TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Abbie Whitlock]

hey happy monday!
beyond ai, uk budget announcements, what else is worth reading up on in-depth ahead of an interview? I have been revising my current affairs/commercial knowledge and suddenly realise how very very little I know 🥲

Happy Monday!

Just to add to the above (which are all topics I would look over!), I would also have a look at a few broader areas such as:

• Interest rates and inflation: how the Bank of England's recent decisions are affecting businesses, investments, and consumer spending.
• Energy transition & ESG: the shift towards renewables, how firms are adapting to net zero targets, and the regulatory / compliance side.
• Geopolitical risks: especially UK-China and UK-US trade dynamics, and how ongoing conflicts (Ukraine, Middle East) impact global markets.
• M&A and Private Equity trends: who's buying what, and how deal volumes are recovering post-interest rate hikes.
• Sector-specific news: I would have a look and focus on industries that the firm you are interviewing at specialises in, and read about up-to-date topics in those sectors!

Don't worry about knowing everything - it's more about being able to discuss a few topics in depth and link them back to the legal / commercial implications. I would make sure that you have a rough idea of the main commercial factors that are affecting the specific firm's clients, as this shows that you have tailored your commercial research to the firm.

Best of luck with your interview!

 

[lawyergal101]

Anyone heard back from PW?

 

[CharlesT47]

Anyone who has done the Jones Day interview willing to give some advice? How should we prepare?

 

[floral.tcla]

not an expert at all, but i'd say that the controversy around london as an attractive venue for stock exchange listings is a good topic to have in the back of your head. recent cyber attacks on large UK companies like Jaguar Land Rover, M&S etc. recent high profile merger between anglo-american and teck and its impact on the energy sector. AI of course. ESG vs Trump, is ESG becoming less important? hope this helps.

ah thank you so much!!

 

[floral.tcla]

I would also brush up on:

• Recent developments concerning the US-led trade wars, as after a period when things appeared to be settling down, tensions with China in particular are rising again;
• Positive outlook for dealmaking and financial markets activity - in the last few months we have seen both falling interest rates and increased investor confidence (despite all the uncertainty created by tariff threats) in the background of a still unexpectedly resilient US economy (which grew by an incredible 3.8% in Q2 2025);
• Trump's Gaza Peace Plan: while this is still very recent news, I would want to have an idea what the plan entails and how it may affect geopolitics and the global economy if successfully implemented (i.e. look at things such as impact on oil prices, which have been falling recently).

cheers, will do thank you Andrei!!

 

[floral.tcla]

Happy Monday!

Just to add to the above (which are all topics I would look over!), I would also have a look at a few broader areas such as:

• Interest rates and inflation: how the Bank of England's recent decisions are affecting businesses, investments, and consumer spending.
• Energy transition & ESG: the shift towards renewables, how firms are adapting to net zero targets, and the regulatory / compliance side.
• Geopolitical risks: especially UK-China and UK-US trade dynamics, and how ongoing conflicts (Ukraine, Middle East) impact global markets.
• M&A and Private Equity trends: who's buying what, and how deal volumes are recovering post-interest rate hikes.
• Sector-specific news: I would have a look and focus on industries that the firm you are interviewing at specialises in, and read about up-to-date topics in those sectors!

Don't worry about knowing everything - it's more about being able to discuss a few topics in depth and link them back to the legal / commercial implications. I would make sure that you have a rough idea of the main commercial factors that are affecting the specific firm's clients, as this shows that you have tailored your commercial research to the firm.

Best of luck with your interview!

Thank you so much Abbie, appreciate it a lot!

 

[johnsmith]

How many days do we have to complete the test?

No indication and logging in to AllHires there is only a date of issue.

NRF on another batch of rejections - not quick enough at pressing buttons over here 😅

 

[Bbhu19]

Has anyone applied to white and case winter vac and any response?

 

[routetotrainingcontract]

Is it worth applying to Dechert WVS now (my application is ready) as they recruit on a rolling basis and the deadline is the 17/10 or should I just apply for spring/summer? - anyone have any idea of how seriously they their rolling recruitment?

Not to scare you from applying as we all have different situations and luck but i attended one of their open days and the recruiter said it'll be better to apply for the spring/summer as they have progressed a lot of people so if i want increase my chances, its better i apply for spring or summer. i dont have the best grades so i took that advice! as the others have said, if you have good grades and you feel your application is strong then its worth the shot!

 

[routetotrainingcontract]

Did anyone apply to covington for any of their legal horizon programme and received a reply?

 

[tjeya26]

Hi everyone, I have a quick question about the Hogan Lovells application, if anyone is able to help @Andrei Radu . When they ask “Tell us about experiences outside of your work and study that have allowed you to develop skills relevant to this role,” can I mention previous work experiences like vacation schemes or legal/non-legal internships that are outside my degree?

 

[Amgrad]

Anyone heard back from PW?

I am waiting for their PFOs. Some asked about the outcome of the open day last week, but nobody replied.

No one shared invites here, though their open day is within 2 days.

 

[mg42guy32]

How many days do we have to complete the test?

It’s a week I believe

 

[Bread]

I am waiting for their PFOs. Some asked about the outcome of the open day last week, but nobody replied.

No one shared invites here, though their open day is within 2 days.

I saw someone receive an open day invite ages ago

 

[Amgrad]

I saw someone receive an open day invite ages ago

Really For October? I guess it was September lol.

I didn't apply to their open day, only VS but i've heard last year was quick, they came back in the promised timeline, within couple of weeks.

Maybe for this cycle is couple of weeks of business days? Then it should be Wed/Thu this week.

I came across their LinkedIn post the deadline, they were busy creating reels and new dedicated page for European office. Wondering it has resulted in slow respond.

 

[User2640]

For app forms that include only a Work Experiece / Work History section, do I have to tailor the description of each work experience to the specific firm? Or they will assess the why firm question on the vi stage and we don't have to include these in the Work Experience section. Additionally, is there any general tips for writing the Work Experience section? Beyond skills, what else should I include, and how should I structure it under different word limits (250 words vs 50 words)? Any advice would truly be much appreciated!!

 

[Bread]

Really For October? I guess it was September lol.

I didn't apply to their open day, only VS but i've heard last year was quick, they came back in the promised timeline, within couple of weeks.

Maybe for this cycle is couple of weeks of business days? Then it should be Wed/Thu this week.

I came across their LinkedIn post the deadline, they were busy creating reels and new dedicated page for European office. Wondering it has resulted in slow respond.

It might have been October, deffo was not September
I think the fact that they’ve removed SJT might mean they’ll take longer to shortlist people to interview for VS

 

[Amgrad]

From what I understand from last years process, invites to interview and rejections were sent out 2 weeks after apps closed

Yep, that was I meant, now it's already 2 weeks after the deadline, it should be last night, fingers crossed!

 

[htrizzy100]

Is anyone else having a problem with freshfields app - it only lets me input 3 classes per year in the education section??

 

[Amgrad]

I’d imagine it might be slightly delayed this year bcus there is no additional test between application and interview! Grad team will have to narrow it down themselves. Hope we hear back end of this week, as I’d imagine things need to get moving soon.

Wew. I do agree. They don't get used to it to screen candidates without test or VI like Sidley. I appreciate their turns as transitioning to simplify the recruitment process is not that easy, especially when most firms doing the other way around.