Hi all, are there any resources on research tasks? Does anybody have any examples of a Vac Scheme Research task that I could try to do for practise? Anyone want to collaborate and do one together on some random technical part of law where we can then compare/ comment on each other's work?
-
Hey Guest, Have an interview coming up? We’ve opened new mock interview slots this week. Book here
-
TCLA Premium: Now half price (£30/month). Applications, interviews, commercial awareness + 700+ examples.Join →
TCLA Spring & Summer Vacation Scheme Thread 2026
- Thread starter Jaysen
- Start date
Hi @Abbie Whitlock, hope you are having a nice day! 
How do you recommend preparing for a vac scheme and what are the typical tasks you will be asked to do? I am assuming some drafting and research? I am very worried about how to approach these kind of tasks. I am not even sure where to start. This is my first ever vac scheme so feeling a bit lost and doubting my capabilities 
Are tasks generally time pressured like written exercises during ACs? I find that in ACs they give you a lot of information to go over in a short amount of time, which makes it hard to feel like you have fully completed something to the best of your abilities.
How do you recommend preparing for a vac scheme and what are the typical tasks you will be asked to do? I am assuming some drafting and research? I am very worried about how to approach these kind of tasks. I am not even sure where to start. This is my first ever vac scheme so feeling a bit lost and doubting my capabilities Are tasks generally time pressured like written exercises during ACs? I find that in ACs they give you a lot of information to go over in a short amount of time, which makes it hard to feel like you have fully completed something to the best of your abilities.
Hello!
This is a great question, and I always found that it is quite tricky to prepare for research tasks as there aren't many official examples or resources out there.
I've had a think about the tasks that I was given on my vacation schemes, and I remember receiving the following research tasks in these departments:
- Construction team: research into the Building Safety Act 2022 and how it affected "high-rise blocks of flats"
- Residential property team: research into bona vacantia and into the Duchy of Cornwall
- IP team: research into how AI is affecting things such as copyrights and trademarks, including recent legal cases (e.g. Getty Images v Stability AI)
- Brief introduction and context
- Clear explanation of the law or issue
- Application to the scenario (if relevant)
- Conclusion
Also, if you have access to platforms like Westlaw or Lexis, even just picking a topic and trying to pull together a 1-2 page note from primary sources can be really good practice too!
Hello!Hi @Abbie Whitlock, hope you are having a nice day!
Are tasks generally time pressured like written exercises during ACs? I find that in ACs they give you a lot of information to go over in a short amount of time, which makes it hard to feel like you have fully completed something to the best of your abilities.
I am having a good day, thank you - I hope you are too!!
Congratulations on the vacation scheme, that is amazing news!In terms of preparing for the scheme, I would try not to worry too much about doing lots! The main things that I would focus on are:
- Having a solid understanding of the firm (e.g. their key practice areas, recent deals, commercial awareness of their specific sectors, etc.)
- If you know your seat, doing a bit of background reading so that you are familiar with key terms and concepts
- Thinking of a few questions that you'd like to ask / learn about during the scheme
- Research tasks (e.g. looking into a legal issue or recent updates and summarising it)
- Drafting (emails, short notes, sometimes basic clauses in a contract)
- Proofreading or document review
- Sometimes more commercial-style / business development tasks (e.g. preparing an article that discusses a recent legal case)
- Make sure that you fully understand the task, and if anything is unclear, it is completely fine (and often encouraged) to ask clarifying questions. Your supervisor would rather you ask a clarifying question, rather than not fully address what they were asking for.
- Do focused research - don't try to include everything, just what is most relevant. At the start, I was including things that weren't directly relevant as I worried that it might be useful for my supervisor to have that information anyway. However, I would ensure that you only include things relevant to the question being asked, and you can always (+ probably should) include a list of sources that you used, so your supervisor can find this information if needed.
- Structure your answer clearly (e.g. intro -> main point -> conclusion) and keep it concise and easy to read. At the end of the day, they are delegating the task to save themselves some time, so you want to ensure that they have easy access to the information they need.
