TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[trainee4u]

Hi @Jessica Booker,

If a firm stipulates that all future trainees should do the SQE together (in-person) at BPP or ULaw London (depending on who they have partnered with), and they offer a maintenance grant worth X (e.g., £20,000), is it ever possible for firms to offer additional financial support to people who live very far from London AND are from a socially mobile background? It seems that most firms offer a standard maintenance grant to all future trainees, which doesn’t take into account personal or financial circumstances?
​

It depends on the level of grant, but students at ulaw/bpp don't have demanding schedules in terms of having to be at uni: it would just be two or three days a week. In addition, there are lots of holidays and study weeks, so the actual number of days you have to turn up is a really small percentage of the year.

This means for example that into Ulaw/BPP you could commute from Luton or Stevenage whatever offpeak with railcard. I'm not going to guarantee that's the cheapest option or even a sensible one, just you don't at all need to live in Clapham or similar to study in London , whereas once you're working rather than studying you would need to really be in z2.

The government's stats are that you can rent a room for around £700 pcm in worse areas of z2/3, which is accurate, and you can find tiny studios from around £800/month. Gas/electric is under £100/month, council tax free for students, water has gone up a lot due to Thames going bust but should be under £50/month for single person. Broadband & mobile around £30/month and you've then got quite a bit spare for food. Not a luxury lifestyle, but £20k is more than sufficient. Food is very cheap in London, there are lots of Aldis, Lidls, street markest, expensive 'local supermarkets' that however reduce their prices 75% on short-dated produce, etc .

 

[OrangeCherry1800]

Still nothing from OC post AC?

Nothing yet

 

[trainee4u]

Incidentally I understand that from 2026 post-grad finance is being reformed so you will be able to get a maintenance loan , which isn't currently available, and, additionally, a Sharia-compliant loan will be made available

 

[Jessica Booker]

Incidentally I understand that from 2026 post-grad finance is being reformed so you will be able to get a maintenance loan , which isn't currently available, and, additionally, a Sharia-compliant loan will be made available

It is a shame that commercial professional development loans don't exist these days. In days of old, many future trainees used to get them from major high-street banks and they were practically guaranteed (unless you had a really bad credit rating) if you supplied a letter from the firm confirming your future training contract.

 

[Amma Usman]

This might sound like a silly question, but how do people prepare for VS? How do you know what to do during a VS? Is there anything that I should be doing now in advance of a VS? I haven’t worked in a city law firm before so I’m starting to overthink this whole process lmao. Any advice would be appreciated. Please help. 🥲🥲

@Andrei Radu @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam​

Generally, I’d say there is not really much to prepare for with regards most law firms - a lot of it will be on the job. That said, having a good grasp of certain key things beforehand will help. For example, for some firms, you will be asked to choose your seat preferences beforehand. From a candidate‘s perspective, a candidate typically chooses an area they know a lot about because they think this will give them the most chances of conversion. This is not a bad approach from some angles, but it is important to be mindful of the missed opportunity from learning about another area of law, from a practical standpoint. Therefore, I would say be open minded with seat options. I’ve spoken to many lawyers who say their qualification options shocked them, so this should be the kind of mindset you carry into a VS as well.

The next thing is to practice your networking skills. There is always talks about an elevator pitch, which is good, but be prepared to sway slightly from it so as to not appear robotic during socials, for example.

Another thing is coffee chats. If there are any areas of law that interest you, it may be worth scheduling coffee chats with people in the firm to learn more about the firm’s approach to certain niches/practices, and so on.

The last thing I have to say is the most understated - be yourself. Law firms want to hire people, at the end of the day. Enjoy the process and make the most of the experience! Feed your inquisitive mind, ask questions…learn!!!

