TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Naskimovski]

Hi everyone!

I’ve just progressed to the second stage of the Freshfields application. This round is a job simulation assessment, which is new to me. From what I understand, it includes at least one written trainee-style task and a few video interview questions (similar to HireVue & Cappfinity).

If anyone has experience with job simulation assessments,not just at Freshfields, but also at firms like Hogan Lovells, Macfarlanes, or others, I’d be really grateful for any insights, tips, or examples of what to expect.

Happy to return the favour by sharing what I know about CMS, A&O, Baker McKenzie, Latham, Weil, Reed Smith, NRF VI, and I’ve attended open days at Weil, Baker McKenzie, and Latham as well.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Deleted member 38167]

@Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu - Could you kindly let me know how to delete my account please? there appears to be no options on settings for this (I may be missing something obvious)

 

[LawAspirer]

DLA piper interview invite

Congrats ! When did you apply if I may ask?

 

[lawstudent2]

How long is the Weil test taking?

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Should we be worried if we haven't heard back from Weil? I submitted my application on the first day it opened last month. Do they have any strict grade requirements? I know they review on a rolling basis.

 

[Lawlawland]

Could someone temme what kind of questions one can anticipate in the Weil VI?

Is it twisted since that's the only part they'll be getting to know us? Or just simple and straightforward?

 

[Bread]

Which SJT platform does Latham use? is it amberjack or Cappfinity? Also, is there a WG?

 

[i-want-a-tc]

What are the stages for Gowling? Is the online test automatic? Any insight to what happens after submitting your application?

 

[user55998384]

Which SJT platform does Latham use? is it amberjack or Cappfinity? Also, is there a WG?

it's Cappfinity, also there is a section of WG style questions but its specific to Latham's style if that makes sense

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Curious what everyone's thoughts are but if you've submitted a successful Open Day application with a firm and the VS application asks the exact same question with the same word limit, is there fundamentally anything wrong with resubmitting the exact same answer?

Hello!

I don't think there is anything fundamentally wrong with reusing a similar answer for certain types of questions (e.g. Why Law, and Why this Firm) as your motivations are generally going to be the same. However, it is usually worth tweaking it rather than resubmitting it verbatim.

If you have attended the Open Day, you now have extra insights into the firm's culture, practice areas, or people - weaving in a few of those details will show genuine engagement and progression since your last application.

Also, if your Open Day application wasn't too long ago, it's a good opportunity to refine or strengthen your answers. The graduate recruitment team may recognise what you have written before (particularly if you were shortlisted), so even small improvements or updates can make a positive difference.

Ultimately, I think it is best to refine and strengthen your answer, but this doesn't necessary mean you have to rewrite the whole thing. Best of luck with your application!

 

[p2bv]

Congrats ! When did you apply if I may ask?

29th of September ! did the WG 9th October

 

[Julia Dyminska]

Hi all, I heard Latham asks a mix of competency and motivational interview questions. Is this true? Should I prepare some commercial awareness ones as well? Thank you!

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Hi all, I heard Latham asks a mix of competency and motivational interview questions. Is this true? Should I prepare some commercial awareness ones as well? Thank you!

Congratulations on your interview!

 

[pfoapplicant]

Hi guys,

I'm currently putting together my application for the Taylor Wessing VS, and I've got some quick queries:

1. On the form, candidates are able to attach a CV (and are expected to attach a cover letter), but there's also a section for work experience; each work experience contains the message "outline your responsibilities and what you skills you built from this experience in no more than 200 words". I'm anticipating that there might be quite a big overlap between what I write in the work experience section on the form, and what I write in the work experience section of my CV (albeit I expect the experience section on my CV will be more concise, and there'll be less of an explicit focus on skills than on the experience section on the form). Would this be okay?

2. Given the lack of any explicit guidance on Taylor Wessing's website on how long the cover letter should be, would it be wise to keep it to one page?

3. Not too long ago, I did some (unpaid) work over a couple of years collating research for the authors of an academic legal paper, and generally supporting the authors' work. In past application cycles, I've put this work down in the work experience section; does that sound right? On the flipside, I've tended to leave experiences such as my work for my university's student-run legal journal out of any "work experience" sections, and instead discuss it as extra-curricular activities - is this the right thing to do?


As ever, if anyone has any pointers (no matter how big or small), I'd be immensely grateful!

