Search results
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
Hiya @RaniaH062002 I just wanted to echo what @Jessica Booker has already said. This is such a great mindset to have, and it puts you ahead already. A lot of people underestimate just how many different skills the application process tests - writing clearly and persuasively, thinking...- Ram Sabaratnam
- Post #3,700
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
Hiya @BillSikes Yep, from what I understand, successful candidates are invited straight through to the assessment centre stage. I spoke to a few people who applied during the last application cycle, and apparently PMC definitely held ACs in July 2024. That said, recruitment timelines can...- Ram Sabaratnam
- Post #3,699
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
Hiya @JustwantaTC Would love to hear @Jessica Booker's take on this too, but from my experience, cover letters for paralegal roles follow many of the same principles as any strong legal cover letter. It’s a good idea to start with a brief introduction to who you are and your current situation...- Ram Sabaratnam
- Post #3,593
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
Hiya @billyonthespeeddial I just wanted to add to what @James Wakefield and others have said, I really think you should mention the vacation scheme in your application and not worry about it being seen as a negative. Firms are very aware that not everyone has the flexibility to take time off...- Ram Sabaratnam
- Post #3,592
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Hiya @legallyrach I'm sure @Andrei Radu would have much more to add here, but I wanted to get something to you in the meantime. Capital markets are platforms where businesses raise funds by issuing financial instruments like stocks and bonds to investors. In the UK, capital markets lawyers...- Ram Sabaratnam
- Post #21,200
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Hiya @Maddy Great question (it’s one that comes up often for those considering training contracts in the Middle East). From what I’ve seen, many firms offering training contracts in Dubai or the wider GCC region do look for candidates who have a working knowledge of Arabic. Some explicitly...- Ram Sabaratnam
- Post #21,198
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Heya @Logan1101 Having been in a similar situation before, I understand where your frustration is coming from. It’s disheartening to secure competitive internships and then find they don’t translate into more long-term opportunities at those organisations. But I don't think it follows that...- Ram Sabaratnam
- Post #21,119
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Hiya @member7830 I just wanted to include the following thread by @Amma Usman which beautifully sets out how you can go about researching firms and their competitors. Hoping this helps you get a start. Let us know if you have any other questions :)- Ram Sabaratnam
- Post #21,118
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Well done you two! Hope the scheme goes so well for both of you! (I also went to Manchester for the first time last month and fell in LOVE with that city 😭🥰🔥😩😳😩🥰🥰😭♥️♥️😭🥰🔥).- Ram Sabaratnam
- Post #21,112
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Hiya @ad. This is definitely a strategy I took during my final application cycle. Even though I had three vacation schemes lined up back-to-back, I still continued to draft direct training contract applications to firms. This wasn't just to hedge my bets, but also because these were firms that...- Ram Sabaratnam
- Post #21,109
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Hiya @allenpopi I think it really does depend on the context of the written exercise. If the task is framed as a memo, especially to a partner or client, starting with an “Executive Summary” is not only acceptable but often expected. It shows you understand how to frontload key information in a...- Ram Sabaratnam
- Post #21,108
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
Hiya @Babablacksheep Absolutely, I think it’s completely possible to get through the application stage without having paralegal or vacation scheme experience. In my first application cycle, I was invited to interview at a range of firms, including Bird & Bird, Dentons, Farrer & Co, and Norton...- Ram Sabaratnam
- Post #3,520
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5
Hiya @RS Sanjanaa Yes, Wedlake Bell definitely does consider direct training contract applicants seriously. I’ve known several career changers who weren’t able to do the vacation scheme (often due to scheduling issues and the inability to take sufficient annual leave) but were still invited to...- Ram Sabaratnam
- Post #3,519
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Hiya @abbiewhitlock03 Well done on securing both opportunities! I think @Jessica Booker would have more to add here, but I definitely think it’s worth reaching out to Paul Hastings to ask if you could be considered for the direct training contract route instead. As I've mentioned before, a good...- Ram Sabaratnam
- Post #21,065
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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Assessment Centre
Hiya @GabbyPalinskaite Congrats on getting to the AC stage! In terms of general prep, I’d start by making sure you’re confident on the usual motivational and competency-based questions that come up frequently during law firm interviews. It’s worth having well-thought-out answers to things like...- Ram Sabaratnam
- Post #2
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Hiya @Maddy I’d say it’s definitely worth reaching out to Kilburn & Strode’s graduate recruitment team directly before submitting an application, just to be sure. I’ve had a quick look through the government’s register of licensed sponsors for skilled workers (you can find it here if helpful)...- Ram Sabaratnam
- Post #21,060
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Hiya @sc13 Looking back, I think there were a few key changes I made that helped me convert later VS schemes. Interestingly, the feedback I received from earlier schemes wasn’t really about the quality of my work, but rather about my soft skills and how I came across more broadly. There were...- Ram Sabaratnam
- Post #20,996
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Hiya @M_m Although I try not to get too bogged down with this question, I think it really depends. Some people do convert their very first vacation scheme (I know a few! Not me though, lol), and for others, it takes a second or third go. I've also never seen conversion stats disaggregated to...- Ram Sabaratnam
- Post #20,933
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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LLM (SQE1+SQE2) at ULaw or BPP
Hiya @sarahfw Completely get why this might be playing on your mind (notwithstanding all the unfortunate LegalCheek coverage of the issue). However, I’ll have to echo what @Jessica Booker has already said: unfortunately, clawback clauses do exist, and there have been instances where firms have...- Ram Sabaratnam
- Post #13
- Forum: Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) Forum
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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
Hiya @CupOfTea17 I think you're right to question whether the Spring Statement (which is fundamentally a fiscal policy update) would count as a change in the legal industry per se. Most of the content in the Spring Statement (e.g. updates on inflation, tax thresholds, public spending plans)...- Ram Sabaratnam
- Post #20,931
- Forum: Applications Discussion