TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2026-27

[Futuretrainee002]

Do firms often require trainees to reimburse them for PGDL/SQE sponsorship if they decide not to stay on with the firm after qualification or decline an NQ offer?

Typically no a firm would not require that, ive not heard of a firm which does - i’ve only seen some firms require you to work for them for a set amount of years upon qualification. It will all be on the firm website/ in an employment contract so you’ll know before you undertake anything legally binding.

 

[Judgelaw]

1. It would include all work experience.

2. Hi sorry I tried finding the second question you mean but I couldn't quite find it. Could you send it here again, apologies!

Tell us about any open days and events that you have attended in the legal sector. (250 words)

 

[soon-to-be trainee]

Anyone applied for Amazon / Weil mentorship and heard back? Thanks

 

[Elena Gilbert]

Does anyone have any advice for Macfarlanes stage 2 VI? Thank you!

 

[Wompycapy]

Does anyone know what Jones Day's ACTUAL A-level requirement is? On their website it says no minimum a level requirements but on the AllHires application form the first thing it ask for is whether you have achieved AAB a levels?

 

[Ryanmatheson]

Hey anybody know when Gibson Dunn, Hogan Lovells, Dechert, Reed Smith, and Mayer Brown send out their tests? I applied on the first day for all of them and haven't received the link to do the test yet.. (well, understandable for Reed Smith as it opened today).

Also, unrelated, but does anyone know if Clifford Chance's direct TC route is a genuine alternative to SPARK for candidates that simply didn't do SPARK, but don't have paralegal experience and other qualifications typically expected of someone who makes a direct TC app?

 

[thedonnabrief]

Hi @Antoni Trochimowicz , Dentons asks:

Briefly explain the skills you gained and how these are transferable to being a lawyer at Dentons. (150 words max per experience) for their work details section

How would I go about doing this? internships I can sort of understand but what about volunteering, insight schemes, society roles?

 

[Ryanmatheson]

Also any news on when DLA open their app?

Also, Skadden says on their website that "we review candidates on a rolling basis but don't make decisions until after the deadline" - does this basically mean to apply early sort of vibe?

Likewise for Latham - is this rolling does anyone know?

 

[Henrik]

Also any news on when DLA open their app?

Also, Skadden says on their website that "we review candidates on a rolling basis but don't make decisions until after the deadline" - does this basically mean to apply early sort of vibe?

Likewise for Latham - is this rolling does anyone know?

For Skadden this should be viewed as they read applications as they arrive, but they will not hire or reject anyone until the final closing date.

It is essentially a hybrid-non-rolling method to help HR spread the workload out as they sort candidates gradually.
If you submit 3 weeks before the deadline, a recruiter will read it, maybe give it a score, and then put it into a pile, potentially being a benchmark for others applicants to be compared to.

The benefit is that when the deadline is reached, they can quickly book interviews and organise the next stages, rather than spending weeks working through the load.

Latham is non rolling

 

[BeanaGoalGetter]

Reed Smith allow one application per academic year. I applied to the direct TC in the May/June 2026 period. Does anyone know if I would I be eligible to apply to the vacation scheme 2026 that opened today or would that count as an application made within the same academic year?

 

[jamsparkle]

It is essentially a hybrid-non-rolling method to help HR spread the workload out as they sort candidates gradually.

I'd personally advise skadden that they could further reduce HR's workload if they didn't ask every applicant to write them a 1500 word essay (followed by a written exercise?? lol)

 

[Lawstoodent]

I haven’t heard yet but you should find plenty of advice here on TCLA from past years! Also if you don’t mind saying, have you got an invite?

Sorry for the late reply - Yes, I have!

 

[Enyonam]

Reed Smith allow one application per academic year. I applied to the direct TC in the May/June 2026 period. Does anyone know if I would I be eligible to apply to the vacation scheme 2026 that opened today or would that count as an application made within the same academic year?

Academic year starts in September so no I think