TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2021-22 (#1)

[ofm]

For those in work - can you get unpaid leave for vac schemes? How have you found asking for this any tips etc

would also like to know!

 

[Abii]

For those in work - can you get unpaid leave for vac schemes? How have you found asking for this any tips etc

would also like to know!

This is going to vary for people depending on their employer. Unpaid leave is entirely at the discretion of the employer. All you can do is ask.

I’ve previously had unpaid leave for internships from two different employers. And have had unpaid leave to undertake ACs/Interviews. I’ve been very honest with my employers through out that I am seeking a TC and what that involves and they’ve been very supportive of the journey. Although one employer gave me unpaid leave for an VS I couldn’t undertake it as the law firm considered my employment to much of a conflict of interest and I wasn’t in a position to quit a job for a two week vac scheme. A two week vac scheme wasn’t gonna pay my rent!

 

[Slawrelated]

One question that always throws me off - "why not consider a TC at your current firm?", anyone know the best way to approach this. I would appreciate any tips, thank you!

say what your current firm doesnt have that the new firm DOES have which will make the switch more easier

 

[lawgal101]

say what your current firm doesnt have that the new firm DOES have which will make the switch more easier

Thank you!!

 

[Jessica Booker]

One question that always throws me off - "why not consider a TC at your current firm?", anyone know the best way to approach this. I would appreciate any tips, thank you!

The advice above is spot on, but you can also say you are still considering a TC at your current firm if you are - firms are expecting people to explore multiple opportunities.

 

[coffeeshops]

Hi does anyone know the name of legal agencies or recruiters to sign up for to find legal floor support roles? (sorry I know this is not vs related!)

 

[angusgill1]

Awwww shucks ☺️!

Love messages like this, really make my day

I do actually have a couple of questions now though...
1. I have a placement at Firm A in April and a placement at Firm B in June. If I get a training contract offer from Firm A in April should I still go on to attend Firm B's placement? This wouldn't be a bad problem to have but it would be tricky to renege on Firm B given I have rented a room for £600.

2. There are some administrative issues with an LLM in Asia which mean that I might get a lower than expected degree in my Master's degree. There's a long story about this involving the university giving me the wrong date for a paper's submission then suddenly demanding submission with no notice. Would this be a problem for a firm and their consideration in maintaining a tC offer, similar to how graduates often need a 2:1? Background info: i have a strong 2:1 undergrad

If you can find some time to get back to me on these it would be highly appreciated.

 

[Jessica Booker]

I do actually have a couple of questions now though...
1. I have a placement at Firm A in April and a placement at Firm B in June. If I get a training contract offer from Firm A in April should I still go on to attend Firm B's placement? This wouldn't be a bad problem to have but it would be tricky to renege on Firm B given I have rented a room for £600.

2. There are some administrative issues with an LLM in Asia which mean that I might get a lower than expected degree in my Master's degree. There's a long story about this involving the university giving me the wrong date for a paper's submission then suddenly demanding submission with no notice. Would this be a problem for a firm and their consideration in maintaining a tC offer, similar to how graduates often need a 2:1? Background info: i have a strong 2:1 undergrad

If you can find some time to get back to me on these it would be highly appreciated.

1) Yes, if you want to and there are no restrictions on your second VS offer (some contracts will state you can't have accepted a TC if you want to go ahead with the placement) you can continue with your second VS.

2) Any TC offer is typically subject to your undergraduate grade, not your masters, so I don't think this will be an issue. Even if it was, if it is something you can explain, then its unlikely to be an issue as this sounds like extenuating circumstances.

 

[DXXXX]

FBD AC! Any help would or pointing to TCLA resources would be super useful!