 

[ninarosee]

If anyone needs insight into Weil’s VI, I’m happy to help and would also appreciate any insight into Freshfields’ VI. Please DM me!

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi guys,

I'm currently putting together my application for the Taylor Wessing VS, and I've got some quick queries:

1. On the form, candidates are able to attach a CV (and are expected to attach a cover letter), but there's also a section for work experience; each work experience contains the message "outline your responsibilities and what you skills you built from this experience in no more than 200 words". I'm anticipating that there might be quite a big overlap between what I write in the work experience section on the form, and what I write in the work experience section of my CV (albeit I expect the experience section on my CV will be more concise, and there'll be less of an explicit focus on skills than on the experience section on the form). Would this be okay?

2. Given the lack of any explicit guidance on Taylor Wessing's website on how long the cover letter should be, would it be wise to keep it to one page?

3. Not too long ago, I did some (unpaid) work over a couple of years collating research for the authors of an academic legal paper, and generally supporting the authors' work. In past application cycles, I've put this work down in the work experience section; does that sound right? On the flipside, I've tended to leave experiences such as my work for my university's student-run legal journal out of any "work experience" sections, and instead discuss it as extra-curricular activities - is this the right thing to do?


As ever, if anyone has any pointers (no matter how big or small), I'd be immensely grateful!

Hi @pfoapplicant to address your questions in turn:

1. While if possible it is ideal to avoid having your work experience entries end up looking very similar to what you put down in your CV, a significant overlap in the nature of information covered is unavoidable, and recruiters are well-aware of this. As such, I do not expect it to be an issue. Here, I would just advise you to (i) keep the CV work experience section quite concise and focused on the essentials of the roles; and (ii) ensure that you do not generally use the same paragraphs or sentences in the CV and work experience - i.e. do not copy paste sections.
2. I would say it would be ideal to keep it to 1 page, but a 2 page cover letter is also generally deemed acceptable as long as you write in a concise and to-the-point manner and have enough substantive content to cover to justify the extra length.
3. I think the research role can definitely be classified as work experience, albeit unpaid; it involves substantive responsibilities in helping carry out activities in a recognised profession. The university role is more in a borderline grey area between "work experience" and "extracurriculars", and you may get different answers in terms of how it should be classified depending on the recruiter you ask. I personally used to put it down as work experience, but I think this is an area where it is best for each candidate to make a judgement call in the context of their application - i.e. if you feel your extracurriculars section looks a bit light, it may make sense to discuss it there, and vice versa.

 

[Andrei Radu]

@Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu - Could you kindly let me know how to delete my account please? there appears to be no options on settings for this (I may be missing something obvious)

Hi @Future Trainee - 2027 confirmed I had a look and I think this may require manual deletion form one of the admin accounts - let me bring it up with the rest of the team and I will come back to you on this by tomorrow.

 

[user55998384]

Hi all, I heard Latham asks a mix of competency and motivational interview questions. Is this true? Should I prepare some commercial awareness ones as well? Thank you!

is that for the VI?

 

[pfoapplicant]

Hi @pfoapplicant to address your questions in turn:

1. While if possible it is ideal to avoid having your work experience entries end up looking very similar to what you put down in your CV, a significant overlap in the nature of information covered is unavoidable, and recruiters are well-aware of this. As such, I do not expect it to be an issue. Here, I would just advise you to (i) keep the CV work experience section quite concise and focused on the essentials of the roles; and (ii) ensure that you do not generally use the same paragraphs or sentences in the CV and work experience - i.e. do not copy paste sections.
2. I would say it would be ideal to keep it to 1 page, but a 2 page cover letter is also generally deemed acceptable as long as you write in a concise and to-the-point manner and have enough substantive content to cover to justify the extra length.
3. I think the research role can definitely be classified as work experience, albeit unpaid; it involves substantive responsibilities in helping carry out activities in a recognised profession. The university role is more in a borderline grey area between "work experience" and "extracurriculars", and you may get different answers in terms of how it should be classified depending on the recruiter you ask. I personally used to put it down as work experience, but I think this is an area where it is best for each candidate to make a judgement call in the context of their application - i.e. if you feel your extracurriculars section looks a bit light, it may make sense to discuss it there, and vice versa.

Thank you Andrei - as ever, you've been tremendously helpful!

 

[Bread]

Also, could someone please share which SJT platform Baker McKenzie use, thank you 🙏🏻