 

[Babablacksheep]

I hope people who’ve got other schemes take themselves off the CRS waitlist

 

[BillSikes]

Anything from Winckworth? Said they’d get back to us by 17th…

 

[ohnoselim]

CRS PFO after VI

its so hard to continue pushing more applications especially with how much effort goes into researching a firm and writing an app, idk where my legal career is going hasnt moved one bit since graduation lol

congratulations to the people who got through to the next stage!! hoping to learn from you guys yall are doing something i am not 😭

 

[3000to1shoteverytime]

Anything from Winckworth? Said they’d get back to us by 17th…

My email says by the end of the week starting 17 March.

 

[Amma Usman]

Amazing, thank you so much Andrei, this is very helpful and I will keep it in mind

On the competitors ques, how to answer that in the best way for Browne Jacobson? Is it correct to take the sector based approach and then the similar size based approach in order to determine competitors?

I think it‘ll be good to combine both a sector-based analysis and a size and market positioning analysis.

Starting with the sector-based approach is logical because Browne Jacobson is well known for its work in specific areas such as health, education, insurance, local and central government, and corporate sectors. Competition shifts depending on the sector in question, meaning that firms which may not rival Browne Jacobson in overall size or breadth of services can still be key competitors within certain markets. For example, in education law, firms like VWV (Veale Wasbrough Vizards) and Stone King are strong players, particularly in advising schools, academies, and universities. In health and social care, firms such as Bevan Brittan and Capsticks frequently act for NHS trusts and other healthcare providers, competing directly with Browne Jacobson in that space. In insurance and public sector work, DAC Beachcroft and Kennedys are relevant competitors given their focus on risk, claims management, and advising government bodies.

After considering the sector view, I’d say it is equally important to analyse competitors based on size, revenue, and overall market positioning. So Browne Jacobson is a national law firm with offices in major UK cities and a growing London presence. As such, firms like Weightmans, Freeths, TLT, Shoosmiths, and Wright Hassall become relevant. These firms operate within a similar revenue range, have national footprints, and often pursue similar mandates in both public and private sectors. They compete with Browne Jacobson for mid-market corporate work, real estate deals, and advisory roles for public sector clients. So this is just one angle to look at it from.

I‘d say using both approaches provides a fuller picture. This is important because understanding a law firm’s competitors is not only about scale… but also about sector leadership/influence and many other factors.

I’ve also created a more detailed thread on this back in the day which you can refer to. This should cover the “many other factors point” - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy....to-identifying-a-law-firm’s-competitors.9422/

Hope this helps

 

[User5678]

I think it‘ll be good to combine both a sector-based analysis and a size and market positioning analysis.

Starting with the sector-based approach is logical because Browne Jacobson is well known for its work in specific areas such as health, education, insurance, local and central government, and corporate sectors. Competition shifts depending on the sector in question, meaning that firms which may not rival Browne Jacobson in overall size or breadth of services can still be key competitors within certain markets. For example, in education law, firms like VWV (Veale Wasbrough Vizards) and Stone King are strong players, particularly in advising schools, academies, and universities. In health and social care, firms such as Bevan Brittan and Capsticks frequently act for NHS trusts and other healthcare providers, competing directly with Browne Jacobson in that space. In insurance and public sector work, DAC Beachcroft and Kennedys are relevant competitors given their focus on risk, claims management, and advising government bodies.

After considering the sector view, I’d say it is equally important to analyse competitors based on size, revenue, and overall market positioning. So Browne Jacobson is a national law firm with offices in major UK cities and a growing London presence. As such, firms like Weightmans, Freeths, TLT, Shoosmiths, and Wright Hassall become relevant. These firms operate within a similar revenue range, have national footprints, and often pursue similar mandates in both public and private sectors. They compete with Browne Jacobson for mid-market corporate work, real estate deals, and advisory roles for public sector clients. So this is just one angle to look at it from.

I‘d say using both approaches provides a fuller picture. This is important because understanding a law firm’s competitors is not only about scale… but also about sector leadership/influence and many other factors.

I’ve also created a more detailed thread on this back in the day which you can refer to. This should cover the “many other factors point” - https://www.thecorporatelawacademy.com/forum/threads/guide-to-identifying-a-law-firm’s-competitors.9422/

Hope this helps

This is absolutely amazing and super helpful! Thank you very very much Amma!

