TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[elsx]

The way I see it, if the position of responsibility satisfied any one of the criteria above (i.e an interest pursued outside work/study, or led to a noteworthy achievement), then yes.

Thank you! I will include them.

 

[Amma Usman]

Does anybody know the name of the training principal at Stevens & Bolton? The application says to address the cover letter to S&P Training Principal, but it seems so awkward to write Dear Training Principal.

If the information cannot be found online easily, then to avoid addressing it to the wrong person, “Dear Training Principal” is fine. Another thing is that even if you do find a name, if it did not come from the firm directly (their GR website is the most accurate source), then do not use it. This is because the TP may have changed and only a reliable source will communicate that.

 

[Wannabe_Lawyer]

If the information cannot be found online easily, then to avoid addressing it to the wrong person, “Dear Training Principal” is fine. Another thing is that even if you do find a name, if it did not come from the firm directly (their GR website is the most accurate source), then do not use it. This is because the TP may have changed and only a reliable source will communicate that.

Thanks Amma!

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi guys, how is everyone preparing for the Willkie written exercise? The email said "the written exercise is based on a legal due diligence in relation to a potential acquisition and is reflective of a typical trainee task". Not sure how to balance commercial and legal analysis with the way it's phrased.

One feedback I often got from exercises like this is that I did not discuss the commercial side enough, and I focused mainly on the legal stuff. Clients will want to know more about what affects their business, and while including legal risks is good and demonstrates sound knowledge, it is always advised to personalise it to the client and their business/wider industry. Still discuss legal risks where necessary and where you are told to do so, but ensure you link this back to the client.

Think of it this way. In the phrase commercial law, commerce comes before law.

Other tips:

- Avoid technical knowledge or jargon.
- Write succinctly and clearly.
- Do not break down obvious things a client will know about their own sector. Also helps save word count.
- Structure… have you addressed everyone accurately? Signed off and started with the right formalities? Have you used headings?

 

[AnAnonymousDuck]

@Amma Usman

Hi amma, was wondering if you had any advice for written exercises. I always seem to get overwhelmed by the amount of information given and struggle to identify what is relevant and what isn't. What would you say is the best technique for avoiding this and being able to quickly understand what is important and what is not?

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi, has anyone applied to Gateley and can confirm if they have a London vacation scheme or TC intake. Their website states the salary for London but I cannot seem to find an application for it.
Thank you!

@Ram Sabaratnam @Jessica Booker

Hi there! This is what their website says - “We will NOT berecruiting into our London office for 2027”.

I have not seen vacancies for VS’ or TC’s in the London office, so I presume this statement applies to both types of placements.

Link - https://careers.gateleyplc.com/vacancies/636/training-contract-2027.html

 

[Amma Usman]

One feedback I often got from exercises like this is that I did not discuss the commercial side enough, and I focused mainly on the legal stuff. Clients will want to know more about what affects their business, and while including legal risks is good and demonstrates sound knowledge, it is always advised to personalise it to the client and their business/wider industry. Still discuss legal risks where necessary and where you are told to do so, but ensure you link this back to the client.

Think of it this way. In the phrase commercial law, commerce comes before law.

Other tips:

- Avoid technical knowledge or jargon.
- Write succinctly and clearly.
- Do not break down obvious things a client will know about their own sector. Also helps save word count.
- Structure… have you addressed everyone accurately? Signed off and started with the right formalities? Have you used headings?

@Amma Usman

Hi amma, was wondering if you had any advice for written exercises. I always seem to get overwhelmed by the amount of information given and struggle to identify what is relevant and what isn't. What would you say is the best technique for avoiding this and being able to quickly understand what is important and what is not?

Hi there,

This is a totally valid feeling that I commonly got. How I best navigated all the info, was to take a deep breath first. After doing so, I would look at the question being asked. Then, I will read all the materials carefully, while having the question in mind. Whilst doing so, I would make any notes relevant to the task at hand.

This approach works because it ensures you have all the relevant facts and info, before jumping straight to the task. It minimises the chances of errors. It instills a certain level of confidence from being informed on all the facts.

Remember: Everything you need is right in front of you.

I have quoted another recent post I made to help.

 

[Rus]

I'm questioning whether Linklaters still exists as a firm, or if they're a figment of my imagination

Wait lmao doesn't Linklaters only use a CAPP test and the WG as their methods of assessment? How long have they been making you guys wait for

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

quite stressed because im still waiting on so many firms after sending my application is this common? i havent heard back at all from sidley/davis polk/milbank and weil after vi. it’s just disheartening waiting so long that i’m considering if i’ll have to reapply in my third year. doesn’t help that i’m an intl student w parents back home who keep asking for updates

 

[ronaldo69]

what does it mean if a firm hasn't responded yet to you post application-stage yet it has already done VIs and has sent AC invites? (Kirkland, Davis Polk, Milbank etc)

 

[VacSchemer]

When did you receive the imvite?

