TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[lucky gal]

@Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu

Hi, I am midway through the application season, and I realise a lot of my progressed applications are being hindered/rejected because of my VIs. Do you have any tips on how to improve on this and how much time should one be prepping for a VI given that most VIs have a deadline of 5 days?

 

[Dogecoin GC]

Anyone heard positively from the following?

Willkie Farr & Gallagher - post-Video Interview

Weil, Gotshal & Manges - post SJT

Clifford Chance - Post-WG (direct TC app)

 

[Jessica Pearson]

Hi!

You don't need to pick a story that Trowers & Hamlins has directly worked on - it can be a deal they were involved in, but it is more likely to be a broader commercial development that connects their sectors or strategic strengths. The key is showing you understand the news, why it matters in the commercial world, and how it creates opportunities or challenges for a firm like Trowers & Hamlins.

A simply structure that I would follow is:

• Briefly summarise the news story: I'd keep this concise - what happened, who is involved, and why it matters.
• Explain the commercial impact: discuss the consequences for businesses and clients - this could be regulation, investment, growth, risks, market shifts / trends, etc.
• Link it specifically to Trowers & Hamlins: this is where you show that you have tailored your answer to the firm! You could connect it to: their practice area strengths (e.g. real estate, energy, etc.), the opportunities for advisory work arising from the development, and how the story relates to trends the firm is active in (housing, regeneration, etc.).

For example, if the story is about government housing policy or investment in infrastructure, you could discuss how it aligns with Trowers' strong public sector and real estate practice and what kind of client needs might emerge (that they could assist with).

You are essentially showing that you understand what is happening commercially, why this matters, and why Trowers & Hamlins is well suited to advise on those issues.

I hope that helps!

Thanks! This is really helpful

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Does anybody have advice on whether to apply for BCLP spring/summer?
I kept on editing my answers and now idk if I'm too late for spring

 

[RJ Ruban]

CMS VI any advice or anything I should look out for?

 

[ttlaw12344]

CMS VI any advice or anything I should look out for?

congratulations, when did u do WG and when did u find out about the VI if you dont mind me asking

 

[johnsmith]

Does anybody have advice on whether to apply for BCLP spring/summer?
I kept on editing my answers and now idk if I'm too late for spring

I only heard back end of last week that I'd moved to interview stage so think you're still well within tolerance levels for applying!

 

[johnsmith]

Has anyone undertaken their Clyde & Co VI yet? Just interested to know if it's quick fire or whether it has unlimited prep time.

 

[p2bv]

CMS VI any advice or anything I should look out for?

congrats! What office did you apply for

 

[lolololol]

is latham stage 2 automatic?

 

[Lawlawland]

is latham stage 2 automatic?

If you pass the stage 1, it is automatic.

 

[RJ Ruban]

congrats! What office did you apply for

Thank you! I applied for London

 

[RJ Ruban]

congratulations, when did u do WG and when did u find out about the VI if you dont mind me asking

It was around 2 weeks I think and found out this morning haha

 

[J333]

Has anyone heard back post CMS vi or Simmons & Simmons OA?

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

I only heard back end of last week that I'd moved to interview stage so think you're still well within tolerance levels for applying!

hey congrats !! was this for spring?

 

[CuriousTrainee]

Is there anyone that didn't receive the email from DLA "we're writing to confirm that your application is now under consideration for the next stage of our recruitment process: the first stage interview", that still got a TI? Still confused on how they send out emails, feeling like it's a PFO.

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

hello, can anyone help on this... is it a good idea to include a future vac scheme in the "work experience" section for other law firms? if it would benefit me of course i would want to include it but i am unsure if it just comes off as arrogant and gives a bad impression

The applications where I did this last year were overall more successful. Just add a line in the description saying that, following a successful application, you will be joining the firm's vacation scheme in X month for X number of weeks

 

[TCLAUser1]

Does CMS automatically tell you if you pass the WG as is same system as CC?

 

[Legallylaw]

Hi @Legallylaw I hope you have had a good weekend as well! You certainly do not need to chance everything in your reapplication - in fact, if you put yourself in the perspective of the firm, it would be quite surprising if all of a sudden all of the main themes of your motivations and skills changed. Nonetheless, at the same time, you certainly want to make some changes; if you are asking the firm is to consider you as a candidate again, you cannot put forward the same application that was unsuccessful last year.

To show why they should reconsider your candidacy, you thus want to show some improvement, which can take the form of new experiences you can reference, but can also just be a better explained and reason version of the previous substantive answers. Thus, my advice is to not leave the answer exactly the same as before, but to redraft it to include the new noteworthy experience you mentioned.

Thank you so much Andrei for your advice. I am a little reluctant to change it majorly as I did pass the first stage so in this would you recommend keeping some things similar? Many Thanks

 

[Legalgirl]

Hi!

Does anyone know what time the Latham app closes on the 7th and whether the test needs to be done by then too? Or do you get additional days to do the test?