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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

Afraz Akhtar

Legendary Member
Staff member
Premium Member
  • Dec 22, 2025
    169
    383
    Hi @Afraz Akhtar, if I have 60-90 seconds to answer a VI question on "why X law firm", would it be acceptable to talk about the general type of work that the firm has done in the past, rather than delve into in-depth specifics of a deal? I don't want to name-drop a deal and then not have enough time to connect it to my answer properly.
    Hi @M_m I understand why you would want to lack depth here, given the time. Although we need to ensure the reason is specific enough to the firm and well qualified with why that appeals to you - and I feel like general work doesn't meet that mark. So, instead think about a specific type of work they do and whether they do it well, e.g. returning clients, heightened demand, a grip on a particular sector - you can do this without talking about a particular deal which cuts down on the amount of depth you would need to go into. Then ensure you can explain why that interests you and if it links to a particular skill/experience of yours.
     
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    Afraz Akhtar

    Legendary Member
    Staff member
    Premium Member
  • Dec 22, 2025
    169
    383
    What are peoples tips for answering ‘why law/commercial law’ in an interview? follow a story approach or more structured? do you have different answers for law vs commercial law? would love to know how people have approached it !!
    @lawyersum I don't imagine many firms specifically carving the two questions out, considering the limited time and wealth of content to cover. However, if they ask 'why law' be prepared to introduce what pushed you to the legal industry and focus the bulk of your answer on commercial law - particularly what interests you, why it interests you, and whether there was any skill/experience that qualified that interest.

    This doesn't necessarily need to follow a story approach, so you don't need to showcase your journey as much as you do your interest - however you will have to explain where that interest comes from, as mentioned above you will need to qualify it.
     
    In the past, we used to have a general discussion thread and a vacation scheme thread. I'd be happy to do this again. One downside is I think it would split everyone into two places.

    Would be curious to know everyone's thoughts, though, especially for next cycle. Could you react with the ✅ emoji on this post if you think a separate chat thread would be better? And the ❌ if you think one thread is better?
    Damn the votes - Long live democracy 🫩🫩🫩🫩
     

    Afraz Akhtar

    Legendary Member
    Staff member
    Premium Member
  • Dec 22, 2025
    169
    383
    May be a silly question but what do people wear to virtual written exercises?
    @lawstudent2 if you're being recorded/proctored - then just like a VI, you should dress professionally. It's a little different to in-person interviews in that, this doesn't need to be formal wear - it could be a plain jumper or knitwear, but nothing too graphic or patterned.

    Honestly, even if you did, I doubt it would be too much of an issue, but its best to not give them anything to fault you on - in case the candidate performance is overwhelmingly competitive and they need to whittle down.
     

    TheLegalEdit

    Star Member
    Apr 29, 2025
    48
    47
    Hi guys, just wanted some advice. As someone who after graduating decided to go into legal tech at a MC firm and now a few years after graduating is looking to go into practice, do you think it is worth looking at TC applications? I’ve been so focused on VS applications but since not progressing as far as I would have wanted this application cycle, do you think I can apply for direct TCs? Despite not having done any VS but I have worked in a law firm just not in a directly legal capacity.
     

    bangarangbass39

    Legendary Member
    Sep 13, 2023
    252
    397
    Just wanted to gain some clarity, if I have a non law degree and haven't started a PGDL or SQE, can I apply for the Government Trainee Scheme?

    I believe I technically can under the SQE route. Whether that is a good idea or not is a diff story of course...

     

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