TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

Completely bombed the Mishcon SJT 😭

Oh no. Was it hard?

 

[FutureTraineeMaybe]

For those who applied to BCLP, if you failed the test, when do you get a PFO?

 

[RVD23]

Oh no. Was it hard?

Not harder than other firms, but my scores were lower in some sections than they were in the other firms

 

[SamiyaJ]

I kinda gave up on work life balance as a choice after I realised how few firms that left me 😂 (My niche interest in life sciences already narrows it down). It is still really important to me and is a way of ranking my law firms alongside NQ salary (also helps when I get a PFO from a firm I wasnt excited to work at anyway because of their work life balance).

It's why I'm so excited about my TW AC because I ranked them as an A-tier firm for their life science area and reputation for having a good work life balance.

For context, I'm a fresh graduate with a partner of 3 years, which did make me re-evaluate my priorities in terms of realising I may not want to come back at midnight every night and sacrifice all my relationships 😂.

Aw bless you! Fair enough. I’m kinda the same as I’m interested in maritime, but do consider work life balance at the back of my mind. I’ve feel like I’ve spent my 20s working across all industries and crazy hours, so slightly cba to do that again but that would be a crazy luxury considering I now want to become a lawyer 😂

Best of luck for TW AC!! You’ll do great xx

 

[adf43256]

Hi everyone this is a bit of a rant post. I'm a post grad and up until last year I had only ever done 2 selective VIs for law firms. Last year I somehow managed to secure 2 ACs back to back for DTCs (which I was rejected from but I thought clearly im making progress). This cycle ive treated apps like my full time job and so far ive done selective 5 VIs and done 1 AC but Im actually starting to lose hope. Because alongside these I've also done final stage interviews for non-law grad jobs and some smaller law firm TCs and I keep getting rejected at that final stage. The AC I did a few weeks ago I doubt I got (despite thinking I did fine in it) and Im starting to wonder what Im doing wrong. 3 ACs and still no VS offer seems like alot

 

[Shiv Lawy]

Hi everyone!

Just a random question- how does everyone view “work-life balance” once you get a TC? And yes I’m saying “once” cos we’re all going to get there!!!

Do you care about it? Do you think it depends on age? Are you picking firms based on their work-life culture? By age I mean someone in their early 20s/fresh out of uni vs 30s for example. But of course it depends on personal circumstances/responsibilities too

I'm closer to 30 than being a fresh grad now and tbh I'm welcoming a return to the grind.

My first few jobs out of uni were 9-6 in not particularly exciting roles and then I've spent the last 2 years being completely unbound by time (part time work only/Masters/running a business)

Whereas I love not having a commute and my mental and physical health is at a peak, it can be exhausting always being on the clock and stressing about money.

Now that I've found my commercial niche and enjoy the work of a solicitor I'm ready to go back to a more structured day, especially if it pays me enough to live more centrally and not have a long commute.

The way I see it I work 100hr weeks right now looking for a job and winning new business I rather be paid to do work that feels worthwhile than working 45 hrs a week in a dead end job.

 

[nonlawstudent98]

Hi everyone!

Just a random question- how does everyone view “work-life balance” once you get a TC? And yes I’m saying “once” cos we’re all going to get there!!!

Do you care about it? Do you think it depends on age? Are you picking firms based on their work-life culture? By age I mean someone in their early 20s/fresh out of uni vs 30s for example. But of course it depends on personal circumstances/responsibilities too

It definitely depends on age and responsibilities in my opinion. As a female in my late twenties and in a long-term relationship these upcoming years are pretty big ones. Late twenties into early thirties *tends* to be (obviously depending on personal wants) the age that people will buy a house, get married and think about starting a family. Work-life balance is definitely something I think about more at this age than I would've in my early twenties - especially as a female. You have to think about whether these are things you are willing to put on hold or not, or live a very difficult life trying to juggle these things while studying/working as a trainee! Then again, studying to become a laywer is not something that I can easily do without a fair amount of sponsorship from a firm and that lends itself to the larger ones with more demanding hours!

