TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Jessica Booker !!

I have an interview coming up for a work experience placement with AS. they are taking the interview virtually with 3-4 other candidates who will be able to hear each others' answers. however, they have also made it explicit that this is not a group exercise and we will be marked individually. the questions are likely to be the basic competency/motivation/ maybe commercial ones.

I have never navigated an interview like this so I am really confused what the expectations would be? any insight you may have on this would be super helpful! thank you so much in advance ))

The advice from @Legal Wizard above is great - I agree with what they have said.

I'd also add to try and not change your answers just because another candidate has said something you think is impressive. You can always be a bit clever with it and say something like "I agree with what Joe Bloggs said in their answer earlier but my additional thoughts are....". This shows you are actively listening to other people's answers while still making sure you present your thoughts rather than repeating what someone else may have said.

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

Hi @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman

I have an upcoming ac and have to prepare a commercial story. I was thinking about talking about the labour government’s plans for a cleaner britain and renewable energy goals. I was also thinking about then linking it to the contentious work that could pop up about greenwashing claims. Do you have any thoughts on whether this is a good topic and how i could possibly outline this to make it as structured as possible?

 

[panon]

Don’t overthink this. Prepare solid responses for why law, and in particular, commercial law; why you as in attributes that are unique to you that make you well suited to the profession. I would also prepare as much info as you can in the firm or company that the placement will be at because you will probably also be asked why your interest in that organisation. To that end, I would have 3 clear points starting with explaining your attraction to THE WORK that the firm/organisation does and tying that to past work you have done, your studies/ interests etc. Then you can go into things like culture, pro bono, diversity etc. I would imagine the group setting is just a time economising measure so don’t be put off by having to let your passion shine through in front of other applicants. Good luck!

The advice from @Legal Wizard above is great - I agree with what they have said.

I'd also add to try and not change your answers just because another candidate has said something you think is impressive. You can always be a bit clever with it and say something like "I agree with what Joe Bloggs said in their answer earlier but my additional thoughts are....". This shows you are actively listening to other people's answers while still making sure you present your thoughts rather than repeating what someone else may have said.

Thank you so much both!! this is really helpful )

 

[mulan0]

Does anyone know what type of video interview Moore Barlow will be eg competency or strengths based? I can’t find any information!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi @Andrei Radu @Ram Sabaratnam @Amma Usman

I have an upcoming ac and have to prepare a commercial story. I was thinking about talking about the labour government’s plans for a cleaner britain and renewable energy goals. I was also thinking about then linking it to the contentious work that could pop up about greenwashing claims. Do you have any thoughts on whether this is a good topic and how i could possibly outline this to make it as structured as possible?

I am tagging in @ZNadeem as I know Ram, Andrei and Amma are quite busy with exams at the moment.

How long do you have to present/talk about this topic?

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

I am tagging in @ZNadeem as I know Ram, Andrei and Amma are quite busy with exams at the moment.

How long do you have to present/talk about this topic?

I have to speak for five minutes but there will be a 15 min q&a afterwards with questions about the presentation

 

[Jessica Booker]

I have to speak for five minutes but there will be a 15 min q&a afterwards with questions about the presentation

Five minutes is not really a lot of time to present.

I would consider three key points/themes you want to make and stick to those - it will be important to provide depth in the analysis of those points rather than trying to cover more themes but at more superficial level.

By focusing on these three points you’ll probably recognise that there are certain things you can’t necessarily cover in you presentation. Prepare your thoughts on these areas as this is what your Q&A could be on.

Also be prepared to be challenged on your thinking. Be prepared to see things from different perspectives but still back the points you have made.

 

[Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha]

If I was unsuccessful in securing a TC after a vacation scheme, is there a possibility I could get an offer if someone reneges or doesn't accept their offer?

 

[Ceal@26]

1) Yes - if you are applying in the autumn/winter, then most likely you wouldn't start the SQE until September 2026. You could potentially join a January/Feb SQE intake, but given most firms are recruiting for intakes at least 30 months ahead at that point, you would have plenty of time to start the SQE in September 2026 (or even later).

2) For the next cycle, firms will be generally recruiting for September 2028 or Feb/March 2029 TCs. If we take September 2028 as a minimum, your timeline is likely to be:

• October 2025 to July 2026 - Recruitment process
• August/September 2026 - SQE prep
• January 2027 - Sit SQE1
• April 2027 - Sit SQE 2
• August 2027 - Receive SQE2 results
• August 2027 - September 2028 - Gap year

The gap year and SQE period could potentially be swapped over.

3) Yes - unless a firm recruits exclusively or exceptionally heavy from their VS

4) I wouldn't worry about this as TC roles won't close as early as September. It would be November by the earliest (and for some it will be as late as July 2026) and by then you would have many months of experience.

@Jessica Booker, Thank you for clarifying these questions 1 and 2. I am sort of in a similar timeline as I will be graduating in July 2026 from university ( Law degree ) and have not secured any VC and training contract thus far.

My add-on questions are :
1) I would like to apply again for VS / TC schemes in the upcoming autumm/winter cycle. Would it be possible to apply for VS/TCs directly for 2027 to avoid having a gap year ?
2) Will there be firms still recruiting for direct TCs commencing mid-2027 ?

The timeline that is outlined here involves a gap year,

• October 2025 to July 2026 - Recruitment process
• August/September 2026 - SQE prep
• January 2027 - Sit SQE1
• April 2027 - Sit SQE 2
• August 2027 - Receive SQE2 results
• August 2027 - September 2028 - Gap year

3) Will doing a year of LLM specialism ( eg..in IP etc. ) during that gap year be beneficial vs obtaining practical legal work that may count towards QWE ?

Thank you.