• 📅 2025–26 Applications: Vacation Schemes, Open Days & Training Contracts

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    Vacation Schemes
    Rolling vs non-rolling checklist included.
    Open Days & Insight Schemes
    Comprehensive list across top firms.
    Training Contracts
    All key TC deadlines in one place.
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  1. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I think to stand out in paralegal applications you will have to focus on many of the same aspects you would in a VS/TC application. In reviewing your work, I would advise you to do the following: Is your why the firm reasoning persuasive? Do you identify the firm's unique selling points and...
  2. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I do not think there is any way to establish an objective ranking regarding quality of training. When you compare individual firms you can look at reports like those done by Legal Cheek, but I do not think they are very reliable, in that a disproportionately high number of firms has an A or A*...
  3. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    As @Jessica Booker said, while a VS is an amazing opportunity to gain insight into what your life at the firm could look like, there is only so much you can experience in a few weeks. It will be very difficult to assess some important elements, such as the level to which you enjoy the work and...
  4. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    This will of course not be exhaustive, but a few that come to mind are: Uncertainty around the US' tariffs policies and potential subsequent trade wars The sell-off in US equities and recent gains in European stock markets Geopolitical uncertainty around the end of the war in Ukraine, Gaza...
  5. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @Legallylaw I do not have much to add to the great response from @Ram Sabaratnam. I will only say that I think the quality of your 'why the firm' section will matter a lot, in that many of the motivations that apply to international firms will not be equally relevant here. I would try to read...
  6. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    I think you should simply seek to discuss the points which you think would add most value to your candidate profile/application as a whole. As @trainee4u said, this will depend a lot on what other sections and questions in the application form were and how you went about answering them. For...
  7. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @summerk27 I think this will depend on word count limits and the general expectations you think the firm has for the profile, but normally it will just be a short description containing educational background, significant achievements, career interests, and one-two extracurriculars/hobbies. I...
  8. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @emma.d so for the first question I think your approach is the right one, in that you need to identify a potential client that has a need for legal services in one of the firm's major practice areas. Importantly, you should make sure that the firm has not represented the client in the past...
  9. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @user9809 I think the way you should go about preparing for a paralegal interview will be very similar to the way you should prepare for a VS/TC interview. A lot of the questions will go along the same lines, testing your competencies, reflection on prior experiences, situational judgement...
  10. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    More specifically for your question, since you are from a non-law background I would invest more time into understanding how the firm's different practice areas work and complement each other. I think this is helpful both in enabling you to deliver a higher quality of work and in showing off...
  11. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    For your question more specifically, it is difficult to say what you should focus most of your efforts on as different firms weigh the assessments in different manners. If you can, I would advise you to reach out to current/future trainees to see if they have any advice and to ask what they...
  12. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Hi @Starfish31 and @FoxStella in terms of general resources for preparation, I recommend the TCLA 'How to convert VS' course (this also helped me a lot when I was preparing last year) and the TCLA Accelerator Program, which I think is the best all-around resource in the market for this...
  13. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I think in general firms give at least a one week notice prior to a scheduled interview. Unless you have other significant commitments, that should be more than enough time to ensure you are well-prepared. In my opinion, intense preparation for more than 4-5 days can actually have diminishing...
  14. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I would say that the amount of time the firm has taken to respond to applicants despite having already organized ACs would be surprising if they did not have some type of waitlist or some further round of ACs - perhaps @Chris Brown or other forum members that have done PW ACs have more...
  15. Andrei Radu

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

    I think a good example of a recent legal development which is also relevant for commercial law firms is the FCA's new Listing Rules. Essentially, they have been implemented to help revitalize the City's equity capital markets: in the last few years, not only has the LSE seen a consistent...
  16. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    For (1), I think it will probably consist in more efficient allocation of responsibility and decision-making. Complex and multi-layered management systems are known to produce a dilution of responsibility, where people in do not know who has ultimate ownership of what. This can lead to delays in...
  17. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    I think it is highly unlikely it would be detrimental. Firms are aware that at the moment of entry in the profession candidates can have interests in a wide variety of practice areas; and no firm is the best in every single one. As such, you expressing interest in a practice area where there are...
  18. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Last year, multiple people have told me that the firm normally only does that in case of a positive decision. As such, while it is not a strict policy and they could do it for other reasons, I would definitely take it as a good sign.
  19. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    I'm glad I could help :) - see here my Complete Competency Interview Guide here. I have also quoted bellow a post in which I discussed in depth the approach that enabled me to manage my nerves and give my best on the day, but let me know if there is anything else you have more specific questions...
  20. Andrei Radu

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

    Just before @Ram Sabaratnam can also come back to you, I agree with Jessica in that there is no need to do so before the scheme starts. For most of my schemes, I did not either, and it was never an issue. However, if you do want to reach out to some people so that there are some friendly faces...

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