TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[TS.Law]

SPB (DTC LONDON - POST APP)

 

[Donna Paulsen]

EU:
Public: (made me cry)
Contract:
Criminal:
Tort: (great content but also made me cry)
Land:
Trusts:

Land and Trusts make me giggle, because I really didn’t understand what was going on, but that third-year pressure made me lock in

Me opening my results:

What is this public hatred???? Me and @Lord Sumption will not stand for this x

 

[fTS3002]

Did anyone else hear back from DWF Ethnic Minority & Social Mobility programme?
One of my friends received an offer for it today.

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hiya! Does anyone have any experience of attending Irwin Mitchell’s AC and have any advice/what types of questions do they ask? Guidance says it’s a strength based interview
Ty

Hello!

Congratulations on the AC invite, that is amazing news!!

Whilst I haven't completed Irwin Mitchell's AC before, I have previously shared some advice on strengths-based interviews - I have quoted it below. Hopefully it is useful in your preparation! Wishing you the best of luck with the AC, I'm sure you'll smash it!

Hi!

Just to add to Andrei's advice, I thought I'd share my past experiences with strengths-based interview questions!

For these types of of questions, the important element is to answer truthfully and be yourself. They are typically looking to see how you would handle specific problems, your general working style, and the traits that you naturally possess that would make you a good fit for the firm. In preparation for the interview, I would make a note of what your key strengths are, and how they align with the skills needed to be a trainee (and what the role involves).

If you are given a hypothetical scenario, I'd talk the interviewer through each step that you would take to address the situation, and how you would use your personal strengths to aid you in handling anything that comes up.

Additionally, I've also found that the questions can be reflective in nature and may ask you specific questions about your way of workings. For an interview I did on a vacation scheme, I was asked "What type of person are you under pressure?" (which definitely threw me off!). There isn't necessarily one right answer here, and I would take a moment to actually think your answer through and consider how you usually approach these situations. It might be helpful to reflect on your past experiences and weave these into your answer, so that the interviewer can see that you are rooting your answer in concrete examples.

I hope that helps!

Hey!

It's totally normal to feel nervous, but I'd try to remember that they've progressed you this far for a reason! From my experience with strengths-based interviews, I would try to build rapport with the interviewers by being warm, engaged and genuine - try to treat it as a discussion rather than a formal assessment (whilst still remaining professional, of course!). Interviewers are human too, and sometimes asking genuine questions about their roles and career journeys can go a long way to show your interest in the firm.

When answering strengths-based questions, I'd focus less on giving a "model answer" and more on explaining how you naturally think and work. They are likely trying to see what motivates you, what you enjoy doing, and how you respond in real situations. In a previous strengths-based interview I completed, I was asked questions such as "What kind of person are you under pressure?" - this definitely threw me off, but the important part is to just be honest! You don't need long STAR-style answers, as short and specific examples are usually more than enough to demonstrate your point.

It can also help to link your answers back to the kind of environment BCLP offers (e.g. collaboration, adaptability, etc.), while still remaining genuine. The goal is to show that your strengths would translate well into how trainees at BCLP actually work day to day, and that you are motivated to work in the kind of environment that BCLP has.

I hope that assists, and wishing you the best of luck with your interview - I'm sure you'll do great!

 

[lawyersum]

loool SPB dunno what you lot want, applied for 2 years in a row and even attended open day, aspire masterclass, still got rejected

 

[lawcool]

Clyde and Morgan Lewis pfo today

 

[Novaa]

What is this public hatred???? Me and @Lord Sumption will not stand for this x

I’ve blocked it out, I HATEEEEE IT!

But when they started talking about the PACE Act and all the steps involved I said “Wrap it up!!”

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock, hope you are well!

Just wanted to ask how long my answer to why this firm should be in an interview. I timed myself and it's 5 mins, which is quite long. But I used the same lengthy answer in the initial interview (with grad recruitment) and they invited me back to the AC. Not sure whether this long answer would go down well with partners.

Thank you so much!

Hello!

I am doing well (despite the endless rain in the UK...), thank you! I hope you are doing well too!

Congratulations on being invited to the AC! I would say that 5 minutes is likely a bit on the long side for a "why this firm" answer. Even if it worked well with the graduate recruitment team, as you mentioned, partners tend to prefer clear and structured answers that get to the point more quickly.

As a general rule of thumb, I would aim for around 2-3 minutes - you could start with a strong opening that signposts the rest of your answer, and then move onto 2-3 well-chosen reasons. You can always expand if they prompt you or ask follow-up questions!

The fact that your longer answer worked before is a good sign, as it shows that the content is strong! The key now is refining it so that it is concise, rather than cutting entire ideas out.

I hope that assists, and best of luck!!

 

[BealMcAlly]

Sorry to hear this, when did you do your SJT+ VI? Just want to see if they are sending PFOs in order of applying

For reference I did my SJT and VI by 2 December! So not sure what their process is when sending PFOs hah

 

[jojo23]

EU:
Public:
Contract:
Criminal:
Tort:
Land:
Trusts:

Intellectual Property law:

 

[jojo23]

Hi - I have recently been invited to my first ever assessment centre (with Farrer & Co). I was hoping you might be able to offer some advice on how best to prepare. I believe there is a written exercise and then a group task. Thank you! @Abbie Whitlock

That's a uhhh... very interesting username

 

[yasmars]

For reference I did my SJT and VI by 2 December! So not sure what their process is when sending PFOs hah

Sorry to hear! I must be on hold or something cos I submitted my VI on 30th of October.

 

[Deleted member 43292]

That's a uhhh... very interesting username

a new siwa candidate!!! (I'm joking...)

how many other jojos are there out in the world... maybe I should become jojo24

 

[help]

Haven't gotten a Debevoise Open Day invite but no rejection either? Why is it taking so long to get rejected...

 

[kim wexler]

clyde and co rejection today and i lowk got only 3 firms left that i'm waiting a response from (for vacation schemes) ... might be cooked and it's my final year of uni

 

[adfs456]

SPB VI and NRF PFO within 10 mins of each other ... feeling true neutral I guess?

 

[adf43256]

3 PFOs today (Simmons, Pwc (both long overdue from October), and SPB.

Hey with PWC was this post AC?

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Hey with PWC was this post AC?

post VI

 

[trainee4u]

EU:
Public:
Contract:
Criminal:
Tort:
Land:
Trusts:

EU

 

[whywhy88]

clyde and co rejection today and i lowk got only 3 firms left that i'm waiting a response from (for vacation schemes) ... might be cooked and it's my final year of uni

I'm in the same boat. Coming to terms with the fact that I will most likely have to move back to my hometown and reapply next cycle. Hopefully my hatred for the place will spur me and my applications on