If a question is asked in relation to what gives BJ an upper hand over competitors, what are the best points to cover that? Should I be looking for usp’s? Should I answer separately for sectors and then for size or just mention the points that give the firm an upper hand over competitors in the end all together?

 

[Amma Usman]

This is absolutely amazing and super helpful! Thank you very very much Amma!

If a question is asked in relation to what gives BJ an upper hand over competitors, what are the best points to cover that? Should I be looking for usp’s? Should I answer separately for sectors and then for size or just mention the points that give the firm an upper hand over competitors in the end all together?

You could use the approach I put above to highlight who the competitors are in the first place. This gives direction to your answer. Then, you could within those sectors identify any niches, which make the firm standout.

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

does anyone have any advice on how to prepare for a commercial written task in a week?

Hiya @legallyells

This could depend on the nature of the written task. Some tasks might involve case studies where you're expected to perform a SWOT analysis, while others may require you to conduct a PESTLE analysis. Understanding the difference between these two methods will help you prepare effectively.

A SWOT analysis is internally focused, helping you assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing a particular business or project. Strengths and weaknesses typically cover internal factors such as resources, capabilities, or organisational structure, whereas opportunities and threats examine external factors, including competitors or market trends. By doing this, you can show your assessor that you understand how businesses pursue opportunities and mitigate potential threats.

In contrast, a PESTLE analysis is entirely external and focuses on the broader environment in which a business operates. It involves considering the political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors. For example, changes in government policy (political), economic downturns (economic), shifting consumer behaviour (social), new innovations (technological), regulatory updates (legal), or sustainability pressures (environmental).

To prepare effectively, I'd suggest practising your ability to think through commercial news stories. You could spend the next few days reading an article or two from the Financial Times and applying SWOT or PESTLE analysis to break down risks, opportunities, and relevant considerations. You might also want to use ChatGPT or even just google how material is presented to clients in memos and so forth. I think this is particularly important in helping candidates understand the importance of formatting and organising information in a way that's client-friendly.

Hope this helps and let us know if you have any other questions!

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi @Jessica Booker,

If a firm stipulates that all future trainees should do the SQE together (in-person) at BPP or ULaw London (depending on who they have partnered with), and they offer a maintenance grant worth X (e.g., £20,000), is it ever possible for firms to offer additional financial support to people who live very far from London AND are from a socially mobile background? It seems that most firms offer a standard maintenance grant to all future trainees, which doesn’t take into account personal or financial circumstances?

Do you know of any instances where city law firms have offered additional support, either as a grant/bursary or interest-free loan? How do firms deal with future trainees who may be of a particular faith or religion, where they can’t take out on an interest-based loan from student finance, due to their religious beliefs? Also, is it true some firms request their future trainees to not work part time whilst studying the SQE? If so, how do people usually survive in London (I don’t really know how expensive London is but I have heard it is really bad, especially rent prices)?

Apologies for the long question. 🥲🥲​

Hiya @Chris Brown

I've got very little to add to the sage advice of @Jessica Booker. However, from what I've gathered from having spoken to friends of mine on the SQE, some firms do offer interest free loans and additional financial support but sometimes choose not to publicise such benefits. Others, by contrast, have made it more widely known. I've spoken to trainees at firms such as Cleary, Ropes & Gray, and Jones Day, who've all mentioned that similar types of support do exist for some of their future trainees. For your reference, I've also included a link to an article outlining the maintenance funds provided by other firms for trainees undertaking the SQE. Some of the entries mentioned in the link also state whether or not a firm does offer support in addition to any maintenance fund it offers to SQE/GDL students. I hope this helps!

 

[legallyells]

Hiya @legallyells

This could depend on the nature of the written task. Some tasks might involve case studies where you're expected to perform a SWOT analysis, while others may require you to conduct a PESTLE analysis. Understanding the difference between these two methods will help you prepare effectively.

