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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26
- Thread starter Ram Sabaratnam
- Start date
😭 I edited the message too many times and now it's under approval lol sorry guys
let me take a risk and try editing this message to include the earlier one...
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No problem. Im curious though are you allowed to reveal the name of the firm where you got the 90th percentile?
I am so burned out from this cycle and starting a new job that I haven't done anything to prep for the AC and the written exercise i have this week smh idk if there is any hope for me for them atp
Wait does time taken also count in the percentile or just the number of correct answers?
I'm not sure on this point - maybe @Abbie Whitlock would have more of an inkling?
I would assume it's based purely on the amount you get correct, but some practice websites out there take your time into account. Maybe have a look into the provider of the test and their marking criteria?
For the genuine WG, time taken is NOT a factor - you just have an overall time limit.
For knock-off versions, they might take it into account.
Hey, no I don’t! I’ve got my AC next week.Hey, do you know if the interview is also part case study at all? no worries if not
I know they did a case study last year during the interview but didn’t have a written exercise on the AC.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the written exercise has replaced it.
I wonder if we will hear back from Hogan Lovells about Summer ACs this week.
Does anyone have insight into when we're due to hear at all?
Does anyone have insight into when we're due to hear at all?
Hey!
I can definitely relate, as video interviews were always my weakest point! I would really recommend checking out the TCLA Wiki page for video interviews - many of the posts (especially Andrei's competency interview advice) was super helpful for me last cycle!
In general for video interviews, it's really important to make sure that you are fully answering the question and that any examples that you use actually fit with the question. I used to have a tendency to want to use my strongest example and try and fit it to the question, however, the graduate recruitment team can usually tell and it'll look better to use an example that fits best (even if it is a less 'substantive' experience)
Another main thing I did was practice - it can be very weird to talk to a computer screen, so it really helped me to have a go at answering the most common interview questions in the mirror (even if it felt a little silly!). I had a tendency to ramble in my video interviews, so knowing roughly how long it would take me to cover my main topics was really helpful.
If you are given unlimited prep time, make sure that you utilise this, as it is really useful to have a clear idea of what you are going to say before you start recording. I would avoid writing a script as this can sound robotic and could reflect badly on your overall performance, but I stuck a post-it note with all the key points I wanted to discuss and used that when practising (and in the recording). If you are only given a minute or so to prepare, I would try to make a rough bullet-point plan that just highlights the main points you want to address and any specific examples - just in case your mind goes blank and you need to jog your memory!
Overall, just answer truthfully and be yourself. I think there's a tendency to think you have to come across as super composed and scripted for a video interview, but this isn't necessarily how you would behave in an actual interview. Take a moment to relax before recording, and try and come across as approachable and friendly - show them your personality and what your strengths are!
I hope that helps, and best of luck with the video interview!!
Hello!Hi @Abbie Whitlock - hope you are well! I have got a vacation scheme coming up at a strong national law firm, and I have been thinking of my seat choices. Personally, there are definitely some seats that I prefer over others, however I'm also genuinely very happy to explore any area of work. I was wondering if there is a strategy I could apply to seat selection that would allow me higher chances of success towards a TC (evidently, this is dependent on a range of factors but just for a starting point - thinking about it from a 'setting myself up for success' way)
1. Should I go for the biggest departments / teams so that I have access to the more structured support to fall back on, and potentially impress people who have a bigger impact on the firm's revenue stream?
2. Should I choose the areas that firm is "known for" - high Band rankings (this would have some, but not complete overlap, with the above)
3. Or should I select seats in smaller teams, where I can get to know members more closely, and potentially make a clearer impact?
Any tips to the selection process would be very appreciated! Thank you so much in advance
Huge congratulations on the vacation scheme - that is amazing news!
I would honestly keep it quite simple - the best "strategy" is usually to pick the area that you are genuinely most interested in and think you'll perform well in. You are far more likely to impress if you are engaged, asking good questions and actually enjoying the work.
If you are truly unsure, I think all three of your approaches are sensible in different ways:
- Bigger teams can mean more structure and exposure
- The firm's strongest / best known areas could carry visibility
- Smaller teams could allow you to make a clearer impression
If you are still torn, it does make sense to lean towards a core or high-demand practice area, but only if you have an interest in it. Ultimately, firms are assessing your attitude, work ethic and fit - you will demonstrate these best in a seat you are genuinely interested in
If you need advice preparing for ACs, I would recommend familiarising yourself with your application and research notes (if you have any). Look at the firm's website especially their recent news or deal. Also look at any news happening in sectors the firm specialises in. Then, on the morning of, look at any recent news or stats regarding the UK economy.
That should ensure you cover the main things. Also keep in mind things like SWOT and PESTLE. If you ask about the firm on here, some people may have insights.
