TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Novaa]

I read somewhere on here a few weeks ago that HSFK review apps in phases so there’s an initial review by junior grad rec and apps are filtered. All the remaining apps are then screened by the senior grad rec team who decide who goes to AC. So not hearing back yet can only mean good news esp cos it has been ages since their deadline closed. They also get like 5,000+ apps and send ACs to around 500 people so ACs probs run until March tbf. Best of luck for HSFK!​

Okaaay memory!!

 

[ilikelaw]

anyone else feel like such an imposter during the application cycle, like a year and a half ago i lowkey didn't know commercial law firms were a thing

 

[QuillandCounsel]

Anyone know roughly when CRS (london office) will be sending out VIs or PFOs?

 

[anony_]

hinging hopes on tomorrow...

what are the chances of it being an offer atp lol

 

[jagath]

I read somewhere on here a few weeks ago that HSFK review apps in phases so there’s an initial review by junior grad rec and apps are filtered. All the remaining apps are then screened by the senior grad rec team who decide who goes to AC. So not hearing back yet can only mean good news esp cos it has been ages since their deadline closed. They also get like 5,000+ apps and send ACs to around 500 people so ACs probs run until March tbf. Best of luck for HSFK!​

dont get my hopes up harvey 🥀

 

[Topdog0073]

Freshfields PFO, no clue why they took so much longer for me than many others…

 

[legalbanana]

When did you apply if I may ask?

Applied in late October written assessment in mid January

 

[tedkiss]

Anyone know roughly when CRS (london office) will be sending out VIs or PFOs?

Last year I got an invite for the VIs on 07 Feb

 

[elle woods]

what are the chances of it being an offer atp lol

I don't think they've given out all the offers yet

the only ones I've heard of were like quite soon after their ACs meaning they were just that good to warrant an instant offer haha

I think the rest of us have yet to hear back, so there are defo spaces left! don't lose hope!

 

[Gr33ntea]

No I haven’t heard back at all I applied for the VS. When did your friend apply?

What did you apply for?

And has anyone else heard back from TLT VS?

Have you heard back? IDK if the Beyond runs differently to the VS? My friend received an AC invite but he applied for the VS.

 

[Bbhu19]

Freshfields PFO, no clue why they took so much longer for me than many others…

Is this for vac schemes or dtc?

 

[lawcool]

No I haven’t heard back at all I applied for the VS. When did your friend apply?

What did you apply for?

And has anyone else heard back from TLT VS?

I got an ac invite about 1-2 weeks ago

 

[Dannie]

Has anyone done the W&C WE? Any insights plss so stressed!!!

 

[Topdog0073]

Is this for vac schemes or dtc?

Vac scheme

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

To all those panicking about an incoming Debevoise pfo, there is still a glimmer of hope. As far as I know, Debevoise have multiple open days - I've read 3. I'm hoping that they've only sent invites for the first open day, with invites for the other open days to follow. Any thoughts?

looking at their website, it does say 'open days' and it also includes an interview/case study. idk if that is possible all one day.

 

[elle woods]

anticipating PFO from W&C

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Hey guys, how to prepare for a negotiation exercise in an AC? @Abbie Whitlock

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

Redirect Notice

I'll start off by saying, obviously my numbers are exaggerated at a macro level, but might be the case for individual contractions in the demand for trainees.

Of course, it's partly due to TCs increasing up until 2024, it's a contraction/correction rather than necessarily being a decrease (only around 8% since 2024). Finance is another field lowering graduate intake (although more aggressively than law).

I do worry though this trend is more than a correction. The benefit of commercial law, is companies will need advice both during economic boom and recession (which is part of the 'stability ' of the profession), however the demand for legal services is not extremely elastic. If AI does make the job more efficient, it may not replace lawyers as such, but it might reduce the hiring rate (as with any field), and I do wonder if the contraction is partly due to this implementation.

Maybe I'm just worrying too much / too paranoid.

i think this is a fair conjecture. i would also add that (in addition to what i stated yesterday) i feel like, anecdotally, people are just making more applications because it is more competitive. the idea to focus on 8ish app that i have heard from so many people seems unrealistic and i personally don't want to be doing this for several years

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

does anyone have any covington insights?

 

[Sharkfin]

Post-AC wait is so gutwrenching I am swimming around like a zombie - fins and teeth crossed for everyone 🫶🫶