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20 Oct 2025
10:00 am – 12:00 pm (UK)
Hosted on TCLA Forum
Chat directly with Isabel Elsey, Legal Recruitment Manager at BCLP, and have all your questions about the firm answered! Simply return to this page to post your questions on the day.
Heya @KBanana
Yep, I’ve successfully progressed through the application stage without completing the Weil Virtual Experience Programme. In general, this has never really been an issue for me (it's only ever come up once during an interview). If you can demonstrate genuine engagement with a firm...
Heya @tarty23 :) You can definitely mention the skills you’ve developed, but it’s not necessary to explicitly state that they’re “relevant to commercial law.” Instead, focus on describing what you did and how it helped you develop specific skills or knowledge.
Rather than simply stating that...
Hiya @AGRACHEL
When mentioning any fundraising activities I participated in, law firms haven't typically asked me for proof of this. That said, it's important to ensure you can confidently and convincingly explain how your efforts contributed to the result you're mentioning (in this case, the...
Hiya @Aspiringsolicitor01
Don't be too worried just yet! It's unclear whether CMS review applications on a rolling basis or not. The FAQ section on their website currently states that they try to "process your application and move you through the stages as soon as possible. In certain...
Hiya @Gimmeatcplease! Welcome to the forum!!!
I know entering the legal profession can be daunting, but I'd strongly advise AGAINST using services like those offered by Bradstone Allington. I learned about these schemes through @Jessica Booker who flagged concerns about similar companies, and...
Hiya @bsh :)
It’s perfectly ok (actually, I’d say it’s a good idea) to mention a firm’s expertise in specific practice areas or sectors as a reason for wanting to attend their open day. When mentioning these, though, it's worth asking yourself a few questions. For example, if there is a...
Hi @elsx :)
You're absolutely right that this question is a bit unusually phrased. Having answered this for the A&P application myself, I’d say the key is to demonstrate how you’ve worked with others in more of a leadership or coordinating role. You'll want to focus on where you took...
Hiya @AS24
I'd suggest that you don’t necessarily need to rely heavily on the firm’s marketing materials, but it could be helpful to review Katten’s values as a starting point. To be clear, you don’t have to centre your entire answer around these values, but they can provide some guidance on...
Hiya @KBanana
Unsurprisingly, I'm in agreement with what Jess said here! You’re also absolutely right - you don’t need to explain why the story is interesting to you, since the question doesn’t ask for it. That said, I've generally always added a sentence or two about why a story caught my...
Hiya @Pawlaw
Congratulations on being invited back! I'd be interested to know what @Jessica Booker would say, but I’d suggest revisiting any feedback you received after your summer assessment. I think this would be a good move, helping you prepare for the upcoming interview and demonstrating...
Hiya @Aspiringsolicitor01
Just adding to what @Jessica Booker said, I’d also recommend using prose instead of bullet points here, as it gives you the chance to add brief reflections on the impact and significance of your key tasks and achievements. For example, you could highlight what you...
Hi @josiemusgra
Just following up on this :) It doesn’t need to be a regulation specifically. You could also focus on a distinct business, political, or legal event, like a major court decision or a significant business move that’s been economically significant. These types of events often...
Hi @Tangcy
Yes, you should be able to do so. Although this may need to be updated, I made a short thread on the firms that typically allow you to apply for a direct training contract in the same recruitment cycle as an unsuccessful vacation scheme application. When applying for Linklaters'...
Hiya @gazdgazd11
Thanks so much for reaching out, and I’m sorry for the delay! Shahana will be handling your upgrade shortly, so you should be all set soon.
For the application review pack, you’ll be able to submit your applications directly for review without needing any extra approval once...
Hi @jobhuntwarrior :)
Absolutely, you should feel free to mention these events! It might seem like they were a while ago, but that really doesn’t matter. The question doesn’t limit how far back you can go, so it’s perfectly fine to include all the relevant events you’ve attended. There’s also...
Hiya @Amjaya
I would keep practicing if possible. Though it’s worth noting that the benchmark for each firm can vary, you want to get closer to about 35/40. Regular practice, reflecting on the answers you get wrong, and an understanding of the type of reasoning demanded by each section will...
Hiya @sarahfw
Sorry to hear about the type - totally understand how frustrating it feels to spot those kind of mistakes after putting so much effort into your application. That said, I’d recommend leaving it as is and not emailing grad rec, as one small typo like this is very unlikely to lead...
Hi @Jmoney3010
You’re definitely on the right track here. Depending on the word count, you could definitely focus on 2-3 changes in the current tax regime that would impact some of Lewis Silkin’s key practice areas. You might also consider the knock-on effects these changes would have in...
Hi @aspirationalfashionlawyer
Scoring 80% on the practice test is a fantastic start, so you're definitely in a strong position going into the actual WG test! It's tricky to say for sure if the CC practice test perfectly mirrors the real thing, as Clifford Chance, like many firms, only lets you...
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