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Join Premium →Get Everything You Need to Secure a Training ContractNow half the price. Join TCLA Premium for £30/month and get step-by-step application support, daily commercial awareness practice, and 700+ successful examples of past applications and interview experiences. Plus so much more.
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Register on Zoom →SQE Student Panel with BPP19 Nov 2025 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)Join us for a live student panel with BPP University Law School. We'll be joined by Jonny Hurst, Senior Lecturer in Law at BPP, and current BPP students who will share their advice on passing the SQE.
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Register on Zoom →A Deep Dive Into Reed Smith's Sector Focus (Transportation)24 Nov 2025 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)Dive into Reed Smith’s transportation practice to see how their legal advice drives the world’s largest shipping, aviation, and logistics businesses, and how trainees can make their mark.
Search results
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A Training Contract Success Story
I recently learned one of our students secured a training contract at a top US law firm. He wishes to stay anonymous for reasons which will become obvious as you read. Here is his story. --- "Well, of course, we do have some students who flourish in the sixth form, but until you do, you may...- Jaysen
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- Replies: 7
- Forum: General Discussion
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Welcome Law Societies
Hi all, We are pleased to welcome several new law societies at The Corporate Law Academy: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/groups/. In the upcoming academic year, these groups will serve as private spaces for members to discuss their applications to law firms, and access our...- Jaysen
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- Replies: 3
- Forum: General Discussion
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Application tips for training contract deadline day
It's deadline day for most of the big commercial law firms, which means some of you will be trying to squeeze one more application in before midnight. In addition to writing my own applications a few years ago, I review a lot of training contract applications. I wanted to share some quick...- Jaysen
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- Replies: 0
- Forum: Applications Discussion
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Negotiation exercises
A student recently had a question about the negotiation exercise on a vacation scheme. Thought I'd share this post with you guys here: · Start with your best possible outcome. A little obvious but it’s important – that way, if you have to concede, the outcome may still be optimal. ·...- Jaysen
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- Replies: 1
- Forum: Vacation Schemes Discussion
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Work Log for your Vacation Schemes
Hey guys, You probably know by now how much we like fillable PDFs ;) Here's one we've designed for your vacation schemes. The table follows the same structure I used in mine to keep track of everything each day. It's also handy for the final TC interview because you'll often be asked questions...- Jaysen
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- Replies: 2
- Forum: Vacation Schemes Discussion
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Guides, university partnerships and contributors
Hey guys, I think most of you have finished exams this year. A huge well done! Here's what we've been working on at the moment and some recent site updates. We're in talks to partner with a few universities and organisations. We've been chatting to law firms/partners about the creation of...- Jaysen
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- Replies: 2
- Forum: General Discussion
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Howes Percival Vacation Scheme 2017
Howes Percival Vacation Scheme 2017 How did you find the Howes Percival vacation scheme? The people were really kind and took the time to answer any questions that I had. The workload was okay, I could finish everything with time to spare even if I had not studied it before. I sat in...- Jaysen
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- Replies: 0
- Forum: Vacation Schemes Discussion
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Linklaters Vacation Scheme 2017
Linklaters Vacation Scheme 2017 How did you find the Linklaters vacation scheme? My supervisors were very relaxed. The workload consisted of mainly research tasks, correspondence drafting, updating client bibles, and shadowing. This was manageable. I enjoyed the exposure to high profile...- Jaysen
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- Replies: 0
- Forum: Vacation Schemes Discussion
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DLA Piper Vacation Scheme 2017
DLA Piper Vacation Scheme 2017 How did you find the DLA Piper vacation scheme? The friendliness of staff varied. The workload was manageable and consisted of mainly research and company administration work. I enjoyed the socials and felt they were a great way to bond with fellow vac scheme...- Jaysen
