TCLA Spring & Summer Vacation Scheme Thread 2026

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hello Abbie, I am unsure if it has been answered yet but is there any specific way you would suggest I should go about selecting seats during a vac scheme?

Hey!

This is a great question, and I think lots of people think you have to pick the most well-known practice area - I would generally try to avoid this if you are only choosing it to try and 'game' the system!

The starting point should definitely be to pick an area that you are genuinely interested in. You will naturally produce better work, ask more insightful and thoughtful questions, and build stronger relationships within the team if you are actually curious about the area. This tends to come across far more positively than picking something purely because you think it is strategic or impressive.

Beyond that (i.e. if you are not sure what you are interested in, or if you are able to pick more than one), I always think it is a good idea to use the scheme to explore different options. If you have a second choice, I'd consider something you haven't experienced or would like to learn more about. A vacation scheme is one of the few opportunities where you can assist with real work and test an area without any long-term commitment, and even realising that a practice area isn't for you is still a valuable insight.

It can help to have an awareness of the firm's strengths, just so you understand where you might get particularly good exposure, but as I said above, I wouldn't let that override your own interests. Firms are not expecting you to 'optimise' your seat choices, and they are much more interested in how you engage with the seat you have been given (as you might not always get your first choice anyway!).

I'd say that more than anything, it is important to remember that the scheme is as much about you figuring out what you enjoy day-to-day as it is about performing well. If you come away able to clearly explain what you liked, what you didn't, and why, you have used your seat choices well and can clearly reflect on the VS in a post-VS interview.

If you don't get your first choice, I wouldn't worry too much - I was assigned Regulatory Litigation on one of my vacation schemes, and I knew nothing about the area (+ didn't consider myself a litigious person). However, I really enjoyed the work and it is definitely an area that I am glad I experienced, even if I didn't note it down as a preference. It is important to go into the scheme with an open mind, and make the most out of whichever seat you are assigned

Best of luck with the decision, and I hope you enjoy the scheme!!

 

[AGB2060]

Hey!

That sounds like a lot to manage - as someone who also juggled final year exams and vacation schemes last cycle, I admire your resilience!

For TC interview preparation, I would focus less on trying to predict every possible question and more on getting comfortable with a few core areas - that is:

• Your motivations
• Your experiences
• Your overall commercial awareness
• How you think through problems

If you are solid on these elements, you can usually handle curveball questions much more confidently, and I found it made me panic less in the moment.

In terms of unexpected questions, I'd say that they usually throw these sorts of questions in to see how you think on the spot rather than to catch you out. For example, I have previously been asked "What kind of person are you under pressure?" in a final TC interview, which definitely threw me off at the time - however, they were ultimately looking to see how self-aware I was, how I reflected on my own working style, and whether I could give a clear and honest answer that was supported by a practical example.

For example, something like the "sell me this pen" question is looking to see how you approach that situation. A simple structure could be to briefly identify the "client's" needs, highlight relevant features, and then explain the value. It is all about showing commercial awareness and analysis, as ultimately, law firms do very similar things when they pitch to clients.

More generally, a few last-minute tips on preparing for interviews:

• Have a clear structure for your answers (especially for the motivational and competency ones)
• Create a mini bank of your competency experiences, rather than trying to prepare for every type of competency question. It's more important to know your experiences inside out and know what skills you developed through them.
• Don't panic if you get something unexpected - it is absolutely fine (+ often encouraged) to take a second, structure your thoughts, and talk the interviewer through your thought process or reasoning
• Practise speaking out loud, particularly for the questions that are very likely to come up (e.g. "Why Law" and "Why this Firm")
• Draw on your experiences on the VS as much as you can - these will be really valuable examples, and you want to show that you have made the most of the scheme to learn more about the firm

I hope that helps a bit, and best of luck - I'm sure you'll smash it!!

Thank you very much !

 

[ridetolegal]

Hi All

@Abbie Whitlock I have an upcoming vacation scheme with a final interview at the end. apparently this interview is quite challenging and includes ethics based questions. people have said that having SQE1 knowledge is great for doing well in the interview. as someone who has not yet done the SQE, do you have any resources I can read through or advise that would help me for these types of questions?

thank you!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi All

@Abbie Whitlock I have an upcoming vacation scheme with a final interview at the end. apparently this interview is quite challenging and includes ethics based questions. people have said that having SQE1 knowledge is great for doing well in the interview. as someone who has not yet done the SQE, do you have any resources I can read through or advise that would help me for these types of questions?

thank you!

Hey!

Congratulations on the VS!!

Of course - I'd say the best resource would be to have a look at the SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors. This is the main resource that you are tested on in the SQE exams for ethics, and outlines the main ethical considerations that solicitors should take into account. You can find it here! It also might be worth taking a look at the SRA Principles too (which are slightly easier to remember), which you can find here.

I wouldn't say it is necessary to have the full SQE1 knowledge to do well in these types of interview questions, and what firms are really testing is your judgment, reasoning, and awareness of a solicitor's professional responsibilities.

The main themes that are covered by the Code of Conduct include:

• Acting with honesty and integrity
• Maintaining independence
• Acting in the best interests of each client
• Avoiding conflicts of interest (and recognising when they arise)
• Confidentiality and disclosure
• Duties to the court vs duties to the client
• Not misleading others
• Acting in a way that upholds public trust in the profession

In the interview, I'd perhaps structure your answer to these kind of ethical questions along the lines of:

1. Identify the ethical issue
2. Explain the competing duties (e.g. client vs court, client vs firm, etc.)
3. Talk through your reasoning
4. Reach a balanced and justified conclusion

As long as you show that you are thoughtful and aware of the key duties, I'd say you are in a strong position.

I hope that assists, and best of luck!!

 

[helloworld45]

Does anyone know when firms usually give TC offers after the spring vacation schemes?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Does anyone know when firms usually give TC offers after the spring vacation schemes?

Hey!

When I completed my spring vacation scheme last cycle, we all heard back within the next few weeks after the scheme (which I believe is the usual stance that firms take). However, it might differ from firm to firm - I'd always double-check with the graduate recruitment team if you are unsure, as I'm sure they'd be happy to confirm this!

 

[ridetolegal]

Hey!

Congratulations on the VS!!

Of course - I'd say the best resource would be to have a look at the SRA Code of Conduct for Solicitors. This is the main resource that you are tested on in the SQE exams for ethics, and outlines the main ethical considerations that solicitors should take into account. You can find it here! It also might be worth taking a look at the SRA Principles too (which are slightly easier to remember), which you can find here.

I wouldn't say it is necessary to have the full SQE1 knowledge to do well in these types of interview questions, and what firms are really testing is your judgment, reasoning, and awareness of a solicitor's professional responsibilities.

The main themes that are covered by the Code of Conduct include:

• Acting with honesty and integrity
• Maintaining independence
• Acting in the best interests of each client
• Avoiding conflicts of interest (and recognising when they arise)
• Confidentiality and disclosure
• Duties to the court vs duties to the client
• Not misleading others
• Acting in a way that upholds public trust in the profession

In the interview, I'd perhaps structure your answer to these kind of ethical questions along the lines of:

1. Identify the ethical issue
2. Explain the competing duties (e.g. client vs court, client vs firm, etc.)
3. Talk through your reasoning
4. Reach a balanced and justified conclusion

As long as you show that you are thoughtful and aware of the key duties, I'd say you are in a strong position.

I hope that assists, and best of luck!!

Thanks Abbie!