Hey I got it at 5:30pm

 

[Chris Brown]

quite stressed because im still waiting on so many firms after sending my application is this common? i havent heard back at all from sidley/davis polk/milbank and weil after vi. it’s just disheartening waiting so long that i’m considering if i’ll have to reapply in my third year. doesn’t help that i’m an intl student w parents back home who keep asking for updates

From what I have seen on this forum, Weil has not given updates to most people following VI. They are genuinely taking a Weil to get back to people waiting on them. 😂

As for other firms, I think I have seen a handful of AC’s for Milbank and DPW. Don’t count yourself out just yet!

There is still time for AC’s and VS offers, especially if it’s for Summer!

Best of luck in your applications this cycle! 🙂​

 

[tcla02]

didn’t receive NRF invite today…starting to wonder if it’s a PFO

 

[saminoriya]

CRS VI! Does anyone have any insights? I can share many others with you, just DM me

 

[saminoriya]

Which office?

Guildford

 

[jojo23]

Just submitted ropes and gray and speedran a shoosmiths application 🤣

 

[tom-sawyer]

One feedback I often got from exercises like this is that I did not discuss the commercial side enough, and I focused mainly on the legal stuff. Clients will want to know more about what affects their business, and while including legal risks is good and demonstrates sound knowledge, it is always advised to personalise it to the client and their business/wider industry. Still discuss legal risks where necessary and where you are told to do so, but ensure you link this back to the client.

Think of it this way. In the phrase commercial law, commerce comes before law.

Other tips:

- Avoid technical knowledge or jargon.
- Write succinctly and clearly.
- Do not break down obvious things a client will know about their own sector. Also helps save word count.
- Structure… have you addressed everyone accurately? Signed off and started with the right formalities? Have you used headings?

Brilliant - thank you Amma!!

 

[Bread]

please please please can someone link the post made by either @Andrei Radu , @Ram Sabaratnam or @Amma Usman on how to approach certain sjt questions — it was very helpful and gave examples of certain scenarios, but now I cannot find it for the life of me

 

[amy2602]

NRF video interview!! Sent at 17:00! I can't seem to access the link for some reason though!

 

[Chris Brown]

please please please can someone link the post made by either @Andrei Radu , @Ram Sabaratnam or @Amma Usman on how to approach certain sjt questions — it was very helpful and gave examples of certain scenarios, but now I cannot find it for the life of me

Hi @theonecompetant I will list bellow some of the psychometric test resources I have found.

For free WG practice tests, see:

• Clifford Chance Free Practice Test
• The Lawyer Portal Free Practice Test
• Pearson Free Practice Test
• Practice Aptitude Tests Free Practice Test
• Assessment Day Free Practice Test

For free SJT practice tests, see:

• A list with multiple links to free SJT tests
• Lawtests free SJT test
• Assessment Day free SJT test
• A useful Lawyer Poral article breaking down SJTs

For WG/SJT/other tests resources available on a subscription/fee basis, look at:

• TCLA's excellent course on the WG test
• Practice Aptitude Tests full subscription packages

Hiya @ilovegardening1111

Situational judgement tests (SJTs) can definitely feel a bit tricky at first. I remember finding them quite challenging when I was applying. It took me a little while to figure out how to approach them effectively, but there were a couple of things that really helped me, and I hope they’ll help you too.

One thing I’d recommend is going onto the firm’s website and making a note of the values, behaviours, and qualities they emphasise in their recruitment materials. Keep these in front of you when you’re doing the test, as they’ll give you a strong sense of what the firm is looking for in a candidate. You'll want to have a think about how to connect those values to the answers you choose. For example, if a firm like Latham (just as an example) highlights an entrepreneurial spirit, then answers that focus on independent thinking and creative problem-solving might rank higher. On the other hand, responses that suggest relying heavily on others for direction might rank lower. Thinking in this way really helped me make sense of what firms were looking for, especially when I was feeling confused.

I also found this video by Idin Sabahipour incredibly useful. I hope these tips help, and good luck with everything you’re working on!

Good luck with the SJTs!

Honestly, there’s no exact formula for smashing SJTs, and I think it’s so important to remember that! A lot of people fall into the trap of trying to pick the answers they think the firm wants to hear, but, in reality, it’s more about how you instinctively respond to business scenarios and your approach to problem-solving. Trust your intuition, it’s more reliable than you think because you already have a general sense of what’s right in a workplace context.

I know people often say to keep the firm’s values in mind while doing SJTs, which is good. However, sometimes it can backfire. If you spend too much time overthinking how to align your answers to their values, you risk running out of time. Most firms value things like proactivity, intellectual curiosity, commercial awareness, and teamwork - you don’t need to stress trying to memorise or focus solely on those. Trust that your instincts already factor these in because they’re a given in professional settings.

One trend I’ve noticed in SJTs is the “demanding deadlines” scenario, like when you’re already swamped, and someone asks you to take on another task. It’s tempting to say “yes” to show you’re proactive, but in reality, a professional workplace values honesty and prioritisation. It’s often better to acknowledge your capacity and explain why you can’t take on extra work without risking the quality of your other tasks. Being upfront shows self-awareness and professionalism.

At the end of the day, SJTs test how you’d navigate realistic situations, so trust your gut.

Best wishes and I know you’ll do amazing!

I don’t know what the specific post is that you are trying to find, but I did find these posts which I think could be potentially useful! 🙂🙂

SJT’s are actually so difficult because there is never a single right answer! 🥲🥲​