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- Replies: 1
- Forum: Vacation Schemes Discussion
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Reed Smith Vacation Scheme 2018
Reed Smith Vacation Scheme 2018 How did you find the Reed Smith vacation scheme? Very packed schedule, first 1.5 days were just induction and various workshops. Sat in two departments (corporate and innovation). People were lovely, everyone was really friendly and encouraging. Ended up playing...- Jaysen
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- Replies: 3
- Forum: Vacation Schemes Discussion
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Slaughter and May Vacation Scheme 2017
Slaughter and May Vacation Scheme 2017 How did you find the Slaughter and May vacation scheme? There were plenty of introductory talks on the firm/practice areas, and depending on your supervisor, the opportunity to sit in with trainees for a few of their training sessions, and cross-firm...- Jaysen
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- Replies: 0
- Forum: Vacation Schemes Discussion
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Herbert Smith Freehills Vacation Scheme 2018
Herbert Smith Freehills Vacation Scheme, Spring 2018 How did you find the Herbert Smith Freehills vacation scheme? It was great - all I expected and more! Schedule: Talks every morning and evening, and work in the middle with the occasional lunch event. We could leave for home right after...- Jaysen
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- Replies: 4
- Forum: Vacation Schemes Discussion
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Allen & Overy Vacation Scheme 2018
Allen & Overy Vacation Scheme 2017 How did you find the Allen & Overy vacation scheme? There was an induction and icebreaker on the first day then the next 2 weeks were based on departmental work, social activities and workshops. You are given a trainee buddee and you will be sat with an...- Jaysen
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- Replies: 2
- Forum: Vacation Schemes Discussion
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Sidley Austin Vacation Scheme 2018
Sidley Austin Vacation Scheme 2018 How did you find the Sidley Austin vacation scheme? The schedule wasn't too packed. The first day was the most busy, because of IT training and that kind of thing. There was a volunteering afternoon. There weren't too many social events - there was a...- Jaysen
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- Replies: 0
- Forum: Vacation Schemes Discussion
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Good luck for your vacation schemes tomorrow!
Hey guys, I just sent this round via email. Thought I'd share it here too. Vacation Scheme Guide | How to turn your vacation scheme into a training contract Hi everyone, I know some of you start your vacation schemes tomorrow. I wanted to send this over. It's a short extract from our upcoming...- Jaysen
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- Replies: 1
- Forum: General Discussion
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Welcome new vac schemers
Hi guys, Welcome to all the new vac schemers that have joined these forums this week. I know many of you start tomorrow. I am currently working on a vacation scheme guide which will cover everything from preparation to the workload to converting your scheme into a TC. I will try to get this...- Jaysen
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- Replies: 1
- Forum: Vacation Schemes Discussion
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Upcoming support
Hi there, With vacation scheme season coming up soon I'll be posting a lot more material in this section. In the meantime, feel free to ask any questions if you need help preparing for your schemes. Best, Jaysen- Jaysen
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- Replies: 5
- Forum: Vacation Schemes Discussion
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Tips on converting the vac scheme to a TC offer
General tips: Be interested/enthusiastic about the work and ask thoughtful questions when it’s appropriate. Be sincere and a nice person to the other interns (even if others are trying to be competitive)/secretaries/trainees etc. Show you’ve taken feedback on board. Manage expectations if...- Jaysen
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- Replies: 1
- Forum: Vacation Schemes Discussion
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Drafting exercises
In answer to a question about legal drafting: It’s important to think about the purpose of legal drafting to do well in this exercise. You're meant to be recording what the parties have agreed, or if it’s the first draft, your client’s instructions. There are consequences if a lawyer doesn't...- Jaysen
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- Replies: 1
- Forum: Vacation Schemes Discussion
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Structuring legal research
In answer to a question about structuring legal research: It’s difficult to offer general advice because firms have different formatting styles, partners have different preferences and the task may require a particular style, but, a few tips I can suggest. First, you should be getting IT...- Jaysen
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- Replies: 1
- Forum: Vacation Schemes Discussion