TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[SamiyaJ]

NRF summer PFO post VI… for the second time in the same cycle😭😭

 

[helenaskelton]

Anyone have any idea of what the SPB vi questions might be…

 

[CharlesT47]

Hi, can someone help explain how arbitration differs across firms? I understand that Debevoise is extremely renowned for arbitration and they do their advocacy in-house, meaning that there are solicitor-advocates within the firm who do the advocacy.

I then have 2 questions:
First, is this in-house advocacy style unique to arbitration powerhouses like Debevoise or Skadden? Do firms that are lower ranked operate in the more traditional way in litigation which involves the solicitors firm seeking out barristers? Essentially, I hope to understand whether this is a unique selling point for Debevoise.



Second, for firms that do their advocacy in-house, how does this materially affect the work of a trainee solicitor in an arbitration seat? Does this mean they help draft oral submissions? Does this mean a trainee might have a more unique insight into the advocacy side that is more typical for a barrister to take on?

 

[nonlawstudent98]

I feel like they are doing them in batches…awaiting mine

It is the most likely explanation :/ I just don’t understand why you would send PFOs out in batches if you aren’t holding any more ACs

 

[soon-to-be trainee]

Clyde&Co pfo

And NRF pfo…

 

[Lawyer20]

Ops on emailing partner after an interview?

 

[member8868]

Hi does anyone have any experience with being waitlisted for a vac scheme? I imagine the chances of people dropping out is quite slim?

 

[an03]

no bc why does 90 seconds go so quick! feel like their questions were way too detailed for 90 seconds. how are you gonna give me a 3 part question with such little time to answer

RIGHT i just about read the q in 30 seconds let alone answer all parts of it

 

[MONA23]

Links summer still not heard back, anyone else?

 

[Serendipity2026]

Does anyone have Baker Mckenzie AC insight? Can trade with many firms!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

I always told myself that I’d consider going into any type of law BESIDES real estate as it’s so boring, and today I got a distinction for land law module. Erm 😂

Congratulations on the distinction!! 🥳 As someone who liked land law, I'm feeling slightly outnumbered right now... 😅

 

[Donna Paulsen]

😭 I feel you haah

see that's what I feel rn, that surely because I was going to get one, surely I can get another one? but life works in weird ways haha
and I feel like ACs sometimes are not only given to you for success, but for practice or to teach you a lesson also

I'm just consoling myself thinking that this is God's way of keeping my time safe during Spring so I can actually study and not flop my exams as well as ensuring I don't become mentally insane doing back-to-back schemes right after exams end haha. Or maybe it's a way to tell you that that firm, and that firm only, is where you're supposed to be haha - it's definitely easier to make a decision about where to go when you only have one choice (as much as it's scary) 😂

God every night listening to me rant about this tortuous cycle:

 

[user397485]

Does anyone have Baker Mckenzie AC insight? Can trade with many firms!

spring or summer

 

[User2640]

Does anyone know if NRF sends VI invites based solely on the test, or do they also look at your cover letter?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Congratulations on the distinction!! 🥳 As someone who liked land law, I'm feeling slightly outnumbered right now... 😅

Unpopular opinion from me but Land and Equity >> EU and Public. Contract was my favourite. Idk how to feel about Criminal or Tort though. I liked land law and I was probs the only person that felt this way in my entire cohort lmao.​

 

[manifestingthetc]

SPB VI! - was rejected last year post app

 

[SamiyaJ]

Unpopular opinion from me but Land and Equity >> EU and Public. Contract was my favourite. Idk how to feel about Criminal or Tort though. I liked land law and I was probs the only person that felt this way in my entire cohort lmao.​

Lmao you guys are definitely in the minority in my opinion 😭

I loved criminal! Since thriller films and crime documentaries are my absolute faves 😂

I’m doing equity at the moment, so far it’s not bad! Ask me in 3 months time though hahaha

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Unpopular opinion from me but Land and Equity >> EU and Public. Contract was my favourite. Idk how to feel about Criminal or Tort though. I liked land law and I was probs the only person that felt this way in my entire cohort lmao.​

EU: 🤮
Public: 🥰
Contract: ☺️
Criminal: 😐
Tort: 😘
Land: 🙄
Trusts: 🥱🤔🤯

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

EU: 🤮
Public: 🥰
Contract: ☺️
Criminal: 😐
Tort: 😘
Land: 🙄
Trusts: 🥱🤔🤯

EU: 🤮🤢
Public: 🤮🤢
Contract: 😀🤩😍
Criminal: 😐🙃
Tort: 😐🙃
Land: 😍😀🤩
Trusts: 🤩😍😀

My module marks reflect these feelings cos how did I scrape 2:1s for EU and Tort but then get high 2:1s for Contract, Land, Equity and Criminal… I got a measly mid 2:2 for Public smh lmao…​

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi - I have recently been invited to my first ever assessment centre (with Farrer & Co). I was hoping you might be able to offer some advice on how best to prepare. I believe there is a written exercise and then a group task. Thank you! @Abbie Whitlock

Hey!

Congratulations on receiving the assessment centre invite, that is fantastic news!!

Of course, happy to share my main thoughts after my experience with the Farrer & Co AC last cycle

Written Exercise

The main thing I would make sure to do is to have an understanding of the types of structures and document types that could come up. I would look up things such as attendance notes, memos, client emails, letters, and reports, and make a note of what elements you need to include and structure it in that way.

I also made use of headings and subheadings, and a mix of bullet points and prose, and I think that it made it easier to read and follow. Additionally, make sure you are clear on what practice area Farrers has - in my task, the hypothetical scenario included advising on certain areas of law and it was important to know whether Farrers actually advised on them.

Other than that, I honestly think just give it your best shot and you'll do well! During my first few ACs, I used to panic when under timed conditions, but I found that using a clear structure helped as it meant that I could tackle each bit at a time.

I have also written some more general written exercise posts that are largely based on my own experiences with them (including Farrers) - I have quoted them below.

Group Task

This type of exercise is usually much more about how you work with others rather than dominating the conversation. I would aim to contribute early, listen actively, bring quieter people in (if appropriate!), and help the group stay on track by keeping an eye on the time and making notes of agreed points. If you are debating views with another person or team, show that you have listed to the other side by addressing their argument directly and adapt your response from there, rather than defaulting to rehearsed points.

If there is a disagreement in the team, I would acknowledge the different views but ultimately try to move the group towards a decision. I also would try not to panic if you feel something goes slightly wrong - in my AC, I fell victim to being labelled the 'quiet person that needed to be brought into the conversation', but I still ended up with an offer! Additionally, aim to contribute where you can and facilitate the team working well together above saying as many points as you can - in my AC, 3 out of 4 of my group members ended up with a VS offer, so I think ensuring that you work well as a team and supporting each other through the exercise can really help!

I hope that provides some pointers - it can be hard to prepare in advance for both of these exercises, but having an idea of what to expect can be useful! Best of luck with the AC, I'm sure you'll do great!

Hello!

Congratulations on getting the invite! 🎉 Whilst I haven't completed the Ashurst written exercise, they will usually test your ability to communicate clearly and structure your arguments logically - similar to what you'd do as a trainee when drafting emails or internal notes.

I've outlined some previous tips that I always used when preparing for written exercises below:

• Practice timed writing - pick a 30-45 minute slot, read a short business or news article, and summarise the key points in a structured 1-2 page memo with a clear conclusion summarising your findings.
• Work on prioritisation - pick an article with a lot of information, and practice picking out the 3-4 most important issues rather than trying to summarise and include everything.
• Use a clear structure - this was the main thing that I implemented that helped me score higher on written assessments! Follow a clear structure in your answer, and practice what this would be for each type of document.
• Check clarity - after writing (potentially one of the above), ask yourself if someone with no context to the facts could follow along with the information and your reasoning.
• Proofread under pressure - I would get used to quickly checking grammar and flow, as this is really important in a written exercise! I sometimes struggled with this, as the pressure made me skip parts of my writing, but I found that literally following along with a pen or your finger can make sure you don't miss anything.
• Review sample case studies - I would have a look online and see if there are any free resources that you can have a go at. A true lifesaver during my last cycle was this forum post by Jacob Miller, and I would definitely give it a read!

The main thing that assisted me in written exercises is following a clear structure! I would go through and read all of the materials first, and then go back to pick out the key details. You should be looking for key issues, areas that you will require more information, and anything that you think is important for the client to know.

I would then follow a clear structure in your answer. There are a a few different types of documents that they could test you on - e.g. an email, memo, report, note, etc. I would have a look beforehand at the formatting of each, and have a go at writing them! If you are writing a letter / email to a client, make sure that you aren't including technical terms and writing in way that is easy for them to understand.

