TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[uraijom]

Hey @uraijom,

If you can find their phone number, could you call graduate recruitment? I appreciate this is scary, but this would be the fastest way to get a response.

If you are unable to do this, I would accept Firm A first. It would be frustrating for them if you later turn it down, but I think you have to do what is right for you, and I wouldn't risk turning down Firm A pre-emptively, in case Firm B does not give you an offer.

thank you so much!

 

[iklawapps]

I guess either would work - they want to know that you know the markets and what clients they have, but applying that to law firms would allow you to explore the more interesting question as to how this will directly affect lawyers

I personally think a nice approach for this type of question is:

1. Identify a commercial issue/macroeconomic driver
2. Explain why this particular issue is relevant to SH in particular (tie it to a practice area, sector or location they operate in)
3. Explain why this is an actual challenge for the law firm as a business (this could be reduced transactional activity, limited capacity, rebalancing of practice areas etc etc)
4. Why it might be challenging trying to adapt to these changes - then maybe add how the challenge could be mitigated

Sure people approach these in different ways but that's how I would approach it personally. It gives you the opportunity to cover both of the things that you mentioned.

Both options work well.

The challenge should feel clearly relevant to Stephenson Harwood based on the kind of firm SH is. So, for example, if you write about geopolitical instability, you'd want to write about how that's relevant to, say, the private client, shipping or finance practice. Or how that's relevant to the firm's decision to expand internationally/second lawyers, etc.

Where applicants sometimes fall down is that they pick an issue that is relevant to most law firms and then try to apply the challenge to the firm after the fact. But the answer will always feel too general when approached this way.

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!

Oh wow thank you all so much, that's so helpful and I can def see how to integrate all of that into my answer! Thank you again, you really saved me and helped me get this app down despite procrastinating until right before the deadline :' D

 

[DennyCrane]

anyone still waiting on DACB following written exercise?

 

[aodsa12]

How many people does Faegre take from the vac scheme? Website says a ‘handful’ but does anyone know the actual amount

I did the Vac Scheme last year and I am pretty sure they took two trainees.

 

[trainee4u]

I did the Vac Scheme last year and I am pretty sure they took two trainees.

How many Vs were there, and how many attendees?

 

[Florencejones]

Do Bevan Brittan send out invites in batches or shall I now await my Pfo

 

[Novaa]

Hey…

Sorry just to confirm is Ashurst’s deadline 12:00pm / 00:00am?

All their Vacation Scheme marketing specifies “From [DATE] to [DATE] At 12pm”, but the DTC marketing just says “From [DATE] to [DATE]”.

 

[summersun]

Hey…

Sorry just to confirm is Ashurst’s deadline 12:00pm / 00:00am?

All their Vacation Scheme marketing specifies “From [DATE] to [DATE] At 12pm”, but the DTC marketing just says “From [DATE] to [DATE]”.

it says noon on their website so I woudl finish it this morning just in case

 

[Novaa]

it says noon on their website so I woudl finish it this morning just in case

OH EM GEE LOOOOOL!

As soon as you said that it’s like it lit up on the website for me

Ok let me go find a meeting room I can hide in, thank you!!

 

[randomrhino]

They'll give the people with offers a few days to accept/decline, so I'll go for 3pm next Friday

well we’re finally at next Friday, so let’s see if today is finally the day of the mass PFO from SH

 

[Partcore22]

Anyone heard from Bevan Brittan for direct TC?

 

[helenaskelton]

I did the Vac Scheme last year and I am pretty sure they took two trainees.

Oh Jesus. That’s a terrible conversion. How did you find the vac scheme?

 

[helenaskelton]

Anyone heard from Bevan Brittan for direct TC?

They get back on 6th April!

 

[DennyCrane]

I hate fridays

 

[Madison Pinewall]

just told i failed my Sidley HR call. i'm lowkey convinced im just unlikable because i've failed 2 ACs and couldn't pass this call. i did so much research so idk where im going wrong atp.

also they don't even give feedback?

 

[summersun]

just told i failed my Sidley HR call. i'm lowkey convinced im just unlikable because i've failed 2 ACs and couldn't pass this call. i did so much research so idk where im going wrong atp.

also they don't even give feedback?

Hi remember that sometimes it's a question of fit. I very much doubt that you are unlikeable.
Also people can fail ACs and TIs simply due to the numbers. You might have been ranked 35 but they had 30 spots. so don't loose hope! You made it so far already so that means you can do it!

 

[LH4]

Just had my Browne Jacobson TI and think it went horribly lol

 

[nicoledm]

has anyone heard back from SPB post AC

 

[florrrrnnn76]

Just had my Browne Jacobson TI and think it went horribly lol

Same, for the first question she stopped me mid way saying to move on

 

[n_99_99]

Has anyone heard from Weightmans post interview??