TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Rosie_Kitten]

Meant non law*.

Email them and check it's okay?
I dont specitically know if they require a GDL (most law firms do), but if they do you'll need to complete a GDL and SEQ before doing the training contract which usually takes 2 years, so if you applied for a 2028 TC it might not be possible. Not every firm requires a GDL though so email and check?

 

[trainee4u]

Hey guys i was wondering if anyone had insight into firms that use the disability confident scheme. Basically, they say that if you opt in and meet the minimum criteria for the role, you will be given an interview.

How does this fit into firms that have multiple stages (written application, amberjack/video interview/AC)?

it doesn't really mean anything.

"minimum criteria" might mean 'a score of 90/100 or higher'.

Therefore, if you simply claim d-c, it is unlikely to be helpful.

IMO, it's more likely to be effective if you can identify why a particular stage in the process has an unequal impact on you because of your disability, and then to ask for a reasonable adjustment in respect of that stage.

This can for example mean, "no SJT", or "telephone rather than VI", etc.

 

[HopefulTC]

Email them and check it's okay?
I dont specitically know if they require a GDL (most law firms do), but if they do you'll need to complete a GDL and SEQ before doing the training contract which usually takes 2 years, so if you applied for a 2028 TC it might not be possible. Not every firm requires a GDL though so email and check?

Yeah they do require GDL however this was all on my application so ill be very frustrated if making AC was in vain 😭

 

[PFO Final Boss]

Is there a general benchmark for Amberjack out of 36

I think they wont look at the overall score, but the spread across the pillars

 

[SamiyaJ]

The ultimate VS final boss of a bossman has spoken. No infinity stones left for us. We shall all try again next year, close this thread asap!! 😂✍🏽

 

[Bread]

Yeah they do require GDL however this was all on my application so ill be very frustrated if making AC was in vain 😭

Why did you apply if you knew you weren’t eligible?

 

[HopefulTC]

Why did you apply if you knew you weren’t eligible?

Their website when i applied just stated penultimate year students and didnt clarify law vs non law. On my app I clearly put penultimate year. They asked my graduation date and my degree 🤷‍♂️. Im happy to make it to the last 100 applicants but cant lie it is frustrating.

 

[trainee4u]

Just got home to find letter from CMS. Huh? A PFO by post?!

Open it and turns out they're representing an airline I'm suing for a modest three figure sum.

(They want an extension to file defence, ok whatever guys, can I have that for my TC application too?)

 

[legal18]

Just got home to find letter from CMS. Huh? A PFO by post?!

Open it and turns out they're representing an airline I'm suing for a modest three figure sum.

(They want an extension to file defence, ok whatever guys, can I have that for my TC application too?)

Hahahahahahaa

 

[Novaa]

The ultimate VS final boss of a bossman has spoken. No infinity stones left for us. We shall all try again next year, close this thread asap!! 😂✍🏽

WOAHHH! Ok so my parents CANNOT catch wind of this post!

“Do you know _____?” Nope 😭😭

 

[radssss]

Yeah they do require GDL however this was all on my application so ill be very frustrated if making AC was in vain 😭

Honestly this might be a bad opinion and ideally you should email grad rec but I would selfishly attend the ac (only because this process is so hard and DBP is a great firm)😭😭😭. The grad rec should have spotted this in your application and it’s not your fault (but why did you apply in the wrong year?😭).

Like even if you attend the ac and are successful and do the vac scheme and worst case scenario, they realise their mistake and don’t offer you a tc, atleast you have a great firm vs experience on your cv😭. Best case scenario, maybe they noted this and think it won’t be an issue? Or they defer your tc offer to the next year should you be successful in getting one?

Guys pls don’t attack me, I know it’s bad and unethical advice but this person has worked hard and made it so far in the process and it would be so sad for them to lose it😭😭

Best of luck anyways!

 

[givemeaTCalreadyT^T]

Can someone clarify if this should be disclosed as a resit or not? Due to clashing moot commitments, I was permitted to write my exams later but as per exam policy it shows on my transcript as an I (Improvement) since I gave it alongside others who wrote it as improvement, even though it was my first attempt. Do I say it was a resit simply because it shows it as such even if it was a first attempt?

 

[trainee4u]

The ultimate VS final boss of a bossman has spoken. No infinity stones left for us. We shall all try again next year, close this thread asap!! 😂✍🏽

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Can someone clarify if this should be disclosed as a resit or not? Due to clashing moot commitments, I was permitted to write my exams later but as per exam policy it shows on my transcript as an I (Improvement) since I gave it alongside others who wrote it as improvement, even though it was my first attempt. Do I say it was a resit simply because it shows it as such even if it was a first attempt?

Not a resit IMO. When required to provide transcripts, I would just explain it.

 

[qwerty!]

Definitely look at all options. I have a one week scheme coming up, and have booked a travelodge which only cost me £400 in central london for 6 nights sunday-saturday. This isn't a summer scheme so student accom and airbnbs are less available, but even if those that are I'd still rather a hotel. Don't have to worry about clean sheets, safety, sharing a bathroom or anything like that. Of course for a longer scheme you might prefer something more permanent with your own kitchen etc

For me the firm is providing £200 towards accom, in addition to £600 pay for the week which isn't bad at all. But yeah some firms don't cover anything. I had a 3 week scheme last year, payed just over £500 per week, with no additional support for accommodation. Pretty much everyone who didn't live in London ended up many hundreds out of pocket.

Hey! For my winter vac they didn’t specifically mention that they’d cover accommodation but I asked them if they’d have any recommendations and then they offered then and there to pay for my hotel! So definitely ask even if it’s not something they specifically promote

thank you both this is super helpful to know!!!

 

[whywhy88]

For Cleary cover letter, is it best to add a short sentence stating what scheme I am applying for? As there doesn't seem to be an option to specify on the portal thingy.

 

[QuillandCounsel]

Does SH really care about A Level grades ?

 

[user397485]

have HL given ACs

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

Just got home to find letter from CMS. Huh? A PFO by post?!

Open it and turns out they're representing an airline I'm suing for a modest three figure sum.

(They want an extension to file defence, ok whatever guys, can I have that for my TC application too?)

 

[trainee4u]

Can someone clarify if this should be disclosed as a resit or not? Due to clashing moot commitments, I was permitted to write my exams later but as per exam policy it shows on my transcript as an I (Improvement) since I gave it alongside others who wrote it as improvement, even though it was my first attempt. Do I say it was a resit simply because it shows it as such even if it was a first attempt?

I answer the questions that are asked.

For example,
"Have you ever had to resit an exam?" A: "No"
"Have you ever voluntarily resat an exam?" A: "Yes, because Ulaw made a SNAFU."

In your case, the answer is clearly "no".