TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[Amma Usman]

Hi all, hope everyone is doing well! Just wondering if anyone would be able to advise on my situation:

I completed a vac scheme in spring and received a TC offer but as i had another vac scheme in summer (which i am currently doing), I asked the firm to extend my offer deadline from may to 4th july (this friday). In hindsight, this wasn't the best thought out situation as the 4th July is the last day of my vac scheme but I didn't think i would like my current vac scheme so much.

I have asked the summer firm if they could accelerate the decision making process for TC offers but, understandly, they have to wait for the scheme to finish and said they would get back to me by mid-July latest.

My question is: should I ask the spring firm to extend their deadline again or should I just accept it then renege if the summer firm gives me an offer?

Whilst I am like 75% sure that the summer firm will give me an offer, it is still risky to decline the spring firm and any TC is better in the end.

If anyone can provide any advice, I would be extremely grateful! Thank you

If you know for certain that you wouldn’t accept a training contract (TC) with the vacation scheme (VS) firm over the TC offer you already have, then it would be best to sign your existing TC offer.

On the other hand, if you are genuinely open to exploring the opportunity with the VS firm and might consider turning down your existing TC, you could try requesting an extension on your current TC offer. That said, the firm is under no obligation to grant one, and they may say no.

I suggest sitting down and weighing up your options to know if you want to accept your current TC offer.

 

[baj5]

Question regarding the SQE: I know that the firm I am interested in does the SQE with U of Law but I was wondering whether you know if firms have been open to using other providers to suit their TC candidates?

 

[lawelmo]

Is there anyone on here that did the Browne Jacobson vacation scheme?

 

[emma.d]

Hi all, I have a job as a conveyancing assistant. Will this be helpful with applications? I fear it is too far removed from commercial law

 

[Gr33n]

Hi all, I have a job as a conveyancing assistant. Will this be helpful with applications? I fear it is too far removed from commercial law

Its very relevant legal work experience. In fact, you will likely be doing the same tasks that many trainees in real estate practice areas do but just be getting paid a lot less.

You will gain a lot of transferable technical and soft skills from gaining exposure to various lease agreements and TR1 forms and DS3 forms and land registry applications and the like. Hopefully this type of work energises you and this can then be used in applications/interviews to further solidify your motivation to commercial law

 

[thelawstudent]

has anyone heard back regarding outcome after 'get ahead' interview?

they said decisions should come through this week after interviews end

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi all, I have a job as a conveyancing assistant. Will this be helpful with applications? I fear it is too far removed from commercial law

I agree with @Gr33n. Any experience is valuable experience, especially a role such as yours! As usual, it just depends on how you leverage it!

And honestly, working as a conveyancing assistant gives you more relevant experience for commercial law than you may realise. You’re dealing with real contracts daily, spotting errors, managing deadlines, and making sure everything lines up legally and financially - just like in corporate transactions. You also get used to liaising with clients, lenders, and third parties, which builds your confidence handling multiple stakeholders and keeping things moving under pressure. Plus, all that post-completion work, Land Registry submissions, SDLT forms, title checks, sharpens your attention to detail and your understanding of how deals get over the line. If you talk about how it’s helped you build transaction management skills and made you curious about bigger, more complex deals, it’ll genuinely strengthen your commercial law narrative.

 

[Amma Usman]

Question regarding the SQE: I know that the firm I am interested in does the SQE with U of Law but I was wondering whether you know if firms have been open to using other providers to suit their TC candidates?

This will be very unlikely. Law firms have set partnerships in place and would most likely not place one future trainee in a different law school to everybody else.

 

[sammy01]

Anyone know if TCLA are offering part time roles to future trainees?

 

[FM302989]

Hi all, I have a job as a conveyancing assistant. Will this be helpful with applications? I fear it is too far removed from commercial law

Couldn't be less removed. Property law knowledge and experience is invaluable in today's market. Plus it's decent transactional work that exposes you to how a law firm runs and getting a deal over the line. The underlying aspects of commercial deals you may be working on will likely involve property elements

 

[Amma Usman]

Anyone know if TCLA are offering part time roles to future trainees?

Hi,

There’s one role currently open, but it’s full-time. There will likely be more roles opening up soon, so keep an eye out on this page/ LinkedIn announcements - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/careers/

 

[rapunzel]

Hey, I was wondering what to do if I get put into a different practice which I did not list as an interest in my application for the vacation scheme. I'm going to be open-minded for sure but considering the partner interview where they have my original application, how should I approach the question why this firm without disregarding the experience on the vacation scheme and still respecting my previous interests?

 

[legallady123]

Hey, I was wondering what to do if I get put into a different practice which I did not list as an interest in my application for the vacation scheme. I'm going to be open-minded for sure but considering the partner interview where they have my original application, how should I approach the question why this firm without disregarding the experience on the vacation scheme and still respecting my previous interests?

