TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

anyone know anything about stephenson harwood, i applied so early thinking they were rolling and i know its not been long since closing date but just wondering.

also is it correct that if you pass their sjt and vi you are through to the vac scheme?

Hey!

Just on your second question, last cycle that was the case - the process was: (1) Application Stage, (2) Online Test (SJT/VI), and then (3) VS offer. You then completed an AC on the scheme in order to be assessed for the training contract. However, this may have changed since last cycle, so please do feel free to correct me if I am wrong!

 

[Ijustwanttobealawyer]

Does anyone think the Simpson Thacher TC programme will start this year? Or will it be for the next cycle?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey @Abbie Whitlock @Andrei Radu and anyone else who might have insight

I did a case study interview and in the feedback I was told that I was “too analytical.” How can I improve? And generally, what are case study interviews looking for? I thought analysis was a good thing💀

Hey!

I can totally see why this is confusing feedback, and being told that you were "too analytical" doesn't mean that analysis is bad! It is tricky to say for certain what they meant by the feedback in your instance (as I didn't witness you complete the exercise!), but I can offer some general thoughts on what it could mean.

It may be that the interviewer felt you focused too much on detail without clearly translating that into a decision. In a case study interview, firms are less interested in you explaining every possible issue and more interested in whether you can identify what matters most and give a clear recommendation.

You should absolutely still use analysis, but it might help to start with (and clearly end on) a firm recommendation and prioritise the key issues rather than covering everything. It helped me to think about what the client would actually want to know in order for them to make an informed, commercial decision.

I would still try to view the feedback as a positive - it shows that you have strong analytical ability! You are definitely on the right track, and I'm sure that next time you go into a similar exercise you'll have a better idea of what to expect

 

[Lissa06]

Hey guys, I’m worried about being flagged for cheating on an online test. I was taking a Cappfinity assessment when a friend called. For some reason, when a person calls on Mac, your Safari window slides to the side and your desktop with the call shows. I declined the call and Safari automatically came back to the screen. It didn’t close the browser, so I continued the test.
I’m worried that the removal of Safari from the screen temporarily might result in the company flagging me. It’s not said what exactly they use against cheating, but I would guess opening new tabs/windows would flag you. My dilemma is whether this did. Should I email the trainee recruitment? I’m considering but also don’t want to seem too paranoid. Thanks!

 

[Shaky_Pete]

Bristows PFO (talked about Taylor Wessing. For the values question, collaborative, only to discover afterwards it wasn't one of the values)...

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

When preparing for an AC, how technical must we be? An associate recently told me we must be very thorough (understanding terms such as conditions precedent, lockbox accounts, differences between reps and indemnities in M&A vs legal setting), and some tell me you just need to understand general trends of companies and basic economics.

@Abbie Whitlock are you able to give some insight into how much research we should do and how in-depth?

Hey!

This is a very fair question, and I think it can be quite common to hear contradictory advice on the topic (which made me super confused last cycle too!).

In my view, for TC assessment centres, firms are not expecting you to know financial terms and concepts inside out, but they do expect you to show credible legal and commercial awareness. It's likely that the right balance is somewhere between the two examples that you mentioned.

I would aim to have a working understanding of core concepts, rather than trying to master all of the technical elements. That means knowing what things are and why they matter, rather than being able to recite their definition. For example, it is useful to understand what conditions precedent do in a transaction, why a lockbox structure might be used, and the broad different between representations and indemnities and how risk is allocated - but you are unlikely to be penalised for not knowing technical details or the specifics of how they work in practice.

At the same time, relying only on basic trends and general economics might come across as underprepared (depending on the firm), especially at AC stage. Firms will want to see that you have started trying to apply your commercial awareness to a legal setting (i.e. viewing it as a trainee) - this could involve spotting risks, understanding what drives clients, and appreciating how lawyers add value in a transaction.

It helped me to create a bank of key concepts and structures that you might find in a commercial transaction, so I could: (a) understand what they were and when they might be used in a transaction, and (b) understand why they were used in practice and what value they brought.

As I briefly mentioned above, it is likely to be dependent on the firm you are interviewing at. For example, a very PE-heavy firm such as Paul, Weiss might expect you to know more of the details on private equity transactions, whereas other firms might not expect the same level of detail on that area. I would always try to tailor your commercial awareness preparation in advance of an AC to the firm that you are applying for - for example, a lot of my Reed Smith preparation focused on the client sectors that they work in (e.g. Shipping and Aviation), rather than the specifics of PE.

I would say that overall, depth is less important than applying the concepts in real-time and understanding their effects for clients and law firms

 

[1stCycleApplicant]

Does anyone think the Simpson Thacher TC programme will start this year? Or will it be for the next cycle?

Not sure, but the eligibility requirements for its 4 available TCs will be as followed:

1) Oxbridge (obviously)
2) 1st / top 5% of cohort
3) Must have at least 7 vacation scheme offers
4) Able to handle 24 hour work days

That's all!

