TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[CupOfTea17]

For people who did the Browne Jacobson TI - how was it? Is it mainly motivational questions or commercial questions?

 

[soph107048]

Does anyone have any guidance/examples for how they approached an icebreaker/bio question for a vac scheme asking what informed your motivation for a career in law? Did you guys describe the characteristics ie fast paced/analytical or law more broadly? Asking cause i have to do this in a very limited number of words and want to make them count

 

[Jaysen]

Does anyone have any guidance/examples for how they approached an icebreaker/bio question for a vac scheme asking what informed your motivation for a career in law? Did you guys describe the characteristics ie fast paced/analytical or law more broadly? Asking cause i have to do this in a very limited number of words and want to make them count

I'd probably go for something personal if you can, such as an experience that led you to become a commercial lawyer.

I find when writing without experience, it usually sounds a bit cheesy/generic ('I love the intersection of law and business').

 

[user55998384]

does anyone have anh commercial law academcy discount codes?

 

[XH]

Did any of you do the Macfarlanes Direct TC vid interview? Have any of you heard back? Also how did you guys answer the Ambush marketing q I found it pretty difficult !

 

[choicefox212]

Did any of you do the Macfarlanes Direct TC vid interview? Have any of you heard back? Also how did you guys answer the Ambush marketing q I found it pretty difficult !

Yep, I did it a couple of weeks ago and haven't heard back. Can't remember the marketing Q tbh

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

I'll email them now

great! did you email them and have the responded?

 

[Jaysen]

@Jaysen is it okay for me to DM you with a query? I would do it on the forum but I feel slightly uncomfortable with it!

Sure!

 

[CharlieandLola]

great! did you email them and have the responded?

I didn’t!! I chickened out to be honest

 

[bangarangbass39]

Is RPC no longer providng the london DTC

 

[Applicant7874652]

Is RPC no longer providng the london DTC

I did the AC recently - they said they hold 1 AC for the DTC intake. The vac scheme is where most of the future trainees come from.

 

[bangarangbass39]

I did the AC recently - they said they hold 1 AC for the DTC intake. The vac scheme is where most of the future trainees come from.

just realised they changed the dates. Thank you for the update. Im guessing they hold that AC for internals mostly

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

I didn’t!! I chickened out to be honest

ah no worries, lmk if and when you do pls
I don’t want to do it as I only emailed last week

 

[jojo23]

Can I make a suggestion that one person take one for the team and apply for this https://shlondon-businessservicesca...gxNzYkbzIwMyRnMSR0MTc3NDQ1ODE4MiRqNTQkbDAkaDA.
Then hire the rest of us for the vac scheme

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi! I was wondering if anyone had some quick advice for this question in Stephenson Harwood's app.

"In up to 350 words, please outline a challenge that you think Stephenson Harwood will face over the next five years. You should draw on your current awareness and your commercial awareness to answer this question."

Do you think we should talk about market stuff that can affect their clients (ie geopolitical instability, tariffs, regulation, etc.) or is it more stuff affecting firms specifically (ie US PE in UK, billable hour, etc.)? Thank you!! I really appreciate the help : )

Hey!

This is a really good question, and I would definitely echo what has already been said so far!

I'd say that the strongest answers usually anchor themselves in a challenge that directly affects the firm, but are informed by wider market developments - therefore, I'd approach it by linking the two together.

For example, you might pick something such as geopolitical instability, shift trade relationships or regulatory change, but the key is then explaining:

• How that impacts Stephenson Harwood's clients (e.g. shipping, international trade, energy clients, etc.), and
• What that means for the firm itself (e.g. changes in demand for certain practice areas, pressure on fees, need to adapt expertise or strategy)

This way, you are showing wider commercial awareness and law firm awareness, which covers both areas that they are likely testing.

Equally, you could take a more firm-specific challenge (like AI, pricing pressure, or competition from US firms), but again, try to avoid treating it in isolation and make sure that it is relatively unique to Stephenson Harwood.

As Jaysen mentioned, it is really key for your answer to feel clearly relevant to Stephenson Harwood. For reference, I had a look at what the question was last cycle, and it asked you to discuss challenges that "all law firms will face over the next five years". Therefore, I'd say they have deliberately altered the question to ensure your answer is firm-specific and tailored.

The way I would frame it is: "This trend is happening in the market -> it affects the firm's clients in X way -> which creates Y challenge (+ possibly opportunities) for Stephenson Harwood specifically because of Z"

Best of luck with your application!

 

[SemperParatus]

Hey!

This is a really good question, and I would definitely echo what has already been said so far!

I'd say that the strongest answers usually anchor themselves in a challenge that directly affects the firm, but are informed by wider market developments - therefore, I'd approach it by linking the two together.

For example, you might pick something such as geopolitical instability, shift trade relationships or regulatory change, but the key is then explaining:

• How that impacts Stephenson Harwood's clients (e.g. shipping, international trade, energy clients, etc.), and
• What that means for the firm itself (e.g. changes in demand for certain practice areas, pressure on fees, need to adapt expertise or strategy)

This way, you are showing wider commercial awareness and law firm awareness, which covers both areas that they are likely testing.

Equally, you could take a more firm-specific challenge (like AI, pricing pressure, or competition from US firms), but again, try to avoid treating it in isolation and make sure that it is relatively unique to Stephenson Harwood.

As Jaysen mentioned, it is really key for your answer to feel clearly relevant to Stephenson Harwood. For reference, I had a look at what the question was last cycle, and it asked you to discuss challenges that "all law firms will face over the next five years". Therefore, I'd say they have deliberately altered the question to ensure your answer is firm-specific and tailored.

The way I would frame it is: "This trend is happening in the market -> it affects the firm's clients in X way -> which creates Y challenge (+ possibly opportunities) for Stephenson Harwood specifically because of Z"

Best of luck with your application!

Hi Abbie, I had access to the TCLA premium application database, may I ask why I can’t see it on my dashboard? Thank you

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Back again to ask if anyone else has heard back from FF post VI or Sidley post app. It’s been 78 and 77 days respectively which is insane.

If I had a quid for each time I’ve asked this question I’d have 30 quid, which isn’t a lot, but it’s for sure a sign that I’m turning into a parrot. ​

 

[Ronaldo04]

Has anyone heard from Orrick post AC?

 

[CharlieandLola]

Does anyone know over how many weeks Kennedys gives offers? I saw on LinkedIn someone accepted an offer which isn’t encouraging

 

[Bruce Wayne Attorney at Law]

I have been off the forum for the past few weeks/months after an unsuccessful AC.