 

[AvniD]

Hi everyone!
I was offered a place for a vacation scheme at one my favourite law firms. I am at my second cycle of applications and I have never received an offer, so I really need this opportunity... but, I recently (not even 2 weeks ago) got a new job, not an entry level job, but a good job in consultancy. Neither placement option would suit my calendar at the moment: the spring vac. scheme might be an option but it is too early to ask for days off at the new job - it may be seen very badly be the new emoloyer; the summer scheme is too long and too close to my project's final dealdline....
Has anyone ever dealt with a similar situation or has any advice?
I'm really sad atm and any help is appreciated 😥

Have you considered asking the firm to interview you for a direct TC instead (if they offer that route)?

 

[gaininglaw]

FBD AC! Any help would or pointing to TCLA resources would be super useful!

hi is this for the freshfields TC? and if so, when did you do the WG - thanks !! x

 

[angusgill1]

1) Yes, if you want to and there are no restrictions on your second VS offer (some contracts will state you can't have accepted a TC if you want to go ahead with the placement) you can continue with your second VS.

2) Any TC offer is typically subject to your undergraduate grade, not your masters, so I don't think this will be an issue. Even if it was, if it is something you can explain, then its unlikely to be an issue as this sounds like extenuating circumstances.

Thank you!! This helps alot

 

[VacApplicant]

Hi everyone!
I was offered a place for a vacation scheme at one my favourite law firms. I am at my second cycle of applications and I have never received an offer, so I really need this opportunity... but, I recently (not even 2 weeks ago) got a new job, not an entry level job, but a good job in consultancy. Neither placement option would suit my calendar at the moment: the spring vac. scheme might be an option but it is too early to ask for days off at the new job - it may be seen very badly be the new emoloyer; the summer scheme is too long and too close to my project's final dealdline....
Has anyone ever dealt with a similar situation or has any advice?
I'm really sad atm and any help is appreciated 😥

I am literally in an identical situation.
Received a vac scheme offer for summer which I was able to negotiate prior to accepting my role which will start end of March.
I then received another vac scheme offer for April.
The new job starting in March is really good so I don't want to ask them for more time off already. I called the firm and explained that I want to accept the vac scheme for Spring, but only closer to signing my contract date will I be able to mention this to my new job employer. I then asked it, as a worst case scenario, I can't obtain the vac scheme, whether I can postpone it to next year. The recruitment team was exceptionally kind and understanding and said that they will allow it.
I think it's up to you what you feel comfortable with doing though!

 

[unserious candidate]

Say you fail the GDL and hence don’t meet the conditions of your TC offer, are you likely to have to pay back your maintenance grant and fees 😅😅

 

[DXXXX]

hi is this for the freshfields TC? and if so, when did you do the WG - thanks !! x

Hi yes the tc and it was the last week of Jan! 24th i think

 

[gaininglaw]

Hi yes the tc and it was the last week of Jan! 24th i think

congrats! sorry to ask again - when are the AC dates running till

 

[Jessica Booker]

Say you fail the GDL and hence don’t meet the conditions of your TC offer, are you likely to have to pay back your maintenance grant and fees 😅😅

It isn't unknown, unfortunately. However, many firms will just write the value off.

Look at the terms of your offer clearly, as any terms regarding something like this will be covered. If it isn't covered, you can't be made to pay it back.

 

[m.aspiring.lawyer]

Macfarlanes VS offer! 😁 After a really thorough AC and little faith that it went well due to the amount of rejections I have received, finally an offer! Please anyone PM if they need/want insight into the app process or interview stage

Hi there, congratulations! Can I ask how long they took to come back to you post-AC?

 

[Asil Ahmad]

Go for it! I would be quite brief while talking about your interest in football because you don't want to go off-topic but linking deals back to why they interest you is always a good thing.

Thank you very much for this.

That is what I am trying to avoid as I am trying to avoid discussing it too much and then not being related to the firm.

Also as this acquisition did not get approved last year and then the acquisition got approved the second time by the Premier League do you think I can discuss that and the impact of that and how that interested me in this deal.

 

[Asil Ahmad]

I have seen this work many times, so not a problem to use something like this.

Thank you very much I really found this deal interesting as am a big football fan.