 

[SamiyaJ]

Thanks for sharing your perspectives, I can relate to you all a lot. It does weigh on my mind as I’m getting married soon and inevitably start thinking about next steps, but can be quite daunting to think about it all in one go and how it can all make sense logistically. Happy to have a very supportive and understanding fiance, so I guess things will fall into place at the right times!

Don’t know how to reply to more than one message at once lmao

 

[TCLAuser2002]

Hey guys, I was wondering how to approach this question " Tell us how lawyers can add value for their clients beyond providing technical, legal expertise. Why is this especially important in today's market?"

 

[WillKitchen]

Do you care about it? Do you think it depends on age? Are you picking firms based on their work-life culture? By age I mean someone in their early 20s/fresh out of uni vs 30s for example. But of course it depends on personal circumstances/responsibilities too

I'm not particularly worried about it.

Commercial lawyers work hard, but so do many other professions. I've had plenty of 1am finishes, early starts, weekend work hours, missed lunch breaks, even working on Xmas day.

Luckily, I've really enjoyed my work so far, so that is a big help.

However, it is very important to respect other people's circumstances. I never expect anyone to work outside their contracted hours.

 

[lawyersum]

Currently doing interview prep - all my answers fall within 3-4 mins, is that okay? I heard somewhere your answers shouldn't be longer than 2 in any circumstance? What are people's thoughts and experiences, would really appreciate as I have 2 interviews coming up!

 

[angdps]

Had one of my VIs moved to a virtual interview with a graduate recruiter. Would i be allowed to have notes to use during prep time or is it frowned upon? I also tend to write up a quick plan during the prep time but I dont know if thats suspicious given now its with an actual person.

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

I'm not particularly worried about it.

Commercial lawyers work hard, but so do many other professions. I've had plenty of 1am finishes, early starts, weekend work hours, missed lunch breaks, even working on Xmas day.

Luckily, I've really enjoyed my work so far, so that is a big help.

However, it is very important to respect other people's circumstances. I never expect anyone to work outside their contracted hours.

Only time I worked on Xmas was in hospitality.

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

Hey guys, I was wondering how to approach this question " Tell us how lawyers can add value for their clients beyond providing technical, legal expertise. Why is this especially important in today's market?"

What firm?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hi @Abbie Whitlock
Any tips for preparing for a written exercise? I feel like I'm all over the place

Hello!

I have written a few previous posts on written exercises which might be a useful starting point - I have quoted them below! When approaching written exercises, my main focus is always to keep my answer structured and manage my time well. If you feel overwhelmed, I would try to start the exercise by making a quick plan that can then guide you throughout the rest of the exercise. Best of luck!!

Hello!

Congratulations on getting the invite! 🎉 Whilst I haven't completed the Ashurst written exercise, they will usually test your ability to communicate clearly and structure your arguments logically - similar to what you'd do as a trainee when drafting emails or internal notes.

I've outlined some previous tips that I always used when preparing for written exercises below:

• Practice timed writing - pick a 30-45 minute slot, read a short business or news article, and summarise the key points in a structured 1-2 page memo with a clear conclusion summarising your findings.
• Work on prioritisation - pick an article with a lot of information, and practice picking out the 3-4 most important issues rather than trying to summarise and include everything.
• Use a clear structure - this was the main thing that I implemented that helped me score higher on written assessments! Follow a clear structure in your answer, and practice what this would be for each type of document.
• Check clarity - after writing (potentially one of the above), ask yourself if someone with no context to the facts could follow along with the information and your reasoning.
• Proofread under pressure - I would get used to quickly checking grammar and flow, as this is really important in a written exercise! I sometimes struggled with this, as the pressure made me skip parts of my writing, but I found that literally following along with a pen or your finger can make sure you don't miss anything.
• Review sample case studies - I would have a look online and see if there are any free resources that you can have a go at. A true lifesaver during my last cycle was this forum post by Jacob Miller, and I would definitely give it a read!

