TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[PFO Final Boss]

Has anyone still not got a PFO for Simmons London? I find it unlikely that they’re holding more ACs since people have already received VS offers. But then why are they not sending out PFOs all at once? I don’t know if I’m delusional to hold out any hope

I feel like they are doing them in batches…awaiting mine

 

[SamiyaJ]

NRF summer PFO post VI… for the second time in the same cycle😭😭

 

[helenaskelton]

Anyone have any idea of what the SPB vi questions might be…

 

[CharlesT47]

Hi, can someone help explain how arbitration differs across firms? I understand that Debevoise is extremely renowned for arbitration and they do their advocacy in-house, meaning that there are solicitor-advocates within the firm who do the advocacy.

I then have 2 questions:
First, is this in-house advocacy style unique to arbitration powerhouses like Debevoise or Skadden? Do firms that are lower ranked operate in the more traditional way in litigation which involves the solicitors firm seeking out barristers? Essentially, I hope to understand whether this is a unique selling point for Debevoise.



Second, for firms that do their advocacy in-house, how does this materially affect the work of a trainee solicitor in an arbitration seat? Does this mean they help draft oral submissions? Does this mean a trainee might have a more unique insight into the advocacy side that is more typical for a barrister to take on?

 

[nonlawstudent98]

I feel like they are doing them in batches…awaiting mine

It is the most likely explanation :/ I just don’t understand why you would send PFOs out in batches if you aren’t holding any more ACs

 

[soon-to-be trainee]

Clyde&Co pfo

And NRF pfo…

 

[Lawyer20]

Ops on emailing partner after an interview?

 

[member8868]

Hi does anyone have any experience with being waitlisted for a vac scheme? I imagine the chances of people dropping out is quite slim?

 

[an03]

no bc why does 90 seconds go so quick! feel like their questions were way too detailed for 90 seconds. how are you gonna give me a 3 part question with such little time to answer

RIGHT i just about read the q in 30 seconds let alone answer all parts of it

 

[MONA23]

Links summer still not heard back, anyone else?

 

[Serendipity2026]

Does anyone have Baker Mckenzie AC insight? Can trade with many firms!

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

I always told myself that I’d consider going into any type of law BESIDES real estate as it’s so boring, and today I got a distinction for land law module. Erm 😂

Congratulations on the distinction!! 🥳 As someone who liked land law, I'm feeling slightly outnumbered right now... 😅

 

[Donna Paulsen]

😭 I feel you haah

see that's what I feel rn, that surely because I was going to get one, surely I can get another one? but life works in weird ways haha
and I feel like ACs sometimes are not only given to you for success, but for practice or to teach you a lesson also

I'm just consoling myself thinking that this is God's way of keeping my time safe during Spring so I can actually study and not flop my exams as well as ensuring I don't become mentally insane doing back-to-back schemes right after exams end haha. Or maybe it's a way to tell you that that firm, and that firm only, is where you're supposed to be haha - it's definitely easier to make a decision about where to go when you only have one choice (as much as it's scary) 😂

God every night listening to me rant about this tortuous cycle:

 

[user397485]

Does anyone have Baker Mckenzie AC insight? Can trade with many firms!

spring or summer

 

[User2640]

Does anyone know if NRF sends VI invites based solely on the test, or do they also look at your cover letter?

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

Congratulations on the distinction!! 🥳 As someone who liked land law, I'm feeling slightly outnumbered right now... 😅

Unpopular opinion from me but Land and Equity >> EU and Public. Contract was my favourite. Idk how to feel about Criminal or Tort though. I liked land law and I was probs the only person that felt this way in my entire cohort lmao.​

 

[manifestingthetc]

SPB VI! - was rejected last year post app

 

[SamiyaJ]

Unpopular opinion from me but Land and Equity >> EU and Public. Contract was my favourite. Idk how to feel about Criminal or Tort though. I liked land law and I was probs the only person that felt this way in my entire cohort lmao.​

Lmao you guys are definitely in the minority in my opinion 😭

I loved criminal! Since thriller films and crime documentaries are my absolute faves 😂

I’m doing equity at the moment, so far it’s not bad! Ask me in 3 months time though hahaha

 

[Donna Paulsen]

Unpopular opinion from me but Land and Equity >> EU and Public. Contract was my favourite. Idk how to feel about Criminal or Tort though. I liked land law and I was probs the only person that felt this way in my entire cohort lmao.​

EU: 🤮
Public: 🥰
Contract: ☺️
Criminal: 😐
Tort: 😘
Land: 🙄
Trusts: 🥱🤔🤯

 

[Harvey Specter - Presiding Partner]

EU: 🤮
Public: 🥰
Contract: ☺️
Criminal: 😐
Tort: 😘
Land: 🙄
Trusts: 🥱🤔🤯

EU: 🤮🤢
Public: 🤮🤢
Contract: 😀🤩😍
Criminal: 😐🙃
Tort: 😐🙃
Land: 😍😀🤩
Trusts: 🤩😍😀

My module marks reflect these feelings cos how did I scrape 2:1s for EU and Tort but then get high 2:1s for Contract, Land, Equity and Criminal… I got a measly mid 2:2 for Public smh lmao…​