• Get Everything You Need to Secure a Training Contract
    Now 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.
    Join Premium →
  • How to Secure a Vacation Scheme (Ropes & Gray)
    1 Dec 2025 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)
    In this interactive session, Maya Shah, Senior Early Careers Specialist at Ropes & Gray, will walk you through every stage of the firm's application process.
    Register on Zoom →
  • How to Stand Out in Law Firm Interviews (Willkie)
    3 Dec 2025 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)
    Willkie’s new graduate recruiter and two trainees will break down what the firm looks for at the interview stage, common pitfalls to avoid, and how you can demonstrate confidence, clarity, and genuine motivation throughout an assessment centre.
    Register on Zoom →

Search results

  1. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

    This is amazing news - delighted for you!
  2. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

    If it’s on your application, then yes. They will probably want some proof of the income if possible though (eg self assessment).
  3. TCLA Community Assistant

    Pgdl and fund

    You can do the PGDL part-time, this might be an option if you want/need to work to fund the course and the cost of living in the UK. The University of Law and other providers (if you choose to study at a different institution) will have scholarships and bursary programmes but many of them won't...
  4. TCLA Community Assistant

    Vacation Scheme Didn't Work Out? Things You Should Consider About Making Direct TC Applications

    From Chambers Student Guide (which the firm will have approved the wording of)
  5. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

    Yes, either of these options is reasonable to ask for but should still be explained that you are asking as you cannot attend an assessment centre until your isolation period is up. They will understand, it is just whether they can provide any alternative dates/methods that might be the issue...
  6. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

    Late August through to late September usually.
  7. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

    This is a nightmare for the self-employed. Most people work through an umbrella company to ensure they are IR35 compliant, but that will take a good 25-33% of your day rate to do so. If you want to work on a PAYE basis, then ask the employer/recruiter whether they will consider that instead if...
  8. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

    I am sorry if this comes across as blunt but I don’t think doing more practice tests is going to help. What I would recommend is investing the time into understanding how questions are formulated and why they come the answers that they do. Practice assessments rarely provide that level of...
  9. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

    Anytime between early July and November usually. Some of the winter schemes in particular may open early and close by November to ensure the recruitment process can conclude before they start.
  10. TCLA Community Assistant

    Kennedys Training Contract 2023

    The only implications will be if you start the process of onboarding law school with them (e.g. SQE/LPC courses), then you could potentially find yourself having to cover the cost of the course even if you don't start it. Same if you received a maintenance grant from the firm (although as I...
  11. TCLA Community Assistant

    Ask TCLA's New Community Managers Anything!

    You don’t need to mention them, although the firm may ask you anyway
  12. TCLA Community Assistant

    Is the PGDL harder than undergraduate degree?

    The common difference I have heard as to whether it is difficult or not, is the way in which you studied and were assessed at undergraduate level. I think many people who have studied very different subjects that have been assessed in different methods find adapting to the PGDL more challenging...
  13. TCLA Community Assistant

    Kennedys Training Contract 2023

    You can ask them for an extension of the offer. You can also contact the other firms and explain you have an offer and therefore is there any possibility of finding out earlier whether you would be brought through to the next stage/be made an offer (subject to where you are in the recruitment...
  14. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

    That isn’t a mistake! Really don’t worry about this as it’s pretty normal and nothing you would get marked down for.
  15. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

    You are over thinking this! It would say if you had to accept or not. It’s just an event to celebrate your offer and meet other offerees. Really don’t worry about this!
  16. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

    Offer holder suggests you don’t have to have accepted it but it’s not an issue if you have as well.
  17. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

    Yes, you don’t have to name the firm though. You can just say you have recently received a TC offer from another firm and you are keen to understand whether theRe is any possibility that the firm can offer a direct TC recruitment process, and if so what the process might entail.
  18. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

    Depends on the nature of the event. Sometimes they are given as individual events (for only one person) to help them decide whether the firm is for them. Are you worried you are missing something?
  19. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

    Call (this isn’t something to rely on email for) firms B and C and see if they can offer a direct TC recruitment process or if they could whether they would still advise you to do the vacation scheme. If they can’t offer one or advise to do the vac scheme instead to give you the best chance of...
  20. TCLA Community Assistant

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

    Before I advise, do you want to do the vacation schemes or would you prefer to go forward for a direct TC process?

About Us

The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

Get Our 2026 Vacation Scheme Guide

Nail your vacation scheme applications this year with our latest guide, with sample answers to law firm questions.

    Share this page

    Community platform by XenForo® © 2010-2022 XenForo Ltd. | Style and add-ons by ThemeHouse | Community services from Audentio
    XenCarta 2 PRO © Jason Axelrod of 8WAYRUN
    Top Bottom