 

[Ijustwanttobealawyer]

Not sure, but the eligibility requirements for its 4 available TCs will be as followed:

1) Oxbridge (obviously)
2) 1st / top 5% of cohort
3) Must have at least 7 vacation scheme offers
4) Able to handle 24 hour work days

That's all!

Nevermind…..💀

 

[Shiv Lawy]

LOL White & Case PFO because I didn't see the confirmation email had an online assessment attached to the same email FML

 

[Applicant7874652]

When can we expect a response from Travers for VS interviews?

 

[Novaa]

Hey guys, I’m worried about being flagged for cheating on an online test. I was taking a Cappfinity assessment when a friend called. For some reason, when a person calls on Mac, your Safari window slides to the side and your desktop with the call shows. I declined the call and Safari automatically came back to the screen. It didn’t close the browser, so I continued the test.
I’m worried that the removal of Safari from the screen temporarily might result in the company flagging me. It’s not said what exactly they use against cheating, but I would guess opening new tabs/windows would flag you. My dilemma is whether this did. Should I email the trainee recruitment? I’m considering but also don’t want to seem too paranoid. Thanks!

Heyyyy!! 😸

Ok, so I’m pretty sure they do tell us if we have questions about the anti-cheating methods to reach out to them.

So I would just screenshot your call log on your Mac to show what time the call came through and how you declined it. Then explain the situation and it should be okay I hope.

Like really and truly, with the emphasis they place on there being this secret system monitoring us do the test… honest people are bound to be anxious and they shouldn’t penalise you for that.

 

[BealMcAlly]

yeah mine were ok I thought? They asked about their competitor and I gave a thing about Bird & Bird ,what more do you want!?!?!

at least they gave some okish feedback, albeit where is the five!?

However, below are some top tips that we would like to share that may help interview performance in the future.
1. Make sure you are answering the question that you have been asked.
2. When talking about your previous experience, identify the key transferable skills that you have used or developed to face these situations.
3. Avoid using your generative AI to create a script for your answers to video interview questions, as we would like to see you speak with authenticity.
4. Expand your understanding of the role of a solicitor, and the work you will do as a trainee, you can do this by reading day in the life style blogs or attending firm events. Your increased knowledge of the role you are applying for will come across in your responses to our questions.
6. When researching law firms, make sure you have an understanding of the wider commercial field that we operate in, and the full service offering of the firm.

Ooooh, love their attention to detail

 

[trainee4u]

Hey guys, I’m worried about being flagged for cheating on an online test. I was taking a Cappfinity assessment when a friend called. For some reason, when a person calls on Mac, your Safari window slides to the side and your desktop with the call shows. I declined the call and Safari automatically came back to the screen. It didn’t close the browser, so I continued the test.
I’m worried that the removal of Safari from the screen temporarily might result in the company flagging me. It’s not said what exactly they use against cheating, but I would guess opening new tabs/windows would flag you. My dilemma is whether this did. Should I email the trainee recruitment? I’m considering but also don’t want to seem too paranoid. Thanks!

My understanding is that neither Capp nor Amberjack have any kind of client-side proctoring.

There might be something on the server, e.g., response times too short or long, that might flag stuff.

 

[InterestInPublicLaw]

Hey guys, I’m worried about being flagged for cheating on an online test. I was taking a Cappfinity assessment when a friend called. For some reason, when a person calls on Mac, your Safari window slides to the side and your desktop with the call shows. I declined the call and Safari automatically came back to the screen. It didn’t close the browser, so I continued the test.
I’m worried that the removal of Safari from the screen temporarily might result in the company flagging me. It’s not said what exactly they use against cheating, but I would guess opening new tabs/windows would flag you. My dilemma is whether this did. Should I email the trainee recruitment? I’m considering but also don’t want to seem too paranoid. Thanks!

I switch screens pretty often (I don't use a full screen) and I don't think they bar you from referring external materials anyway - I often refer to my notes. So I wouldn't worry too much about it!

 

[BealMcAlly]

i mentioned bird and bird too! maybe they have agenda against them lmao

I mentioned birds and powell gilbert which is an offshoot of bristows. I guess they didn't like that.

 

[BobThebIlly]

LOL White & Case PFO because I didn't see the confirmation email had an online assessment attached to the same email FML

That happened to me TWICE

 

[shadowbaklava]

Didn't have time to proofread my answer for White & Case WE. My advice for anyone who hasn't done it yet is to really protect your time.

 

[adfs456]

Should i assume PFO if I haven't heard anything from S&M, Sidley, and SPD?

 

[Lamosophia4]

When can we expect a response from Travers for VS interviews?

They told me they will reply to applicants around the end of Feb

 

[johnsmith]

Lol was it Burges Salmon because that was one of my favourite firms and to be repeatedly messaged about the AC I didn’t do enraged me😭😭😭

Was it that person who messages sometimes 5 times and also seems to keep making new accounts? 😅