TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[user397485]

hsf are already giving summer offers - will they do more ACs

 

[CupOfTea17]

Hey!

Congratulations on receiving the AC invite!!

It is totally normal to feel a bit confused - I had no real idea what a case study exercise was when I completed my first AC a few years ago! I have made some general posts on case studies, which I have quoted below, and hopefully they are a useful guide. I have also quoted a practice case study exercise by Jacob Miller that I found super useful when preparing, so I'd definitely check that out if you have the chance!

An individual case study presentation usually involves being given a short business or legal scenario to analyse on your own, some time to prepare, and then you will be asked to present your conclusions to the assessors or graduate recruitment team. The "presentation" element isn't necessarily about having the "right" legal answer - it is about clear structure and reasoning, which you can clearly communicate to the assessors.

They will be looking for how you identify the key issues, prioritise them, and explain your recommendation logically. You will often get follow-up questions to test your thinking, not your technical knowledge - this doesn't necessarily mean that what you have said is wrong! They're testing how you argue your points when challenged on them, typically to ensure that they are founded in facts and evidence. However, it is also encouraged to change your answer if the assessors mention something that you hadn't considered and you won't be marked down because of it - just make sure to communicate this to them!

I always found that keeping the structure relatively simple works best: outline the problem, talk through the main issues, give a clear recommendation and briefly explain why.

Try not to overthink it (if you can!) - as long as you explain your thought process clearly and can back up your arguments, you should be completely fine!

Best of luck - I'm sure you'll smash it!!

Thank you so much for this!!!

 

[CupOfTea17]

How common is it to be asked on a firm's competitors / what other firms you have applied to in an AC interview. For context, my AC is with M&R

 

[summersun]

How common is it to be asked on a firm's competitors / what other firms you have applied to in an AC interview. For context, my AC is with M&R

Hi I would say these are quite a common questions (not sure for M&R). I have personally been asked a couple of time which other firms I had applied to so I think it is always best to prepare them just in case.
Good luck for your AC !

 

[qwerty!]

I've not done an AC, so I can't comment, but it might be a good idea to make a list of firm "features" and information, and cross-reference those. You then have a list of similarities between the firms, which you can mention are things you like, and then the differences, and why the firm you are interviewing at is superior when it comes to those differences.

thank you, this is a rlly good idea

 

[lawstudent8373829]

Can anyone who has done their OC AC message me plssss 🥺🥺🥺🥺

Hiiii can I message you about ths OC AC!

 

[nbjani]

Hey! Has anyone done the Dentons virtual AC? I've only done one other AC and it was in person, so not sure how this will go. Do you lose the flow of conversation etc due to the virtual aspect rather than being in person? Also, were you able to use your notes for interviews etc during the process, as its online?

 

[hmevey]

Does anyone have any insights into the Hogan Lovells online assessment?

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

Does anyone have any insights into the Hogan Lovells online assessment?

Do the practice tests, it will tell you everything you need to know.

 

[qwerty!]

Hey! Has anyone done the Dentons virtual AC? I've only done one other AC and it was in person, so not sure how this will go. Do you lose the flow of conversation etc due to the virtual aspect rather than being in person? Also, were you able to use your notes for interviews etc during the process, as its online?

hey! I haven't done the dentons AC, but I did a virtual AC for bird & bird which I assume will be quite similar. I found it to be okay tbh - the conversation flowed well still, but the interview was slightly less 'conversational' than my in-person ACs (not too sure if this is more down to the interviewer's style of questioning though)! It's a little harder to build that immediate rapport but all in all, it wasn't too different to in person.

I guess you could use notes but I would advise against it - I think it's quite obvious when your eyes are flitting across the screen and you might lose your train of thought by reading and answering at the same time! however the option is always there and I did have my notes open in case I was completely stumped, which was quite reassuring