A vacation scheme is a learning experience so, whilst you are being assessed and should produce the best work you can, it is much more about your thought process, effort, and how you take on feedback, rather than whether your work was "perfect". You aren't expected to know everything, and asking questions is a good thing and actively encouraged - try to learn as much as you can throughout the scheme to make the most of it!
You have already done incredibly well to receive the vacation scheme offer, and they definitely would not have picked you if they didn't think you were capable. It might feel overwhelming now, but once you get started, it becomes much more manageable. It is often the unknown that makes you nervous!
Wishing you the best of luck - I'm sure you'll do great!!
Thank you so much Abbie!Hello!
I am having a good day, thank you - I hope you are too!!
In terms of preparing for the scheme, I would try not to worry too much about doing lots! The main things that I would focus on are:
You are not expected to come in with lots of technical legal knowledge, particularly as the scheme has to be accessible for non-law students. The scheme itself is designed for you to learn, so your approach matters far more! In terms of tasks, I would say that you are bang on and they are often things like:
- Having a solid understanding of the firm (e.g. their key practice areas, recent deals, commercial awareness of their specific sectors, etc.)
- If you know your seat, doing a bit of background reading so that you are familiar with key terms and concepts
- Thinking of a few questions that you'd like to ask / learn about during the scheme
The most important thing is often how you approach them, rather than whether you get everything right first time. A few things that helped me with tasks during my vacation schemes:
- Research tasks (e.g. looking into a legal issue or recent updates and summarising it)
- Drafting (emails, short notes, sometimes basic clauses in a contract)
- Proofreading or document review
- Sometimes more commercial-style / business development tasks (e.g. preparing an article that discusses a recent legal case)
On timing, I personally found vacation scheme tasks had less time pressure than AC written exercises. ACs are designed to test you under pressure, so they often give you lots of information in a short amount of time. However, on a vacation scheme, you'll usually have more time and supervisors are generally more flexible (i.e. depending on the nature of the task, you might have a few hours or a couple days to complete it). The most important part is that you confirm the deadline when you receive the task, and always communicate if anything comes up that means you might not be able to complete it in time. They are usually happy for you to check in if you are unsure about timing or expectations!
- Make sure that you fully understand the task, and if anything is unclear, it is completely fine (and often encouraged) to ask clarifying questions. Your supervisor would rather you ask a clarifying question, rather than not fully address what they were asking for.
- Do focused research - don't try to include everything, just what is most relevant. At the start, I was including things that weren't directly relevant as I worried that it might be useful for my supervisor to have that information anyway. However, I would ensure that you only include things relevant to the question being asked, and you can always (+ probably should) include a list of sources that you used, so your supervisor can find this information if needed.
- Structure your answer clearly (e.g. intro -> main point -> conclusion) and keep it concise and easy to read. At the end of the day, they are delegating the task to save themselves some time, so you want to ensure that they have easy access to the information they need.
A vacation scheme is a learning experience so, whilst you are being assessed and should produce the best work you can, it is much more about your thought process, effort, and how you take on feedback, rather than whether your work was "perfect". You aren't expected to know everything, and asking questions is a good thing and actively encouraged - try to learn as much as you can throughout the scheme to make the most of it!
You have already done incredibly well to receive the vacation scheme offer, and they definitely would not have picked you if they didn't think you were capable. It might feel overwhelming now, but once you get started, it becomes much more manageable. It is often the unknown that makes you nervous!
Wishing you the best of luck - I'm sure you'll do great!!
