TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[M85672]

If you receive the Milbank test, how long do you have for it?

 

[LehmanBrothersRiskManagementIntern]

If you receive the Milbank test, how long do you have for it?

5 days

 

[flower1]

@flower1 it’s been about two years since I studied this, so @Abbie Whitlock may be of more help but I’d say for Intellectual Property Practice the key thing to know is that there are various IP rights available in the UK (trademarks, copyright, patents, trade secrets/confidential information) all of which are governed by their own statutory provision e.g. CDPA 1988.

Some rights are automatic such as copyright and others are given upon application e.g. patents. However, for each there are certain criteria’s to fill - and this is where you’ll approach things through a step by step process based on the facts of the client. Once you have the right, each exists for a different amount of time.

The most interesting thing about IP is the disputes, so when a client claims their right is being infringed by another, however again it’s decided based on the facts and strengths of your right to begin with.

The subject alone is very content heavy, so I wouldn’t bother studying it for an AC - as they are not meant to be legal in nature (to give an equal chance to those from a non law background). However, the above should give you a general understanding of the work you’re likely to do in that department.

Thank you @Afraz Akhtar for your answer - that's really helpful. I'm just worried in case I don't know enough about each practice area - sorry for all these questions, but please could you also provide the same for litigation as a practice area if you don't mind

 

[yasmars]

Has anyone who has applied on the deadline heard from Willkie?

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Thank you @Afraz Akhtar for your answer - that's really helpful. I'm just worried in case I don't know enough about each practice area - sorry for all these questions, but please could you also provide the same for litigation as a practice area if you don't mind

@flower1 haha that’s alright. I just want you to be comfortable with the fact that you don’t know enough and that is okay. You’re not expected to - particularly at this stage of your career where you’re applying/attending AC’s. You won’t be asked about anything technical, other than the odd contract question perhaps (which is more logic based). The purpose of an AC is to assess your skillset.

As for litigation, the content typically falls under dispute resolution. Again, another content heavy subject. You either have ADR (which is encouraged as a first step for a variety of reasons) and then litigation (which is a more formal process that requires strict adherence to statutory rules and timelines, such as a letter before claim, particulars of claim, potential defence etc. Each step carries about its own deadline.

 

[TCseeker17]

Has anyone been able to change the date for the DLA AC? Not sure how willing they are to accommodate this as they’ve only given one date.

 

[elle woods]

???? Help why is Kirkland so fast to reply

Edit: not that I'm complaining

 

[Dannie]

Any Jones Day first stage interview advice?

 

[nbjani]

Has anyone been able to change the date for the DLA AC? Not sure how willing they are to accommodate this as they’ve only given one date.

I initially emailed asking to change dates and never got a response. I then emailed days later asking to confirm the original date and they replied straight away.

 

[nbjani]

Anyone know what to expect for the NRF VI?

 

[RVD23]

Does anyone have any tips for the Kennedys VI?? Or can just share the structure/format please?

 

[James Wakefield]

Anyone who applied on the deadline heard back from Reed Smith?

 

[hmevey]

when answering this question for AG, Use this space to tell us about any mitigating circumstances that you might have, or any other information about you that might be relevant to your application., should i write more about my work experience/extracirrculars and answer it as a why law, why id be a good trainee question or just leave it blank as I don't have any mitigating circumstances?

 

[SophiaW]

Anyone heard back post Kirkland VI?

Just received Kirkland assessment day!

 

[BobThebIlly]

Guys I am not ready to sit my VI...i'm still traumatised by what happened with Weil's lmfao

 

[johnsmith]

I think there is also an integrity point - I’m unsure what “insights” people are looking to “trade” but we should all go into the tests with the same level of knowledge. That level being what the firms have told us.

 

[TheSaulGoodman]

when answering this question for AG, Use this space to tell us about any mitigating circumstances that you might have, or any other information about you that might be relevant to your application., should i write more about my work experience/extracirrculars and answer it as a why law, why id be a good trainee question or just leave it blank as I don't have any mitigating circumstances?

I chanced it and wrote about my extra curriculars because there wasn’t space to do so earlier in the app😬😬

 

[JasmineM9]

Anyone still waiting to hear from Kirkland post-app for SVS? I think the pfo is imminent now

 

[flower1]

@flower1 haha that’s alright. I just want you to be comfortable with the fact that you don’t know enough and that is okay. You’re not expected to - particularly at this stage of your career where you’re applying/attending AC’s. You won’t be asked about anything technical, other than the odd contract question perhaps (which is more logic based). The purpose of an AC is to assess your skillset.

As for litigation, the content typically falls under dispute resolution. Again, another content heavy subject. You either have ADR (which is encouraged as a first step for a variety of reasons) and then litigation (which is a more formal process that requires strict adherence to statutory rules and timelines, such as a letter before claim, particulars of claim, potential defence etc. Each step carries about its own deadline.

Thank you @Afraz Akhtar - that's really reassuring and very helpful