TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Rads]

NRF PFO finally

 

[llblawstudent]

Is the bakers test automatic?

 

[M123]

Addleshaw VI invite! Applied on the deadline.
Does anyone know what type of questions they ask? Commercial, motivation, or competency? Any insight would be really helpful.

Congrats!!! Is this for the London Office?

 

[iklawapps]

Can someone tell me what an academic referee for Bakers is supposed to attest to about you? I think my tutor needs some guidance :[ would appreciate it since I'm seeing them tomorrow.

Oh gosh sorry to ask, but when does Bakers start contacting referees? I haven't properly talked to mine in a whileee

 

[TCLAuser2002]

NRF PFO finally

post VI?

 

[Donna Paulsen]

thoughts on likelihood of being progressed to Milbank stage 2?

I completed the stage 1 test a week ago and haven't heard anything. wondering if it's worth holding out hope or coming to terms with a PFO especially since AC invites have gone out

I’m expecting a PFO as I haven’t progressed to stage 2, but I did the test on the 31st of December so idk why they’re taking so long to get back to me on it lol

 

[Jaysen]

DLA Vac Scheme offer!!! 🥳

DLA Piper London Vac Scheme offer!

Omg just came out of the first half of FLK1 (horrible btw) to a missed call, which turns out to be DLA VS offer. So bloody happy. Now just need to fill in spring and convert one 💃🏽💃🏽

Well done all of you!

 

[dinoorchestra]

Hey guys, how do you keep going? I have 3 more applications I want to finish, but right now, I feel like I will never get that training contract. I am just really burned out and the onslaught of former classmates qualifying or receiving their training contracts is not helping. I have done some vacation schemes but in the last year and (as it is looking right now) this year: nothing. I am definitely moving backwards as the number of candidates increases. Tbh I regret not deferring my degree during the pandemic, because that would probably have saved my grades. Firms seem to not really consider extenuating circumstances.

Any advice?

 

[Rads]

post VI?

App

 

[user123987]

Has anyone heard from AG Manchester who applied on deadline post application?

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Post test I assume (mine was post test). It seems their benchmark this year is at least 33/36. Feels like such a waste of time writing my cover letter 😔 such a shame

They don't even read the cover letter I guess, maybe post AC max

 

[Donna Paulsen]

I swear i should not have found this forum - I'm so addicted, reminds me of when I discovered the student room right before university applications

Omg I was thinking this. I was so obsessed with the student room, constantly checking the offer spreadsheets😭😭 seems like I haven’t changed

 

[TCGrad1642]

Has anyone heard post stage 2 for Milbank with an AC invite since the first batch of invites was sent?

No nothing yet sadly

 

[EfficientBag123]

Nah mine had that from before I did my VI.

 

[switchingup]

As a 31 year old, no, you're not too old for vac schemes... don't forget the average age of qualification is 30. You are nice and early in your journey lol

Also turned 32 in December. No rush!

 

[M123]

Has anyone heard from AG Manchester who applied on deadline post application?

Nope Applied on the deadline too

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

Guys I'm doing Clifford Chance's Middle East Vac Scheme application and I would appreciate any help on how to approach this question; it says "In no more than 1440 characters including spaces (this is approx. 200 words), what are your motivations for applying to the Middle East?" They didn't mention why Clifford Chance in this question like they had done 2 years ago when I had applied previously. Should I approach this question by mainly talking about the Middle East alone? Thank you!

@sqe4676 I think for Clifford Chance's Middle East TC, they want to see that you have a strong enough desire to work there, or at least some connection to the area e.g. language, work experience, family etc. which is why they've opted for this as opposed to the generic "Why CC". So, I agree, you should approach this question by focusing on the Middle East. However, I would encourage you to ensure that if your reasons have to do with the type of work that you could do there, then make sure this aligns with CC's offering in that location. For example, there's no use talking about, lets say infrastructure if CC don't really do that kind of work over there (I'm not saying they don't, it's just an example).

 

[letthisbethefinalcycle]

nrf pfo just in

 

[Bruce Wayne Attorney at Law]

NRF rejection post test, was expected

 

[User2640]

They don't even read the cover letter I guess, maybe post AC max

Firms that screen applicants before reading apps should ask for written apps / cover letter after they've passed the test :/ Or if you automatically progress people to the next stage anyway, you shouldn't ask for written apps cos you don't even read them. Tbh I really like firms whose next stage is not automatic