• 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 →
  • From AI to Energy Deals: Inside a Full-Service Law Firm with Osborne Clarke
    8 Dec 2025 · 6pm (UK) Zoom · Registration Required
    You want to write a strong Osborne Clarke application — but what really makes the firm different, and how do trainees experience the work day-to-day? In this session, you’ll hear directly from current trainees and Recruitment Advisor Patrick Fermin Ryan, so you can speak with clarity and specificity in your applications and interviews.
    Register →

DWF VI

bananak

Well-Known Member
Sep 9, 2021
23
12
Hi everyone,

I have been invited to DWF VI. Does anyone have any advice/tips on how to prepare for the DWF VI and what type of questions to expect?

I'm not very experienced with VIs, all help is welcome and appreciated :)) x

Thank you in advance
 

SOAS22

Esteemed Member
  • Nov 26, 2021
    91
    219
    Hi everyone,

    I have been invited to DWF VI. Does anyone have any advice/tips on how to prepare for the DWF VI and what type of questions to expect?

    I'm not very experienced with VIs, all help is welcome and appreciated :)) x

    Thank you in advance

    Hi. Congratulations on getting through to the Vi. For my DWF VI I am preparing for the general sort of questions, and some commercial questions. Hope yours goes well, if you haven’t done it already
     
    • Love
    Reactions: bananak

    ZS

    Standard Member
    Oct 21, 2021
    7
    23
    Hi. Congratulations on getting through to the Vi. For my DWF VI I am preparing for the general sort of questions, and some commercial questions. Hope yours goes well, if you haven’t done it already
    Well done to both of you!

    This is my 2nd application cycle and 2nd VI stage (I did SQB last week). I think it would be really good to go through your previous research you did on the firm, any recent deals the firm has completed (would be really good if you could link a certain deal to your chosen office) and general commercial questions. Oh and definitely brush up on 'why commercial law?'


    Good luck. You've got this!!
     
    • Love
    Reactions: amf2805 and bananak

    SOAS22

    Esteemed Member
  • Nov 26, 2021
    91
    219
    Well done to both of you!

    This is my 2nd application cycle and 2nd VI stage (I did SQB last week). I think it would be really good to go through your previous research you did on the firm, any recent deals the firm has completed (would be really good if you could link a certain deal to your chosen office) and general commercial questions. Oh and definitely brush up on 'why commercial law?'


    Good luck. You've got this!!

    Thank you so much :)
     

    bananak

    Well-Known Member
    Sep 9, 2021
    23
    12
    Well done to both of you!

    This is my 2nd application cycle and 2nd VI stage (I did SQB last week). I think it would be really good to go through your previous research you did on the firm, any recent deals the firm has completed (would be really good if you could link a certain deal to your chosen office) and general commercial questions. Oh and definitely brush up on 'why commercial law?'


    Good luck. You've got this!!
    Thank you very much!
     

    RSLAW

    New Member
    Feb 1, 2023
    4
    2
    Well done to both of you!

    This is my 2nd application cycle and 2nd VI stage (I did SQB last week). I think it would be really good to go through your previous research you did on the firm, any recent deals the firm has completed (would be really good if you could link a certain deal to your chosen office) and general commercial questions. Oh and definitely brush up on 'why commercial law?'


    Good luck. You've got this!!
    Hi I received confirmation of completing a VI by next. Are the VI questions the same the second time round as they were the first? Thanks, I hope it all went well!
     
    It has been a while since I did my DWF VI so my memories a little rusty

    But I think it was 1:30 seconds of speaking / 30 seconds thinking time - I am not sure if it was 30 seconds or 1 minute thinking time (this could have all changed by now).

    Focus on competency questions why DWF / why you / tell me when you demonstrated X type questions.

    I remember they had one about diversity - why it is important to a law firm / why it is important to them.

    I would also prep a news story - not sure if they asked it but just in case.

    Also prep why is ESG important now - didnt get asked this but always good to have in the back pocket - link to insurance companies signing up to paris agreement and how it is important to DWFs clients etc.

    Hope this helps - best of luck!
     
    • Like
    Reactions: RSLAW

    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.