So, if you scroll back through this thread, you'll be able to find my answers to another candidate regarding the scheme (starting from the quoted passage). This should give you some key tips regarding the scheme! However, I'll add some more advice below...
I'll describe
my experience in a little more detail to help align your rough expectations. Please note, however, I know for a fact that in my first seat (which I will get into), I did substantially more work than
some other candidates - do not feel like you need to do the same - it was merely a product of a confluence of coincidental factors: my enthusiasm, my supervisor, and the seat I was in.
You are given seat preferences - but, as far as I am aware, you weren't able to state your preference for the team within the department. I got my first two choices: corporate and disputes, and was assigned, in the stated order:
- Corporate (TMT)
- Disputes (Group 1)
The work I completed was as follows:
First Seat: Corporate (TMT)
1) Drafted two clauses in a large partnership contract. Checked the agreement for typos and formatting errors, making the relevant amendments.
2) Identified key clauses pertaining to specific data protection concerns in four NDAs.
3) Wrote a legal note summarising key differences between the Dubai International Financial Centre Data Protection Law 2020 (DIFC DPL) and the General Data Protection Regulation 2016 (GDPR).
4) Produced a summary of section one of the European Commission's 'Guidelines on the Lead Supervisory Authority'.
5) Drafted a blog article on the use of soft opt-ins under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulation 2003 (PECR) and GDPR.
6) Conducted a comparison redline for a 68-page international data transfer agreement. Checked the agreement for typos and formatting errors, making the relevant amendments.
7) Drafted a blog article on the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation's (CDEI) report on algorithmic bias.
Second Seat: Disputes (Group 1: General Commercial Litigation)
1) Wrote a legal note on whether actual knowledge of a warranty breach (prior to contracting under a SPA) constitutes a bar to a relevant warranty claim.
2) Wrote a report on the recent economic, political and legal industry updates in Egypt.
3) Began drafting a chronology based on over 10 email chains.
Note that I completed substantially less work in my second seat as a result of the kind of work available, and because your second (working) week is effectively cut short because of your final interview (all your work must be submitted to your interviewer by approximately midway through your penultimate day, and your supervisor needs to give you feedback).
Training Contract Interview
As I might have mentioned in a previous answer - the TC interview is the easiest and most relaxed (
for me) part of the whole process. Mine lasted approximately 10 minutes and was a casual chat about how I found the virtual scheme, why I was interested in international arbitration/advocacy/HSF, and how I found the work coming from a Philosophy degree. Don't worry about this part; it really only accounts (if you had to put a number on it) 10-20% of your assessment - by the time you've finished your weeks of work, everyone's minds are pretty much made up.
Personal Background
You might be reading this and freaking out about the work, either with regard to its quantity or with regard to its technical nature. I want to highlight a few things:
- I am a non-law student (Philosophy).
- I do not have a particularly strong interest in, or even much knowledge about, TMT.
- I knew nothing about data protection.
- I knew nothing about Egypt.
- I did not know anything about actual knowledge/the details of a warranty breach.
- I had minimal drafting experience prior to this vacation scheme.
All of this work can be done provided you are enthusiastic, are able to learn quickly on the job, and put in the effort. As I have mentioned in previous replies - work hard, take time to sit and think before then going to ask insightful questions at the appropriate junctures to your supervisor, and, crucially, smile and enjoy yourself. Like everyone else, the people you work with will get a 'vibe' off you - at the very least, ensure that they feel that they
want to talk to you and work with you, rather than they feel like they
have to.
As I have mentioned, but I'll finish with this, HSF is quite simply one of a group of some of the loveliest individuals. Everyone is unbelievably welcoming and enthusiastic about you. So, please don't worry about it! HSF was my first 'proper' vacation scheme, and I thoroughly enjoyed it - I hope you will too!
I hope this helps - feel free to ask any clarificatory/follow-up questions, and good luck!