I would also try and find ways to showcase that you have the skills that they are looking for in trainees. For example, in one of my previous ACs I was asked to write an email to a supervisor. In this email, I outlined my arguments and recommendation, but I ended it by offering to draft the email / document for the client (e.g. proactivity). This will be dependant on each exercise, but if you can incorporate this in some way, I think it's a great way of standing out!

I hope that assists - best of luck with the written exercise, I'm sure you'll smash it!

Of course, no problem at all!!

Since client emails are such a common format in written exercises, it's definitely worth getting comfortable with how to approach them! A few things that I kept in mind when preparing:

Understand the Purpose and Audience

Before you start writing, clarify who you are writing to (e.g. a client, supervisor, or a colleague) and what information they need from you. The tone, level of formality, and structure will vary depending on whether it's an internal email or an email to an external client.

For example, if you are emailing a client, you want to ensure that they are able to understand any legal principles that you are outlining in your email. As such, it's important to make sure you write it in layman's terms and don't just recite the information given in the materials. However, if you are emailing a supervisor, I would focus on highlighting the most important pieces of information as you are effectively trying to save them time in going through the materials themselves. I would always aim to write in a professional way, and frame it like you would an actual email - such as a subject line and a closing sentence.

Use a Clear and Logical Structure

The main thing that I changed when approaching written exercises was making sure that I had a clear and logical structure. A good client email should be easy to follow. A simple structure could look like:

1. Opening: A brief, polite greeting and context for why you're writing (and what you'll be discussing in the email). If you're emailing a supervisor, it might be useful to include a short summary of your findings at the top (i.e. an early conclusion), and then go into more detail below.
2. Main Body: Summarise the key points or advice clearly and concisely, using short paragraphs. It might be appropriate to use headings and subtitles, especially if there is a lot of information. The goal is to make sure that the client can follow along, and that it isn't just a massive wall of text that is difficult to read.
3. Closing: End with next steps, an offer of assistance, or a polite sign-off (e.g. "Please let me know if you'd like to discuss further"). These elements distinguish an email exercise from a general report or memo, and shows that you are following the brief exactly! If you are emailing a supervisor, I would try to show some proactivity in the closing parts - such as offering to write a first draft of a document or client email.

Keep your tone professional and approachable

I would aim for clear, confident language without being overly formal (but still professional). This can be tricky, but phrases such as "I'd recommend..." or "It may be helpful..." strike a nice balance. Avoid overly technical language or long-winded phrasing - simplicity often conveys professionalism! As stated above, I would definitely avoid legal jargon if you are writing to a client, unless you are certain that a client would understand it.

Also remember that tone can shift slightly depending on the client's relationship with the firm. If you are told this information, a longstanding client might suit a warmer tone, whilst a first-time contact may call for a more formal approach. However, if in doubt, I would always go for a more formal approach - especially in a professional context!

Be precise and client-focused

Remember the purpose for why you are actually writing to the client, and tailor your response to the client's actual issue. I would avoid copying large chunks of background information from the brief (as the client will already have this information!) - instead, demonstrate understanding of their issue by reframing the key points in your own words and applying them directly to the client's situation. Make sure to keep your advice practical - clients care more about what they should do next than about the legal theory behind it. You might find it useful to use signposting phrases such as "In summary..." or "Based on the information provided..." to make your reasoning easy to follow. If there are uncertainties, I would make sure to address them but be reassuring - e.g. "Further details would be needed to confirm this position, but at this stage...".

Check for clarity and tone at the end

Before your time runs out, take a moment to review your email. I always found it helpful to read it aloud (if possible) or follow along with my finger - this helps you catch sentences that are too long, unclear, or sound abrupt. Look for opportunities to simplify, and if a sentence takes more than one breath to read, it's probably too long! Make sure your sign-off fits the context (things such as "Kind regards" or "Best wishes" usually work best). The graduate recruitment team / assessors will be looking for professionalism in formatting and presentation - consistent spacing, clear paragraphing, and correct spelling and grammar will all make a strong impression.

As a practical tip to practice: You could start by taking short case studies and draft sample emails that summarise your advice in 200-300 words. This helps you get used to organising your thoughts quickly and writing in a professional, accessible way.

I hope that helps!