TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[RVD23]

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.)

 

[t2025]

Any last-minute tips on Baker McKenzie’s VI would be massively appreciated 🥲

 

[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):

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

the other one is "I am drawn to your work at the intersection of "

I'm sure there are more.....

Crap, I unironically used that a couple of times (I read the phrase a couple months back in an article and liked it, now I'm guessing it was an AI article.)... just my luck! My fault for not using better writing though.

 

[i-want-a-tc]

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

Could I please ask when you got the invite?

 

[i-want-a-tc]

me too pls!!

Could I please ask when you got the invite?

 

[trainee4u]

Ooh interesting!!

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

hmm, it's not necessarily a good thing.

the point is that an a training contract was always formally an apprenticeship at common law, an agreement to be trained over 2 years. (this is not the same as a statutory apprenticeship.) That meant you couldn't be fired unless there was a repudiatory breach., and could sue for compensation if cancelled. OTOH there's no protection till 2 years for normal employees.
(note that ERA 2025 reduces unfair dismissal qualification from 1/1/2027 to six months.)

Now that there is no longer a formal requirement to do a training contract, but instead you can stitch together 4 items of QWE I'm not sure if the common law provisions still apply.

 

[user55998384]

hey if anyone did the w&c first year insight scheme last year i would be really grateful to know what the process is - it says on the website that after the application you have to do an "immersiveskills-based assessment" - i would be really grateful to know what this entails and whether there is a VI

 

[Legalfreak212]

Womble bond and Dickinson test felt like i was playing a game

 

[soph107048]

wait as in headings for the app questions

but how would u put headings for the app question? felt that it was pretty straightforward so dont really see how headings would fit in