TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Suii]

I got 3-3-3-4 for Norton, is that an ok score?

Reading that sounded like a football formation lol but congratulations.

 

[Andrei Radu]

I meant I want to highlight restructuring and insolvency in the second question as it resonates to my background from emerging market where the issues become hot right now. I cited an article from Financial Times to strengthen my point as well as link it back to the recent deal and my work exp.

However, I am aware the next question (Q3) asked about a focused transactional firm which could crossline or weaken what I wrote about restructuring in the previous question since it's known as contentious work. Is there a R&I practice that focus on transactional only?

Also, I know firms love the multidisciplinary topics or areas to discuss, but just to strengthen my third question I add Tax & Lev Finance as it's tend to be more non-contentious than R&I.

And of course, I dedicated PE in the last (Q4) because of what I've mentioned before.

I see - my answer is still mostly the same as the one before: I generally do not think there is any issue with expressing an interest in a multitude of practice areas that a firm is known for, even if they span across the transactional-contentious-advisory spectrum. More particular to the matter at hand, I do not see the restructuring & insolvency point to raise any issue at all, as it is not even formally classified as a contentious practice. Instead, it has elements of both, with restructuring work in particular being very transactional-heavy (as at its core it involves getting enough creditors to agree to CVAs to keep the company alive), while insolvency is more contentious. Particularly at Kirkland, who has a core focus on highly-profitable private capital led mandates in London, I would expect the restructuring part of its practice to be more important than the insolvency one, and, as such, I do not think the firm would assume you are a person who is more interested in disputes than transactions if you choose to discuss the this story.

Even if this were not the case, and the firm's restructuring work in London was heavy on the contentious side, as long as you are careful with how you draft your answers I really do not expect this to be a problem in your application. Essentially, you should indeed avoid discussing any reasons for your interest in restructuring & insolvency that could weaken the credibility of your "why transactional" reasons - eg. if you say you are interested in transactional work because it is fast-paced and more business-focused when compared to other more technical practices, you should avoid saying you are interested in restructuring because it involves working on a single complex matter for a longer time and that you would enjoy it because of the incredible complexity and technical detail of regulation in this area. Nonetheless, as you can see, these kinds of tensions in motivations are quite obvious when you spell them out, and I therefore think it is quite unlikely you will inadvertently write conflicting narratives in the two answers.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock I am not sure if you would know the answer, but any advice would be great. I started a new legal role (and have now been there over a month) after submitting an application over a month ago, and it’s been really strengthening my experience. Do you think it would be appropriate to email graduate recruitment to update them on this, or could that come across negatively?

Hi!

If the role you have started is relevant and genuinely adds value to your application (e.g. giving you more legal exposure, responsibility or skills) then it could be worth updating the graduate recruitment team. Whilst I haven't heard of many instances of this at the application stage, I have encountered this sort of thing in later stages in the process. Many firms do appreciate being informed of developments, but I can't say for certain whether the team will factor it into their decision. Still, a short and polite email is unlikely to reflect negatively, as long as you frame it professionally.

You could briefly mention:

• What you have applied for and the date you applied
• That you've since started a new legal role
• A brief sentence on what experience / skills you're gaining
• That you wanted to share the update in case it's useful for their consideration

If it's relevant and strengthens your profile, it may be worth sending - just make sure to keep it concise! Best of luck

 

[user55998384]

Hi @user55998384 these questions definitely overlap in terms of the themes and experiences you can discuss, particularly since, as opposed to most other firms, Fieldfisher here makes it a point to hone in on "personal" rather than academic/professional experiences in both of them. The way I interpret them, I think the distinction in scope is this:

1. The first question is focused on your motivations: you can essentially read it as a combined (i) why commercial law and (ii) why the firm question. Moreover, crucially, you are being asked to connect only one major life experience or event to both points, so I would advise you to pick something that can easily be presented in more detail without appearing to be unnecessarily verbose.
2. The second question is instead focused on skills/abilities at a high level of generality (as you will be discussing how this influences your "perspective" - ie. your thinking process and decision-making): the way I read it, you are essentially supposed to answer a "why you" question, and, importantly, here you will be allowed to bring in more than one life experience (as the plural form is used). Furthermore, I think here it will be important to showcase your understanding of what you will be expected to do in an insight scheme and how you can perform successfully - this is once again a change of scope compared to normal "why you" question, as you are being asked what would make you succeed in the insight scheme rather than what would make you succeed in your TC/broader career as a commercial solicitor.

thank you so much @Andrei Radu this is super helpful. Also idk if this is rlly stupid but what like major life experience would be applicable for the first one i am really confused as normally for why comm law i will talk about insight schemes/internships etc. also for the second q - how would you say being successful in an insight scheme differs from trainee/tc level? also for the second q can personal life exp allude to work exp/things like that? sorry for the overload!

