TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hello @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu
I was wondering if you have any insights into challenges and opportunities facing law firms. I know AI, ESG etc - but something more niche beyond this? And also, when the question says 'how will these affect your clients', I'm confused on how to structure this?

Thank you

Hello!

A few more niche challenges and opportunities that you could explore a bit further might be:

• Data privacy and digital trust: with increasing cyber-risk and new regulations, firms need to prove that they can handle sensitive information securely. This can pose both a challenge (cost and compliance) and an opportunity (advising clients on the same issues).
• Rise of alternative legal service providers (ALSPs): these are pushing firms to rethink pricing, efficiency and overall service models. Whilst it can be viewed as a threat to traditional law firm structures, it also encourages firms to innovate and collaborate.
• Client demand for multidisciplinary advice: many clients want law firms to understand not just the legal issue, but the commercial, technological and strategic context. This is often due to wanting to have all their client needs addressed from one firm, and pushes firms to hire non-legal specialists or build cross-functional teams.
• Increased regulation around emerging technology: digital assets, biotech, fintech, online safety rules, etc. are moving faster than legislation in many areas! Firms with extensive knowledge in these areas can develop a real competitive advantage and establish themselves as a market leader in these areas.

As for structuring the "how will these affect your clients" part of the question, a simple method that I always followed is:

1. Identify the trend / challenge
2. Explain how it affects law firms. What changes will law firms have to make in response? They might need new capabilities, more investment, changes in how they deliver their legal advice, etc.
3. Explain how this impacts clients directly. For example, clients might: face new legal risks, need faster / more cost-efficient support, expect more commercially focused or tech-literate advice, benefit from new services or expertise, or need guidance through uncertainty or regulatory change.

Therefore, in practice you'd end up with an answer like:

1. The trend / challenge
2. Impact on the firm
3. What this means for the client

If you follow that format, it shows a clear and direct link between the wider market change and the client experience, which is usually what the question is testing.

Best of luck with the application!

 

[user55998384]

Hello!

I'd say that making blockchain in IP the main focus might come across as a bit niche for this kind of question (although it sounds like an interesting discussion!). Even though the firm has a strong IP practice, the prompt is really about how the legal profession as a whole is changing, so an answer that is too narrow might not show the broader commercial awareness that they're looking for.

If I was answering this question, I'd be more inclined to start with the major forces shaping the sector on a wider scale - things such as AI, automation, digital transformation, changing client expectations, more data-driven decision-making, and the increasing need for lawyers to have both legal and technological fluency. These trends are affecting firms across all practice areas and speak directly to how the role of a lawyer is evolving in terms of skills, service delivery, and the types of problems that clients are now seeking advice for.

You can still bring blockchain into the discussion, but I'd use it as a single example rather than the focus of your answer. For instance, you could mention blockchain as one of the emerging technologies creating new legal challenges in areas like IP and digital assets, and then relate that back to how firms need to adapt, innovate, and build specialist knowledge to stay competitive.

This way, you show a focused insight without losing sight of the bigger picture, which is ultimately what the question is trying to showcase.

I hope that assists, and best of luck with the application!

thank you so much - sorry just another thing - would you just focus on one change?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Does anyone know how firms tend to deal with requests to unsubmit an application?

Hi!

Whilst I can't say with complete certainty, the outcome will probably depend on what you want to do next. If you're hoping to unsubmit the application but not reapply in this cycle, it may be best to simply leave it as it is (as it won't affect any future applications you make). Alternatively, you could politely contact the graduate recruitment team and ask whether they can withdraw it from their end.

If the intention is to unsubmit and then resubmit a new application in the same cycle, this is less likely to be permitted. Many firms don't allow candidates to reapply within the same recruitment round once an application has been submitted, and they may not be comfortable accepting a second submission, as you would have technically already applied in that cycle.

I'd say the safest approach is to email the graduate recruitment team, explain the situation, and see what they can do - they'll be able to give you the most definitive answer!

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

End of Week Update: Travers pfo post app | W&C pfo post vi | DLA submitted | Sullivan & Cromwell submitted | Akin/K&E this weekend

Weil ✅📝
W&C ✅📝🎥❌
Sidley ✅❌
Cleary ✅❌
Willkie ✅🎥✍️
Milbank ✅📝🔵
Dechert ✅✍️❌
DLA Piper ✅
Jones Day ✅❌
Slaughters ✅❌
Paul, Weiss ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝🔵
Macfarlanes ✅📝🔵
Mayer Brown ✅📝
Gibson Dunn ✅📝
Travers Smith* ✅❌
A&O Shearman* ✅📝
Clifford Chance* ✅📝🔵
Latham & Watkins ✅📝🔵
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 🔵 = Invited to 2nd test/met benchmark; ✍️ = Written Exercise; 🎥 = VI; ❌ = rejection

*Training Contract applications.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

thank you so much - sorry just another thing - would you just focus on one change?

Hey!

