I know someone who got one and they applied as soon as it opened pretty much. I think they send invites in batches.
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
No prep. They’re very good about being transparent about each assessment stage.
Have people who did Mayer Brown's AC two weeks ago heard back? (I know they said 2-3 weeks but just curious)
Hey!
From my experience with case study interviews, M&A is definitely the most common format. However, a few other themes could be:
- Market expansion: e.g. entering a new country or launching a new product
- Restructuring / Insolvency: e.g. discussing cost-cutting and refinancing
- Regulatory Issues: especially in sectors such as technology and energy
- Litigation Risk: this will typically including looking at reputational, financial and commercial consequence
However, rather than trying to revise every possible topic, it might help to practise structuring your thinking around:
- What is the client trying to achieve?
- What are the risks?
- What are the potential options for the client?
- Which is the best option that you would recommend, and why?
I hope that assists!
I applied like minutes before the deadline 💀
One thing I hate the most about the application process (and there are a lot of things) is the timeline of it all. If I am successful with the vac schemes I have applied for, they won't be until June or July, and god knows how long after that it'll be I find out if I get a TC. And for most DTC applications, you interview over Summer, so it is the same problem. I think I just hate the idea of graduating from uni with my future completely uncertain - I am not from London, so even the practicalities of not knowing whether I have to sort accom for September in London... gah I just hate it. I needed to rant!!
This is so helpful thank you! And yes I think I should’ve rephrased, I absolutely did fall into the public law world through paralegalling in it first but I love it which is why I stayed. Thanks for this adviceHey!
I don't think you are being delusional at all - you have lots of transferable experience, so it is all about how you frame it in your applications and interviews. For DTC applications especially, firms will be looking for:
You definitely do not need a vacation scheme or a placement year to show credibility and motivation - however, you do need to be able to bridge the gap in your application to show why you explored the other areas. Right now your path sounds slightly apologetic (i.e. explaining that you just needed a job), so it might help to reframe it! For example, exploring advocacy through mini-pupillages, gaining hands-on procedural experience, and developing leadership skills in management. You can then use that to explain why you want to pivot into commercial law with that experience.
- A clear and convincing "why commercial law (and why not the Bar)?"
- A strong explanation of why you are applying to the particular firm
- Evidence that you understand the difference between public / tribunal work and commercial work
- A clear and coherent narrative that ties your past experience to where you are going
You are definitely not disadvantaged if you don't have any prior experience in commercial law - it is all about refining your overall narrative so that firms can clearly see why you are motivated to work in commercial law long-term.
Best of luck!!
Hey!
I'm sorry to hear that you felt it didn't go very well, and I'm sure it went better than you think! We tend to ruminate on the elements that we think went wrong, but it's likely that you did a lot of things right as well! I remember thinking I did terribly in a group task in one of the virtual ACs that I completed, and I ended up receiving a VS offer afterwards - try to remain optimistic if you can!
I have written some previous posts on group exercises, which I have quoted below. I hope they are useful when you are preparing for your next assessment - wishing you the best of luck with it!
Hi @LegallyBrunette_ !
Huge congratulations on being invited to AC - what a fantastic achievement!
In the AC that I completed for my TC, I had to complete both a group exercise and a case study interview, so I can understand wanting to do all you can to prepare in advance. I can share what worked best for me!
Group Exercise
- In the group exercise, they are typically looking at how you work with others, not just what you contribute. Be collaborative, listen actively, and build on other people's points.
- Aim to contribute regularly but avoid dominating - asking others for their views on a topic can show leadership without being overbearing. I would always aim to not be the loudest or the quietest in the room, although I know finding this balance can be quite tricky!
- Keep the group focused on the task! I would always try and keep track of your progress and summarise the key decisions made as you go along.
- If you have to select an idea, don't worry if yours isn't chosen. What matters is how you respond and whether you support the group's direction.
Case Study Interview
I would also brush up on Jones Day's structure (e.g. their non-rotational training system and international work) just in case it comes up. They're assessing potential, not perfection - so as long as you stay calm and do your best, you'll be fine.
- You'll usually be given a business / legal scenario with background documents. I would start by reading quickly to understand the big picture, and then go back to confirm the smaller details.
- Structure your response clearly - identify the client's goals, outline the key issues, and suggest practical next steps.
