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  1. Ram Sabaratnam

    International Graduate- Advice on TCs and VS

    Hi @lucille101 Just wanted to reassure you straight away that it's highly, highly unlikely that having completed your LLB in Australia is a reason why UK firms would automatically filter you out. You've already done vac schemes at top firms, and you're now working at a US firm in London while...
  2. Ram Sabaratnam

    Feeling very discouraged and alone - Non RG Grad

    Hiya @Optimistic1111 Just wanted to start by saying that a high 2:1 from an NRG university, a merit in your LLM and completing your LPC are great! A 68% in undergrad is just a couple of marks off a First, and it still places you in a very competitive position, even at top firms. Please don’t...
  3. Ram Sabaratnam

    Career Guidance — TC vs SQE2 + QWE Route (Graduate Visa Expiring Jan 2026)

    Hiya @m.legalcontact Thanks for laying all of this out clearly. I'm really sorry about the TC getting rescinded for reasons that seemed so out of your control. You’ve clearly put a lot of thought into your next steps, so I hope some what I say below is useful to you. From having spoken to...
  4. Ram Sabaratnam

    Which secondary school qualification to indicate on applications?

    Hi @melonpan Welcome the forum! Completely understandable to feel unsure about how best to present your background, especially coming from a different education system. I had a similar experience, as I completed my high school studies in Ontario :) I think the best approach is to be as...
  5. Ram Sabaratnam

    Where to do PgDL?

    Hiya @sarg1234 This is just my view, but my impression is that whether you complete the PGDL in London or somewhere like Cambridge doesn't automatically impact your employability in the eyes of many grad recruiters/law firms. I think what matters far more is how well you perform on the course...
  6. Ram Sabaratnam

    Paralegal skills

    Hi @tashax03 If your goal is to work as a paralegal, then doing a law conversion course like the GDL or an SQE-focused Master’s can help, especially if you’re aiming to work at larger commercial firms. My impression is that many of them prefer or expect paralegals to have at least some legal...
  7. Ram Sabaratnam

    Bad A level grades due to mitigating circumstances, can I still get a TC?

    Hi @Thesillypomegranate Just wanted to start by saying how impressive it is that, despite such serious challenges, you’ve made it into a competitive degree like Neuroscience and are on track for a first. That is incredible and I hope you appreciate that. In terms of A-levels, I wanted to...
  8. Ram Sabaratnam

    International students studying/ have completed the SQE

    Hi @rutabaga From having spoken to recruiters about this, my impression is that doing the SQE full-time in the UK doesn’t automatically make you more competitive for a training contract, especially as an international candidate. Firms, particularly those offering structured training...
  9. Ram Sabaratnam

    Introduction :)

    Hi @NazeefaM Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on finishing your law degree! Feel free to post any questions you have about training contracts or vacation schemes (including anything Hogan Lovells-specific) in the relevant threads, especially the Vacation Scheme 2025–26 thread and we’ll...
  10. Ram Sabaratnam

    Uni of Law National Fair

    Hiya @Nimaj These are great questions, and I’m sure this will be really helpful for others attending the fair for the first time too! Having attended and helped organise some of these, I wanted to give you some initial thoughts. I'll take your questions in order. It really depends on the firm...
  11. Ram Sabaratnam

    Open Day and Insight Scheme Deadlines 2024-25

    Hiya @Legallylaw Just a quick heads-up that your question about psychometric tests might get a lot more traction if you post it in the Vacation Scheme 2025–26 thread, as that’s where most people are discussing vac scheme apps/assessments. You can find it here. I’ll also pull together a few...
  12. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Hiya everyone! I’ve been putting together a new thread to track open days, first-year schemes, and insight days. We hope this will be helpful as you prepare for the new application cycle, especially for those who can’t apply for a vacation scheme but still want to meet graduate recruitment...
  13. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Hiya everyone! I’ve been putting together a new thread to track open days, first-year schemes, and insight days. We hope this will be helpful as you prepare for the new application cycle, especially for those who can’t apply for a vacation scheme but still want to meet graduate recruitment...
  14. Ram Sabaratnam

    Open Day and Insight Scheme Deadlines 2025-26

    Hi everyone! We've compiled a list of law firms that are currently accepting applications for open days and insight schemes (including those aimed at first year students). These events offer a great chance to get to know specific firms, especially if you're unable to apply for vacation schemes...
  15. Ram Sabaratnam

    SQE Advice Full Time working

    Hi @OanaL It’s great that you’re thinking about taking SQE. From what you’ve said, I don't think qualifying as a solicitor through the SQE is impossible. You're right that it can be challenging, but I have seen people in situations very similar to yours pull this off successfully. I think the...
  16. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Hiya @ashwright Call me old school, but I’ve always been an unapologetic Excel loyalist (and yes, this is a hill I will die on). Although some of my colleagues who use other tools would probably disagree, I never really felt the need for Notion or other tools. During my second year, I used an...
  17. Ram Sabaratnam

    Winter, Spring and Summer Vacation Scheme Deadlines 2025-26 (with rolling/non rolling checklist!)

    Hiya @sohanp Firms generally do not sponsor visas for vacation schemes. In t all cases that I'm familiar with, sponsorship only happens once you’ve been offered a training contract, since that’s when firms can justify the longer-term visa application. If you don’t currently have the right to...
  18. Ram Sabaratnam

    Ask 4 future trainees ANYTHING! *New TCLA Team Members*

    Hiya @Amanr_04 I've just approved your request. Hope you have a lovely day, and let us know if you’ve got any questions :)
  19. Ram Sabaratnam

    Ask 4 future trainees ANYTHING! *New TCLA Team Members*

    Hi @Nimaj and @leveragedfinancelawyer - if you could DM again me with your details, I'd be happy to action this for you :)
  20. Ram Sabaratnam

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    Hiya @Zaine1010 Thanks for sharing your background for context! Your academic record won’t automatically disqualify you from firms like BCLP or CMS. While firms may sometimes look closely at applicant's performance in key modules like Contract or Tort, I think your improvement over time and...

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