TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[tosin4774]

Are Macfarlanes and Paul Weiss no longer offering Summer Vac schemes this year?

For the latter yes

 

[cs3008]

Well, law is a fundamentally geographic profession so it would be tied to demand for non-English counsel.
If you’re interested in qualifying in the UK, I believe that you would have to sit SQE, but you then wouldn’t have the requirement for two years post-qualifying work if you’ve already practiced law abroad.
Trainee roles are for graduates with no prior legal qualification. If you’re a qualified lawyer, even abroad, I would guess that it’s simply not the role for you. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong, but I’d assume that it’s a bit like if a cardiologist wanted to become a neurosurgeon, they wouldn’t redo all of medical school

@Abbie Whitlock - what are your thoughts on this? I am honestly not impressed with this because I have been told otherwise from early careers at many US / UK law firms.

 

[AndreaHernandez123]

For anyone who received an offer from Watson Farley & Williams. For the TC, post interview did they call or email you?

 

[Novaa]

@Abbie Whitlock - what are your thoughts on this? I am honestly not impressed with this because I have been told otherwise from early careers at many US / UK law firms.

Well, law is a fundamentally geographic profession so it would be tied to demand for non-English counsel.
If you’re interested in qualifying in the UK, I believe that you would have to sit SQE, but you then wouldn’t have the requirement for two years post-qualifying work if you’ve already practiced law abroad.
Trainee roles are for graduates with no prior legal qualification. If you’re a qualified lawyer, even abroad, I would guess that it’s simply not the role for you. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong, but I’d assume that it’s a bit like if a cardiologist wanted to become a neurosurgeon, they wouldn’t redo all of medical school

Just adding my two cents.

I think you’re both right, just about different routes. Technically, you can qualify in E&W via the SQE if the SRA accepts your foreign work experience.

But, plenty of firms still recruit foreign qualified lawyers onto TCs. I know HSF Kramer, Linklaters, and Baker McKenzie have all done this, so it’s definitely an option too.

 

[moousea]

For the latter yes

Thank you! May I ask if the same has been confirmed for Macfarlanes as well?

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Thank you @Abbie Whitlock thats super useful! With commercial awareness, what were you using to follow the stories? Did you just pick a sector on BBC/FT/The Times etc and read articles everyday in that section?

No problem - I'm glad to hear it!

I actually started with the FT News Briefing podcast most mornings during my commute, as I found it was a really manageable way to keep up with the main stories without feeling overwhelmed. If there was a story that I found particularly interesting or thought might be relevant to law firms, I'd then go away and read a bit more about it on websites like BBC News, the FT, or other news sources. I also regularly checked on LittleLaw, as this tended to involve stories that were relevant to law firms (but the articles come out less regularly, so it was less of a daily thing).

I didn't tend to follow one specific sector every day, unless I was researching a specific area ahead of a law firm's AC or interview. Instead, I would dig deeper into the ones that had interesting commercial or legal implications. I found that much more engaging than trying to read everything, and because I was genuinely interested in the stories I chose, it was much easier to remember them and discuss them in applications or interviews.

Over time, you'll start to notice recurring themes (e.g. AI, tariffs, energy transition, M&A activity, regulation, etc.) which makes it much easier to connect different stories together and build your commercial awareness naturally

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

Hey, I missed today’s event with STB :/ for those who attended:regarding A-levels, if you do no meet their requirements do they take into account mitigating circumstances? They seem pretty strict and with the absence of of online tests I suspect the focus will be on grade.. @Jaysen @Abbie Reed Smith do you have any thoughts/advice?

Hey!

I don't have any firm-specific insight into STB's approach, so it may be worth emailing the graduate recruitment team directly if you are unsure, as they'll be able to give you the most accurate answer.

More generally though, most firms will take mitigating circumstances into account if you explain them clearly and concisely on the application form, even where they have quite strict academic requirements. They usually review those on a case-by-case basis rather than applying the grade requirements rigidly in every situation

 

[Abbie Whitlock]

@Abbie Whitlock - what are your thoughts on this? I am honestly not impressed with this because I have been told otherwise from early careers at many US / UK law firms.

Hey!

To be honest, I'm probably not the best person to give a definitive answer on this, as I don't have much experience with the route for internationally qualified lawyers.

My general understanding is that policies can vary quite a bit between firms. I have seen that some firms are happy to consider internationally qualified lawyers for trainee roles or other entry routes, whereas others may have restrictions depending on the jurisdiction, level of experience, or the pathway/route they want candidates to follow. That is why you may have received different messages from different firms, as I don't think there is a universal policy across them all.

Given that Macfarlanes appears to have given you a specific answer, I would be inclined to take that as their current policy, even if you were progressed in a previous cycle. It may be that their policy has changed, or that there are nuances around what counts as being "qualified" for the purposes of their specific recruitment processes.

I think this is one of those situations where it is worth going back to the graduate recruitment team for clarification on the reasoning behind the decision, and whether there are any alternative routes available