TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[asplawyer100]

Has anyone got some advice on how to dress for an assessment centre where the following instructions were sent re dress code:

"There is no specific dress code. At the firm we adopt a 'dress for your day' policy meaning when colleagues have client meetings or court visits, they will dress a lot smarter, and some may be dressed more casually. We would recommend wearing whatever you feel comfortable in, whilst presenting yourself in a professional manner."

I'm thinking about playing it safe and wearing a full suit and tie anyway, but don't want to look out of place in case everyone else does actually follow these instructions and dresses much more comfortably?

 

[User2640]

When answering why firm qs in VI, when you say I’m drawn to your renowned expertise in balabala, what evidence do you then use to back it up? I never passed VIs so any advice would be massively appreciated!!

 

[summersun]

CRS VI !! (London ) I applied around Christmas !

 

[TheSlapDotCom]

Do you have any insight on this first stage test?

uhh honestly i can barely remember it cz i did it like 3 months ago😭i js remember it being rly long and it had three parts i think. one was js a normal sjt untimed, then there was a wg section which was timed, and then there was proofreading which was also untimed. its alright its js super long imo

 

[amb303]

CRS VI (London) !!! 🥳🥳🥳

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

I'm gonna call out Freshfields. I was invited to Stage 2 but becasue I needed extra time I filled out their online form. Heard nothing from them despite me following up a month ago. Today received a PFO saying I didn't do the test so cannot proceed. Surprised they're still like this - I heard last year / the year before they did the same to candidates, and said something like sorry nothing could be done at that stage and it didn't go down well!

 

[StressedByAMountainOfBooks]

Just a causal observation, but all the firm's I received a PFO from and did not progress to an interview was from was on a certain list 🤔

 

[Fauxfilm_]

CRS VI invite!!!!

 

[choicefox212]

CRS VI !! (London ) I applied around Christmas !

Congrats! I applied last month, so frustratingly still waiting. Probably PFO 🤣

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

CRS VI invite!!!!

I received it too! There's a little confusion around the deadline because 5 days from today is Sunday but then the Shortlister email says Monday. Did you see the same too?

 

[soph107048]

Fladgate PFO and HL invitation to assessment! The process gives and the process takes

heyy u mean the HL AC?

 

[choicefox212]

Congrats! I applied last month, so frustratingly still waiting. Probably PFO 🤣

Oh actually I applied DTC, lol

 

[yasmars]

Anything from Lewis Silkin?

 

[CuriousTrainee]

CRS VI invite!!!!

Is this for the VS or DTC?

 

[amb303]

I received it too! There's a little confusion around the deadline because 5 days from today is Sunday but then the Shortlister email says Monday. Did you see the same too?

Yes I have that it’s due on Monday but I actually think Monday is also 5 days from now (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday)

 

[summersun]

I received it too! There's a little confusion around the deadline because 5 days from today is Sunday but then the Shortlister email says Monday. Did you see the same too?

I think that within 5 days would include at least monday morning in the email? not fully sure though. Might be worth emailing though

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

For DAC Beachcroft I don’t think we’re allowed to share the exact questions. But you have 3 attempts for each question, and you have unlimited time between each attempt, so even if you run out of time before the first attempt you can take more time for the other 2. You get to pick which of the 3 options to submit

Hi! Thanks for the insight. Given the very limited info on instructions, can I clarify if you meant that between each attempt of the same question, you will have unlimited time for a break? I just got a bit confused because it felt counter-intuitive for them to put in place an initial time limit for preparation then.

In essence, do you mind clarifying -

Q1 - 2 min prep, 1 min response. Then unlimited time for a break, then another 2 min to prep, 1 min response. Then repeat for 3rd attempt, and choose the version from them.

Then is there an unlimited time for break before proceeding to Q2 or you have to proceed immediately?

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Yes I have that it’s due on Monday but I actually think Monday is also 5 days from now (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday)

No because in the CRS email the 5 days include the date of receipt of the email so that's the confusion

 

[sadlawyer01]

cleary WG and dechert WE!

 

[Donna Paulsen]

CRS Cheltenham hmu? Xx lol