Slightly vulnerable post...I'm not sure if anyone else is having this issue but as a girl I'm feeling really self-conscious about how I show up at the vacation scheme presentation-wise... Currently in stressful exam season and the acne is relentless...makeup won't work and I've so many fly aways on my head...hair is dry...skin is dry...weight has been gained...Lord please have mercy 
Hate how confidence is so linked to how I look and how I feel based on how I look lmao. I'll have to trudge on nonetheless but it's definitely something I need to work on after exams! Alas slightly late for the scheme though haha
Hate how confidence is so linked to how I look and how I feel based on how I look lmao. I'll have to trudge on nonetheless but it's definitely something I need to work on after exams! Alas slightly late for the scheme though haha
Hey!Slightly vulnerable post...I'm not sure if anyone else is having this issue but as a girl I'm feeling really self-conscious about how I show up at the vacation scheme presentation-wise... Currently in stressful exam season and the acne is relentless...makeup won't work and I've so many fly aways on my head...hair is dry...skin is dry...weight has been gained...Lord please have mercy
Hate how confidence is so linked to how I look and how I feel based on how I look lmao. I'll have to trudge on nonetheless but it's definitely something I need to work on after exams! Alas slightly late for the scheme though haha
This is a very relatable post for me, so you are definitely not alone in this! I was exactly the same before my schemes - my skin always seemed to flare up at the worst possible time (definitely stress-related from final year exams and the scheme itself, haha!), and it made me feel quite self-conscious too. I'm also not much of a makeup or fashion person, so I didn't feel like I had those as a safety net either, which didn't help my confidence.
However, what genuinely helped me was realising that I wasn't noticing any of these things on other people. For example, I'd never looked at anyone else and focused on things such as their skin/makeup/hair/clothes/etc, and it made me realise that it is very unlikely others are doing that to me. Everyone is so in their own head (and most likely nervous!) during the scheme that they won't be analysing you the way that you might think/worry about.
I would also try to ground your confidence in the fact that you have earned your place on the scheme. Vacation schemes are super competitive, and you were chosen out of thousands of applicants - that says far more about you than anything appearance-related! If you can, try to channel your energy into being engaged, friendly, and curious about the firm and its work, as that is what people will actually remember.
It is completely valid to feel how you are feeling, especially during exam season + the start of a scheme, but don't let it take away from what is genuinely a really amazing achievement. I would make the most of the opportunity to learn lots about commercial law and the specific firm, and give yourself the best chance of converting it!
Hey!
This is a very relatable post for me, so you are definitely not alone in this! I was exactly the same before my schemes - my skin always seemed to flare up at the worst possible time (definitely stress-related from final year exams and the scheme itself, haha!), and it made me feel quite self-conscious too. I'm also not much of a makeup or fashion person, so I didn't feel like I had those as a safety net either, which didn't help my confidence.
However, what genuinely helped me was realising that I wasn't noticing any of these things on other people. For example, I'd never looked at anyone else and focused on things such as their skin/makeup/hair/clothes/etc, and it made me realise that it is very unlikely others are doing that to me. Everyone is so in their own head (and most likely nervous!) during the scheme that they won't be analysing you the way that you might think/worry about.
I would also try to ground your confidence in the fact that you have earned your place on the scheme. Vacation schemes are super competitive, and you were chosen out of thousands of applicants - that says far more about you than anything appearance-related! If you can, try to channel your energy into being engaged, friendly, and curious about the firm and its work, as that is what people will actually remember.
It is completely valid to feel how you are feeling, especially during exam season + the start of a scheme, but don't let it take away from what is genuinely a really amazing achievement. I would make the most of the opportunity to learn lots about commercial law and the specific firm, and give yourself the best chance of converting it!
That is so true - thank you so much for the encouraging words Abbie! I guess part of it stems from wanting to present the best version of me, but focusing on the scheme itself, the achievement, and the vast amount of learning opportunities is more imperative. Thanks again Abbie! I still hope the breakouts will die down before the scheme starts, but I will keep your advice in mind either way!
When doing a research task/ a written assessment, how comprehensive should I be? Should I use footnotes to show where I obtained X fact from? Does it depend on whether I am doing a research task for a partner vs a client. When writing for a partner, I presume I should show precisely where I get all my facts from since they probably don't really trust me? For a client, is it fair to be less comprehensive and get the main points across?
Hello!
