TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Lawlilly]

I failed at online interview stage last year with a firm I have a VS with this year.

Congratulations, that is amazing! I will definitely give it another go next cycle, it was useful to realize my strengths and weak points for sure

 

[DennyCrane]

Congratulations, that is amazing! I will definitely give it another go next cycle, it was useful to realize my strengths and weak points for sure

All experience is good experience. Do you know for sure that it didn't go well or have you not heard back yet?

 

[CupOfTea17]

For people who applied for Bevan Brittan (BB), when we submitted our initial application, did we have to specify which scheme dates we would prefer?

I am now not available for one of the dates listed and not sure whether I already specified my availability

 

[CupOfTea17]

I think quite a few of us were told we would hear back on the 10th but have not heard back yet. I am starting to worry a bit now because if I am not wrong their first AC was yesterday and I think they just have another one on 23rd or something

Just to say, I applied for London, and they were a couple days later getting back to us then they said they would be - so don't give up hope!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

had my first ever AC! Did not go well but proud nonetheless and at least I got more of a feel for it now.

Hey!

Congratulations on completing the AC!!

This is a great mentality to have - I remember walking out of my first ever AC knowing that I hadn't done great, but the feedback I received after that AC truly contributed to my success in later cycles and I am forever grateful for the experience.

Try not to be too hard on yourself - it is completely normal to find the first one overwhelming, but the fact that you are reflecting positively and taking the experience as a learning opportunity will put you in such a strong position moving forward.

Fingers crossed for a good outcome, but regardless, this will put you in a great position for the next one!

 

[8law]

Does anyone know what the actual stages are to the DACB vac scheme application? web site says written app -> video interview -> online test and that's it but i saw some people talk about WE? has anyone heard back after the VI, and if so, could you please tell how long after?

WE is only for DTC

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock Hi Abbie, thank you so much for your advice with my first stage paralegal interview, I actually managed to move to the second round! I have to complete a timed written exercise and was just wondering if you have any advice on this or what to expect, as I have never done one! Thank you so much

Hey!

Amazing news, I'm so glad to hear that!!

I have written a few posts on written exercises before that outline my main advice for approaching them - I have quoted them below. Generally speaking, it is under timed conditions, I would ensure that you take 5 or so minutes at the beginning to plan your answer, and then spend 5 minutes at the end proofreading. However, I would also make sure that you start writing the answer as soon as possible too, as in some of my earlier written exercises, I think I spent too long planning them and then ran out of time when it come to actually constructing the answer.

If you have any further questions, just shout - best of luck with the written exercise!!

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!

Hello!

A few resources below that I used / might be useful:

• Definitive Guide to Law Firm Case Studies (whilst this is a case study, instead of a written exercise, I found it super useful last cycle!)
• TCLA Written Exercises (a good way to practice if you are able to pay to access resources)
• Some law firms upload example written exercises online - I believe DWF has one available!

Hopefully they help as a starting point - best of luck!

 

[CharlieandLola]

Hey everyone! I was wondering if I could get some advice... I have a legal internship coming up and a friend who did it last year said that they got a lot of tasks looking at companies house and making a spreadsheet with all the information. I was wondering if anyone had any good resources to help! @Abbie Whitlock @Jaysen any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated!

 

[radicaloptimist]

Brabners PFO and still nothing from BJ

 

[radicaloptimist]

Has anyone heard from Weightmans Manchester office yet??

 

[Lawlilly]

All experience is good experience. Do you know for sure that it didn't go well or have you not heard back yet?

I haven’t heard back but I am 95% sure I did not get it. My nerves got the better of me and I did so bad in the case study & partner interview. Feel like their faces said it all but they were still so nice! It was a good experience though

 

[Anon145]

still nothing from Haynes Boone? Isn't the AC supposed to be next week?

 

[randomrhino]

still nothing from Haynes Boone? Isn't the AC supposed to be next week?

I haven't heard anything either yet. AC is supposed to be next Tuesday

 

[Ancika]

Congrats !! Can I ask when you did the TI and for which office?

Hi! I did the TI on the 31st March. The window to choose the date was huge .. around 4-6 weeks (if I recall correctly).

 

[summersun]

Hi! I did the TI on the 31st March. The window to choose the date was huge .. around 4-6 weeks (if I recall correctly).

thanks did my TI the same day so probably did mot get the AC

 

[Ancika]

thanks did my TI the same day so probably did mot get the AC

Do you mean did not get the AC? Rob made it clear to me on the phone that we would not hear back until the third/fourth week of April because they are interviewing so many people.. so I wouldn’t worry too much.

 

[vweewcvew]

Hey everyone,

Is a 1h 30min train or 2 hour drive commute for a two week placement okay?

 

[privateequitywarrior]

Hey everyone,

Is a 1h 30min train or 2 hour drive commute for a two week placement okay?

I wouldn’t advise it especially if there are socials that may finish later in the evening

 

[DennyCrane]

Do you mean did not get the AC? Rob made it clear to me on the phone that we would not hear back until the third/fourth week of April because they are interviewing so many people.. so I wouldn’t worry too much.

My interview isn't even until May and there were still slots open for a few weeks after that so I wouldn't expect to hear anytime soon.

 

[Prudentia]

Hey everyone,

Is a 1h 30min train or 2 hour drive commute for a two week placement okay?

It depends on your individual tolerance levels, but I would say that's a lot. Especially if you want to socialise/attend events after work.