TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[soph107048]

is getting collaboration as an area for development in W&C capp a bad sign

not necessarily! a lot of the time your "area for development" is just the area you scored slightly lower in than the others: it doesnt mean that you scored much lower or are actually in need of development there I got scattered results on SJTs across all firms applied to (incl collaboration as area for dev) and got progressed by most so dont worry

 

[legallybrunnette]

Reed Smith AC OMG!!!! First AC, any tips??

Congrats, all the best! May I ask how long it took for you to hear back from them?

Many thanks!

 

[BuddyingLawyer744]

Does anyone know if Paul, Weiss spring has been replying to people?

 

[legal18]

Any insights into Forsters VI? From this year or last would be much appreciated x

 

[lawyersum]

bates wells AC! Received it yesterday but completely scrolled past hehe. Anyone have any tips? I can share insights for Jones Day AC and other app stages I have passed!

 

[soph107048]

has anyone gotten a PFO for links spring/summer? the wait is getting unbearably long

 

[hxnnahrobinson]

Any updates on Irwin Mitchell or Addleshaw Goddard post video interviews?

Been ghosted by CMS following my video interview, despite other people being offered assessment centres

 

[J1234]

when did you hear back post SJT?

I submitted application on 11/12, completed test on 12/12 and then got a VI invite yesterday (16/01)

 

[Lawyergyal123!]

does anyone have any recommendations for some practice case studies, i am really struggling to find any. SEO refused to help because it a non sponsor firm and so did Rare, and aspiring solicitors just havent replied to me. i come from a low socio economic background so cant even afford to pay for the subscriptions online ((

 

[Deleted member 43292]

does anyone have any recommendations for some practice case studies, i am really struggling to find any. SEO refused to help because it a non sponsor firm and so did Rare, and aspiring solicitors just havent replied to me. i come from a low socio economic background so cant even afford to pay for the subscriptions online ((

hey i'll dm you!

 

[T. Rainee]

hey i'll dm you!

hey, can you please share with me too!

 

[TCGrad1642]

Ok guys, it's Friday night la


Forsters PFO, I'd rather the responseless vibe lol

I’m so curious if this is a scouse la or a Singaporean la

 

[user123987]

hey i'll dm you!

May you also help me with this please. Same struggle

 

[Deleted member 43292]

... haha

 

[Deleted member 43292]

I'll send it on here then just to make it easier for everyone

 

[Deleted member 43292]

@Lawyergyal123! @T. Rainee @user123987 @gmmd1012

Here's a thread on TCLA with helpful resources/practice: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....firm-case-studies-monday-article-series.3232/

I can't attach anything, but if you've been to any firm events, usually they do practice case studies - those would be great to practice or take a look at too!
If you want to make your own, using AI can be a very helpful way to practice as well! Take the sample one and ask AI to make you a detailed, accurate case study that matches how firms usually present them, testing attention to detail, commercial awareness, and ability to consolidate information under time pressure. You can create many different ones based on different topics and issues (e.g. sale or purchase of a certain type of companies in different sectors etc.)

Someone told me they did that at an AC and they said that one of the ones they did with AI matched the actual case study we got on the day haha so they were in a very good position. I understand what it's like to have no resources and to feel like you need to pay for everything to do well, but I promise you there are other ways! I personally never really end up having time to do practice case studies before my ACs so I only go in with my commercial awareness and knowledge and usually it's fine too!

Another alternative is to use news articles. So take a FT article that has to do with the commercial world and break it down. Think about what issues would the company or CEO be considering, what they would want to know, how would this news event affect different parts of the business etc. and how can lawyers help.

Hope this helps! Best of luck, you'll all be fine!

 

[applicant457]

Not an answer but if it helps I went way over on most of them, like 15 mins It said the time was "recommended" so I took that as a guideline rather than a rule but we shall see...

My answers took 11 minutes and I re-did the second question three times hopefully they will not count it.

 

[T. Rainee]

@Lawyergyal123! @T. Rainee @user123987 @gmmd1012

Here's a thread on TCLA with helpful resources/practice: https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....firm-case-studies-monday-article-series.3232/

I can't attach anything, but if you've been to any firm events, usually they do practice case studies - those would be great to practice or take a look at too!
If you want to make your own, using AI can be a very helpful way to practice as well! Take the sample one and ask AI to make you a detailed, accurate case study that matches how firms usually present them, testing attention to detail, commercial awareness, and ability to consolidate information under time pressure. You can create many different ones based on different topics and issues (e.g. sale or purchase of a certain type of companies in different sectors etc.)

Someone told me they did that at an AC and they said that one of the ones they did with AI matched the actual case study we got on the day haha so they were in a very good position. I understand what it's like to have no resources and to feel like you need to pay for everything to do well, but I promise you there are other ways! I personally never really end up having time to do practice case studies before my ACs so I only go in with my commercial awareness and knowledge and usually it's fine too!

Another alternative is to use news articles. So take a FT article that has to do with the commercial world and break it down. Think about what issues would the company or CEO be considering, what they would want to know, how would this news event affect different parts of the business etc. and how can lawyers help.

Hope this helps! Best of luck, you'll all be fine!

This is fantastic, thank you so much for taking the time to write this!

 

[shays]

anyone has any foolproof insights into amberjack?

for context, i did a million times and it's a disaster, what is hilarious given that the firm i did it for once i got into AC but then they changed the recruitment the next year so it's not like i don't know the firm? i also work as a paralegal so like i should know how this whole thing works why do i fail amberjack??? desperate over here thanks

 

[qwerty!]

Has anyone heard from Baker McKenzie?

I'm really confused about Bakers, after doing the VI they said they'd get back in 2 weeks and that their first ACs are the 9th and 14th of Jan ... those dates have been and gone and I still haven't heard anything??