I have personally found this to be really task-dependant, rather than there being a single "right" level of detail that applies to all research tasks or written assessments. I've split my thoughts on this between research tasks and written assessments, as I think they differ slightly.
Research Tasks
Some research tasks that I have been given have been very tightly scoped (e.g. "answer these four questions and don't go beyond that"), where the expectation is clearly to be concise and targeted. However, others have been much broader, asking for general research on an area of law or a commercial trend, where a more comprehensive overview is actually expected. Therefore, the level of depth (+ time spent on the task) can vary quite a lot depending on what you have been asked to do by your supervisor.
I've also found that the same thing applies to things such as footnotes and sources. Different supervisors tend to have different preferences - for example, some I've worked with didn't mind how sources were presented, while others were quite particular (e.g. preferring hyperlinks embedded in the text rather than formal footnotes, or vice versa). Because of this, I would always recommend asking these kinds of questions when the task is first given to you. This shows a proactive attitude and that you are thinking about how best to deliver the work, and most supervisors will appreciate that and tell you exactly what they want from the task.
If they don't specify, I would just take a common-sense approach and focus on what is most clear and easy for them to digest. Personally, I tend to include sources in any event (even if not explicitly asked), as it makes your work more transparent and useful - they can quickly check where something has come from or dig deeper if needed.
In terms of structure, something that always worked for me was to make the main document reasonably comprehensive (unless I'm told otherwise) and pair it with a short executive summary at the top of the email. This means that they can immediately see the key answers or conclusions (especially if they are busy), but still have the detail underneath if they want to go into it. This balance between clarity and depth was something that I received good feedback on, so I think it is useful to include if you have the time!
On the partner vs client point, I haven't personally done any research tasks directly for clients - it has almost always been for a supervisor who then uses that research to write an email to a client (or other client-related tasks). Therefore, I would generally always include sources and be slightly more thorough, unless you are told to be concise. Your supervisor can always strip things back for the client, but it is harder and more time consuming for them to include additional key details or sources if they are missing.
Written Tasks
For written tasks, I would approach things slightly differently depending on who the instructions state you are writing for. If it is client-facing, I would aim to be much more concise, clear, and to the point than if you are writing a research task. I found that having a strong structure really helps with this - things such as clear headings, a logical flow and signposting mean that you can cover the key points without discussing lots of unnecessary detail. I haven't previously had to include formal "sources" in a written exercise, but I would always refer to the relevant information within the text so that it is clear what your point is based on.
For client-facing written work specifically, I would focus on what actually matters to the client and their interests. This could be things like the practical implications, key risks, and clear answers to any specific questions that they have - rather than trying to include everything you have found. Depth is still important in a client-focused task, but you should be selective and purposeful in the areas that you discuss, rather than trying to discuss everything.
Overall, I think the safest approach is to clarify the task instructions where you can, as that is often what your supervisor would be looking for. However, if they leave it open-ended or don't specify, I'd always aim for something that is clear, well-structured, and easy to navigate - ultimately, you are trying to make less work for them, so it should be set out in the most efficient way!
I hope that helps, and best of luck!!
Hi @Abbie Whitlock thanks so much for this, i found it so helpful.Hello!
I have personally found this to be really task-dependant, rather than there being a single "right" level of detail that applies to all research tasks or written assessments. I've split my thoughts on this between research tasks and written assessments, as I think they differ slightly.
Research Tasks
Some research tasks that I have been given have been very tightly scoped (e.g. "answer these four questions and don't go beyond that"), where the expectation is clearly to be concise and targeted. However, others have been much broader, asking for general research on an area of law or a commercial trend, where a more comprehensive overview is actually expected. Therefore, the level of depth (+ time spent on the task) can vary quite a lot depending on what you have been asked to do by your supervisor.
I've also found that the same thing applies to things such as footnotes and sources. Different supervisors tend to have different preferences - for example, some I've worked with didn't mind how sources were presented, while others were quite particular (e.g. preferring hyperlinks embedded in the text rather than formal footnotes, or vice versa). Because of this, I would always recommend asking these kinds of questions when the task is first given to you. This shows a proactive attitude and that you are thinking about how best to deliver the work, and most supervisors will appreciate that and tell you exactly what they want from the task.
