TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[LawAspirer]

Do you guys think its OK to add mitigating circumstances when I had a 63% final grade? (Conversion from Dutch grades). My university had a specific teaching type which got screwed during the corona time. My point being that in the first 2 years I had more like 59% and 60% average, while in the 3rd (no corona), I brought it up to a 68% average. What do you think?

 

[johnsmith]

Do you guys think its OK to add mitigating circumstances when I had a 63% final grade? (Conversion from Dutch grades). My university had a specific teaching type which got screwed during the corona time. My point being that in the first 2 years I had more like 59% and 60% average, while in the 3rd (no corona), I brought it up to a 68% average. What do you think?

I think the firms are often quite firm that COVID disruptions impacted everyone, so they don't accept that as mitigating circumstances - I'm sure you could discuss it with the specific grad recruitment team, though, to get their thoughts, as your situation may be unique.

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

For this question, Select one article from DLA Piper Insights page on a client sector that interests you. How does it align with your personal and professional ambitions? - i chose a litigation-based article but now I'm not too sure if commercial litigation is a client sector? I mean, it does affect financial services and litigation funding - but im not sure if litigation funding is a client sector?

 

[oliviabeijing]

Hiya! I am going to their IRIS day Tuesday. I heard back two weeks ago.

Okay amazing! I applied for the disputes one, have the best time!

 

[SoonToBeTrainee]

Ashurst AC post-WE 🎉

 

[elizabethkate]

I am referring to the Summer vac

how long did it take for you to progress to the next stage? I applied to Reed Smith and HG both on the 13/10

 

[TortillaTC]

HL second stage test invite. Applied on 29 September, did the first test 14 October.

 

[trainee4u]

What's the Cappfinity Job Simulation for Hogan Lovells like?
It says "mixture of scenario-based rank questions, video response questions and written response questions".

The scenario-based sounds like an SJT which I already did. Is the video response typical VI stuff ?

 

[trainee4u]

HL second stage test invite. Applied on 29 September, did the first test 14 October.

I did mine yesterday so clearly sending out all the invites to 2nd stage at once!

 

[elliece]

how long did it take for you to progress to the next stage? I applied to Reed Smith and HG both on the 13/10

I only did mine a few days ago and nothing yet! I heard others say it took 2 weeks for the first test to come

 

[Maddy]

I did mine yesterday so clearly sending out all the invites to 2nd stage at once!

I haven’t received any updates since completing my first test on 10th October. Does this mean I have been rejected? I also haven’t received the Ashurst WE invite, so I guess I’ve been unsuccessful.

 

[Maddy]

Did anyone who completed the Reed Smith SJT get a half empty feedback report?

 

[whywhy88]

Really starting to lose hope about receiving the second HL test 😞 With a lot of firms moving towards SJTs and the Cappfinity model I feel more disheartened than ever given my neurodivergency makes such tests so much harder. Anyone else feeling the same?

 

[WS]

Did anyone who completed the Reed Smith SJT get a half empty feedback report?

Yes - mine was empty; just email grad rec and they'll send you the full one

 

[Tattyasha]

Really starting to lose hope about receiving the second HL test 😞 With a lot of firms moving towards SJTs and the Cappfinity model I feel more disheartened than ever given my neurodivergency makes such tests so much harder. Anyone else feeling the same?

Yep, totally

 

[Anon145]

is there any chance that the Milbank Online Assessment will have a VI component? They haven't been very clear, and they are hosting the assessment on a platform primarily used for VIs. However, it is only the first assessment after the application so unsure.

 

[WiddyJ]

is there any chance that the Milbank Online Assessment will have a VI component? They haven't been very clear, and they are hosting the assessment on a platform primarily used for VIs. However, it is only the first assessment after the application so unsure.

I’m going to do it on friday and am assuming it will be a short VI

 

[johnsmith]

is there any chance that the Milbank Online Assessment will have a VI component? They haven't been very clear, and they are hosting the assessment on a platform primarily used for VIs. However, it is only the first assessment after the application so unsure.

As there isn't much detail on it I'm sure graduate recruitment would answer this for you if you contacted them.

 

[TheLegalEdit]

Sorry to ask again but has anyone heard back from linklaters for the WVS?

 

[Unknowncabbage]

I found an email that mentioned two tests though to be completed in 3 days but I think I only had one?

“Please note, if you have applied for any of our London vacancies (including open days), you will have been assigned a two-part online assessment to complete as part of the application process. To access the assessments, please log back into the apply4law homepage. The deadline for completing these assessments is three days after submission of your application for all vacancies.”

Yeah, I am actually not too sure. It's either just slow at sending out the second stage or maybe they have a minimum benchmark before the second stage. Id appreciate if anyone who applied for the October OD could tell us whether everyone gets the second stage invite or not, as that will help with clarity.