TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

[hopingforamiracle]

Lewis Silkin PFO. Went to the open day, spoke to grad rec, got on with the trainees. I am not sure what I am expected to show for at this rate anymore.

 

[lucyindia]

Lewis Silkin pfo as well

 

[lawyersum]

Lewis silkin pfo finally - really tailored the app to them and their practice areas. Would anyone who progressed to the next stage be willing to share their background/stats?

 

[legallybrunettte]

I thought they were getting back to us at the end of February (after all the ACs are done), haha.

Ermmm I think grad recruitment said they ran 6 acs (3 last week and 3 this week) & at my ac day they said end of this week… although I’m not 100% sure. What did they say for u? Also idk if it was you that got the Latham vs but congrats 😆😆😆

 

[ZB]

Does anyone know if Shoosmiths will call or email for the Discover placement?

 

[radssss]

Still not heard from Lewis Silkin :/ - do they send pfos in batches or can I hope for some good news🥲

 

[yasmars]

Still not heard from Lewis Silkin :/ - do they send pfos in batches or can I hope for some good news🥲

Maybe hope for good news!!

 

[Prudentia]

I don’t want to derail VS discussions, but I don’t see that on Travers’ website, do you have a reference for that? The Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) more generally doesn’t necessarily include the guaranteed interview process. A lot of firms are part of the DCS but only a few specify that they offer the interview guarantee and I haven’t seen that wording for those. e.g. Travers, NRF, Stephenson Harwood

I don’t think there would be a case where all 400 meet the ‘minimum criteria’. Firms decide what this criteria is, so it’s very subjective imo, they could change it based on the pool of applicants at any time

Here’s what Travers says:
The firm is currently accredited under Level 3 of the Government's Disability Confident employer regime. As a result, where candidates tell us they have a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the role, they will be invited to interview. Further information on the support and adjustments candidates can receive can be found on this link.

Employers often don't state that, but that's how the scheme operates in practice. I've recruited using a GIS scheme. The 400 applicants was an example, but even if 200 or 100 applicants met the minimum criteria, employers can use a fair method to further whittle down the shortlist if it's not practical to interview all of them. Moreover, TS didn't actually state what their minimum criteria is, so that gives them even more leeway.

 

[lawyersum]

Still not heard from Lewis Silkin :/ - do they send pfos in batches or can I hope for some good news🥲

Judging by the way they communicated with us - looks like pfos are all at once - fingers crossed for you!

 

[Shaky_Pete]

Lewis Silkin PFO (career changer with considerable experience in one of their key sectors)

 

[qwerty!]

I need to sign a vac scheme offer by the 23rd of feb but I’m still waiting to hear back regarding the outcome of my cleary AC😵‍💫😵‍💫 I emailed cleary and they said they can’t speed up the selection process … is it worth emailing the other firm and asking them to extend the signing period for the offer?? I don’t want to come across like the other firm is a ‘backup’, I kind of want to just scope out all my options before I sign anything

 

[lawyersum]

Lewis Silkin PFO (career changer with considerable experience in one of their key sectors)

Ridiculous. Really do not know what they're looking for.

 

[Z48]

Employers often don't state that, but that's how the scheme operates in practice. I've recruited using a GIS scheme. The 400 applicants was an example, but even if 200 or 100 applicants met the minimum criteria, employers can use a fair method to further whittle down the shortlist if it's not practical to interview all of them. Moreover, TS didn't actually state what their minimum criteria is, so that gives them even more leeway.

I feel like we’re saying a similar thing lol, your last sentence is what I was trying to say in the middle paragraph.

My original response was to someone that didn’t seem to know that Travers offers the scheme at all so I gave them info based on what is stated on their website, but makes sense you have that extra insight if you you’ve worked on the recruitment side

 

[soon-to-be trainee]

Anyone have any insights into the second stage Hogan Lovells Online Immersive Assessment with the scenario-based rank questions, video response questions and written response questions? Would be super grateful!

Three video questions and one written response. No super technical questions.

 

[Rosie_Kitten]

Still not heard from Lewis Silkin :/ - do they send pfos in batches or can I hope for some good news🥲

Me too! I guess it also could depend on office?

 

[Donuttime]

Me too! I guess it also could depend on office?

Me too waiting for Lewis Silkin London office

 

[lawyersum]

Me too! I guess it also could depend on office?

I got pfo from London so keep your hopes up perhaps

 

[Dannie]

when u think you got a call from a firm but its just the national uni survey people....

 

[lawstudent2]

when u think you got a call from a firm but its just the national uni survey people....

This happened to me yesterday, I have since blocked their number

 

[radssss]

Me too waiting for Lewis Silkin London office

I’m waiting on London too!!