TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2023-24

[aspiringlawyer47]

Sorry if you don't mind me asking, when did you apply to BCLP?

I applied on 25th October, did my test on 29th October and got my PFO today

 

[hopefultrainee888]

Akin TI! Would appreciate any advice, I really like this firm

congrats !! when did you apply?

 

[Jessica Booker]

Was hoping for some advice surrounding what is classed as a mitigating circumstance. For example, would caring for an elderly relative during your studies count (even if you were not legally registered as a carer)

Not necessarily extenuating circumstances, as these are things that are unexpected/out of your control. However I can understand how caring for a relative could also be unexpected, so if this is the case you need to make this clear in how you describe it.

If it wasn’t unexpected but it still disrupted your studies (eg you couldn’t attend school/college/university) this should be something you highlight as a major commitment that conflicted with your studies though. It might be worthwhile flagging how many hours per week you were actively caring for the relative and also explain the time period it happened as well.

 

[Jessica Booker]

When a firm says they want applicants from a leading university, does this mean Russell group/ Oxbridge?

Which firm?

 

[susiewilliams]

Hey guys, Does anyone know how long you have to think for Pinsent Mason's 2 VI questions and how long you have to answer? Thanks.

Did you get an answer to how long you have to answer the question (as in how long your answer can be)?

 

[sxw517]

Mostly, they'll probably class St Andrews, Loughborough and Lancaster in that too

Bath as well, if they are still not Russell, they weren't when I was at uni.

 

[jplaw1010]

Not necessarily extenuating circumstances, as these are things that are unexpected/out of your control. However I can understand how caring for a relative could also be unexpected, so if this is the case you need to make this clear in how you describe it.

If it wasn’t unexpected but it still disrupted your studies (eg you couldn’t attend school/college/university) this should be something you highlight as a major commitment that conflicted with your studies though. It might be worthwhile flagging how many hours per week you were actively caring for the relative and also explain the time period it happened as well.

Thanks very much for the advice

 

[NJS]

Submitting a late app to Eversheds, the word count is 500 words, does this just mean I've been given more room to discuss my points? and the questions are all strength based, so is there any need to link to the firm (don't really know how you could with questions about my strenghts). Any thoughts appreciated @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre

 

[laby201]

Does anyone know the answer to this? Would be fairly ridiculous if that is the case tbh.

I'm not 100% sure (and I haven't had a response from them so far) but it does sound like it. I know some people have received test invites, so they've been sent out. Have to say, not even alerting people if they've been unsuccessful when they know the effort/time people put into single applications is pretty bad practice.

 

[Unknown]

Irwin mitchell VI invite, did the test on Monday
If anyone's done it, any tips would be really appreciated!!

Hi I've got the VI coming up! How did you find it? Do you have any tips you'd recommend? Would be very grateful for any advice!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Submitting a late app to Eversheds, the word count is 500 words, does this just mean I've been given more room to discuss my points? and the questions are all strength based, so is there any need to link to the firm (don't really know how you could with questions about my strenghts). Any thoughts appreciated @Jessica Booker @axelbeugre

What are the questions?

 

[Petallove1]

For anyone who has heard back from Bird&Bird post-app - how long did it take? I applied a few weeks ago and think it’s WG next (honestly loosing track) but haven’t heard back yet

 

[zizszhplum]

congrats !! when did you apply?

Thanks! applied 27/11 and did the test 4/12

 

[TC seeker]

@Jessica Booker How should answer the question "How could CMS use technology to help you further your legal career?" should I mention something relate to Legal Tech?

 

[NJS]

What are the questions?

Thank you for the response, they are:

1. When have you worked towards an ambitious goal? As part of your answer, please describe how you tackled this goal, what set-backs you faced and what energised you about the situation.

2. When have you delivered a piece of work where quality was an important factor? As part of your answer, please describe why quality was important to you, what approaches you took to help you deliver and what you enjoyed?

3. You are working on a query for a new client, which has to be responded to tomorrow morning. You were told it was important as Eversheds Sutherland want to impress them. However, you have a lot of work on and the query is taking you longer than you expected. You are now behind on your work for today. You also have emails from other people chasing you for work you have not yet started. What would you do? As part of your answer, please also describe what personal strengths would you draw upon and what would you find energising in this situation?

All 500 words

 

[avry]

For anyone who has heard back from Bird&Bird post-app - how long did it take? I applied a few weeks ago and think it’s WG next (honestly loosing track) but haven’t heard back yet

I've got a b&b AC invite - I applied ages before the deadline, invites to each stage were sent to me about a week from each other

 

[lawyergirl]

Things I would do are:

• Write a brief summary of the commercial news you have decided to talk about. Make sure you use clear and easy language as it is important to remember that more often than note graduate recruitment is reading those and as much as they might know a lot about the topic, it will still be challenging to read a very difficult piece of writing with complex language.
• Make sure that you say the article you read this information from, if you read it somewhere, however this is not always necessary. I personally dived straight into the article so you may want to ask future trainees at the firm about how they went above this specifically.
• Include a link to the legal sector (and the firm you are applying to) if possible. I think this would be a good thing to do as you show you understand a commercial topic and how it impacts the legal sector and potentially the firm you would be working for. For example, for my Goodwin application, I talked about the discrepancy between U.S. and E.U. subsidies for green technology and how tech start-ups were deciding to relocate from their European birth place to the United States because of the economic benefits that the US offers for green technology firms. I included a paragraph towards the end of my answer talking about how this piece of news could have a huge impact on law firms such as Goodwin and its clients. Specifically, the firm will need to keep up to date with the change in legal provisions to better help its clients and mentioning some of Goodwin's departments that might be involved in this trend.

I think that the example I gave you is what I always did for the commercial questions in my applications. I hope this is helpful and good luck with you application cycle!

Wow, this is incredibly helpful!! Thank you very much!!

 

[aemond54]

Does anyone have any advice or tips for the Pinsent Masons Online Video Interview

 

[ETA2026]

I've got a b&b AC invite - I applied ages before the deadline, invites to each stage were sent to me about a week from each other

When did you get the AC invite, if you dont mind?

 

[Wmana10]

Anyone heard back from an application to Latham and Watkins? I completed my summer VS application weeks ago but have yet to get any response.