I was placed in construction litigation for a vac scheme I did (and later received a TC offer for). I had no prior experience or knowledge of construction and feel like it didn’t impact things for me at all. I was just honest about having no prior experience of construction at my exit interview, but made it clear that I really enjoyed it. I also think that it’s really common to begin your TC thinking you’ll qualify in a certain practice area, and for that to then change quite quickly once you experience new sectors. Your initial motivations can still be true because as a trainee you would still probably be able to experience working in the practice area, but you could also just make it clear that you liked your VS experience too

 

[pb15]

I am an international student that graduated from uni in London in 2023. Following graduation, I secured a Tier 4 Graduate Visa, which would allow me to work in the UK without sponsorship. However, I had no job lined up and moved back to my home country and secured a job there. I just got the graduate visa so that I would be able to secure vac schemes and attend them without any sort of restrictions. 2yrs later and still no vac scheme, and my grad visa is due to expire in nov 2025.

Since I have worked a full-time job at an international firm for the past 9 months, I'm in a much better position to apply for paralegal roles, but am now faced with the issue of my expiring visa. I will also not be able to apply for vac schemes this cycle as i wouldnt be able to attend any as I would not have a valid visa.
Has anyone faced a similar experience, and managed to secure a direct TC? That seems to be my only option to get a sponsored visa. Or, does anyone know of firms that sponsor visas for paralegals? I havent seem to come across this much tbh

Any advice anyone might have would be much appreciated!

 

[amrita6399]

I am an international student that graduated from uni in London in 2023. Following graduation, I secured a Tier 4 Graduate Visa, which would allow me to work in the UK without sponsorship. However, I had no job lined up and moved back to my home country and secured a job there. I just got the graduate visa so that I would be able to secure vac schemes and attend them without any sort of restrictions. 2yrs later and still no vac scheme, and my grad visa is due to expire in nov 2025.

Since I have worked a full-time job at an international firm for the past 9 months, I'm in a much better position to apply for paralegal roles, but am now faced with the issue of my expiring visa. I will also not be able to apply for vac schemes this cycle as i wouldnt be able to attend any as I would not have a valid visa.
Has anyone faced a similar experience, and managed to secure a direct TC? That seems to be my only option to get a sponsored visa. Or, does anyone know of firms that sponsor visas for paralegals? I havent seem to come across this much tbh

Any advice anyone might have would be much appreciated!

Even I'm on a lookout for firms that sponsor paralegals but I've had no luck either

 

[Someoneinlaw]

Morning guys! Anyone heard back from Links after get ahead interview? I got an email this morning asking for my updated academic result for second year but that’s about it. Anyone else heard back?

 

[thelawstudent]

Morning guys! Anyone heard back from Links after get ahead interview? I got an email this morning asking for my updated academic result for second year but that’s about it. Anyone else heard back?

got the same email this morning RE updated academic result for second year.

No other communication on the outcome though.

 

[sibs23]

I had the news a little while back now but I am so happy to share that I've secured a training contract! ✨ For so long, this felt so far out of reach for me. I'm not embarrassed to say it's taken me 7 cycles of applications to get here. I really hope that sharing this gives other members out there some hope to keep going and keep chasing their dreams. Big thanks for all the support on this forum and to everyone who has answered all my silly questions! The journey to securing a TC can be a very lonely one but I've really appreciated how friendly so many of the TCLA members have been to me.

 

[Chris Brown]

I can’t believe I’m writing this but I managed to convert my 2nd VS into a TC offer! In addition, I converted both of my DTC ACs into TC offers, meaning I now hold 4 US firm TC offers! 😅

At the beginning of this application cycle, I did not think I had what it takes to secure a single TC, mainly because I come from a lower socio-economic, working-class background. 🥲

To anybody who comes from a background like mine, I hope me sharing my journey over these past 6-7 months on the forum, has inspired and encouraged you to chase your dreams! 😅

I will be posting a breakdown of my entire cycle as well as some useful tips I learned along the way shortly. I now have the very difficult decision to make of choosing which TC offer to accept. 🫠

Thank you to everyone on this forum for all the support and guidance, I appreciate you! I also want to thank @Amma Usman, @Andrei Radu and @Ram Sabaratnam for their insights! 🐐​

 

[legallady123]

I can’t believe I’m writing this but I managed to convert my 2nd VS into a TC offer! In addition, I converted both of my DTC ACs into TC offers, meaning I now hold 4 US firm TC offers! 😅

At the beginning of this application cycle, I did not think I had what it takes to secure a single TC, mainly because I come from a lower socio-economic, working-class background. 🥲

To anybody who comes from a background like mine, I hope me sharing my journey over these past 6-7 months on the forum, has inspired and encouraged you to chase your dreams! 😅

I will be posting a breakdown of my entire cycle as well as some useful tips I learned along the way shortly. I now have the very difficult decision to make of choosing which TC offer to accept. 🫠

Thank you to everyone on this forum for all the support and guidance, I appreciate you! I also want to thank @Amma Usman, @Andrei Radu and @Ram Sabaratnam for their insights! 🐐​

Huge congratulations!! That’s incredible news and v well deserved