If they don't specify, I would just take a common-sense approach and focus on what is most clear and easy for them to digest. Personally, I tend to include sources in any event (even if not explicitly asked), as it makes your work more transparent and useful - they can quickly check where something has come from or dig deeper if needed.
In terms of structure, something that always worked for me was to make the main document reasonably comprehensive (unless I'm told otherwise) and pair it with a short executive summary at the top of the email. This means that they can immediately see the key answers or conclusions (especially if they are busy), but still have the detail underneath if they want to go into it. This balance between clarity and depth was something that I received good feedback on, so I think it is useful to include if you have the time!
On the partner vs client point, I haven't personally done any research tasks directly for clients - it has almost always been for a supervisor who then uses that research to write an email to a client (or other client-related tasks). Therefore, I would generally always include sources and be slightly more thorough, unless you are told to be concise. Your supervisor can always strip things back for the client, but it is harder and more time consuming for them to include additional key details or sources if they are missing.
Written Tasks
For written tasks, I would approach things slightly differently depending on who the instructions state you are writing for. If it is client-facing, I would aim to be much more concise, clear, and to the point than if you are writing a research task. I found that having a strong structure really helps with this - things such as clear headings, a logical flow and signposting mean that you can cover the key points without discussing lots of unnecessary detail. I haven't previously had to include formal "sources" in a written exercise, but I would always refer to the relevant information within the text so that it is clear what your point is based on.
For client-facing written work specifically, I would focus on what actually matters to the client and their interests. This could be things like the practical implications, key risks, and clear answers to any specific questions that they have - rather than trying to include everything you have found. Depth is still important in a client-focused task, but you should be selective and purposeful in the areas that you discuss, rather than trying to discuss everything.
Overall, I think the safest approach is to clarify the task instructions where you can, as that is often what your supervisor would be looking for. However, if they leave it open-ended or don't specify, I'd always aim for something that is clear, well-structured, and easy to navigate - ultimately, you are trying to make less work for them, so it should be set out in the most efficient way!
I hope that helps, and best of luck!!
I was wondering if you could talk about how you know you have done a task “right” or what a model answer might look like. I am not too experienced in drafting clauses or client facing written work. Were there any resources you used or things like lexis practice notes you used/found helpful as guidance?
Thank you so much
@Abbie Whitlock - Hi Abbie (sorry it's me again...)
This is a miniscule issue, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on this (I'm definitely overthinking things). I have a project to do for my scheme, which I have to print out at the firm and hand to the partners.
First issue is: I'm not sure what 'standard' partners expect from me - would love some pointers on this! Do they usually have high expectations or for e.g. in a (commercial) presentation, are they okay with predictable points and assertions (with a few sources here and there)? Or do they expect research report standards? I may just be overthinking things haha.
Second: I feel really strongly about designing my project, and I have chosen the colour black as my background for each slide/page. The firm has a template version I can use, but as someone who's a bit artistic, I would love to be able to design my own project from scratch. I'm a bit worried about how the firm will view this in two senses:
This is a miniscule issue, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on this (I'm definitely overthinking things). I have a project to do for my scheme, which I have to print out at the firm and hand to the partners.
First issue is: I'm not sure what 'standard' partners expect from me - would love some pointers on this! Do they usually have high expectations or for e.g. in a (commercial) presentation, are they okay with predictable points and assertions (with a few sources here and there)? Or do they expect research report standards? I may just be overthinking things haha.
