is showing that lawyers translate complex developments into actionable insight, not just legal analysis. In terms of why it matters now, today’s market is fast-moving and uncertain. Regulation is evolving quickly, technology is changing business models, and clients face overlapping risks across compliance, governance, and strategy. Clients don’t just want answers to today’s problem. They want advisers who can help them anticipate tomorrow’s.