 

[CharlesT47]

@Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock How do law firms keep their salaried/ non-equity partners? I assume that these partners/ managing associates are extremely valuable to law firms and will be hungry to prove themselves to make equity partner. They are not nearly as established in their existing law firm since they don't own equity in it. This makes them ripe candidates to be poached. Outside of purely financial compensation, what are incentives law firms use to keep these individuals happy? I'm struggling to understand why K&E non-equity partners would choose to leave when the firm is so profitable. Is it simply because the path for development into an equity partner is perhaps easier at a different firm, where they would have more opportunities to bring in clients?

 

[Donuttime]

What is the test for RPC?

thier own early online assessment

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Hey - can someone give me insights into Latham's 1st stage automatic assessment? Does it include a VI?

 

[elle woods]

Hey - can someone give me insights into Latham's 1st stage automatic assessment? Does it include a VI?

no only stage 2 has VI - stage 1 is just a typical SJT

 

[elle woods]

I'm actually getting more anxious about Freshfields and Latham by the day 😭 I'd even prefer an outright rejection as opposed to this stringing exercise - anything at this point please

 

[yk1906]

I'm actually getting more anxious about Freshfields and Latham by the day 😭 I'd even prefer an outright rejection as opposed to this stringing exercise - anything at this point please

I agree... I feel about Freshfields the way you feel about CC, and honestly, just reject me already, so I can lose all hope 😢 😢

 

[BillSikes]

thier own early online assessment

What does it entail

 

[GT1205H]

Wait, what?? S&M PFO at 12/12. Are you from the future? 👽🤯

My bad, poor attention to detail. Maybe that’s why I got a PFO 🥲on the 02/12/2025 😉

 

[Scottishlion]

Does anyone have insight into MacFarlanes stage 2 video interview?

 

[DavidJC]

Trying not to overthink Latham as I did the SJT at 2am yesterday (9/12) and got the feedback report at 2am today (10/12) but still no 2nd stage invite. I made some changes and got different strengths and weaknesses from my Open Day application too but feeling a bit paranoid 😅 Hopefully it'll come through by tomorrow otherwise I guess that's another two days of application writing down the drain

P.S. Remember to take care of yourselves, everyone!

 

[wooliewoo]

Does anyone know what a decent score is for the Simmons test (out of 30)?

 

[anon78365222111]

Is there much of a point doing the Weil test as it’s so late now

 

[elle woods]

I agree... I feel about Freshfields the way you feel about CC, and honestly, just reject me already, so I can lose all hope 😢 😢

🥹 haha I don't know what's the worse feeling - still being in the running and holding onto hope but despairing because of no reply or being rejected outrightly...
I hope you get a favourable reply from Freshfields!

Honestly, I'm no longer concerned about rejections, I know if I don't get a TC this year I will be able to reapply to CC next year so it can be a win-win situation...but the wait and the false hope is killing me 😂

 

[elle woods]

Is there much of a point doing the Weil test as it’s so late now

I think there is, I don't plan on applying until the last day...so ehm I'll probably be the last one to do the test LOL, but applying gives you more of a chance than not applying at all!

 

[elle woods]

Trying not to overthink Latham as I did the SJT at 2am yesterday (9/12) and got the feedback report at 2am today (10/12) but still no 2nd stage invite. I made some changes and got different strengths and weaknesses from my Open Day application too but feeling a bit paranoid 😅 Hopefully it'll come through by tomorrow otherwise I guess that's another two days of application writing down the drain

P.S. Remember to take care of yourselves, everyone!

😭I'm in the same boat but the difference is that I haven't heard back after stage 1 for like a good week or so now... I also tried to make changes from my open day one, but my report came back pretty much the same lol... I hope you get invited to stage 2! I'm losing hope as the hours go by 😣

 

[yk1906]

🥹 haha I don't know what's the worse feeling - still being in the running and holding onto hope but despairing because of no reply or being rejected outrightly...
I hope you get a favourable reply from Freshfields!

Honestly, I'm no longer concerned about rejections, I know if I don't get a TC this year I will be able to reapply to CC next year so it can be a win-win situation...but the wait and the false hope is killing me 😂

Thanks!!! Same to you, CC will have you one way or another, I'm sure 😀 😀