TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[1stCycleApplicant]

Hi just need some clarity on this deadline if something says “The deadline to complete your assessment is 4 calendar days from receiving this invite” and it was sent on the 30th of January what would the due day be?

3rd Feb at whatever time you received the invite

 

[Chelsea101]

Depends on the firm! I know linklaters is willing to give you basically the rest of the cycle with an open offer, whereas others only give you like a month tops

Thanks! On the back of this do you think firms who offer a TC would prohibit you doing a vacation scheme elsewhere as a result of accepting? I was wondering (if) i get offered a TC at a firm I have a Spring vac scheme at accepted it and then later did a possible summer scheme would that be possible? Or does it depend on the firm?

 

[HAHAHA]

3rd Feb at whatever time you received the invite

Thank you that’s what I thought much appreciated!!!

 

[maylawwww]

They changed it! Did you not get an email about it?

Further to our recent emails I am writing to let you know of a change to the structure and format of your upcoming virtual assessment centre.

The exercise that you'll be completing has changed from a research exercise and presentation to a commercial interview. In place of the preparation time you will be given all the required information 5 minutes before your interview starts. We appreciate that this is a change from what you were expecting; it has been introduced to allow us to assess your own real-time reasoning and to give you a greater opportunity to showcase your analytical skills, knowledge of Osborne Clarke and the legal sector, verbal communication and business awareness and understanding.

This change also reduces the amount of time that you need to allocate to the virtual assessment centre.

My guess is they had a much higher volume of applications this year (each AC I’ve been too they have said they had at least 1,000 more applicants than normal, thanks AI) and they want to halve the time to screen more people.

Edit: to add, I think we will see these short prep time exercises more to overcome the AI issues. The job really does demand us to be able to think on our feet after all!

Bruh omg I never got this email no wonder the invite was so confusing

 

[Novaa]

Thanks! On the back of this do you think firms who offer a TC would prohibit you doing a vacation scheme elsewhere as a result of accepting? I was wondering (if) i get offered a TC at a firm I have a Spring vac scheme at accepted it and then later did a possible summer scheme would that be possible? Or does it depend on the firm?

I think once you’ve accepted a TC, it gets a bit complicated if you get offered another TC, as you’ve entered an agreement with Firm #1.

I would suggest asking Firm #1 if you can wait to accept once you’ve completed your remaining schemes.

 

[elle.brokovitch]

These are the firms still taking VS apps but I’m not sure if they’re rolling or non rolling tbh:

Russell Cooke (deadline 6 Feb)
Simmons Bristol (deadline 15 Feb)
Bevan Brittan (deadline 17 Feb)
Michelmores Bristol/Exeter (deadline 17 Feb)
Brabners Liverpool/Manchester (deadline 26 Feb)
Faegre Drinker (deadline 28 Feb)
Pinsent Masons Dubai (deadline 1 Mar)
Moore Barlow (deadline 29 Mar)
Ashfords Bristol/Exeter (deadline 31 Mar)
Express Solicitors Manchester (deadline 17 May)​

You’re a legend for this thank you!!!!

 

[johnsmith]

Bruh omg I never got this email no wonder the invite was so confusing

It did come a few days after so perhaps an automated workflow! Anyway happy I could share it with you all.

 

[maylawwww]

Thanks! On the back of this do you think firms who offer a TC would prohibit you doing a vacation scheme elsewhere as a result of accepting? I was wondering (if) i get offered a TC at a firm I have a Spring vac scheme at accepted it and then later did a possible summer scheme would that be possible? Or does it depend on the firm?

Again depends on the firm haha but this time both of them! I'd check agreements with firm 1 and 2-- there are plenty of firms that are explicit about not being able to do the vac scheme after you have accepted an offer (bird & bird and addleshaw two that I know) but given others are less explicit they may allow it !
At the same time I have a friend who did this (a scheme with an accepted offer bc she wasn't certain about firm 1) and shes fine - tho this may be a question of them just not finding out about it lol, perhaps not a great idea!

 

[ABC234]

Any tips for written task based interviews and group presentations? Thanks!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Does anyone have some insights into the below. Interested to hear everyone’s thoughts in prep for interviews etc;

- What are some threats facing law firms?
- What are sone threats facing their clients?
- What are some opportunities for clients currently?