Second: I feel really strongly about designing my project, and I have chosen the colour black as my background for each slide/page. The firm has a template version I can use, but as someone who's a bit artistic, I would love to be able to design my own project from scratch. I'm a bit worried about how the firm will view this in two senses:
- (1) Would it look bad to not use the firm template? I've been told it's probably safer to use the firm's template, but I've already made my own template (still using elements of the firm's branding though) and would love to be able to utilise this (but not at the expense of my professionalism etc.), and
- (2) Would it look bad for me to be printing black slides? I imagine that would use a lot of the firm's ink resources and may not be very eco-friendly lol. But black is indeed the colour I wish to use since it aligns well with my project. The firm template has a white background for reference. I'm sure most people will be using the firm template - would it be risky to stand out in this way?
- I was thinking that I could either print it off myself (so I don't accidentally use up the firm's ink lmao...) or invert the colours for the print out versions and keep the black background for the actual version (digital) (but then I'm worried that the partners might find that weird since they will be expecting the printed versions to reflect the actual version).
Hey!Hi @Abbie Whitlock thanks so much for this, i found it so helpful.
I was wondering if you could talk about how you know you have done a task “right” or what a model answer might look like. I am not too experienced in drafting clauses or client facing written work. Were there any resources you used or things like lexis practice notes you used/found helpful as guidance?
Thank you so much
No problem at all, I'm glad to hear it is useful!
On knowing whether you have done a task "right", I think this is really tricky to actually know and often something that comes with practice and feedback, rather than there being a single model answer. In my experience, a "good" answer is usually one that is clear, well-structured, and actually answers the question that is being asked. If your supervisor can quickly understand your reasoning and use your work without having to rework it significantly (though no-one is expecting it to be perfect on the first try!), that is usually a good sign that you are on the right track. It often helps to ask your supervisor what specifically they are looking for, and noting that down in a list - I would always aim to ensure that my answer ticks everything off whilst also being concise / easy to read.
If you are every unsure, I'd try to take a bit of a commercial / common-sense approach - think about what the client's main priorities would be, what they actually care about, and what they would want to know. This can really help give you an idea of what to include (and just as importantly, what to leave out), especially if it is client-facing work. Again, I would always double-check with whoever has given you the task too - sometimes they might have done research already, and will ask you to leave out specific sections to avoid repetition.
For drafting and written work, I definitely didn't feel confident at the start either (+ didn't even know where to start!). What helped me most was looking at precedents and previous examples where possible - even just seeing how things are typically phrased and structured makes a big difference, and can help you make a start on the work. Resources like Practical Law and Lexis are really helpful here, and firms will usually show you how you can access them during the scheme. I found these were a great starting point, particularly for drafting exercises, and you might find examples within the firm's case management system too (if you have access to that). I would avoid relying on them blindly and make sure that you tailor it to the task you have been given (rather than following it word for word), but they are really useful for understanding structure and making sure that the style is correct.
If you are really stuck, I'd also suggest reaching out to your trainee buddy or a trainee in your team. They might not be able to give you the answer itself, but they can point you in the right direction - for example, suggesting useful resources, precedents, or even just how they would approach the task. On all of my schemes, I found that people are generally very happy to help, and it shows that you are being proactive rather than sitting stuck.
I would also encourage you to keep a note of feedback that you receive and refer back to it when you are given any future tasks - I found that a lot of the same themes came up, so I could focus on those areas when completing the current task.
I really wouldn't worry too much about getting it completely perfect straight away - your supervisor will understand that you likely don't have much legal experience, and showing that you can take feedback on board and improve is just as important.
I hope that helps, and best of luck with the scheme!
Hello!
No need to apologise (+ it is not a silly question at all) - please feel free to ask away, that's what I am here for!
On your first point, I would say that partners are generally not expecting "research report" level work or anything groundbreaking, particularly from a vacation scheme participant. What they are really looking for is that you can communicate clearly, structure your ideas well, and show some commercial awareness in how you approach the project. I think that predictable points are absolutely fine, as long as they are relevant and you explain them well in the context of your project - it is much better to do the basics really well (e.g. clear structure, logical flow, concise points) than to try to be overly complex or novel and lose clarity.
