TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[radssss]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone had any specific resources for starting off with learning more about Funds and Private Credit and also prepping for these wrt to assessments incase I have to explain an interest or work a case study related to these practices. Also, if you are drawn to these practices, what motivated you and how have you gone about showing this interest on apps and interviews ?

I would like to know this too please and how to go about case study interviews in relation to these - PE, funds, credit and m and a @Abbie Whitlock

I would also like to know where I can start reading commercial news relating to these sectors - m and a, private equity, funds and private credit. Does anyone know where I can gain more knowledge about these (would prefer videos hahaha but don’t mind reading too!)

Thank you very much!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock off the back of this, I wonder if you could also share what you think are the biggest challenges facing trainees specifically other than AI? I read that this can be a typical interview question. I’m thinking maybe work/life balance can be a big issue for trainees starting out in the profession but this isn’t really a topical challenge. I would say it’s always been a challenge.

Any thoughts on this would be appreciated! Thank you

Hey!

Good question! A few angles that you could explore are:

1. Hybrid working and reduced supervision - trainees may get fewer informal learning opportunities and have to be much more proactive about seeking feedback and development as senior lawyers increasingly work from home

2. Growing regulatory pressure - with oversight from bodies such as the Solicitors Regulation Authority, trainees are entering a more highly scrutinised and risk-aware profession.

3. Steeper learning curves - whilst many trainees do value early responsibility, firms are often leaner and trainees can be expected to add value quickly and take ownership of tasks earlier than before.

In an interview, I would suggest picking one challenge, explaining why it is happening, and then focusing on why it particularly impacts trainees.

I hope that assists!

 

[kukubird]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone had any specific resources for starting off with learning more about Funds and Private Credit and also prepping for these wrt to assessments incase I have to explain an interest or work a case study related to these practices. Also, if you are drawn to these practices, what motivated you and how have you gone about showing this interest on apps and interviews ?

I recommend investopedia, they have lots of stuff but it’s aimed at people going into finance.

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/privateinvestmentfund.asp#:~:text=A%20private%20investment%20fund%20is,from%20many%20public%20fund%20regulations.

However it’s still useful because it gives you a simple overview of what it is, you can use firm websites to find out what lawyers actually do. Some firms will work on fund stuff and others will work investor side.

 

[174Tess9y3]

anyone know if dechert is done sending out their spring ACs? did their WE on 19/01 but haven't heard anything since

I’ve been told that they’ve concluded interviews

But I know someone who applied to spring but got moved to summer post WE and has an AC

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Are group exercises usually case-study based or like, prompt-based if that makes sense?

Hey!

That makes sense - in my experience, it can be either!

Some firms will use case-study based exercises with a pack of information where you have to work as a team to reach a recommendation that you then present. Alternatively, others will provide candidates with a prompt to discuss as a team and will then require them to present this or debate with another team.

In my past ACs, the group exercises have typically been more prompt-based but I think it is likely that either could come up - therefore, I would try to prepare for both. They are usually testing how you contribute to the team rather than whether you get the "right" answer, so focus most on how you engage in the group

 

[kukubird]

Has anyone heard from Akin post TI who did it in Jan?

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Anyone know how long Cleary or Akin take to get back to people post AC?

When did you do your Akin AC

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Has anyone heard from Akin post TI who did it in Jan?

I did it in december and haven't heard back

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

What is the general consensus on using previous vac scheme experience in other applications in the written answers? I would want to talk about how it solidified (as a non-law student) that I want to work in law and also my interest in a specific practice area. Is this good to include or better to be avoided? If included, should I name the firm I did the vac scheme at or not?

Hello!

You can absolutely use previous vacation scheme experience in other applications, and this was something I did last cycle too!

It makes a lot of sense to use it to explain how it solidified your interest in law (particularly as a non-law student) or confirmed your interest in a particular area. This shows reflection and tangible evidence, which the graduate recruitment teams are usually looking for.

The key is how you frame it:

• Focus on what you learned and how it shaped your motivations or skillset
• Avoid sounding like your answer is focused on the previous firm
• Link the experience clearly to why you are now applying to this firm

As for naming the firm - this is generally fine to do if it is brief and neutral (e.g. "During my vacation scheme at X..."), as it is likely they could see what firm it was from your work experience section anyway. However, I would avoid going into loads of detail about them and ensure that the emphasis stays on your development overall.

I hope that helps!

 

[routetotrainingcontract]

Just the usual - their practise assessment is a good guide

Thanks, good luck to us!

 

[lawyersum]

does anyone know if you can apply to bakers direct tc if you also applied to their vac scheme but were unsuccessful ?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock I hope you are well, would really appreciate your insight on this and anyone else who can add. Further to the discussion on the forum, I have been encouraged by the firm with which I accepted a vac scheme offer to share the news on LinkedIn (and eager to do so), but have an AC coming up with another firm and eager not to make a bad impression in any way.

Is it ok to post about accepting another firm's vac scheme prior to another firm's AC or better to play it safe and avoid doing so?

For reference, the two schemes do not clash as the HR team of the firm I am yet to do an AC with have kindly offered to consider me for a spring scheme instead of summer due to my offer with the other firm.

Hey!

Congratulations on the vacation scheme offer!

I'm sure there are differing opinions on this, but I would say it is completely fine to post about it on LinkedIn if you'd like to. It is completely normal to have accepted one vacation scheme while still attending ACs elsewhere - firms know and expect that candidates will be exploring other options, especially before accepting a TC. The fact that they have already accommodated you for a different intake shows that they are aware that you are applying to multiple firms and are comfortable with it.

If you are still concerned and want to be cautious, I would just keep the post positive and professional - for example, avoid "dream firm" type language. However, it is also completely fine to wait until you have heard back from the other ACs to post about it!

Best of luck with the AC!!

 

[tc2026]

hi, any news from Perkins? or bank of England? ty in advance x!

 

[tc2026]

Does anyone know when we're supposed to hear back from Kennedys DTC post-AC?

they genuinely take ages if its a pfo. someone I know did their interview in feb and got their pfo and feedback in SEPTEMBER.

 

[Cece176]

No clue, I assumed they did because a bunch of people got WEs yesterday, but I saw someone saying it might depend on the partners so I’m not sure now

Staying positive!

 

[applicant67383]

Has anyone heard back from TW post spring AC?

 

[helenaskelton]

I would like to know this too please and how to go about case study interviews in relation to these - PE, funds, credit and m and a @Abbie Whitlock

I would also like to know where I can start reading commercial news relating to these sectors - m and a, private equity, funds and private credit. Does anyone know where I can gain more knowledge about these (would prefer videos hahaha but don’t mind reading too!)

Thank you very much!

Private equity international, crunch base or Claude ai

 

[lawyersum]

Has anyone heard from Lewis silkin - they said latest today

 

[radssss]

Has anyone heard from Lewis silkin - they said latest today

Not yet
Let’s wait till the end of the day!