Thanks all!

Hey!

In preparing for these sorts of questions, a good starting point is to look at the broader macro economic environment first (e.g. economic conditions, geopolitics, regulation, technology, etc.) and then ask how those pressures land differently on law firms and on their clients. From there, it might help to break things down by function / group.

• For law firms, you can think about where threats might arise in how they attract work, deliver legal services, price their legal work, and retain talent
• For clients, the focus is more likely to be on their operations, any regulatory requirements, and financial or reputational risk.

Once you have identified a threat, it also helps to go one step further and ask whether that same factor could create an opportunity. Things such as volatility, regulatory change, and technological disruption will often create both opportunities and challenges at the same time. It helps to connect the two and address them together, rather then separating them completely.

Lastly, if the firm you are interviewing at works in specific sectors, it helps to have some sector-specific thinking (for example, how these issues might play out differently in tech or financial services). You don't need to incorporate lots of examples - just enough to show that you understand the commercial context that the individual firm and its clients operate in.

I hope that assists!

 

[TA04]

Anyone have technical issue with the baker mckenzie vi - worried that because the deadline is today I wont be able to do it

 

[ilikelaw]

for interview questions, how long should you aim for answers to be? 2-3 mins?

 

[trainee4u]

I think once you’ve accepted a TC, it gets a bit complicated if you get offered another TC, as you’ve entered an agreement with Firm #1.

I would suggest asking Firm #1 if you can wait to accept once you’ve completed your remaining schemes.

Not sure ....
It used to be that training contracts were fixed term and unbreakable. But I think they have changed that since the advent of SQE. Probably worth reading the actual wording of one.....

 

[Isobel.liddle]

Hey guys, just looking for some insight. So I knew I wanted to do VS this cycle, but wasn’t aware how soon applications closed (that’s on me tbf just had no one from uni tell me ahaha) so it means that I’ve only done 5 applications for VS this cycle. There’s not any more London firms (where I want to work) that interest me. Is it worth also doing so DTC applications as some that I’m interested in close later? So far I’ve had a rejection from Willkie after application (wasn’t my best application tbh) and waiting to hear back after SJT from MDR. Waiting for answers from the rest of my apps.

 

[TortillaTC]

Hey guys, just looking for some insight. So I knew I wanted to do VS this cycle, but wasn’t aware how soon applications closed (that’s on me tbf just had no one from uni tell me ahaha) so it means that I’ve only done 5 applications for VS this cycle. There’s not any more London firms (where I want to work) that interest me. Is it worth also doing so DTC applications as some that I’m interested in close later? So far I’ve had a rejection from Willkie after application (wasn’t my best application tbh) and waiting to hear back after SJT from MDR. Waiting for answers from the rest of my apps.

To second this, which firms give TCs via the DTC route to people that haven’t done any vac schemes? There’s a list of firms that recruit a significant proportion of their trainees via DTC but I assume most of those candidates will have done vac schemes at other firms.

Also, I have interviewed for DTC with top firms before but I was still outside the UK and DTC was my only option - now that I’m in the UK with a visa which makes me eligible for vac schemes, maybe applying for DTC is a bad idea since firms will think I couldn’t land a vac scheme (which is true so far in this cycle lmao..)

(I personally have some legal experience under my belt though non-UK so not sure if it’ll count.)

 

[Academic Weapon]

has anyone done the AC for Eversheds Manchester?

I have!!

 

[ACHat8r]

anyone have any NRF AC insights at all or advice for group exercises

 

[maylawwww]

anyone have any NRF AC insights at all or advice for group exercises

me too pls!!

 

[Novaa]

Not sure ....
It used to be that training contracts were fixed term and unbreakable. But I think they have changed that since the advent of SQE. Probably worth reading the actual wording of one.....

Ooh interesting!!

That’s an amazing change I know back in the day it used to be quite awkward with some firms.

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Ooh interesting!!

That’s an amazing change I know back in the day it used to be quite awkward with some firms.

Law firms back in the day when they made VS and TC offers to prospective candidates:​

VS

Law firms today when they make VS and TC offers to prospective candidates (nice change):