The main thing that assisted me in written exercises is following a clear structure! I would go through and read all of the materials first, and then go back to pick out the key details. You should be looking for key issues, areas that you will require more information, and anything that you think is important for the client to know.

I would then follow a clear structure in your answer. There are a a few different types of documents that they could test you on - e.g. an email, memo, report, note, etc. I would have a look beforehand at the formatting of each, and have a go at writing them! If you are writing a letter / email to a client, make sure that you aren't including technical terms and writing in way that is easy for them to understand.

I would also try and find ways to showcase that you have the skills that they are looking for in trainees. For example, in one of my previous ACs I was asked to write an email to a supervisor. In this email, I outlined my arguments and recommendation, but I ended it by offering to draft the email / document for the client (e.g. proactivity). This will be dependant on each exercise, but if you can incorporate this in some way, I think it's a great way of standing out!

I hope that assists - best of luck with the written exercise, I'm sure you'll smash it!

Of course, no problem at all!!

Since client emails are such a common format in written exercises, it's definitely worth getting comfortable with how to approach them! A few things that I kept in mind when preparing:

Understand the Purpose and Audience

Before you start writing, clarify who you are writing to (e.g. a client, supervisor, or a colleague) and what information they need from you. The tone, level of formality, and structure will vary depending on whether it's an internal email or an email to an external client.

For example, if you are emailing a client, you want to ensure that they are able to understand any legal principles that you are outlining in your email. As such, it's important to make sure you write it in layman's terms and don't just recite the information given in the materials. However, if you are emailing a supervisor, I would focus on highlighting the most important pieces of information as you are effectively trying to save them time in going through the materials themselves. I would always aim to write in a professional way, and frame it like you would an actual email - such as a subject line and a closing sentence.

Use a Clear and Logical Structure

The main thing that I changed when approaching written exercises was making sure that I had a clear and logical structure. A good client email should be easy to follow. A simple structure could look like:

1. Opening: A brief, polite greeting and context for why you're writing (and what you'll be discussing in the email). If you're emailing a supervisor, it might be useful to include a short summary of your findings at the top (i.e. an early conclusion), and then go into more detail below.
2. Main Body: Summarise the key points or advice clearly and concisely, using short paragraphs. It might be appropriate to use headings and subtitles, especially if there is a lot of information. The goal is to make sure that the client can follow along, and that it isn't just a massive wall of text that is difficult to read.
3. Closing: End with next steps, an offer of assistance, or a polite sign-off (e.g. "Please let me know if you'd like to discuss further"). These elements distinguish an email exercise from a general report or memo, and shows that you are following the brief exactly! If you are emailing a supervisor, I would try to show some proactivity in the closing parts - such as offering to write a first draft of a document or client email.

Keep your tone professional and approachable

I would aim for clear, confident language without being overly formal (but still professional). This can be tricky, but phrases such as "I'd recommend..." or "It may be helpful..." strike a nice balance. Avoid overly technical language or long-winded phrasing - simplicity often conveys professionalism! As stated above, I would definitely avoid legal jargon if you are writing to a client, unless you are certain that a client would understand it.

Also remember that tone can shift slightly depending on the client's relationship with the firm. If you are told this information, a longstanding client might suit a warmer tone, whilst a first-time contact may call for a more formal approach. However, if in doubt, I would always go for a more formal approach - especially in a professional context!

Be precise and client-focused

Remember the purpose for why you are actually writing to the client, and tailor your response to the client's actual issue. I would avoid copying large chunks of background information from the brief (as the client will already have this information!) - instead, demonstrate understanding of their issue by reframing the key points in your own words and applying them directly to the client's situation. Make sure to keep your advice practical - clients care more about what they should do next than about the legal theory behind it. You might find it useful to use signposting phrases such as "In summary..." or "Based on the information provided..." to make your reasoning easy to follow. If there are uncertainties, I would make sure to address them but be reassuring - e.g. "Further details would be needed to confirm this position, but at this stage...".

