Hey! I have an AC for Clifford Chance SPARK, and I was wondering if anyone has any insights. I would really appreciate any tips or suggestions on how to prepare. Thank you 
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
Hi @Abbie Whitlock, I have a written task coming up that I believe will be about summarising a dispute. I was just wondering if you had any tips on how to think of what next steps to suggest and if there are any next steps that you would always suggest putting in! I was also wondering in terms of next steps if they should be short and to the point or if you should explain the reasoning for them, even if you might have already covered it in the key issues part.
Any help would be massively appreciated!
Any help would be massively appreciated!
Just saw a post on Linkedin of someone getting a CRS VS for London so don't want to be pessimistic but I think offers have gone out...Was just curious bc people started reacting that they’d gotten guildford offers only yesterday and no one has positively indicated anything about London—that coupled w the post from Monday by grad rec about making offers “soon” —not sure it’s over yet
My friend had her interview very recently so I am sure more offers will be coming
Does anyone know which firms take on more candidates from Direct TC applications?
Additionally, if we've secured a summer vac scheme, would it be ok to list this in a direct TC work experience section as 'incoming vac scheme intern', or would it not be recommended?
Additionally, if we've secured a summer vac scheme, would it be ok to list this in a direct TC work experience section as 'incoming vac scheme intern', or would it not be recommended?
For the people who had a DTC AC with Hogan Lovells last year, which month did you get the invite ? Also, did the case study part become a group exercise?
Yeah I would guess some of us are about to be on the reserve list
Does anyone know how long the interview period for Travers Smith is? I haven’t received either a pfo or interview invite, so I’m wondering whether they just haven’t got around to calling me to interview yet? I’m slightly confused, so any insight would be super helpful!
Don't think so. Everyone I know got it at different times. Could be wrong though.
Thank you @Abbie Whitlock this is really helpful. Thank you for tagging those previous posts they are really helpful.Hi!
Congratulations on the AC invite! I definitely wouldn't assume that you won't convert it, and it can often go much better than expected!
I have quoted a few posts below on case studies, interviews, and group exercises - I hope they are useful!
For a partner interview, I would suggest preparing bullet points rather than scripted answers. For example, have 2-3 clear points for questions like "Why this firm?", but don't memorise specific wording. You could practice your answer at home so that you have a clear idea of what you want to say, but leave room for flexibility so that you can adapt your answer if needed.
Aside from the typical motivational questions, I have previously had questions on the following in partner interviews:
1. CV or application questions (so make sure to read back over your original application!)
2. Competency questions (e.g. "tell us about a time when...")
3. Commercial awareness questions (e.g. a news story and why it matters to the firm and its clients)
In my experience, you will rarely be asked extremely technical questions in a partner interview (such as definitions of specific financial structures) unless the interview is explicitly described as technical. They are usually more interested in how you think about and analyse commercial issues - for example, how a specific commercial issue will impact the firm and its main clients.
Good luck with the AC!!
has everyone heard back from BJ vac scheme London like this message if your still waiting
Yeah I'm wondering asw, radio silence on my end. I hope they are lol cus I know some people got WG before others so by that logic.. </3
Hello!
We have a thread from last cycle that shows where firms primarily recruit from - there should be a section on DTC applications! Whilst it might be slightly outdated, you can find it here.
In relation to your second question, I think that it is okay to list an upcoming vacation scheme if it is for a DTC application - I did a similar thing last cycle too!
Hi!
For next steps, I would try to suggest actions that naturally flow from the issue that you have identified. In a disputes setting, common tasks could include: reviewing the relevant contractual terms, gathering further evidence and documents, and considering whether negotiation or formal dispute resolution may be appropriate.
You don't need a long list - I'd say that 2-3 practical steps is usually enough. I would keep them fairly concise (and wouldn't repeat information) but it can help to include a brief line that explains your reasoning, as this shows your thought process.
Best of luck with the written task!!
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