- They won't expect you to know black-letter law. Focus on logic, prioritisation, and showing that you can think commercially.
- Talk the interviewer through your thought process - even if you get stuck or seem confused, they can see how you reason.
- If given a contract to assess, make a note of the exceptions and calculations in the contract. You might be asked how your stance would change if X event occurred, and it's useful to be mindful of when it might fall under any exceptions.
At the end of the day, they want to see the real you - someone who can think clearly, work well with others, and stay composed under pressure. If you go in with a collaborative mindset and a clear structure for approaching problems, you'll put yourself in a strong position.
Best of luck - you've already done the hard part by getting to this stage!
Hello!
First of all, huge congratulations on being invited to the PwC virtual AC - that's an amazing achievement! Whilst I'm not too sure on the specifics of PwC's AC, I can share some general advice when it comes to preparing for a virtual assessment centre, as I completed a few last cycle. I have also quoted some of my previous posts below that discuss other assessment types that might be useful, as I wasn't too sure what is involved in the PwC AC.
Some general tips:
Most importantly, be yourself! Focus on showing how you think and work with others when you are performing at your best, rather than trying to be "perfect" overall. Firms are often looking for potential, not perfection!
- Prepare the basics: you may have already been doing this, but make sure you understand PwC's values, business areas, and the current market issues that will affect them. You don't need to know absolutely everything (so try not to panic!), but it's good to have an awareness of what PwC does so that you can link this to why you are interested
- For group exercises: usually, the focus of the group exercise isn't actually what you say - it is how you interact and communicate with the others around you. Focus on being collaborative rather than trying to dominate the conversation - I always tried to be neither the quietest nor the loudest (which can be a tricky balance!). I found this particularly challenging for virtual ACs where it can be difficult to get the timing right, but try to listen actively and build on others' ideas. When you do present your part of the group exercise, make sure to clearly explain your reasoning and thought process!
- For interviews: if you are asked competency questions, it's always helpful to have the STAR structure in the back of your mind, and have a few examples ready that show teamwork, problem-solving, and resilience. As part of my preparation for assessment centres, I used to spend an hour or so just noting down all my experiences and what skills / competencies came out of each. This means you aren't desperately racking your brain for examples in the moment!
- Virtual elements: it sounds silly, but make sure that you test your technology beforehand (i.e. WiFi, camera, microphone) and choose a quiet space - I even made sure to let all of my housemates know so that none of them disturbed me. I would make sure that you have water and a notebook nearby, as you never know when you might need to jot something down.
Everyone is nervous going into ACs, so you're definitely not alone! You've earned your place there by excelling in the process so far - so just go into it and try your best
Just checking W&C people - silence still for the spring and summer VS?
people have said they could take a few weeks to get back after the AC
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name a worse feeling than when checking your interviewer on linkedin and seeing they went to an elite private boarding school then did classics at oxbridge 💀
I'm looking at the application form for lee bolton and it asks for a cv, cover letter, and application form. thing is, the application form asks for all kinds of details that would appear in a cv + cover letter, such as grades, work experience, and motivation for the firm. does anyone have any insight into this?
Has anyone received a PFO from Bristows post partner review? Haven't received WE yet but also haven't been PFOed
The SQE would be done in Sept 27 and would last a year before commencing the TC in 2028. I think the timeline would look like this:
July 2026: graduate from university
Sept 2027: start the SQE
Aug 2028: finish the SQE
September 2028: start the TC
September 2030: qualification
Some larger firms tend to have spaces for earlier intakes so you could start the SQE in Sept 2026 and the TC in Sept 2027, but it’s not guaranteed.
But if you’re a non-law student, you’d be doing the GDL from Sept 2026 to July 2027, before the SQE in Sept 2027 to Aug 2028. Then TC Sept 2028.
July 2026: graduate from university
Sept 2027: start the SQE
Aug 2028: finish the SQE
September 2028: start the TC
September 2030: qualification
Some larger firms tend to have spaces for earlier intakes so you could start the SQE in Sept 2026 and the TC in Sept 2027, but it’s not guaranteed.
But if you’re a non-law student, you’d be doing the GDL from Sept 2026 to July 2027, before the SQE in Sept 2027 to Aug 2028. Then TC Sept 2028.
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