Ok thanks for replying, sorry can’t help with WG practice, I genuinely don’t have any tips for that
Hey guys, I'm working on my Kingsley Napley work experience app and 3 of the questions sound very similar so I don't really know how to distinguish my answers to these, would appreciate any help on figuring these out!:
- Why have you chosen to apply for a work experience placement at Kingsley Napley? Consider alignment with your own goals and provide specific examples to support your response. (250)
- How do you see Kingsley Napley’s work experience programme contributing to your journey and long-term career aspirations? (250)
- Which of our practice areas are you interested in? (250)
I initially thought Q1 should be about practice areas and Q2 more about what the work experience can offer / what I can learn, but with Q3 in the picture I really don't know what to do haha.
@Abbie Whitlock
- Why have you chosen to apply for a work experience placement at Kingsley Napley? Consider alignment with your own goals and provide specific examples to support your response. (250)
- How do you see Kingsley Napley’s work experience programme contributing to your journey and long-term career aspirations? (250)
- Which of our practice areas are you interested in? (250)
I initially thought Q1 should be about practice areas and Q2 more about what the work experience can offer / what I can learn, but with Q3 in the picture I really don't know what to do haha.
@Abbie Whitlock
Hey!
Firstly, I'm really sorry to hear that you're dealing with this - it is a truly exhausting process, especially when you put so much effort in and don't get the outcomes you'd like.
On paralegalling in London, it is essentially a very saturated market right now - struggling to secure a role isn't a reflection of your ability, it is just unfortunate that hundreds of applicants are all applying for one role. Practically, I would suggest broadening the scope as much as possible - legal assistant, case admin, document review, compliance, etc. My paralegal role was largely admin based, and while it wasn't always substantively legal, it still gave me a much clearer understanding of how a law firm operates day-to-day, how matters are managed, how fee earners prioritise work, and how important certain skills are. It also helped me become comfortable in a professional office environment - this ended up being really useful for vacation schemes!
In terms of what to do before next cycle, I would perhaps adopt a more targeted approach. If previous feedback mentioned length and commercial awareness, I would focus on tightening answers further - being sharper, more structured, and more decisive in analysis rather than broader. It might help to conduct some mock interviews and ask someone who will really challenge you to be brutally honest!
On the commercial awareness point, I think that you probably are more commercially aware than you think, especially if you have put in a sustained effort since last year. When I aimed to improve my commercial awareness, the main thing I changed that I found really useful was thinking about where a law firm might be instructed in a deal, and which practice areas would be involved. This shows that you understand both the legal and commercial dimensions. For example, in one of my VS interviews, I discussed the Universal park being built in the UK, and highlighted how various departments across a firm would be instructed (e.g. construction, finance, employment, real estate, etc.). This shows that you understand and can explain how law firms bring value to their clients, and was how I practiced applying the commercial concepts in real time. It might help to incorporate this into your commercial awareness routine (if you don't already do something similar) to train your brain to analyse commercial stories in this way.
On reapplying, I would be hesitant about using a different email. Whilst there isn't anything inherently wrong in doing so, you might have to disclose previous applications later on in the process to the firm (or it could come up in another way), and it might reflect badly if they view it as you trying to conceal past interviews. I would say that generally, reapplying is very normal and acceptable - usually, a firm will have a set policy if their process differs (e.g. Reed Smith's three-application limit or Travers Smith's policy post-interview/VS). Therefore, I would say that firms do genuinely review your application if you have previously interviewed - I understand why you feel stuck, but I don't think trying to reset your history is the answer. It is far better to show clear progression in your application and interview performance, as that displays resilience and growth, which firms value!
Finally (and apologies this is so long!), three ACs from seven applications last year strongly suggests that you are competitive. A worse outcome this year does not automatically mean that you have regressed - from what I've seen, it seems that application numbers have greatly increased this year and firms sometimes change hiring numbers. You are not wrong to feel stuck, but nothing you have written suggests that you are incapable. It is unfortunately an extremely competitive system, and there is sometimes an element of luck involved. If you keep putting in the effort and reflecting on areas that you can improve, I'm sure you'll hear positive news soon!
Hey!
They do sound similar, but they're testing slightly different things. I would separate them by:
1. Why Kingsley Napley?
This is about the firm itself, so I would focus on what differentiates Kingsley Napley - e.g. its private client strength, culture, size, client base, notable matters, etc. You could reference the practice areas briefly, but the emphasis should be on: why this firm over others? It helps to tie it to yourself as well, such as your long-term goals and personal values.
2. How will the work experience contribute to your journey?
This is more forward-looking and personal, so I would shift the focus onto:
- Skills that you want to develop in the programme
- Exposure that you hope to gain
- How this placement helps you confirm or test your interest in certain areas
- How it fits into your long-term plan
3. Which practice areas interest you?
This is where you go deeper into the specific practice areas. I would pick 1-2 areas and explain:
- What the area involves (very briefly)
- Why it interests you (linking to your past experiences or future career goals)
- Why Kingsley Napley's practice motivates you specifically (e.g. ranking, client type, type of work)
- Why the firm
- Why this experience for you
- Why these specific practice areas
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