I would aim to make sure that your project is easy to follow, answers the question being asked, highlights the key points / assertions you are making up front, and shows that you understand why it matters commercially. If they can read it (or listen to your presentation) and quickly grasp your main arguments without confusion, then I'd say you are doing it well (+ to the standard they'd expect)!
On the design side, I would personally lean slightly towards the more cautious side here. Firms usually provide templates for a reason (i.e. consistency and professionalism) and so using the firm template is often the "safe" option. However, I don't think it is necessarily a bad thing to show a bit of personality, particularly if your version still clearly aligns with the firm's branding. I would just make sure that you spend the majority of your time on the content of the presentation and ensure that the slides are easy to follow, rather than focusing on the design of the slides themselves. As long as it still looks clean and professional rather than overly stylised, this should be fine - you essentially don't want the design to distract from the content.
On the black background specifically, I would probably avoid printing full black slides at the firm. I can't imagine it would be an issue in relation to the cost (although I wouldn't be able to say definitively), but it can sometimes look a little bit unconventional and might be harder to read on paper. If you want to use the black background, I actually think your idea of keeping the black background for the digital version but printing a white / lighter version is a sensible compromise, and I don't think anyone would find it strange.
Overall, I would avoid trying to stand out through the design of your slides, as it is more about making a strong impression through communication, and showing your thought process and commercial awareness. I don't think there is anything wrong with designing your own slides if that is something you would like to do, but I'd just ensure that it still fits the task you have been given.
I hope that helps, and best of luck with the scheme (+ project!)
I see! That definitely makes sense, thanks Abbie! I will adjust my approach slightly thenHello!
No need to apologise (+ it is not a silly question at all) - please feel free to ask away, that's what I am here for!
On your first point, I would say that partners are generally not expecting "research report" level work or anything groundbreaking, particularly from a vacation scheme participant. What they are really looking for is that you can communicate clearly, structure your ideas well, and show some commercial awareness in how you approach the project. I think that predictable points are absolutely fine, as long as they are relevant and you explain them well in the context of your project - it is much better to do the basics really well (e.g. clear structure, logical flow, concise points) than to try to be overly complex or novel and lose clarity.
I would aim to make sure that your project is easy to follow, answers the question being asked, highlights the key points / assertions you are making up front, and shows that you understand why it matters commercially. If they can read it (or listen to your presentation) and quickly grasp your main arguments without confusion, then I'd say you are doing it well (+ to the standard they'd expect)!
On the design side, I would personally lean slightly towards the more cautious side here. Firms usually provide templates for a reason (i.e. consistency and professionalism) and so using the firm template is often the "safe" option. However, I don't think it is necessarily a bad thing to show a bit of personality, particularly if your version still clearly aligns with the firm's branding. I would just make sure that you spend the majority of your time on the content of the presentation and ensure that the slides are easy to follow, rather than focusing on the design of the slides themselves. As long as it still looks clean and professional rather than overly stylised, this should be fine - you essentially don't want the design to distract from the content.
On the black background specifically, I would probably avoid printing full black slides at the firm. I can't imagine it would be an issue in relation to the cost (although I wouldn't be able to say definitively), but it can sometimes look a little bit unconventional and might be harder to read on paper. If you want to use the black background, I actually think your idea of keeping the black background for the digital version but printing a white / lighter version is a sensible compromise, and I don't think anyone would find it strange.
Overall, I would avoid trying to stand out through the design of your slides, as it is more about making a strong impression through communication, and showing your thought process and commercial awareness. I don't think there is anything wrong with designing your own slides if that is something you would like to do, but I'd just ensure that it still fits the task you have been given.
I hope that helps, and best of luck with the scheme (+ project!)
I just personally feel much more engaged if I love the slide deck I am working with (haha)
but I might make do with the template one! Thanks again 
Since my two-week vacation scheme is before my exams, I am quite stressed that I'm losing a two-week revision period. For those who have done vac schemes, did you have enough free time to focus on other studies like exams after leaving the office each day, or is that unrealistic? I'm just trying to assess how to plan my revision! Thank you
Girll me too it gives me panic attacks every time I think about itSince my two-week vacation scheme is before my exams, I am quite stressed that I'm losing a two-week revision period. For those who have done vac schemes, did you have enough free time to focus on other studies like exams after leaving the office each day, or is that unrealistic? I'm just trying to assess how to plan my revision! Thank you
I'm ready to purchase as many monsters as it takes...
