TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi, does anyone have any ideas for structuring legal briefs for a written assessment? @Abbie Whitlock

Hey!

Whilst I have never completed a legal brief written assessment in the past, I've had a look online and I would say that a suitable structure could be:

• Title / Question: simply restate what you are advising on
• Executive Summary: this involves 2-3 lines that outline your overall conclusion or recommendation. It is mainly there to quickly highlight the main parts of the legal brief to the reader.
• Key Facts: I would only outline the facts that are relevant to the issue, to ensure that the reader is only seeing the information that they need.
• Issue: identify the main legal (and any commercial) issues, making sure to prioritise them in order of importance to the client / supervisor.
• Analysis: I would then address each issue in turn, and apply the facts to discuss what the consequences of the issues could be (e.g. opportunities and challenges).
• Risks: following the analysis, you could then outline the key risks that arise overall.
• Conclusion and Recommendation: I would end your answer with a clear and practical recommendation (that makes sense based on what you have discussed in the legal brief), and recommend any practical next steps that the reader could take (whether that is the client or a supervisor).

If you make sure that your answer is well-structured and has a logical flow, I'm sure you'll do great - best of luck!!

 

[ik06]

Any updates from paul weiss?

 

[i_need_a_holiday]

Hi, has anyone heard back from the following? Sidley, Simmons, V&E, Travers Smith and WBD? Thanks!

 

[shadowbaklava]

Hi, has anyone heard back from the following? Sidley, Simmons, V&E, Travers Smith and WBD? Thanks!

TS will start sending outcomes Feb earliest (anecdote from last year).

 

[i_need_a_holiday]

TS will start sending outcomes Feb earliest (anecdote from last year).

thankyou!!

 

[Maria56]

Any updates from Debevoise this week? Do people think if you didn't receive an OD invite last week it's a guaranteed PFO? The suspense is killing me. I was certain that my application was solid.

Hi,
I emailed today cause i had issues with logging in my profile.
They said they will communicate results by next week. Sounds ambiguous but gives hope

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

how can i prepare for a written task where I need to draft an argument? @Abbie Whitlock

 

[EfficientBag123]

TS will start sending outcomes Feb earliest (anecdote from last year).

Grad rec said that they start sending interviews out in late Feb

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

Someone kicked me out of a private conversation once because I aired them lol. x
Literally got a notification that I was kicked out and everything... alright there's me told!!!

I think I was in that convo with you lmao

 

[alphabravocharlie]

Does anyone know how many SVS Sidely offers and the conversion rate?

 

[trainee4u]

Heyy @Abbie Whitlock & TCLA crew

Saw this on TikTok and what do we think of the below for answering “Why this Firm” because I’m trying to figure out if I missed the memo or something and this is the new method?

View attachment 7893

That smells like AI.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Heyy @Abbie Whitlock & TCLA crew

Saw this on TikTok and what do we think of the below for answering “Why this Firm” because I’m trying to figure out if I missed the memo or something and this is the new method?

View attachment 7893

Hey!

That is an interesting take, but I don't think I agree with such a rigid viewpoint. In my view, a strong "why this firm" answer usually draws on 2-3 specific, well-developed reasons, rather than trying to write a few hundred words on one deal or transaction that the firm has completed recently.

Focusing on multiple aspects (such as a practice area that you are genuinely interested in, a particular pro bono initiative, and something like international secondment opportunities) helps show why this firm specifically has the right mix of factors motivating you. Simply saying that you are interested in PE, for instance, wouldn't necessarily explain why you are applying to Paul, Weiss rather than Ropes & Gray.

As long as each point is concrete and explained in some depth, I don't think discussing more than one area comes across as desperate at all. If anything, I'd say it shows you've thought carefully about where you'll fit best and that you have a good understanding of the firm

 

[Mikeross750]

Does anybody know how many vac schemers Milbank takes across spring and summer programmes? Trying to figure out their conversion rate to TC - have not received an offer.

 

[trainee4u]

Just did the Cripps Vi. "oh you want me to use your proprietary screensharing thing that doesn't work properly and I can't see whether it's working and there's no test run and nobody has used this ever before, you're the guinea pigs?!"

PFO!!!

 

[Applicant7874652]

Any updates from Debevoise this week? Do people think if you didn't receive an OD invite last week it's a guaranteed PFO? The suspense is killing me. I was certain that my application was solid.

PFO likely

 

[Lissa06]

Heyyyy!!

Ok, so I’m pretty sure they do tell us if we have questions about the anti-cheating methods to reach out to them.

So I would just screenshot your call log on your Mac to show what time the call came through and how you declined it. Then explain the situation and it should be okay I hope.

Like really and truly, with the emphasis they place on there being this secret system monitoring us do the test… honest people are bound to be anxious and they shouldn’t penalise you for that.

That's a fair point, thank you! I didn't know they tell us to reach out abt it – honestly never thought it would affect me... Thanks!

 

[Lissa06]

My understanding is that neither Capp nor Amberjack have any kind of client-side proctoring.

There might be something on the server, e.g., response times too short or long, that might flag stuff.

Ohh that's fair, I think I am just traumatised by Pearson and other more serious platforms (used to take a lot of language exams as a kid), and those do track that. Thank you so much!

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

White & Case PFO !

I never liked you anyway x

(I did like them, I really did. They were top three on the list *sobs*)

Same boat

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Partner]

W&C PFO today. genuinely annoyed with that one cause it is a firm I really like but...we move ig

Relationship ended with W&C, C&B is my new friend now

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

how can i prepare for a written task where I need to draft an argument? @Abbie Whitlock

Hey!

For this type of written task, I would say that the focus should be on structure and prioritisation rather than perfect legal knowledge. Therefore, I'd focus on the following areas:

1. Start with a clear stance / position: state your conclusion or recommendation upfront so that the assessor knows exactly what you are arguing (almost like an executive summary)
2. Use a logical structure: there isn't necessarily a strict one you have to follow, but I would briefly set out the facts, identify the key issues, and then deal with each point in turn - just make sure to explain why each point supports your argument. It might help to utilise headings for your answer.
3. Be selective and prioritise: you might not have time to cover absolutely everything, so I would pick the strongest points and develop them properly, rather than listing lots of weaker ones in less depth.
4. Acknowledge counterarguments: as you would in a university essay, I would briefly acknowledge them to show judgment and balance, especially if you then explain why they don't outweigh your conclusion (i.e. why your argument is stronger)
5. Write clearly and commercially: you should aim to be concise and clear - try not to waffle (easier said than done, I know!) and try to keep the client's objectives in mind when you are answering.

It really helps to practice these sorts of exercises under time pressure - for instance, you could take a commercial article and summarise it into an argument in 30-45 minutes. This will help build your confidence for the real thing!

I hope that assists, and best of luck!