TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[EfficientBag123]

Im fairly sure baker will send Spring AC invites in the new year

According to the forum, last year they sent on 3rd Jan 2024

Which makes sense - I doubt there is much movement before NYE!

Okay thank you so much. It’s just that they gave the AC dates so less than a week to prep seems counter intuitive.

 

[WillKitchen]

Celebrating 30 rejections in 2025 🎉 10 VIs, 8 open days, 3 mentors, 1 AC.

In all honesty, I am very excited by the number of opportunities available for prospective lawyers. In my career as a university lecturer (I have been teaching Film, Media and Communications since 2018), I would be lucky to find and submit 5 applications per year for faculty posts across the UK, USA, Ireland, Canada and Europe. Since COVID, that number has dropped dramatically. In 2023 I interviewed for 4 Associate Lecturer, Teaching Fellow and even Assistant Professor roles. In 2024 and 2025, no suitable opportunities were advertised in my fields.

When I compare that to the number of commercial law firms that have a guaranteed staff intake every year on training contracts, whether that be a handful at US firms or up to 100 for members of the Magic Circle... wow.

I am really excited by what a new career in law may bring. It may take another 30 (or 60) rejections, but I'll get there. In the meantime, I aim to sit SQE 1 in July 2026.

Happy New Year to all job-hunters at TCLA! 🥂

 

[Distressed M&A]

Is the Baker online assessment automatic? I have not received an invite since submitting my app a week ago.

 

[user55998384]

Is the Baker online assessment automatic? I have not received an invite since submitting my app a week ago.

was wondering the same thing!

 

[spamelinazoid]

Is the Baker online assessment automatic? I have not received an invite since submitting my app a week ago.

In previous years it has never been automatic (unless that has changed this year).

 

[yoyowong]

If anyone is happy to share Milbank stage 1 please let DM me! Happy to share Macfarlanes stage 2 and Sidley AC

 

[llblawstudent]

If anyone is happy to share Milbank stage 1 please let DM me! Happy to share Macfarlanes stage 2 and Sidley AC

Was the AC for the WVS?

 

[alphabravocharlie]

If anyone is happy to share Milbank stage 1 please let DM me! Happy to share Macfarlanes stage 2 and Sidley AC

was Sidley AC summer or winter VS?

 

[gmmd1012]

If anyone has done the Goodwin VI and is willing to give me advice on what to expect / how to prepare I would really appreciate it!

 

[EfficientBag123]

was wondering the same thing!

They send invites after the deadline has closed.

 

[user55998384]

They send invites after the deadline has closed.

oh wait so it after sending the app is the next stage VI and then an online assessment?

 

[Bread]

Is the Baker online assessment automatic? I have not received an invite since submitting my app a week ago.

It isn’t automatic, plus the application receipt email said they’d be reviewing summer vac scheme apps after the deadline in January

Pls pls pls read emails from firms that actually provide a timeline, it’s so rare nowadays 😭🙏🏻

 

[radssss]

If anyone has done the Goodwin VI and is willing to give me advice on what to expect / how to prepare I would really appreciate it!

Yes please same here!!

And same for kennedys please if someone has given the vi this year or previously!

 

[Wagamamas]

It isn’t automatic, plus the application receipt email said they’d be reviewing summer vac scheme apps after the deadline in January

Pls pls pls read emails from firms that actually provide a timeline, it’s so rare nowadays 😭🙏🏻

I think it’s important that everyone reads receipt emails and the firms website before asking for any application timeline or what the application process entails. Most if not all of the information is on the firms website which is a google search away. But I get sometimes it’s ambiguous.

Also I didn’t apply to Goodwin but everyone asking for Goodwin VI tips when you all got the invite the same day is humorous. I highly doubt someone will give you vi questions for 1) nothing in return 2) the exact same scheme they’ve applied for and not been rejected meaning you’d ultimately impede their chances if you were to do better and there were limited AC spots. This may sound selfish but at the end of the day there’s limited VS and TC spots. Idc if it’s your first vi or you’ve never progress Ngl. It’s important to think before asking. That’s not to say I’ve not helped people.

Use the search function and look at previous years tips on the vi people do post previous years questions. Let’s use our initiative - something that’s looked at on a VS.

 

[Harvey Specter]

I got a notif from Candid and I was all excited cos I thought finally I’ve got an app update but it turned out it was just a reminder from Travers… smdh 🥲

 

[elle woods]

just wanted to give some smaller firms some love

if anyone is looking to apply to more firms, maybe give capsticks (VS) or dac beachcroft (TC) some love! came across them on linkedin jobs while boredom scrolling 😂 I've personally been to DACB and the culture is just amazing!

 

[M85672]

If you receive the Milbank test, how long do you have for it?

 

[Novaa]

Okay not to be delusional (I’ve reached that point in the cycle ✌️😗✌️), but if you were to prepare for an AC what main topics would you cover to make sure you go into an AC ready to deal with the case study/group exercise/presentation?

Would really appreciate any guidance on this!! 😸

 

[LehmanBrothersRiskManagementIntern]

If you receive the Milbank test, how long do you have for it?

5 days

 

[flower1]

@flower1 it’s been about two years since I studied this, so @Abbie Whitlock may be of more help but I’d say for Intellectual Property Practice the key thing to know is that there are various IP rights available in the UK (trademarks, copyright, patents, trade secrets/confidential information) all of which are governed by their own statutory provision e.g. CDPA 1988.

Some rights are automatic such as copyright and others are given upon application e.g. patents. However, for each there are certain criteria’s to fill - and this is where you’ll approach things through a step by step process based on the facts of the client. Once you have the right, each exists for a different amount of time.

The most interesting thing about IP is the disputes, so when a client claims their right is being infringed by another, however again it’s decided based on the facts and strengths of your right to begin with.

The subject alone is very content heavy, so I wouldn’t bother studying it for an AC - as they are not meant to be legal in nature (to give an equal chance to those from a non law background). However, the above should give you a general understanding of the work you’re likely to do in that department.

Thank you @Afraz Akhtar for your answer - that's really helpful. I'm just worried in case I don't know enough about each practice area - sorry for all these questions, but please could you also provide the same for litigation as a practice area if you don't mind