TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Justin]

Hi! Has anyone received a VS offer from Birketts?

 

[EfficientBag123]

ngl makes me feel that my SPARK rejection was actually me missing a bullet

Wait you got rejected already? How? The deadline hasn’t closed.

 

[Lawyer20]

Anyone who did the Dechert WE, did we have to submit a document or was it submitted automatically? Did people receive conformation emails??

 

[an03]

Something showing 1) commercial awareness and 2) firm awareness. So let’s say that your story is a lateral hire firm a is hiring a partner from firm b. So on the surface that’s interesting but what is the broader trend? Why might the first term be trying to build out a certain practice area? Let’s say private credit infrastructure energy arbitration? And if we take the example of private credit, you might say that in recent years it’s emerged as a as an attractive alternative to public M&A and IPOs, especially with the UK somewhat frosty IPO market.

As for where you get these stories I think Thomson Reuters is quite good along with the lawyer capital T capital L. I’m not asking you to subscribe to the paid version but what I would suggest is the headlines you paste the headlines into the browser. You’ll get a free version of the stories.

Great tysm! Rlly appreciate it

 

[Donuttime]

"see how we keep ourselves busy at clifford chance, huh? " - Genuinely crazy lol

Where can I read please?

 

[SueD]

Has anyone heard anything from Pennington Manches Cooper? Their website was so archaic that I’m worried they might never get around to viewing all their applications!

 

[addy2004]

Willkie PFO post-WE for the second time

 

[YW113380]

did anyone else get waitlisted by Willkie post WE? or is that just their version of a rejection?

 

[msclm]

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

Thank you! Wishing you lots of luck with Sidley 😀

 

[pfoapplicant]

Hi guys - I know this is a bit of a long shot, but does anyone have any tips on how to approach the Charles Russell Speechlys video interview? Also (as an aside), would I be right in thinking that if, for example, a question along the lines of "Why this firm" comes up, it's OK for the reasons given to be broadly along the lines of those expressed in the initial application form (provided, of course, that a candidate doesn't just repeat verbatim what they've already written)?

If anyone has any pointers, I'd be massively grateful!

 

[hanz123]

Addleshaw Goddard VI. My question is, they’re saying that they operate on a blind recruitment policy- in the email it says the video isn’t sent to them, only the audio, it is a voice interview but the camera is on but the recording isn’t sent to them. Does that mean I can cover my camera? My adhd is bad and I tend to look at myself instead of the camera.

Also anyone any insight about the questions? Thanks.

Have done VI and AC for Dentons, PM,and can offer insight about Bird&Bird and Dechert.

Hey what office and when did you apply?

 

[Unknowncabbage]

Has anyone who did a Latham AC this week heard back?

they said they usually will communicate the outcome a week after AC.

 

[mc0201]

Has anyone heard back from ropes&gray for their competition?

yes, just heard back

 

[Unknowncabbage]

Just curious, has anyone who applied to McDermott received a PFO? Saw someone on the forum get an AC but just curious as to whether any PFO's have been sent.

 

[Novaa]

Dear Ashurst VS Applicants ❤️

How was your experience with the application process? I’m assuming it was the same four questions, and they have a different test now right? I’m looking to apply to them for the DTC.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Love,

A confused Novaa

(LOOOOL LET ME GET BACK TO WORK, BYEEEE GUYS 🤭)

 

[SueD]

Hi guys - I know this is a bit of a long shot, but does anyone have any tips on how to approach the Charles Russell Speechlys video interview? Also (as an aside), would I be right in thinking that if, for example, a question along the lines of "Why this firm" comes up, it's OK for the reasons given to be broadly along the lines of those expressed in the initial application form (provided, of course, that a candidate doesn't just repeat verbatim what they've already written)?

If anyone has any pointers, I'd be massively grateful!

Congratulations on the VI! Different firm but I’ve definitely repeated my application answer when asked that and just sounded more enthusiastic and expanded on it. Can I ask when you got the invite please… I’m still waiting and applied 3 days before deadline. Thanks v much.

 

[futuretraineeihope]

anyone heard Dentons post-AC?

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Template for asking for feedback from Willkie:

“Good afternoon,


Many thanks for communicating that outcome with me.

However, I am keen for further feedback at a more granular level and pursuant to this, I am making a Subject Access Request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

I look forward to hearing from you in due course.

Thank you.


Kind regards
Maxim J. Parr-Reid”

Isn’t the Freedom of Information Act only applicable to public bodies?

 

[uraijom]

Congratulations! Did you apply for summer or spring please

i think spring

 

[Miles Edgeworth]

When I had my AC they said we’d hear within 2 weeks.

Yeah they did say that but the last AC would have been a Friday (so hearing on the 13th). I think it's more likely we'll hear back on the week of the 16th as they said that both in the phone call and AC I went to.