TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Bread]

Just got a paralegal role with a late start date in case I don’t convert my vs. I signed the offer letter but also asked for annual leave in August. They haven’t replied for ages. Liek a day and a bit. I’m so stressed I’ve lost the offer lolol but I know I’m overthinking it - has anyone else had experience with this

“A day and a bit” is not ages

 

[Isobel.liddle]

Has anyone here applied to the L'Oréal Legal Summer Internship?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Just got a paralegal role with a late start date in case I don’t convert my vs. I signed the offer letter but also asked for annual leave in August. They haven’t replied for ages. Liek a day and a bit. I’m so stressed I’ve lost the offer lolol but I know I’m overthinking it - has anyone else had experience with this

Hey!

I know it is easier said than done, but I would really try not to overthink and stress about this - I think this is one of those situations where your brain is filling in the silence with worst-case scenarios! A day and a bit is a completely normal response time, particularly for HR or recruitment teams, and I've waited far longer for replies when I signed my paralegal offer for my placement year. If they have already sent and signed the offer, it is very unlikely that asking about annual leave would suddenly make them reconsider.

It is also pretty common for people to flag pre-booked holidays before joining, and firms will generally appreciate you raising this earlier rather than later. August is still quite far away too, so they may just not see it as urgent and will get back to you when they can.

I have definitely waited much longer than this for replies about onboarding or admin stuff before, so try not to worry too much (+ congratulations on your paralegal role offer)

 

[p2bv]

Hi everyone, I have received an invite for a final stage direct training contract interview, however, it crashes with a vac scheme I have. There is unfortunately no chance of rescheduling. I'm more interested in the direct training contract firm, just wondering how do I go about this? Do I explain the situation to the vac scheme firm and hope they let me leave for a bit (the interview is scheduled for the first day of the vac scheme so unfortunate timing) do i drop out of the vac scheme entirely? I would still like to do it if possible but understand it may not be possible

 

[Jessica Pearson]

@Jessica Pearson Hi! When you applied, was it for an entry level paralegal position? Did you have experience in criminal law when you applied? Also, you mentioned "With regards to the defence side, I would say tailor your CV and cast a wide net." - could you please expand on this? Many thanks for your time.

Hi, yes I got the Paralegal Assistant role with the CPS. I applied for it while I was still at uni so I had no criminal law experience except the module I tool at uni. They had a CV blind recruitment so they don't know anything about the uni or school you went to. They just mostly asked about transferable skills (so strength and competency questions). I had loads of part-time jobs that's what I used but you can use any experience that you have that applies. For the defence one, I meant to apply for as many as possible (kind of like with any set applications to increase your chances of getting one).

 

[bristol rovers]

Hi everyone, I have received an invite for a final stage direct training contract interview, however, it crashes with a vac scheme I have. There is unfortunately no chance of rescheduling. I'm more interested in the direct training contract firm, just wondering how do I go about this? Do I explain the situation to the vac scheme firm and hope they let me leave for a bit (the interview is scheduled for the first day of the vac scheme so unfortunate timing) do i drop out of the vac scheme entirely? I would still like to do it

Depends how different the firms are. If you would undertake a TC at both and there are no other dates for the direct TC interview - just do the scheme honestly. You don’t wanna jeopardise your chances by taking time out of the VS. Direct TC is also much harder to get - as often they run direct TC to fill up places they didn’t fill with the VS.

 

[applepeach]

If anyone else has been waiting, I emailed W&C about the insight scheme and they said 'we are currently in the midst of reviewing applications and will be in touch in due course, we appreciate your patience.'

 

[livelaughlawve]

Just got a rejection post VS. Really disheartening since this is the second VS I have "failed".