just to add onto the FF slander, not to give away too much but i am currently a mentee to a NQ solicitor there so i meet up with them virtually every few weeks and can i just say their attitude towards their own co-workers and in general their personality is probably one of the worst i have ever seen. they always reschedule and not show up, and you can just tell the company is absolutely all over the place. i have an opportunity to go down there for some work experience and i actually do not want to go and i know its an amazing opportunity but i actually cannot stand the company itself. i was encouraged by them to apply and i actually just wanted to crawl into a hole because i was just so put off which is such a shame because i used to like the firm.
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
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Hi I am going to an interview for a firm that had a look at my CV (and nothing else but a screening call)
Don't think they specify what type of interview it is going to be but would appreciate any general advice!
Thank you in advance
Don't think they specify what type of interview it is going to be but would appreciate any general advice!
Thank you in advance
Proskeur Rose AC invite!!! 
I would be very very grateful for any insight as it is one of my top choices and I have no clue what to expect in the AC (they will provide details closer to time of the activities).
@fTS3002 @Mart1nVa1l congrats guys!! Do Yall wanna create a gc to prep? Let me know if anyone else wants to be added.
I would be very very grateful for any insight as it is one of my top choices and I have no clue what to expect in the AC (they will provide details closer to time of the activities).
@fTS3002 @Mart1nVa1l congrats guys!! Do Yall wanna create a gc to prep? Let me know if anyone else wants to be added.
Just completed the Simmons Bristol assessment. Only scored 5,6,5 on the three pillars (with Max verbal/numerical). How cooked am I - do they look at everything holistically with the VIs?
Amazing! So happy for youProskeur Rose AC invite!!!
I would be very very grateful for any insight as it is one of my top choices and I have no clue what to expect in the AC (they will provide details closer to time of the activities).
“Academic qualifications - We expect candidates to have had a strong record of academic achievement through each year at university.”HSF Kramer summer vs PFO after attending one of their open daysI hope the feedback is auto generated because if not it’s actually aggravating
I have done 2 years of university so far, 10/12 modules I got a first or high first, 2/12 I got solid 2:1s. I’m currently on placement in industry and have a year’s experience in commercial real estate finance law representing a bank… a big area at the firm…
“Skills and achievements, extra-curricular activities, scholarships, prizes, positions of responsibility and work experience. These are important and provide us with evidence of skills such as taking responsibility, motivation and drive, and planning and organisation. These questions also enable us to assess your ability to write clearly and concisely and your attention to detail.”
As above, have a year’s legal experience. Was president of my uni’s law society. Mini-pupillage. Overseas business internship. Other volunteering etc.
What more do these firms want!
Seriously…where art thou Simmons? I did their blended assessment in October and haven’t heard a beep. I’m sure it’s probable PFO atp
If you haven’t heard back take it as a good thing imo, I’ve heard they review in phases.
Has anyone heard from HL post VI for Summer VS or shall I assume PFO
Hey!
It is completely normal to be nervous before an AC, especially your first one! I'm happy to offer some pointers on how I would approach each task below
Written Task and Presentation
I would try to focus on using a clear structure and showing well-reasoned judgement, rather than trying to give a "perfect" answer.
For the written task, try to:
1. Start with a clear recommendation
2. Support this with 2-3 key reasons
3. Flag any main risks, and explain how you would mitigate these
Overall, aim to keep it concise and commercial-focused - it can be easy to slip into "essay-style" writing, but avoid this where possible!
For the presentation, you won't be expected to repeat what you wrote word for word. I would use the presentation to explain why you took that approach and the trade-offs that you considered. You should aim to show your thought-process, and any relevant factors or considerations that you took into account. This could also involve flagging areas where you might need more information before making a definitive decision, or practical steps that could be taken.
If challenged (which happens most of the time, so don't panic that they're doing it because your answer is "wrong"), make sure to talk through your reasoning calmly - it is absolutely fine not to know everything, but talking the assessor through what you are thinking helps a lot.
Group Exercise
This is usually much more about how you work with others, rather than the overall final answer. The assessors will usually be looking for collaborative behaviour and clear contributions to the group - however, this doesn't mean that you have to talk the most! I always aimed to be neither the quietest or the loudest in the room, and found that a middle ground struck the right balance. You could contribute by helping the group stay structured and on time, and helping track the progress as you go along.
It can be difficult to prepare for a group exercise and written task, but you could practise summarising lots of information quickly (e.g. by reading a commercial news story and creating a brief summary), as well as practise explaining your thinking out loud to others (e.g. your friends or family).
Overall, I'd try to go into the AC with the mindset of being a good future colleague, rather than trying to be the perfect candidate. Best of luck, and I'm sure you'll do great!!
anyone have any final advice before my ac tomorrow?
I received a rejection post weil ac today and my prep time and confidence have taken a pretty big hit as I haven't gotten any feedback yet so idk what went wrong and has made me wayyy more nervous for tomo
I received a rejection post weil ac today and my prep time and confidence have taken a pretty big hit as I haven't gotten any feedback yet so idk what went wrong and has made me wayyy more nervous for tomo
Someone DMed me "hey congrats on your AC, when is urs".
Like bro, you've been a member for 4 years, you've made two posts in that time, and you're asking me for info and could have said like "hey congrats on your AC, I'm X nice to meet you, I'm going on 10th", just annoying tbh
Like bro, you've been a member for 4 years, you've made two posts in that time, and you're asking me for info and could have said like "hey congrats on your AC, I'm X nice to meet you, I'm going on 10th", just annoying tbh
yeah mine were ok I thought? They asked about their competitor and I gave a thing about Bird & Bird ,what more do you want!?!?!
at least they gave some okish feedback, albeit where is the five!?
However, below are some top tips that we would like to share that may help interview performance in the future.
1. Make sure you are answering the question that you have been asked.
2. When talking about your previous experience, identify the key transferable skills that you have used or developed to face these situations.
3. Avoid using your generative AI to create a script for your answers to video interview questions, as we would like to see you speak with authenticity.
4. Expand your understanding of the role of a solicitor, and the work you will do as a trainee, you can do this by reading day in the life style blogs or attending firm events. Your increased knowledge of the role you are applying for will come across in your responses to our questions.
6. When researching law firms, make sure you have an understanding of the wider commercial field that we operate in, and the full service offering of the firm.
I think it's a USP, but you'd need to explain why that is important to you specifically. Also worth noting the secondments are linked to particularly high performance levels in previous seats and often connected to particular practice groups.
Hey!
Congratulations on the AC invite!
A briefing note is essentially a short document that is used to bring a colleague or client up to speed on an issue, and help them make a decision. Therefore, the focus should be on clarity, prioritisation, and offering an overall recommendation.
A structure that I would adopt is:
1. Purpose / Issue: why the note is being written and what decision is required
2. Key background facts: make sure that you only discuss facts that are relevant for the decision being made
3. Analysis: set out 2-3 key points that are influencing your view on the decision
4. Risks and Mitigation: discuss any material risks that would impact the situation, and how these could be managed in practice
5. Recommendation and Next Steps: lastly, make sure that you offer a clear and practical conclusion (even if it is dependent on other factors).
In terms of the style of the document, I would remember that it is likely being written for someone who is busy - therefore, you should aim to be concise and commercial-focused. You could perhaps utilise headings and bullet points to make it easier to read, and easier to scan for the more important information. I would avoid sitting on the fence in relation to the decision, but it is perfectly acceptable to acknowledge that there is uncertainty where appropriate.
They will be testing on how you think and communicate under time pressure, not whether you know everything. I would focus on making your note clear and structured, and as long as you offer a decision that makes sense based on the overall note, you should do great.
Best of luck!
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