A SWOT analysis is internally focused, helping you assess the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats facing a particular business or project. Strengths and weaknesses typically cover internal factors such as resources, capabilities, or organisational structure, whereas opportunities and threats examine external factors, including competitors or market trends. By doing this, you can show your assessor that you understand how businesses pursue opportunities and mitigate potential threats.

In contrast, a PESTLE analysis is entirely external and focuses on the broader environment in which a business operates. It involves considering the political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental factors. For example, changes in government policy (political), economic downturns (economic), shifting consumer behaviour (social), new innovations (technological), regulatory updates (legal), or sustainability pressures (environmental).

To prepare effectively, I'd suggest practising your ability to think through commercial news stories. You could spend the next few days reading an article or two from the Financial Times and applying SWOT or PESTLE analysis to break down risks, opportunities, and relevant considerations. You might also want to use ChatGPT or even just google how material is presented to clients in memos and so forth. I think this is particularly important in helping candidates understand the importance of formatting and organising information in a way that's client-friendly.

Hope this helps and let us know if you have any other questions!

thank you so much, i’ll definitely be doing this! so helpful!

 

[jta227]

Would it seem weird to schedule """coffee chats""" (as people call them) and then drink water/another non-coffee beverage?

 

[Chris Brown]

Would it seem weird to schedule """coffee chats""" (as people call them) and then drink water/another non-coffee beverage?

I have been thinking about this question today because I have never actually drank coffee and I don’t think I’m prepared to suddenly change that for a VS lmao. I hope it’s okay to drink a non-coffee beverage. 🥲​

 

[jta227]

I have been thinking about this question today because I have never actually drank coffee and I don’t think I’m prepared to suddenly change that for a VS lmao. I hope it’s okay to drink a non-coffee beverage. 🥲​

Same! Never had coffee or alcohol and am slightly worried lmaooo

As context, I read this thread last week:

https://www.reddit.com/r/uklaw/comments/1jaz2sr

Obviously every firm won't be like that but it did slightly unsettle me. Hopefully the firm I join will have a good culture in this regard 🙏

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

This might sound like a silly question, but how do people prepare for VS? How do you know what to do during a VS? Is there anything that I should be doing now in advance of a VS? I haven’t worked in a city law firm before so I’m starting to overthink this whole process lmao. Any advice would be appreciated. Please help. 🥲🥲

@Andrei Radu @Amma Usman @Ram Sabaratnam​

Hiya again @Chris Brown!

I don't have too much else to add to what the others have said. But when I was preparing for my vacation scheme, I found Aspiring Solicitors' Head Start event incredibly helpful in addressing exactly this sort of anxiety. It's free, and it provides structured, reassuring guidance on what to expect, how to make the most of your vacation scheme, and practical tips on navigating the unfamiliar environment of a city law firm. I'd strongly encourage you to register for one of their upcoming sessions. As someone who had also never worked in a corporate setting before, I found the session extremely useful! You can read more and sign up here.

Additionally, there is one thing I'd say, particularly when it comes to coffee chats and meetings. These conversations can indeed be valuable ways of learning more about the firm, but only if you use them to pursue genuine curiosity. I'd say resist the temptation to set up meetings simply because you think you ought to; instead, reflect carefully beforehand on what truly interests you. Is there a practice area you're drawn to? Are you intrigued by how a particular team operates, or perhaps curious about how someone's work fits within the larger vision of the firm? Aside from the fact that feigning interest can be conspicuous, I think asking thoughtful/genuine questions will allow you to build connections that are ultimately based on more sincere engagement with the people you meet.

Hope that's somewhat helpful to you!

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

Would it seem weird to schedule """coffee chats""" (as people call them) and then drink water/another non-coffee beverage?

Yes, you need to drink coffee. Law firms are testing your ability to withstand unimaginable amounts of caffeine per day (this is what they mean by "resilience") as this is arguably the most important skill a lawyer must have