TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

thank you and likewise… I’ve never come across that type of post AC message but I AM DOING THE MANIFESTING DANCE💃

 

[Novaa]

I’m an ESG lover, so I usually go for the regulators becoming more strict line of approach and the implications this has.

UK = The CMA now has the power to fine companies up to 10% of their global annual turnover for breaches of consumer protection law, which includes greenwashing.

Italy = Investigated Shein for greenwashing and fined them €1 million (Shein also struggled to launch their IPO in London because of similar concerns).

France = Ruled that TotalEnergies had misled consumers by greenwashing via an advert, and they were ordered to remove them or face fines.

This tells me in Europe at least that ESG has shifted from something which was good for PR/optics to now being legally enforceable for companies. Which then also means, law firms particularly “full-service” ones with many offices have an opportunity to advise companies across jurisdictions on these ESG regulations.

@Afraz Akhtar @Abbie Whitlock I just wanted to confirm for a question on commercial trends. Are firms expecting multiple trends or just one? Because I feel like I can do this ESG one in the allocated time (Introduce the trend > Explain 2/3 real-life examples > Briefly explain how firms can advise on this).

But I really dislike VIs because without that human interaction, I struggle to gauge how much is actually being expected from my response.

 

[Afraz Akhtar]

@Afraz Akhtar @Abbie Whitlock I just wanted to confirm for a question on commercial trends. Are firms expecting multiple trends or just one? Because I feel like I can do this ESG one in the allocated time (Introduce the trend > Explain 2/3 real-life examples > Briefly explain how firms can advise on this).

But I really dislike VIs because without that human interaction, I struggle to gauge how much is actually being expected from my response.

@Novaa I suppose it heavily depends on the way the question is asked. If it's asked in the plural sense, such as identifying key trends then firms are looking for at least two. Given that, you can afford to keep it very high level, so you don't need to stretch out what is going e.g. providing 2-3 examples of it but more so introduce it, briefly highlight what this means, and explain how law firms are impacted by it. The focus here should be on the explanation of the latter (given the limited time).

If however, they focus on the singular, then thats where your plan above comes in (which, I think is a great approach).

 

[deejaykay]

OK, so that's my first amberjack done. No clue what the feedback report is telling me though, except that I apparently excel at applied verbal intellect, which is clearly a lie, because I don't understand any of the other feedback at all. I mean, I assume I am ideally meant to reach the spectacularly random 9 bars on each of the pillars, which clearly, I have not. But like, the colours are pretty, so I guess I'm fine with it???

 

[HMajesty]

Has anyone heard back from Paul Weiss yet?

 

[Ijustwanttobealawyer]

For those who have done/are doing the Latham AC, how close to your AC were you given additional information about its format? I booked my AC a couple of weeks ago but still haven’t received the further information they indicated in the initial email. Thank you!

 

[legal18]

Anyone heard from BCLP summer post-test? 😩

 

[legal18]

Also, if anyone could PM me with any insights and tips for in tray exercises I’d be super grateful

 

[Donuttime]

Does anyone know which ACs are on this week? So far I’ve seen Latham and Weil?

 

[Miles Edgeworth]

Hear ye hear ye people of the TCLA Vacation Scheme forum, place your bets on whether Gowling shall contact us applicants about ACs today or whether, like a cold winter's morning, our inboxes will only experience darkness and gloom.

 

[Afuturetrainee]

HSFK Summer PFO😔😔

Genuinely felt like I had a chance

 

[helenaskelton]

Is the Akin test automatic? And does it have a video component?

 

[radssss]

Has anyone received an interview invite for withers for SUMMER VAC SCHEME?

@maylawwww when did the you get the invite and when did you do the test?

Congratulations!!

 

[Jaysen]

Would others be keen on the creation of some type of Google sheet tracker for application outcomes, like TSR has for UCAS?

Let me know if I can help with anything on this.

Was planning to build something like this for the next cycle:



(Just a rough mock up)

 

[Afuturetrainee]

Is the Akin test automatic? And does it have a video component?

No it’s not automatic. And there is no VI élément. Did you get a test?

 

[helenaskelton]

No it’s not automatic. And there is no VI élément. Did you get a test?

Yes! Came through just now and I applied before Christmas!

 

[Novaa]

Let me know if I can help with anything on this.

Was planning to build something like this for the next cycle:

View attachment 7819

(Just a rough mock up)

I love this!! Just to confirm my understanding, so this would be capturing applicant information as well as where they reached in the application stage?

 

[floral.tcla]

Let me know if I can help with anything on this.

Was planning to build something like this for the next cycle:

View attachment 7819

(Just a rough mock up)

Yes please, I’m glad you’re considering it. This looks amazing!

 

[Laurel Lance - Black Canary]

Let me know if I can help with anything on this.

Was planning to build something like this for the next cycle:

View attachment 7819

(Just a rough mock up)

That's so lovely, but we'd love to have it speed up the release this cycle at least for the remaining summer VS and TC. (Yet, pls distinguish the intake too, like TC 2028/2027 Sep/March, VS winter/spring/summer.

MMM and also the applicant status (UK Resident/Citizen/International/Study Outside UK) that would be helpful

 

[qwerty!]

For those who have done/are doing the Latham AC, how close to your AC were you given additional information about its format? I booked my AC a couple of weeks ago but still haven’t received the further information they indicated in the initial email. Thank you!

i got an email with further information a week before my AC