TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[desk70]

Hi, does anyone have insight into what the Osborne Clarke virtual AC commercial interview entails? Thanks!

 

[Bread]

What’s a good answer to the question “talk about a time when you demonstrated integrity”? I feel like any genuine answer would be giving tmi ngl

 

[asplawyer100]

Can anyone share some insights into the Osborne Clarke online "assessment centre" (aka commercial interview)? I can share insights into Trowers & Hamlins and Mishcon de Reya.

 

[lawyersum]

What’s a good answer to the question “talk about a time when you demonstrated integrity”? I feel like any good or realistic answer would be giving tmi ngl

I once used an example of when I was mentoring a first-year student and they asked me for my lecture notes and sample answers - but I declined as this would be academic misconduct/plagiarism, instead i helped them build a better study routine where they wouldn't have to rely on others' notes. Something like that if you've been in a comparable situation?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Hello @Abbie Whitlock
I hope you are well!
I have a quick question regarding a firm's interview slot confirmation email. At the end of this email, they added 'please join the call 10 minutes before for your adjustments to be facilitated'. But I haven't requested any adjustments - so I'm really not sure whether to address this in the reply 'thank you' email or to let it be.

 

[vweewcvew]

Anyone heard back from Stephenson Harwood for those that applied around the deadline? Thanks

 

[jagath]

86 days since i applied for HSF summer 😍

 

[Bree]

Hi is there any news on Hogan Lovells for Summer, is it a PFO?

 

[asplawyer100]

Has anyone gotten a PFO from Dentons post-VI?

Yes

 

[msclm]

I submitted Sidley on the deadline and now kinda regret😭 i feel like it was a strong application but I’m not sure if they evaluate all applications or fill the spots rolling

I can promise you this isn’t true. I applied an hour before deadline and got the vac and tc! They read everything.

 

[yasmars]

86 days since i applied for HSF summer 😍

It’s a good thing . Don’t worry

 

[SueD]

Hi, does anyone have any update on:

- Squire Patton Boggs
- Travers Smith
- Hogan Lovells post-VI
- Baker McKenzie post-VI
- Clyde & Co post-VI
- Taylor Wessing post-AC

Thanks!

TW told me I’d hear by 12/2.

 

[lawgical]

Do I really have to disclose the treatment I have undergone for drug addiction in the past? What if I (shudders) don't tell them?

Application question, for reference: Have you ever required any treatment or counselling, or been the subject of any disciplinary action by an employer, relating to alcohol, drugs or gambling? (Russell-Cooke)

 

[kim wexler]

I completely agree. I understand the frustration of waiting when you feel like it's going to be a pfo, but Willkie have arguably been the most transparent out of any firm this cycle. The fact that their graduate recruitment is willing to take the time out their day to answer all of our questions on the TCLA forum is both laudable and certainly NOT the norm. They let us know that we'd all hear back by Friday, which they will ofc stick to, but the reason they cannot reject everyone else now, is because some people may still be invited to Partner Interview.

Also, I cannot understand why people are annoyed that the process is different this year; it has been improved this year in order to allow for more partner interviews. Previously, when they sent out all invites and PFO's at the same time, it didn't allow for what is happening right now, that being, some people saying no to doing the interview, and that place being passed onto someone else. Previously, that didn't happen!

Finally, out of all firms, they seem to be the most meritocratic with regard to each individual recruitment stage. Everything was marked anonymously, and it was reviewed by TWO separate associates in order to ensure upmost fairness. I'm not sure if some people are aware, but an associate at a top US firm like Willkie can be billed out every hour for eye watering amounts of money. So, the fact that they are willing to forego that revenue in order to allow us to compete in a fair process is again tremendously laudable.

We can all relate to rejections as 90% of the time, that's what we all face, yet, unfairly taking it out on their graduate recruitment just seems wrong, especially when they seem to be trying their hardest for us.

Even as someone who is probably gonna get PFOd today, I completely agree. Willkie is the only law firm in this recruitment cycle that is able to get back to applicants quickly and quite transparently. Obviously it sucks that you have to wait for 2 days after everyone gets an interview offer and you do not, but it is much better than firms like ... Mishcon de Reya.

Despite their small size, the Willkie grad rec team is very very quick and keeps most (if not all) of its promises. The selection process is also a lot fairer than other firms in London that give you an arbitrary personality test and some graphs to work out. If I do not get a vac scheme this year, I will most certainly apply to Willkie again in the next cycle

 

[sbbusybee]

Do I really have to disclose the treatment I have undergone for drug addiction in the past? What if I (shudders) don't tell them?

Application question, for reference: Have you ever required any treatment or counselling, or been the subject of any disciplinary action by an employer, relating to alcohol, drugs or gambling? (Russell-Cooke)

Kind of crazy they ask this I’ve never seen this in an app before?

I mean if you don’t tell them and it comes out later on, it would likely be seen as dishonesty. I guess it somewhat depends what their intentions are when asking this question.

If you tell them and they reject you, would you really want to be at that firm?

I think having counselling for a personal issue and disciplinary action for conduct that affects your job are two very different things…

 

[summersun]

Do I really have to disclose the treatment I have undergone for drug addiction in the past? What if I (shudders) don't tell them?

Application question, for reference: Have you ever required any treatment or counselling, or been the subject of any disciplinary action by an employer, relating to alcohol, drugs or gambling? (Russell-Cooke)

Not sure what you should do but this question is literally the reaosn why I did not apply to them last year. I think it's really private and a very weird thing to ask. People can, for example, go to counselling for a variety of reasons and I don't think firms are entitled to know every little bit of your private life.
Anyway just a rant.

Regarding the "lying", applications usually have a statement at the end saying that you acknowledge that everything you said was true so not sure whether they could do anything if they learnt you lied... although quite unlikely they would unless you told them later

 

[Bread]

Do I really have to disclose the treatment I have undergone for drug addiction in the past? What if I (shudders) don't tell them?

Application question, for reference: Have you ever required any treatment or counselling, or been the subject of any disciplinary action by an employer, relating to alcohol, drugs or gambling? (Russell-Cooke)

It sounds like if you did not disclose this it would count as lying…

EDIT: I guess the answer lies in the term “required”, were you made to receive treatment as part of some sort of action plan or did you undertake it spontaneously?

 

[TortillaTC]

I can promise you this isn’t true. I applied an hour before deadline and got the vac and tc! They read everything.

Great to know, thank you! And huge congrats, getting into Sidley is no joke.🏆

 

[Cece176]

Does anyone have advice for the Trowers Written task?

 

[maylawwww]

hiii has anyone heard from taylor wessing or bird & bird post ac? 🫶