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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Hi everyone,
I was wondering if someone could give me some advice about the following:
I am an international student originally from Amsterdam, where I studied law and gained experience in several legal roles. I recently moved to London and I am currently applying for training contracts. In the meantime, I am keen to gain relevant UK based experience and I am interviewing for a few different types of roles, but they are quite different from each other, so I am unsure which would be the most helpful step.
The roles I am currently considering are:
• a paralegal position supporting real estate and private client lawyers at a boutique firm, which are both areas I am very interested in
• an operational assistant role at a company active in the Lloyd’s insurance market
• a risk and advisory analyst role involving discussions with barristers
let me know your thoughts x
I was wondering if someone could give me some advice about the following:
I am an international student originally from Amsterdam, where I studied law and gained experience in several legal roles. I recently moved to London and I am currently applying for training contracts. In the meantime, I am keen to gain relevant UK based experience and I am interviewing for a few different types of roles, but they are quite different from each other, so I am unsure which would be the most helpful step.
The roles I am currently considering are:
• a paralegal position supporting real estate and private client lawyers at a boutique firm, which are both areas I am very interested in
• an operational assistant role at a company active in the Lloyd’s insurance market
• a risk and advisory analyst role involving discussions with barristers
let me know your thoughts x
Hey Abbie! On this topic, could you please give some advice on what to ask during coffee chats etc (apart from why they did law, how their practice has changed, softer questions etc)? What are the impressive questions to ask as my feedback from my last vs was that my questions weren’t specific enough.Hello!
Congratulations on the vacation scheme, that is fantastic news!!I can totally understand what you mean, as I definitely felt like I hadn't prepared enough going into my schemes - mainly as I didn't know where to start!
However, what you are doing already sounds exactly right, so try not to worry too much! There aren't actually that many things you can do in preparing for the scheme, so I would focus on:
More importantly, a lot of success on a vacation scheme is about how you show up during the scheme, rather than how much you know. Therefore, during the scheme, I'd make sure to:
- Having a solid understanding of the firm (e.g. key practice areas, recent deals, culture, unique features, and its competitors)
- A basic grasp of the departments you'll be sitting in (what they do, typical clients, current trends, etc.)
- Keeping up with a few commercial stories, both for any interviews and so you can chat comfortably if it comes up
I also would avoid putting too much pressure on yourself to be perfect. Firms aren't expecting you to know everything (even if it feels that way!) - they are looking for potential, attitude, and whether they'd want to work with you. Ultimately, they want to see that you can take on criticism and are willing to learn, as that is the main goal of a training contract!
- Be proactive - ask lots of questions, see if you can assist others with work, and show enthusiasm
- Ask thoughtful questions about the work, but try to think things through first (so you can show you have tried to find the answer yourself)
- Be someone people enjoy working with - friendly, engaged, reliable, etc.
- Stay organised and meet deadlines, even for small tasks
- Communication is really important on a VS - if you have a session, make sure to let your supervisor know so they can assign an appropriate amount of work
You are definitely not stabbing in the dark, though I can definitely relate to that feeling pre-VS - you are already doing the right things! I'd just ensure that you have a good understanding of the firm and current commercial events, and can discuss your motivations towards law + the firm clearly and concisely. The rest you can pick up very quickly once you are on the scheme - wishing you the best of luck!
It doesn't guarantee an interview. Ive applied for two who state this. They keep their options open by inclusion of the phrase "and the minimum selection criteria for our roles". This means you still have to get through the other stages on a competitive basis but once youre at the stage where you could be invited for interview you will be invited.
Have found the award for the most non inclusive recruitment process and the most non inclusive law firm.
"Coffee chats" need to be handled with care IMO. I've discussed it with three partners, all of whom have said they have no time at all to be sitting around drinking coffee with vac schemers and would also expect their associates to be the in the same position unless they had been specifically tasked with helping out the vac schemers. One went as far as to say it would really annoy him. So it needs to be assessed carefully.
Has anyone heard anything from Browne Jacobson Birmimghan office since submitting their SJT/written questions?
My advice will be to use your initiative in how to secure a coffee chat. Be creative in how to approach a Partner. Hope that is helpful.
Just got invited to a Telephone Interview with Browne Jacobson (Exeter Office).
Do we even need coffee chats? Or like 1-2 for the vac scheme? I get so confused by stuff
Browne Jacobson TI (Exeter) invite!
Hi, I had a few questions if anyone could help.
Firstly, I was wondering whether it would be encouraged or unconventional to discuss the current economic climate in a group presentation. For example, if there was an m&a case study for company x to acquire an agricultural business specialising in producing crops. During the discussion would it be wise to mention how the Middle East War may jeopardise the projected profits in the upcoming harvest bc there is a shorter supply of fertilisers, making the acquisition benefits minimal in the short term. Or would it be better to focus solely on the facts eg what kind of financing mechanisms are being used, or what’s the debt of the target company and associated risks etc. I believe including the wider economic backdrop would give commercial insights into the analysis, but I want to be sure it’s the right approach for a group discussion.
Secondly, has anyone had a 1-1 discussion with another candidate as part of their AC? Any insights into what it entailed or what to expect?
Ty
Firstly, I was wondering whether it would be encouraged or unconventional to discuss the current economic climate in a group presentation. For example, if there was an m&a case study for company x to acquire an agricultural business specialising in producing crops. During the discussion would it be wise to mention how the Middle East War may jeopardise the projected profits in the upcoming harvest bc there is a shorter supply of fertilisers, making the acquisition benefits minimal in the short term. Or would it be better to focus solely on the facts eg what kind of financing mechanisms are being used, or what’s the debt of the target company and associated risks etc. I believe including the wider economic backdrop would give commercial insights into the analysis, but I want to be sure it’s the right approach for a group discussion.
Secondly, has anyone had a 1-1 discussion with another candidate as part of their AC? Any insights into what it entailed or what to expect?
Ty
Well the partners I spoke to said no and they would all find it annoying. This was just at a social event and it was people I knew. Overall the only benefit is that you are hoping that the fee earners you speak to will give positive feedback about you to the graduate recruitment team, I guess if you think trying to arrange a coffee might result in this then go for it.
I would say it depends on the firm because ar my VS people really insisted on it with supervisors saying it was important and patners stating they would mke the time
and when I got my feedback ( did not get the TC) then mentioned I had asked good questions
so I think it really depends on the firm and the person. It's also important to assess whether someone is just too busy and not bother them
Three different firms. It was at a social event. I asked them all in the same discussion and they all agreed. All equity partners. It will vary firm by firm though I'm sure.
Generally if a partner is too busy they’ll just say no to a coffee chat. I’m sure 90% of them won’t be offended you asked (unless they’re a bit strange).
Just don’t be demotivated if they say no/or ghost your email, but definitely go for it!
Just don’t be demotivated if they say no/or ghost your email, but definitely go for it!
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