TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[e.jy336]

Congrats on Stage 2! Would you have any insights on Stage 1?

I just completed Stage 1 (and got Stage 2) and I would say its pretty straightforward as a SJT - just know their values and also in general what values are good for lawyers. It wasn't particularly long either

 

[elle woods]

I just completed Stage 1 (and got Stage 2) and I would say its pretty straightforward as a SJT - just know their values and also in general what values are good for lawyers. It wasn't particularly long either

Can i ask how long after completing stage 1 did you get stage 2? Im a bit worried because I haven't even received my report from stage 1 yet?

Edit: 1 second after posting this question my report came in... lol - my question still stands though!

 

[Lawlawland]

Hi!

A lot of firms will use similar types of software, but the exact ones are likely to differ from firm to firm. The ones that I have encountered as a paralegal and during vacation schemes were:

• iManage (document management)
• NetDocuments (document management)
• HighQ (document management)
• Clio (time recording and billing)
• Intapp (time recording and billing)

Whilst I can only speak from my experiences, iManage is the one I have seen most often! You don't need to master them now, but having a basic understanding of what they're used for can show commercial awareness and an interest in legal tech.

Good luck with the prep!

This is really insightful!
Thanks Abbie!

I'm learning about Leap case management right now, and thought I could get familiar with these too, which might help anywhere during the AC.

 

[Lawlawland]

People who had applied to Slaughter DTC on the last 2 days, did you get any update from them?

 

[elle woods]

would anyone be willing to share what strengths and weaknesses they got for Latham stage 1 please?
I'm kind of bummed that I keep getting personal responsibility as the weakness when I know very well I'm quite the opposite irl 😭

 

[hxnnahrobinson]

Further to my message from earlier, has anyone since heard from CMS’ regional branches?

 

[BM99]

would anyone be willing to share what strengths and weaknesses they got for Latham stage 1 please?

I got analytical/complex thinking and judgement as strengths, and effective communication as weakness/professional development. Progressed to 2nd stage (if not automatic!)

 

[SamiyaJ]

Taylor Wessing PFO 😭😭

 

[elle woods]

I got analytical/complex thinking and judgement as strengths, and effective communication as weakness/professional development. Progressed to 2nd stage (if not automatic!)

Ah thank you for sharing!! Well done on the second stage! I'm so worried that I won't be progressed haha. I did stage 1 for their open day and didn't make it to stage 2 - but the report I got this time is the exact same as my report for the OD sooo I'm super worried!

 

[Bbhu19]

Taylor Wessing PFO 😭😭

Is this after the Watson glasser?

 

[BM99]

Ah thank you for sharing!! Well done on the second stage! I'm so worried that I won't be progressed haha. I did stage 1 for their open day and didn't make it to stage 2 - but the report I got this time is the exact same as my report for the OD sooo I'm super worried!

No problem. Honestly I think the strengths and weakness (professional developoment) don't matter that much. We never understand how they calculate the scores!

 

[jojo23]

Taylor wessing pfo post wg (for spring) 🙄

 

[elle woods]

No problem. Honestly I think the strengths and weakness (professional developoment) don't matter that much. We never understand how they calculate the scores!

I hope so... 😭 Latham please give me a chance haha

 

[BealMcAlly]

CMS Pfo earlier today post WG

 

[Lawlawland]

Taylor wessing pfo post wg (for spring) 🙄

Does the result come out immediately like CC WGT?

 

[Amgrad]

Does the result come out immediately like CC WGT?

Obv not, they look again to your profile and essays, and benchmarking yours with others hollistically.

 

[pfoapplicant]

Hi guys! When an application form has no word limit for work experience entries, what would you say would be an appropriate amount to write? For example, I'm finding that briefer work experience entries (e.g. short-term volunteering) tend to take up less than 150 words, whereas more long-term work can often take up more than 200 words. Does this sound sensible?

 

[Pearl3181]

Hi all,

I’m completing my Fieldfisher application and have a question about the “Qualifications” section. Each education entry has two parts:

1. School / Educational Establishment Name, Start Date, End Date
2. Qualification Name (QN), Qualification Type (QT), Qualification Result (QR), Date Obtained

For example, following Freshfields’ format and examples:

• QN: English
• QT: GCSE / A-Level / Degree / Other
• QR: Grade / Level

I’m unsure how to interpret this for my undergraduate degree (BA English, UC Berkeley). Am I meant to list the entire degree as one qualification (e.g., QN: English, QT: Degree, QR: First, Date: 2022) or list each module as a separate qualification? There doesn’t seem to be anywhere else to input modules. I’ve emailed Fieldfisher directly and am waiting for a response, but I wanted to see if anyone here has gone through this and how they did it.


Thanks for any insight!

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

Taylor wessing PFO
What an amazing way to start the week😂😂

 

[James Wakefield]

Are these Taylor Wessing PFOs for Spring or Summer?