TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[BigFO]

Just got an invitation for the Browne Jacobson's AC (Exeter Office) - for those still waiting, at the end of my TI they said I would find out by the 10th... so they might be experiencing some delays

 

[mrebeccafr]

If anyone has any insights/tips for in-person AC it would be massively appreciate I have only done one before - it was online and I failed due to failing to complete the in-tray exercise

 

[Applicant7874652]

Could someone dm with tips and tricks on an e-tray exercise? Or more broadly, if they have any tips for an RPC AC?

PM me, I did London this cycle for the VS

 

[axelrod901]

Has anyone heard back from BJ post TI for Manchester office? Saw a few heard back for Exeter office today!

 

[soph107048]

Hey guys, if anyone is an international student, did/is doing their undergrad course at a UK uni with the course involving a year abroad, and has done/will be doing a vac scheme while still on year abroad (whether during or at the end of the year abroad) id appreciate if u can dm me

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

hi @Abbie Whitlock im applying for the cooley diversity fellowship and two of the questions are as follows:

• Please tell us about any experiences where you have contributed to or promoted diversity, equity and inclusion. This can include formal roles, community/volunteering activities, or informal actions in your personal, academic or work life.
• We are all 'work in progress' and need to celebrate our strengths but also focus on our areas for growth. Please tell us about you (strengths and areas for growth)?

please could you give me some tips on how to answer these/what the questions are getting at? thanks!

Hey!

For the DEI question, I don't think they are expecting anything overly formal or 'impressive' - it is much more about showing genuine engagement and awareness. Therefore, I'd say the key thing is to focus on what you actually did and the impact it had, rather than just describing the situation. You could approach it by:

• Briefly setting out the context (e.g. where you were / what the situation was)
• Explaining what actions you personally took (this is the most important part!)
• Reflecting on why it mattered and what you learned from it

This could be something quite structured (such as mentoring, involvement in a society, outreach, etc), but equally something more informal - such as supporting a peer, challenging a lack of inclusion, or helping create a more accessible environment. I wouldn't underestimate smaller, everyday actions if you can reflect on them well, as they can be really strong examples!

With this question, they are essentially looking to see whether you are someone aware of DEI issues, that you can take initiative, and overall contribute positively to the environments that you are in. Therefore, I'd try to show this in your answer.

For the strengths and areas of growth question, they are testing self-awareness and coachability - at the end of the day, one of the most valued traits for a trainee is the ability to learn and grow. For strengths, I would:

• Pick 1-2 that are genuinely relevant to being a trainee (e.g. attention to detail, communication, adaptability, etc.)
• Back them up with a brief example so that it doesn't feel generic or surface level

For areas of growth, I would:

• Choose something real and personal, but not fundamental to the role
• Show that you have already taken steps to improve it
• Ideally demonstrate progress or reflection on the area of growth, rather than just "this is a weakness"

In your answer, I would try to cover: what the area is, how you have recognised it as an area of growth, what you have done to work on it, and how that has made you more effective.

Overall, both questions are less about having 'perfect' experiences or examples and more about showing that you are proactive and have a willingness to learn. Best of luck with your application!

 

[trainee4u]

Has anyone heard back from BJ post TI for Manchester office? Saw a few heard back for Exeter office today!

 

[DaemonBlackFyre]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted some guidance in relation to grades, I achieved a 2:1 (62%) during my undergraduate degree (Non-RG), and 66% during masters with multiple marks of 72 including my dissertation at a good RG.

I reached the AC stage for the Birmingham office of Pinsent Masons but ultimately fell short.

I'm now considering where my profile sits in relation to applying to London firms like Mishcon, Dentons and Simmons.

I have some fairly good work experiences (legal internship with the St Lucian government, founded my own law society at the RG uni, founder of a startup with £250k in revenue, paralegal at a HS firm, Volunteering in Calais with refugees, an internship with a top city firm (think Gowling, DLA, CMS)

Essentially what i am asking, purely on the basis of my grades, am I competitive enough in the London market given they receive almost 3-4 times more applicants than the regions?

Many thanks!

 

[TheSaulGoodman]

Hi everyone,

Just wanted some guidance in relation to grades, I achieved a 2:1 (62%) during my undergraduate degree (Non-RG), and 66% during masters with multiple marks of 72 including my dissertation at a good RG.

I reached the AC stage for the Birmingham office of Pinsent Masons but ultimately fell short.

I'm now considering where my profile sits in relation to applying to London firms like Mishcon, Dentons and Simmons.

I have some fairly good work experiences (legal internship with the St Lucian government, founded my own law society at the RG uni, founder of a startup with £250k in revenue, paralegal at a HS firm, Volunteering in Calais with refugees, an internship with a top city firm (think Gowling, DLA, CMS)

Essentially what i am asking, purely on the basis of my grades, am I competitive enough in the London market given they receive almost 3-4 times more applicants than the regions?

Many thanks!

Hi, I have similar grades at UG (no masters) and nowhere close to that kind of experience and I've progressed with quite a few London firms - don't doubt yourself it's definitely worth apply (congratulations and major respect btw!)

 

[georgianprincessmwuah]

Pmc is taking the piss..

Ac in Feb, told we'd be told by march, end of march we're told 10th of april, 10th of april we're told by the end of next week... its thursday and still nothing! If they don't get back to us by tomorrow, they will go from my top choice firm to somewhere I won't apply again if i dont get the offer.

 

[WillKitchen]

Has anyone heard from WBD post AC?

I just received an email from WBD saying that they’d get back to all AC attendees soon. We should get results before too long. Good luck, all!

 

[avocadob]

I have just called PMC, it won’t be this week.

 

[avocadob]

They said that they are busy with Empower this week and will send an email updating us today, they need another week. Incredibly frustrating… i tried to gently say our expectations are brought up because they give us a timeline- apparently this time she said there won’t be a strict timeline but ‘soon’ ..

Pmc is taking the piss..

Ac in Feb, told we'd be told by march, end of march we're told 10th of april, 10th of april we're told by the end of next week... its thursday and still nothing! If they don't get back to us by tomorrow, they will go from my top choice firm to somewhere I won't apply again if i dont get the offer.

 

[Lollipopx]

PFO now

Yes, same

 

[trainee4u]

still waiting
View attachment 8237

 

[CupOfTea17]

For people who have already done the Browne Jacobson (BJ) AC, how many attendees were there?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

View attachment 8239

I didn’t get an email PFO. I logged on to AllHires and saw the message on there, so if you haven’t alr checked that it might be worth doing so if the firm did the same thing with you too. ​

 

[trainee4u]

I didn’t get an email PFO. I logged on to AllHires and saw the message on there, so if you haven’t alr checked that it might be worth doing so if the firm did the same thing with you too. ​

thanks - i did think of that yesterday and checked, but nothing there.

have just checked again and still nothing.....

Seems like a bit of an absurd process: 4-week VS, last minute PFOs, etc.

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Browne Jacobson AC! Quite short notice considering it’s in one week and it’s in Nottingham (I applied to the Cardiff office) but a very welcomed invite nonetheless!

 

[LegalAnonX]

Has anyone done the BBC CRBA internship? Just got through to the interview stage and would love to know what kinds of questions (commercial and motivational) to expect. Any tips appreciated!