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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

jamsparkle

Star Member
Oct 24, 2025
42
84
A stats perspectice: correlation not causation
The majority of applications (in general) are probably not high enough to meet their standards.
People who spend time doing those things, are less likely to be people who would rush applications / make applications that didn't meet the thresholds.
Therefore the % of people who complete these things who progress is likely significantly higher than the % of the overall application cohort, not because an equally strong candidate who did the GVI is a more credible candidate, but rather that people who rush/ spend little time on applications won't be completing those.
I guess that makes sense - i think i was thinking of it more from an ib etc recruiting perspective (since that's what a lot of my friends have been going through) where i got the impression that these virtual internship type things don't really mean anything and are more likely to be seen as an attempt by a weaker candidate to fluff up their cv
 

Laurel Lance - Black Canary

Legendary Member
  • Jul 31, 2025
    193
    224
    Last edited:

    Afraz Akhtar

    Legendary Member
    Staff member
    Premium Member
  • Dec 22, 2025
    194
    461
    Hello @Andrei Radu @Abbie Whitlock @Afraz Akhtar
    I was wondering with regard to intellectual property practice - what's the pure substantive things we should know about for ACs? I don't mean like connecting to broader trends, but rather like actual concepts / content?

    Thank you
    @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.
     
    Last edited:

    BealMcAlly

    Legendary Member
    Feb 3, 2025
    276
    383
    @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 trademarks 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.
    Hey, sorry to correct but I think you mean copyright is automatic?

    Trademarks should be filed.
     
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    M123

    Distinguished Member
    Feb 26, 2023
    59
    54
    Anyone else get a holding email from Willkie? Have people who did the VI in December heard back at all?
    I got an email saying that they’re now reviewing applications and that Written Exercise will be near the end of January. They’ll let us know by 19th of January about the outcome of our video interviews. I’m assuming no one has heard back yet then but I could be wrong!
     
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