• Get Everything You Need to Secure a Training Contract
    Now half the price. Join TCLA Premium for £30/month and get step-by-step application support, daily commercial awareness practice, and 700+ successful examples of past applications and interview experiences. Plus so much more.
    Join Premium →
  • Ask BCLP Anything! (Live Q&A)
    20 Oct 2025 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (UK) Hosted on TCLA Forum
    Chat directly with Isabel Elsey, Legal Recruitment Manager at BCLP, and have all your questions about the firm answered! Simply return to this page to post your questions on the day.

Search results

  1. apap

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    @RikPalmer-ReedSmith @ReedSmithBecca I saw a reply saying you recommend bullet points for work experience. When I applied last year, I opted for prose. I assume this is okay so long as the information is clearly set out in terms of what skills you gained, the impact you made in the role and...
  2. apap

    Ask Reed Smith Anything! (2025-26)

    Hello @ReedSmithBecca and @RikPalmer-ReedSmith Thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. I have three questions: a. If one made it past application stage for DTC in the last cycle, how different should one's written application be for the vacation scheme given the questions are...
  3. apap

    Winter, Spring and Summer Vacation Scheme Deadlines 2025-26 (with rolling/non rolling checklist!)

    Interesting, I am currently filling an application out.
  4. apap

    TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2025-26

    I did Mayer Brown's test last year and it wasn't recorded. I only did one that was recorded/the camera was activated and that was Reed Smith. They do somewhat time you for certain exercises like the error spotting exercise that's part of the test.
  5. apap

    Career changer from the film industry (specifically VFX)

    Hiya, this is quite an old post. I have since gone through an application cycle. I appreciate the comment, not sure why it was made though? 👀
  6. apap

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    Yes, I compared my VI feedback with someone else and it's identical so not sure it's actually indicative as to how you did. I wrote all my answers down after I completed the VI while they were fresh in my mind so I can improve on them for the upcoming Vac Scheme applications. RS was never even...
  7. apap

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    Oh you did really well. The VI standard must have been extremely high then. 😪
  8. apap

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    RS PFO just came through 😪
  9. apap

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    Firms like BCLP have no minimum requirements and pay high salaries. Most firms that aren't US or MC firms just want a 2:1 regardless of it being high or low. You'll be okay.
  10. apap

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    On the email it says you don't have to do it all in one sitting. I did them two days apart.
  11. apap

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    I think it took me about 1.5/2hrs with the first question taking me the longest. I want to assume that it will not reflect badly on our candidacy because unlimited time to me means unlimited time...
  12. apap

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    Oh interesting! I hope you're right about getting through to AC with low amberjack scores. I got 0 for creative force but demonstrated it in my VI.
  13. apap

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    DMed you because I am in a similar boat.
  14. apap

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    Personally, the way I am approaching the cover letter for white & case is by focusing on why commercial law, why this firm and why me (basing it on my competencies) If there are questions outside the cover letter asking about your hobbies that is an indication they don't expect to read about...
  15. apap

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    Hey Becca! Can I please ask, is the SJT balanced out by the VI or is the VI weighted more heavily given we are able to expand on our own experiences, etc?
  16. apap

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    They say on the invite email to let them know of any necessary adjustments. I would do it as soon as possible.
  17. apap

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    🥲🫠 I would like to assume they screened written applications first.
  18. apap

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    I assumed all universities round up to give you the best result possible. Feels so catty they would keep you at 69.9???
  19. apap

    TCLA Direct Training Contract Applications Discussion Thread 2024-5

    Honestly i'm not sure if they use the VI to see if it can balance the SJT. I hope so because I got 0 in the creative force pillar whereas I placed high in the other three. Got 2/3 for verbal reasoning and 3/3 for numerical reasoning. In the VI I think I hit their core values and I had examples...

About Us

The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

Newsletter

Discover the most relevant business news, access our law firm analysis, and receive our best advice for aspiring lawyers.