TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[M_m]

Damn the Bristows VI sounds tough. Seems like it had yous all like this during the VI trying to find the timer on the screen in time:​

I couldn’t have described it better myself. Cherry on top was that I had a mosquito biting me throughout the whole thing, and I still somehow managed to keep a straight face.

 

[WillKitchen]

CRS VI - my first one in a few weeks, with a 2 day turnaround. Hope I'm not too rusty!

 

[calebnash]

In-tray exercise usually assesses your prioritisation skills and whether you understand how the role of a Trainee works, whether you understand how long certain tasks should take, as well as whether you understand how you can use business services roles (i.e., Admin) to help you in your day-to-day.

I haven’t done an in-tray exercise recently, but I have done an e-tray exercise which had 3 options: Do, Delegate, and Defer.

Do = Urgent & Important tasks

Delegate = Things which are of importance, but do not necessarily have to be you doing it, i.e., book a meeting room for a big client meeting.

Defer = Things which are not client-facing / detrimental to your colleagues, e.g., responding to a summer party invite.

If it’s an e-tray, you’ll usually be given a set of emails, which you have to then place in each category after reading through them and understanding what they require.

If it’s an in-tray, I think that is usually physical documents, which you’ll either have to rank in order of priority, place in a category (similar to the above), or select choices on the best course of action. I’ve heard different structures, but at its core, just testing your prioritisation and understanding.

thanks so much this is so helpful! do you have any idea about the research discussion? i was assuming it would be fairly similar to a case study?

 

[M_m]

CRS VI - my first one in a few weeks, with a 2 day turnaround. Hope I'm not too rusty!

Congratulations!!! Could I ask which office this is for, and when you applied?

 

[WillKitchen]

Genuinely curious, do most people have work experience in law firms or not on here ?

In terms of actual commercial law, I have 1 week of in-office work experience, at a regional firm called DMH Stallard. Got it through a contact. Mainly private client and conveyancing.

 

[sinirs]

So they have been dropping 👀

Friday 16th Jan & Friday 23rd Jan. Oh I’ll be tuning in patiently for the Fridays ahead.

#PatternRecognition #ISeeYouVI

May I ask if the VIs are selective based on the SJT or based on the app answer? Thanks!

 

[WillKitchen]

Congratulations!!! Could I ask which office this is for, and when you applied?

Thanks very much!

Guildford office, submitted Dec 12th.

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Anyone heard from CRS - Cheltenham office?

 

[zara elles]

Just completed the Bristows VI, so last minute ik! Going to give myself the weekend off now as a (well deserved?) break

 

[trainee4u]

bristows VI: "you've got sixty seconds, and we're going to make annoying beeping noises through the last 5 seconds of it to f*** you up as much as we can"

 

[tillywest]

Weil AC!!!!

Congrats!! How did it go omg?! Can you offer any insights pls!!!

 

[Ifeher]

If anyone has any insights into Skadden interview or Mills & Reeve AC I’d be very very grateful and happy to trade insights! Or, if anyone wants to prep together then let me know!

I’ve got a MR AC! Happy to prep together

 

[Ifeher]

Just realised I had applied for DTC for Burges, so obviously won't hear back. I applied for Mills & reeve summer - was there a spring? And if so, are the people hearing back now spring instead of summer?

Summer

 

[Wanda Maximoff]

Does anyone know when we can expect to hear back from Paul, Weiss for Summer VS or McDermott Will & Schulte for DTC?

Thank you!

 

[Novaa]

thanks so much this is so helpful! do you have any idea about the research discussion? i was assuming it would be fairly similar to a case study?

Sorry Idk why but I assumed it was a group task and just avoided addressing it LOL #Trauma

But yeah I have a feeling this may be a group task, where you all review some information and then go through it while grad rec assesses your soft skills?

 

[Novaa]

May I ask if the VIs are selective based on the SJT or based on the app answer? Thanks!

Tbh I’m not entirely sure, but based off what @Afraz Akhtar has previously said about application stages, I think they would use the SJT as a filter, review apps, then send VIs based off the app. So I guess both.

 

[NorthernerInLondon]

Mishcon de Reya AC!! It came through at around 6pm but didn't see because I was at dinner. To preempt an inbox of questions:

What dates are the AC? The email doesn't say anything further than - 'We will be back in touch early next week with dates for you to choose from'.

When did you submit? Bright apply: Mid-November, SJT: The week before Christmas.

What was your SJT score? High verbal & numerical, 6/6/3/6 - Terrible I know, I also have no idea how I'm here.

Hope this helps!!

 

[Jessica Pearson - Managing Director]

Genuinely curious, do most people have work experience in law firms or not on here ?

I did a few months paralegal work at a high street firm. Mostly family law cases and property law (neither of which I am applying for). Also a bit of shadowing at a family law firm. Other than that, volunteering at legal aid. All of this happened last year though and before that I had none.

 

[Legalfreak212]

Just did bristows vi, the questions were pretty good, but my voice was shaking a little and i dont know if they could pick up on that or not lol 🥲

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Mishcon de Reya AC!! It came through at around 6pm but didn't see because I was at dinner. To preempt an inbox of questions:

What dates are the AC? The email doesn't say anything further than - 'We will be back in touch early next week with dates for you to choose from'.

When did you submit? Bright apply: Mid-November, SJT: The week before Christmas.

What was your SJT score? High verbal & numerical, 6/6/3/6 - Terrible I know, I also have no idea how I'm here.

Hope this helps!!

Lmao bro came prepared for all the potential follow up questions to this AC post like: