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17 December 2025
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (UK)
Hosted on TCLA TV
Join Isabel Elsey, Legal Recruitment Manager at BCLP, for a live Q&A session. Get details on secondments, innovation, growth areas, and everything else you’ve wanted to ask about life at BCLP!
Hey @hungry_for_TC,
This is a great question. I empathise with your anxiety about this as I was a non-law student too. I completed two HSF scenario interviews during my vacation scheme AC and not only did I rely on my commercial awareness heavily, but I felt that this was a decisive factor in...
Hi @ap28,
I have not come across this question either actually. I like the way that the firm gives an example that they have leveraged their network before you asking to do the same.
The first thing that I would do is to consider the CAR (Context, Action, Result) and STAR (Situation, Task...
Hey @hungry_for_TC,
This sounds like a fantastic idea. My advice would be, if you can manage it, find someone to verbalise your answers with too (or even just practicing them in front of the mirror/a webcam). I often found that saying something aloud made me revise my answers.
I hope that you...
Hey @TCinpipeline,
Unfortunately this is the sort of question that I do not think there is a simple answer to. It is frustrating but I can't think of a resource that might list this information. My best advice would be to ask the firm, either via email or at an Open Day/recruitment event where...
Hey @emilyn,
Welcome to the forum! It is great to hear that you completed an AC at Penningtons too. How did you think it went?
My advice for these sorts of queries is to search through the existing content on the forum (and potentially PM any users that you find who have posted about the AC...
Hey @Mr paralegal.
This is not only a great question, but also one that is difficult to answer definitively. Firms will not say (in my experience) that an earlier vacation scheme will give candidates a better chance of securing a TC. If you are concerned about this, opt for the earlier scheme...
Hi @njones95,
Thank you for raising this question. I think it is a hard balance to strike between being honest and personal in a professional setting.
My opinion on this is that it is up to you how personal you would like to go, so long as you feel willing to discuss your situation under...
Hey @njones95,
Personally I would! Worst comes to worst, the firm restricts what you can use. But ultimately if you work best with highlighters/rulers/pencils/different coloured pens etc. which might not be supplied by the firm, you would be wise to bring them with you to put yourself in the...
Hey @awd1998,
So if I were to guess, my response would be yes. CMS (and similar firms) do generally cover GDL/LPC fees. I also found this page (last updated in 2019) on Lawcareers.net. This suggests that CMS do cover law school fees (in addition to a grant).
I hope that helps 💪
Hey @WiseOwl,
Thank you for the question and for reaching out. Given everything that has been said on this by the team already, I do not have much to add. Just wanted to let you know I have seen this!
Feel free to tag me in future though as I would be delighted to help.
Hey @rb26...
Hey @Crystal86,
Again this is only my opinion, but yes!
I tried to be curious during my interview and enthusiastic about the issues that we were discussing. This approach indicates that are you engaged and interested, as well as being keen and willing to learn/improve, which bodes well for...
Hey @Aspiringlawyer14,
Unfortunately I can't give any insight into either first year scheme.
That being said, have you had a look through the forum using the search bar functionality (on the top right of the page if you are using a laptop!). This might give you the names of some users who...
Hey @TCApp2021,
Huge congratulations for reaching the final interview stage! This is fantastic news.
So unfortunately I did not complete an interview with Travers. Just to check, is this for their VS? I have a feeling that Travers don't offer direct TC places, so apologies if that was a silly...
Hey @Crystal86,
First of all, huge congratulations for being progressed to the AC at HSF. I loved my interview (it was one of the best interview that I did when I was applying and I am still in touch with my interviewer I enjoyed it so much!).
In terms of tips, this post includes my approach...
Hey @TCinpipeline,
So I thought I would provide you with a few thoughts before pointing you towards some resources already on the forum.
Regarding cover letters, I tended to keep mine to a page (and preferably less). Generally I would follow a basic structure: why the firm, why law and...
Hey @YUKI1201,
If you would like more generic VI advice, let me know and I can point you towards some of TCLA's resources for VIs in general.
In terms of W&C VI tips, my advice (based on doing the VI in 2021) would be to consider the firm's overall global strategy, be comfortable talking...
Hey @jo,
I don't think that there is any harm in emailing! Jess might differ from me on this, but if you are keen to find out about your applications, this might serve as a nudge to the firms who are yet to get back to you!
Hey @ek125712,
For me this took between a few days to a couple of...
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