TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[an03]

CRS VI!! Does anyone have any advice on passing those? I find them super stressful!

I'm afraid that prep for another VI has shuffled a lot of the details from my mind. But here is what I can recall about the CRS VI...

The practice questions are not assessed, of course, but it is possible that they may be viewed by the grad team. Always assume that someone is on the other end of a camera. Personally, I find having a lot of practice questions to be great for settling the nerves, but in my experience, the longer the VI and the more questions involved, the more likely things are to flag and loose structure. You may end up drawing on the same example twice, for example, or hesitate if this was also covered in the practice questions.

There was a mix of competency, motivational questions and commercial awareness; no SJT, as far as I can recall. The prep time was about 30 seconds for a 90 second answer, but don't quote me on that.

If you're prepping for yours now, good luck!

Do you know if we are able to re-record? Thanks!

 

[AspirationalDream]

DACB VI , does anyone have any tips for a VI, i’d say its my weakest as I don’t do well without someone in front of me. If anyone can share any insight on the questions DACB may ask / tips for a VI im all ears

 

[Carrington Lane]

Anyone heard back for VI for CRS vacation scheme (London). I know a few people have on this thread - does anyone know if they send in batches? I applied on the 14th of January.

From my little investigation, last year CRS sent 3 VI batches for the London office on the 7th, 12th, and 27th Feb. I hope that answer our questions and best of luck to us.

 

[EfficientBag123]

People who got PFOs from Simmons today (sorry to hear it), when did you complete the test?

What office were people hearing from?

 

[lawstudent2]

Anyone know how long Ashurst take post ac?

 

[WillKitchen]

Do you know if we are able to re-record? Thanks!

Alas, I don't think so. Re-record facilities may become more common in the future, if the feedback is there.

 

[legal18]

CRS VI!! Applied on deadline

 

[Carrington Lane]

CRS VI!! Applied on deadline

Congrats, did you just get the email?

 

[legal18]

Congrats, did you just get the email?

thank you!!! and no, I received it this afternoon

 

[bunny123]

HSF Kramer Summer Vac Scheme Offer!!!!

 

[kim wexler]

people already getting willkie partner interview offers while i got nothing rn. it's OK i will accept my fate bc seriously how many people will turn down an interview with willkie

 

[WS]

Does Debevoise make open day offers in batches?
Also anyone heard back from Perkins? - i know someone heard back 2 weeks ago but was wondering if they have given out more interviews since

 

[EfficientBag123]

“Baker McKenzie are just watching my VI over and over again because its so good that they’ve forgotten to send me an AC invite.” (The blind leading the blind)

 

[Madison Pinewall]

Hey!

I assisted at my university's legal clinic during my final year and had similar doubts about whether to refer to it in interviews, as it didn't directly involve commercial law. What may be happening is that firms are stress-testing your motivation, rather than directly judging your prior experience. If they can't immediately see the link to commercial law, they may try to get this out of you through questions such as "why not public law?".

What helped me was framing the experience around the elements that are directly relevant to commercial practice, and I then explained why those elements motivated me to pursue commercial law overall. For example, things such as working closely with clients and using problem-solving skills to provide clear and practical advice. If you position it in a similar way, the experience will support a genuine interest in commercial law rather than detract from it, provided you are clear and convincing about why commercial law is the path you want to pursue

Thanks so much!! This is extremely useful!

 

[AS24]

CRS VI London office!

 

[user55998384]

:hi @Abbie Whitlock , i have a q for an open day which is; Please reflect on any experiences - academic, professional, or extracurricular - that have shaped your career aspirations and explain how this event will support your development. - 1500 characters - kind of confused me ngl, would you be able to recommend an approach?

 

[hmevey]

Fieldfisher PFO I don't even know if they read my app it was in the second stage and all spaces got filled through first stage review which is great

 

[hmevey]

and OC PFO yay... Any insight into the hogan lovells online assessment - losing all faith, any help or words of wisdom appreciated

 

[Eudora]

Hey, does anyone have experience with Dechert Interviews, Addleshaw Goddard AC, and/or Clyde & Co AC? Would be happy to trade insights with other firms (UK and US) or prep together for it!

Hey! Hope you don’t mind me asking – when did you record your Addleshaw Goddard VI?

 

[marshall]

HSF Kramer Summer Vac Scheme Offer!!!!

congrats! when did you apply and do your AC?