Check for clarity and tone at the end

Before your time runs out, take a moment to review your email. I always found it helpful to read it aloud (if possible) or follow along with my finger - this helps you catch sentences that are too long, unclear, or sound abrupt. Look for opportunities to simplify, and if a sentence takes more than one breath to read, it's probably too long! Make sure your sign-off fits the context (things such as "Kind regards" or "Best wishes" usually work best). The graduate recruitment team / assessors will be looking for professionalism in formatting and presentation - consistent spacing, clear paragraphing, and correct spelling and grammar will all make a strong impression.

As a practical tip to practice: You could start by taking short case studies and draft sample emails that summarise your advice in 200-300 words. This helps you get used to organising your thoughts quickly and writing in a professional, accessible way.

I hope that helps!

Hello!

A few resources below that I used / might be useful:

• Definitive Guide to Law Firm Case Studies (something I found super useful last cycle!)
• TCLA Written Exercises (a good way to practice if you are able to pay to access resources)
• Some law firms upload example written exercises online - I believe DWF has one available!

Hopefully they help as a starting point (particularly Jacob Miller's post!)

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

I kinda gave up on work life balance as a choice after I realised how few firms that left me 😂 (My niche interest in life sciences already narrows it down). It is still really important to me and is a way of ranking my law firms alongside NQ salary (also helps when I get a PFO from a firm I wasnt excited to work at anyway because of their work life balance).

It's why I'm so excited about my TW AC because I ranked them as an A-tier firm for their life science area and reputation for having a good work life balance.

For context, I'm a fresh graduate with a partner of 3 years, which did make me re-evaluate my priorities in terms of realising I may not want to come back at midnight every night and sacrifice all my relationships 😂.

Hey congrats on TW AC, I am applying to summer and got invited to WE. Just heads up, maybe after merger with W&S, their culture will change drastically as W&S is a white shoe firm and heavily contentious even it tied with Milbank based on the billable hour in Legal Cheek (it says on average you go home at 9.45pm).

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

speaking of practice areas how would you go about developing your interests especially if they changed? Just by keeping up with trends and researching? I’ve been quite ambivalent about litigation and other contentious areas but have an interest in corproate and litigation as my non-law degree matches onto both quite nicely

Hello!

I would personally develop my interests through a mix of research and exposure. As others have mentioned, keeping up with trends and learning more about practice areas through research is a great way of showing and developing your interest. I also found that Forage programmes were a great way of gaining exposure to the type of work that trainees would actually complete in those practice areas - for example, when I was uncertain what practice areas interested me, I completed a few programmes which helped to give me an insight.

It's very normal for interests to evolve or overlap - I think the key thing with commercial law (for most firms, though not all!) is to keep an open mind to a variety of practice areas and remain curious, even if you hadn't initially thought you had an interest

 

[tc2026]

For those who applied to BCLP, if you failed the test, when do you get a PFO?

heyy how do you know if youve failed or passed?

 

[sbbusybee]

Hi everyone!

Just a random question- how does everyone view “work-life balance” once you get a TC? And yes I’m saying “once” cos we’re all going to get there!!!

Do you care about it? Do you think it depends on age? Are you picking firms based on their work-life culture? By age I mean someone in their early 20s/fresh out of uni vs 30s for example. But of course it depends on personal circumstances/responsibilities too

Honestly no, I am currently working at a firm during my degree and I love when it gets really busy. In general I feel like I thrive when I have a lot of work to do that I have to spend a long time on. Also in my 20s I will have less responsibilities (eg children), so I can work and earn a lot.

 

[calebnash]

RPC AC. Any insights or advice with how to prepare? It contains an interview, research and discussion task and an in-tray exercise. @Abbie Whitlock @Afraz Akhtar