TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

thank you! my concern lies in the commercial element; i want to assume it'll be a short commercial article and not a written exercise since i reckon they would outright state that, but i'm also wondering if it could be open-ended commercial questions with no article or case about trends and so am unsure about how to divide my time in preparation, any thoughts?

Hey!

I would say that the safest approach is to prepare for both without splitting your time too rigidly! It might make sense to focus mainly on strengthening your general commercial awareness, and making sure that you understand the key trends affecting the firm’s core sectors, why they matter to clients in those areas, and how lawyers add value. Alongside that, you could practice quickly analysing a short news article by identifying the main issues, the business impact and the legal implications.

Ultimately, they’ll likely be looking for you to show structured thinking and commercial awareness. As long as you have an understanding of the factors affecting the firms clients, and can analyse a business problem, you should be in a strong position. Best of luck!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

I have an AC tomorrow at a firm I'm not really too keen on. How bad would it be if I just ghosted it?

Hello!

It is totally fine to not go to the AC if you are not that keen on the firm. However, I would avoid ghosting the firm and just send them a quick email to let them know you can no longer attend - it is always best to avoid burning bridges, plus it shows respect to the graduate recruitment team who might have to let interviewers know

 

[meredithgrey]

does anyone know if the commercial law handbook by jake schogger has the same content as commercial law academy/ if the latter has the content of the former?

Yeah I've got both and they have the same content pretty much word for word

 

[Shawshank728394]

Anyone heard anything about slaughters non law yet?

 

[Bruce Wayne Attorney at Law]

Has anyone heard back from Links for the VS but not for their London-Singapore TC app?

 

[FoodieMcFoodieBigBack]

Hi everyone! I'm very fortunate to have been offered vacation schemes with both Slaughters and Links, but their dates clash and I will have to pick one (I am aware that both firms do a June scheme, but I will be away at the time so can only do July). Which firm do you guys think will have better training prospects/culture as a trainee? If anyone has done a vacation scheme at either, I would love to hear your thoughts!

 

[balegde]

Sometimes it can be a question of partner availability, as generally it’s the partner you interviewed with who calls.

ah really? I was under the impression it would be grad rec at this stage

 

[balegde]

Ashurst VS Offer! They just called!

Huge congrats! Do you mind confirming whether it was grad rec that called?

 

[dlc3266]

Ropes AC!

 

[an03]

Huge congrats! Do you mind confirming whether it was grad rec that called?

When I had mine last year it was grad rec but the partner I interviewed with had left by that point.

 

[Willgetatc]

Any other Links summer VS still not gotten PFOs?

 

[lawstudent2]

Can Ashurst acc just put me out of my misery, I cannot focus on anything rn
Does anyone know from last year how long they took to reject post interview ?

 

[balegde]

Can Ashurst acc just put me out of my misery, I cannot focus on anything rn
Does anyone know from last year how long they took to reject post interview ?

I think whatever the outcome we'll hear by Friday cos thats the 27th cut off they gave

 

[lawstudent2]

I think whatever the outcome we'll hear by Friday cos thats the 27th cut off they gave

Ok thanks, where did u see the 27th cut off?

 

[Cristiano Ronaldo sui]

Ropes AC , first one this cycle!

 

[Diana54]

Ropes had quite a few AC dates. I choose the latest one; I am assuming this won’t disadvantage me in any way?

 

[phoenix11_]

When does Mishcon normally send out PFOs and AC invites for the summer scheme?

 

[phoenix11_]

Anyone heard from CRS post VI, Stephenson Harwood, AG, Simmons, Travers Smith?

 

[ddalki]

I emailed a firm to withdraw my attendance at their AC, explaining that another vacation scheme overlapped with the start of their vacation scheme. They told me they could accommodate my circumstances (so, if I’m successful, only do the second half of their VS) and to come anyway. I do like this firm a lot, but 1) their VS to TC conversion rate seems low and 2) they don’t allow applications once you’ve been rejected at the AC stage. Based on how nicely their email was worded, it seems they’d like me to attend. Does anyone have any advice?

 

[balegde]

Ok thanks, where did u see the 27th cut off

it was in one of the application update emails they sent back in december