Hey!Since my two-week vacation scheme is before my exams, I am quite stressed that I'm losing a two-week revision period. For those who have done vac schemes, did you have enough free time to focus on other studies like exams after leaving the office each day, or is that unrealistic? I'm just trying to assess how to plan my revision! Thank you
My spring vacation scheme last year was right before my final year exams, so I can share my experience of how I balanced the two!
From my experience, it is not unrealistic to get some work done alongside the scheme. There were usually only one or two socials across the whole two weeks, and I personally never had to stay at the firm later than around 6pm to finish my work. This meant that I could normally fit in an hour or so of revision in the evenings if I needed to, alongside writing down anything I learnt on the scheme that day and preparing for final TC assessments. I also found the weekend in between really helpful for catching up on a bit of work (although make sure you let yourself have some sleep too!).
I do think it is important to be realistic and to try not to overload yourself - the scheme itself can be quite intense, and you don't want to burn out trying to do everything at once. What worked best for me was planning ahead on the assumption that I wouldn't get loads done during those two weeks, getting a bit ahead beforehand, and then using the time after to catch up if needed.
I'm sure that this'll depend on the specific firm that you are completing a scheme at, but I think there is definitely some time to get some studying done outside of the scheme at the majority of firms. Just make sure to give yourself some rest time too!
Hi everyone, international student here, Pleaae I’d like advice on how to answer the question, “ why you have decided to pursue a career as a solicitor?, and what other career you have explored and why you choose the solicitor role over it?
Ps: I’m CURRENTLY APPLYING TO K&L gates
I have decided to pursue a career as a solicitor because I am drawn to the role solicitors play in directly advising clients on international business strategies. I am also fascinated by how law intersects with commercial objectives to help clients protect their brand and expand globally.
I initially strongly considered becoming a barrister because of its focus on litigation, and I was intrigued by the intellectual rigor of presenting cases in court, however with research and commercial exposure at my internship at a stockbroking firm, I figured i prefer the role of a solicitor that allows me to build long term client relationships, and combine legal expertise with international client advisory.
I believe a career as a solicitor will be highly rewarding, as it allows me to work in collaborative environments, contribute to international projects and develop technical expertise while understanding clients commercial objectives. This aligns very closely with my personal areas of interest and background in international law, making the role not only professionally but personally fulfilling.
This is my current answer
Please I’m very open to corrections and suggestions!
Ps: I’m CURRENTLY APPLYING TO K&L gates
I have decided to pursue a career as a solicitor because I am drawn to the role solicitors play in directly advising clients on international business strategies. I am also fascinated by how law intersects with commercial objectives to help clients protect their brand and expand globally.
I initially strongly considered becoming a barrister because of its focus on litigation, and I was intrigued by the intellectual rigor of presenting cases in court, however with research and commercial exposure at my internship at a stockbroking firm, I figured i prefer the role of a solicitor that allows me to build long term client relationships, and combine legal expertise with international client advisory.
I believe a career as a solicitor will be highly rewarding, as it allows me to work in collaborative environments, contribute to international projects and develop technical expertise while understanding clients commercial objectives. This aligns very closely with my personal areas of interest and background in international law, making the role not only professionally but personally fulfilling.
This is my current answer
Please I’m very open to corrections and suggestions!
Would just like to say that all of Abbie's responses on this thread have been SO helpful, thank you so much @Abbie Whitlock ! I'll be assessed based on 2 research tasks over two weeks, and i've been told that at least one of them will be a written memorandum. I've always been a little confused on what exactly a memorandum entails, so I'd be grateful for any advice. Thanks so much again!
Similar threads
- Sticky
