TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[LexNavigator]

Katten PFO

 

[studentdelaw786]

reading on here from some people that have already got responses from NRF post games assessment. does a quick response indicate success?

 

[Hana ♥]

reading on here from some people that have already got responses from NRF post games assessment. does a quick response indicate success?

I might be wrong but I haven't seen anyone who heard back post-arctic shores yet

 

[mfuturetrainee]

reading on here from some people that have already got responses from NRF post games assessment. does a quick response indicate success?

I might be wrong but I haven't seen anyone who heard back post-arctic shores yet

word I was gonna say the same, wasn't their deadline for their test yday for most people?

 

[studentdelaw786]

I might be wrong but I haven't seen anyone who heard back post-arctic shores yet

saw a response from someone saying they got called straight away but i think that might have been an experience from a previous cycle lmfao. ignore me

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

How do I answer why I have not yet secured a TC yet? @axelbeugre Thank you!

It’s difficult to guide on a question like this because it is very dependent on your journey to this point. For some people, it may be that securing a TC hasn’t been a priority until now. For the next person, it maybe that their journey hasn’t taken them in a direct route to where they are now - they may have tried other careers or other type of law firms/legal roles and realised only after those experiences that they aren’t right for them. For some their will be a need for personal growth and development so they are in the right place to succeed in securing and completing a TC.

Whatever your reason is, don’t be afraid to highlight the journey to this point rather than the negative of why you haven’t crossed the line yet. The “yet” is coming (and the firm knows that as they wouldn’t have invited you to this stage if they didn’t think you could secure a TC).

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

This is probably a really stupid/funny question. When inviting people on coffee chats on a VS - what do you do at firms that do not have a canteen? Do you suggest a nearby coffee shop? Also would paying for the coffee be going too far or is it expected as you are the one that extended the invitation? I feel like there is a really obvious answer I'm missing lol

Most firms will have a coffee machine or kitchen if they don’t have a canteen. You can always say to the person you are inviting whether they want to stay in the office or pop outside for a coffee.

I’d say there is absolutely no expectation for you to pay for a coffee if you agree to go to a coffee shop for one. If you feel comfortable in doing so, you are welcome to offer to pay for it, but most decent humans would know you are earning far less than them and will at least pay for their own (some generous people may pay for yours too - but I would just never expect this!).

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

If you are asked about a recent commercial case, does this need to be an actual deal/transaction, or could it be a wider issue like the attacks in the Red Sea?

What is the specific wording of the question?

 

[LawfulRust00]

Roughly what percentage of firms offer retrospective SQE grants?

 

[Sam12]

Any tips for an interview at a really small firm (first ever grad recruitment process they have run type small)? Got it this Thursday and really not sure what to expect

 

[TCLA Community Assistant]

Roughly what percentage of firms offer retrospective SQE grants?

Retrospective grants I have never heard of. Retrospective fees I have, and in those instances I would say it is less than 10% of firms, but those firms are disproportionately representated by the very top of the legal market (e.g. highest salaries/largest maintenance grants).

Some firms offer a pro-rata amount for maintenance grant if you are part way through your studies though.

 

[Marissa]

A question for the girlssss- best places to get good but affordable interview attire?

Next is also a good shout.

 

[yxnglxw]

Gowling Vac Scheme Offer

Same! Congrats. Do you know how they recruit for TCs? In my interview they did mention we still have to go through a normal AC for a TC, but on their website it says we are assessed on the VC. Slightly confusing.

 

[bangarangbass39]

Anything from Pinsent Masons (10kbi), Travers Smith or Hogan Lovells?

Hey, I think they'll get back to you mid march. Depending on how far you have progressed with their application. What stage are you up to? I say this because I'm still at the Mills Reeve Online test stage for the 10kBi cohort. They said I should receive a reply by then because of "internal checks".

 

[Futuretrainee!1!1]

Hi all - I know this is an annoying problem to have but I currently have offers on contravening dates in July and unsure what firm to pick? Unsure if I can say firm names on here but would love to welcome any opinions or advice @axelbeugre @Jessica Booker and anyone on the forum! (also yes I have asked both if I could do the Spring dates and both have said no)

 

[laby201]

Hi all - I know this is an annoying problem to have but I currently have offers on contravening dates in July and unsure what firm to pick? Unsure if I can say firm names on here but would love to welcome any opinions or advice @axelbeugre @Jessica Booker and anyone on the forum! (also yes I have asked both if I could do the Spring dates and both have said no)

There's no problem in saying the firm names on here if you have offers

I think it's very difficult for anyone else to answer as it's such a personal question. I suppose it comes down to which firm more closely aligns with you and your career goals - their practice area strengths, international aspects, approach to training, or any other factors which are of personal importance. If you've done ACs in person, did you get a better feel for one firm or the other?

I guess there is the approach of trying to go with the one you think it'll be "easier" to convert into a TC but, again, there are no guarantees involved in the process.

It's extremely cliché, but I would just follow your gut; whichever firm you have a better feel for or you're more excited about, I'd go with that one. You're in a very enviable position though so congratulations!

 

[Ash2323]

Has anyone heard back from Mofo and or/ Gibson Dunn since applying in (late) December? Feels like i've been ghosted by them

 

[Amjaya]

Who else is waiting to hear from Ashurst? (Summer vac scheme)

 

[Njaliwe Ungwe]

Hey, I think they'll get back to you mid march. Depending on how far you have progressed with their application. What stage are you up to? I say this because I'm still at the Mills Reeve Online test stage for the 10kBi cohort. They said I should receive a reply by then because of "internal checks".

Hi, thanks, that’s helpful to know. I’ve done the online test and now I’m just waiting to hear whether I’ve been invited to an AC

 

[CorporateCrocodile]

Still haven't heard back from Milbank post AC so assuming PFO as people were given offers at the end of the week before last. Really do want that feedback though so is it reasonable to send them a brief email? My AC was on the 22nd of January and they said we'd get feedback in a 'couple of weeks'.