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

[corplaw0702]

anybody who is scheduled an HSF AC know whether it's going to be in person or not?

 

[Commerciallaw]

anybody who is scheduled an HSF AC know whether it's going to be in person or not?

I haven't been notified by HSF directly. BUt a lot of others who got AC's after me got told it was virtual. I emailed HSF grad rec today to confirm...but no reply yet

 

[Lian Lian]

Has anyone who applied to HSF for their summer vac scheme heard anything yet? I am getting nervous that I'll be expecting a PFO soon 😭 😭

 

[User84]

What is a CAPP?

 

[YUKI1201]

How long did people wait to get BM VI invite after WG?

 

[RkRk0681]

Is anyone still waiting to hear back from CMS post VI?

 

[anon123456789]

What is a CAPP?

CAPP is short for Cappfinity which is a platform law firms use to host their psychometric testing stages. They offer a bespoke product which means firms can essentially produce a very tailored trainee experience which helps them to test both your critical thinking skills as well as your suitability for the role.

They often produce a report afterwards that lists some of your key strengths and weaknesses the test has identified.
Loads of firms use them- the ones I have done this year, for example, are Linklaters and Clyde and Co.

 

[m.n]

Has anyone heard from B&B post VI?

 

[TcApp97]

How long did people wait to get BM VI invite after WG?

I think it was around 2 or 3 weeks for me

 

[Rob93]

NFTs, which seem to be moving into all sorts of sectors. And yes, as above, class actions, cryptocurrency, online money laundering...

I would be careful with this and with crypto assets generally, for a few reasons.

One is that this is a very hot thing, and lots of people will be talking about it. Most of those people will not know what they are talking about (me, in 2018 applying to A&O talking about their ether bond), so that's not fatal if you really know your stuff. But!

Another is that for this question you'd want to have a sound understanding of what, for firms, operating in the space would actually look like, and how it would be profitable. To what extent, really, are the big corporate clients in this space? (Apart from like, the big Jan 21 meme stock corps dabbling because it boosts their meme value) Is the market, as it exists, already adequately serviced by firms' fintech offerings?

Third, you need to be able to credibly show the you understand the commercials of the asset class (if you can call it that). I'm not sure that *anyone* actually understands the commercials of NFTs beyond the axiomatic principles of Ape Together Strong and There Will Always Be A Greater Fool.

If you're gonna do NFTs - and this goes for more general commercial Qs too - it's good to be forward-looking. The work that law firms do related to crypto is often (though probably not exclusively) about using blockchain solutions to make traditional financial system functions easier - simplified clearing of cash or securities being a big one. Note though that these assets are in considerable measure already digital, and, like most digital assets, very fungible. The most frequently cited real-economy application of NFTs is real estate, with the potential to streamline land registration. There might be something there with other assets that are susceptible to specific performance (particularly physical art), so this is worth thinking about.

 

[LawfulRust00]

Does anyone else get a heart attack every email they get? and 90% of the time it's like from Uber Eats or something

The worst ones are where TCLA email you with something like ‘Application Form Acceptances - Assessment Centres’. That’s full cardiac arrest.

 

[Alison C]

I would be careful with this and with crypto assets generally, for a few reasons.

One is that this is a very hot thing, and lots of people will be talking about it. Most of those people will not know what they are talking about (me, in 2018 applying to A&O talking about their ether bond), so that's not fatal if you really know your stuff. But!

Another is that for this question you'd want to have a sound understanding of what, for firms, operating in the space would actually look like, and how it would be profitable. To what extent, really, are the big corporate clients in this space? (Apart from like, the big Jan 21 meme stock corps dabbling because it boosts their meme value) Is the market, as it exists, already adequately serviced by firms' fintech offerings?

Third, you need to be able to credibly show the you understand the commercials of the asset class (if you can call it that). I'm not sure that *anyone* actually understands the commercials of NFTs beyond the axiomatic principles of Ape Together Strong and There Will Always Be A Greater Fool.

If you're gonna do NFTs - and this goes for more general commercial Qs too - it's good to be forward-looking. The work that law firms do related to crypto is often (though probably not exclusively) about using blockchain solutions to make traditional financial system functions easier - simplified clearing of cash or securities being a big one. Note though that these assets are in measure already digital, and, like most digital assets, very fungible. The most frequently cited real-economy application of NFTs is real estate, with the potential to streamline land registration. There might be something there with other assets that are susceptible to specific performance (particularly physical art), so this is worth thinking about.

@LEL This could give you some starting points https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/research/future-worlds-2050-project

While you don't want to get into a tangle, you were asking for suggestions rather than fully-fledged ideas, I believe.

PS: A TIMELY UPDATE: @Rob93 @LEL

Every lawyer will require familiarity with crypto, says MR

New guidance published for lawyers advising on blockchain and other distributed ledger technologies.

www.lawgazette.co.uk

 

[A92167!8]

Usually just length of scheme. Spring tends to be shorter given the Easter bank holiday weekend.

I’d expect everything else to be the same.

If we are applying for a rolling deadline and applying closer to the deadline, is it better to apply for summer (because firms tend to review spring first) - or does it not matter? Thanks @Jessica Booker

 

[jess_does_law]

Is anyone still waiting to hear back from CMS post VI?

Yeah, submitted my VI 07/12. I don't feel especially confident but I'd like to be put out of my misery at least!

 

[TCApp2021]

Hi everyone, would appreciate your thoughts on the following Q:

Please outline the reasons why you wish to pursue a career in commercial law at Osborne Clarke. Within your answer you should also include details of how you have developed your interest in the profession through your non-academic experiences. (300 words)

Would the best approach for this be to say why OC, and then link this reason to why commercial law? Or can we answer these questions separately?

Thanks!

 

[Legalmel_99]

Has anyone done the gateley VI? Or only just received the email stating that it’s the next stage

 

[GXA123]

Has anyone done the gateley VI? Or only just received the email stating that it’s the next stage

You mean the interactive assessment?

 

[Lumree]

Is anyone still waiting to hear back from CMS post VI?

Me! Every AC invite makes me feel like my chances are dwindling but I do remember CMS being one of those firms where no news is actually good news - they seem to send out rejections and invites almost at random

 

[User84]

CAPP is short for Cappfinity which is a platform law firms use to host their psychometric testing stages. They offer a bespoke product which means firms can essentially produce a very tailored trainee experience which helps them to test both your critical thinking skills as well as your suitability for the role.

They often produce a report afterwards that lists some of your key strengths and weaknesses the test has identified.
Loads of firms use them- the ones I have done this year, for example, are Linklaters and Clyde and Co.

Thank you!

 

[rose0904]

Has anyone heard back from Simmons for Bristol VS post-VI?