No worries! This depends on the word limit that you have for the question, but I think discussing 2-3 well-developed issues would be the optimal amount. This allows you to cover a few things, but also go into depth and tailor your points.

If the word limit is relatively small, I’d say 1 well developed point works well! The focus should be on depth not breadth, so I’d focus on writing in more detail on fewer issues where you can

 

[MattSmith]

Hi everyone - I have a Latham Q. I was successful for their open day which fast tracks to the vac scheme (don't need to do SJT or VI again but still need to write written app). BUT one of the Qs for the vac scheme is exactly the same as the one I wrote for the open day (a question on extracurriculars, interests, etc...). Is it alright for me to reuse the same Q? I forgot to ask this with gradrec!

 

[DavidJC]

Does anyone know if Hogan L’s second stage online assessment video is timed or is it unlimited time to prepare?
(PS : haven’t received the invite yet) just anticipating my folly😭😂) VIs will not be the end of me, I refuse😩😤

Timed. As for first stage, HL seems to send tests in batches but I know for a fact that they don't review your application until after you complete 2nd stage it seems i.e. they review it with the 2nd stage test result

 

[shadowboxer909]

End of Week Update: Travers pfo post app | W&C pfo post vi | DLA submitted | Sullivan & Cromwell submitted | Akin/K&E this weekend

Weil ✅📝
W&C ✅📝🎥❌
Sidley ✅❌
Cleary ✅❌
Willkie ✅🎥✍️
Milbank ✅📝🔵
Dechert ✅✍️❌
DLA Piper ✅
Jones Day ✅❌
Slaughters ✅❌
Paul, Weiss ✅❌
Freshfields* ✅📝🔵
Macfarlanes ✅📝🔵
Mayer Brown ✅📝
Gibson Dunn ✅📝
Travers Smith* ✅❌
A&O Shearman* ✅📝
Clifford Chance* ✅📝🔵
Latham & Watkins ✅📝🔵
Sullivan & Cromwell ✅

Key: ✅ = application submitted; 📝 = test received; 🔵 = Invited to 2nd test/met benchmark; ✍️ = Written Exercise; 🎥 = VI; ❌ = rejection

*Training Contract applications.

I assume most of them are winter vacations right?

When did you apply to Travers Smith? I ask because they still haven't rejected me and so I'm wondering what on earth is the hold up or whether they're just going through applications in order rejecting them.

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

I assume most of them are winter vacations right?

When did you apply to Travers Smith? I ask because they still haven't rejected me and so I'm wondering what on earth is the hold up or whether they're just going through applications in order rejecting them.

Winter apps: W&C, Cleary, Sidley, Dechert, JD, PW.
Travers was a DTC app sent on the 5th Nov

 

[shadowboxer909]

Winter apps: W&C, Cleary, Sidley, Dechert, JD, PW.
Travers was a DTC app sent on the 5th Nov

Have I just missed the email then because I applied to Travers well before the 5th?

What on earth is going on with this recruitment process? Maybe I'm just going crazy or they just decided to give you a special rejection as my application wasn't even worth the effort lol.

Or is it like last in-first out where they review from last in and then reject as they go down the pile.

 

[yk1906]

Have I just missed the email then because I applied to Travers well before the 5th?

What on earth is going on with this recruitment process? Maybe I'm just going crazy or they just decided to give you a special rejection as my application wasn't even worth the effort lol.

Or is it like last in-first out where they review from last in and then reject as they go down the pile.

I applied to Travers a long time ago and also received a PFO recently. Check the Direct TC Thread, a lot of people received rejections. Maybe it’s good that you haven’t! Although some people also received PFOs post-interview

 

[tball]

I applied to DLA like two weeks ago. Checked the portal yesterday and it said saved application rather than submitted. Not sure what to do as now the app is closed and my application hasn't been submitted. Is it worth emailing them?

 

[hawkins19]

I applied to Travers a long time ago and also received a PFO recently. Check the Direct TC Thread, a lot of people received rejections. Maybe it’s good that you haven’t! Although some people also received PFOs post-interview

Hi, is Travers' vac scheme rolling? I am confused

 

[hfbjsdhfbhf]

when did you submit your WG?

Submitted it 10th october

 

[DavidJC]

Hi, is Travers' vac scheme rolling? I am confused

Travers is non-rolling, they chose to open and close DTC apps before VS apps this year

 

[nbjani]

RS and HL PFOs after the tests, but CMS VI! Who knew that I'd do better at Watson Glaser than other test formats.

 

[qaz99]

RS and HL PFOs after the tests, but CMS VI! Who knew that I'd do better at Watson Glaser than other test formats.

Sorry to hear about RS and HL. If you don't mind me asking, how long did RS take to get back to you?

 

[BobThebIlly]

Should I assume a PFO from Freshfields if I haven’t been progressed to their stage 2 test? I did stage 1 on Monday.

 

[Dannie]

Has anyone done the CC WG... how hard is it?

 

[Lawlawland]

Also,please is the 1st stage online assessment automatic ?

It is!