TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Winter]

Latham PFO

Hii, is this for Post-2nd stage test? Sorry to hear about that.

 

[adekuku]

Hii, is this for Post-2nd stage test? Sorry to hear about that.

post 2nd

 

[nansies]

I emailed to ask for adjustments for my Latham’s Stage 2 assessment late last week and I was waiting for a reply before taking the test … but I just got a PFO?? I’m so confused ☹️

 

[Sharkfin]

And so the latham pfo arc begins, may the odds be ever in your favour 🫡🫡🫡🫡🫡

 

[yk1906]

Latham broke my heart when they stopped giving out DTCs and sponsor visas for VS 😃 😬

 

[Trophy]

Latham broke my heart when they stopped giving out DTCs and sponsor visas for VS 😃 😬

They used to give direct TCs? 😭 what a dream

 

[yk1906]

They used to give direct TCs? 😭 what a dream

If I'm not mistaken... What I know is that they don't do it now

 

[BM99]

Have most people received sth from Latham already?

 

[Unknowncabbage]

Have most people received sth from Latham already?

Sth?

 

[Disgruntled SQE Student]

I’d normally agree with this but Gibson Dunn has this on their FAQs:

To secure a training contract you should first apply for our vacation scheme but training contract will be open for those unable to participate in the programme.

I’d take that as the majority of offers going to VS participants - not sure if you’re not available for their scheme? @Trophy

My mistake. I'm not super familiar with GD from an applicant perspective. That operates a bit differently than other firms then...

 

[BM99]

Sth?

Something…

 

[zonnonomo]

I emailed to ask for adjustments for my Latham’s Stage 2 assessment late last week and I was waiting for a reply before taking the test … but I just got a PFO?? I’m so confused ☹️

thats unacceptable, can't believe the amount of law firms blatantly discriminating against people this cycle im so sorry

i remember last cycle, the same thing happened with freshfields (people emailed for adjustments which were never applied + subsequent mass pfo), but jessica from tcla came to the rescue, wrote to the recruitment manager and got everyone their adjustments + opportunity to do the tests

there may be some benefit in bringing to their attention that you were not given a fair opportunity in the recruitment process

 

[Unknowncabbage]

Something…

my bad, theres just so many acronyms nowadays, I feel like a boomer

 

[annalise.joyn]

thats unacceptable, can't believe the amount of law firms blatantly discriminating against people this cycle im so sorry

i remember last cycle, the same thing happened with freshfields (people emailed for adjustments which were never applied + subsequent mass pfo), but jessica from tcla came to the rescue, wrote to the recruitment manager and got everyone their adjustments + opportunity to do the tests

there may be some benefit in bringing to their attention that you were not given a fair opportunity in the recruitment process

I fear the same is happening with me now with Freshfields, I emailed ages ago for second stage adjustments for DTC but they haven't replied back yet

 

[Trophy]

I’d normally agree with this but Gibson Dunn has this on their FAQs:

To secure a training contract you should first apply for our vacation scheme but training contract will be open for those unable to participate in the programme.

I’d take that as the majority of offers going to VS participants - not sure if you’re not available for their scheme? @Trophy

Thanks for that I was unable to interpret what it meant do I have to apply to VS then once offered I can be considered for the DTC or just applying for DTC. I’m free on the dates I do not have the annual leave to do the scheme.

 

[Trophy]

I fear the same is happening with me now with Freshfields, I emailed ages ago for second stage adjustments for DTC but they haven't replied back yet

It’s automatic. You don’t need to email.

 

[annalise.joyn]

It’s automatic. You don’t need to email.

most law firms say its automatic but I did a test for another law firm and they never did give me the adjustments for the VI, since it was the same time as my friend who did not have adjustments hence why I emailed Freshfields to confirm. I don't want to begin the assessment then realise midway they forgot/did not give me the correct timing. and the deadline was a few days ago for me anyway so there truly is no way to do the test now

 

[lolololol]

getting to the point where i have more rejections then those i am waiting to hear back from and idk how to improve my strategy

 

[Trophy]

most law firms say its automatic but I did a test for another law firm and they never did give me the adjustments for the VI, since it was the same time as my friend who did not have adjustments hence why I emailed Freshfields to confirm. I don't want to begin the assessment then realise midway they forgot/did not give me the correct timing. and the deadline was a few days ago for me anyway so there truly is no way to do the test now

I understand.

When I did mines it was automatically applied. If you put it in your application they do apply them.

The issue is if you didn’t put it in the application form.

 

[itsallgoodman]

Has anyone gotten a VI invite from NRF recently? I applied for their summer VS on 2nd Dec and scored 4/4/4/4 for the Arctic Shores (11th Dec), but I haven't been sent a VI invite - are they sending out VI invites in batches or should I assume PFO?