TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

trainee4u

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Sep 7, 2023
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Interesting.
LLB (first class) from KCL
A*A*A* from elite London private school

Macfarlanes paralegal. Went to AC for TC in 2023. "repeatedly accessed information that was confidential and which she knew or ought to have known she was not entitled to access, namely documents including a Business Case Study Exercise, model answers and the mark scheme, for a training contract assessment day she attended in August 2023."

I can only assume this was accessible on the intranet/network. Lied about having done this (which is really dumb, because IT knows EVERYTHING).

Subject to a S43 order meaning that she cannot work for any regulated legal business without prior permission from SRA.
 

Jessica Booker

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Hi, sorry to ask again, but does anyone have experience of slaughters contacting referees and what it could mean/what they ask ?
It’s part of their early checking process.

They often check academic references in particular before deciding offers to ensure your grades are what you have said they are and that there aren’t any conduct issues with your time at university.
 

Jessica Booker

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This might be a silly question but do I need to let firms i am waiting to hear from that I’m going to be abroad the next two weeks, just in case they call (i hope) because of international call fees? I don’t want them to think i’m presuming an offer but also wouldn’t want them to incur a cost.
Can you just update your voicemail to say you are abroad and change your settings so you cannot accept calls?

This would be more productive than emailing them.

Dont worry about them incurring costs. They make hundreds of international calls daily - it’s not a cost they will even worry about.
 

Alturistic whale

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Dec 19, 2023
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Interesting.
LLB (first class) from KCL
A*A*A* from elite London private school

Macfarlanes paralegal. Went to AC for TC in 2023. "repeatedly accessed information that was confidential and which she knew or ought to have known she was not entitled to access, namely documents including a Business Case Study Exercise, model answers and the mark scheme, for a training contract assessment day she attended in August 2023."

I can only assume this was accessible on the intranet/network. Lied about having done this (which is really dumb, because IT knows EVERYTHING).

Subject to a S43 order meaning that she cannot work for any regulated legal business without prior permission from SRA.
London is a small space, we have mutuals and I believe they are now working as a consultant in private equity/credit!
 
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Jessica Booker

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Honestly is this even real or is the bloke just engagement farming?

Literally zero reason not to name the firm.
Very likely real - I know Chris too and he wouldn’t make this type of stuff up.

These policies are very real. I have seen them, actioned them, and heard about them through people who have contacted me about them.

Having to pay back immediately is ridiculous - most people couldn’t do that. But claw backs are common. I have even seen them for people who have qualified but who choose to leave their firm upon qualification.
 

Jessica Booker

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Clifford Chance and Macfarlanes have rescinded offers in the past. Last year, I’m sure there were people who were told that they had failed the SQE but they had actually passed. Despite that, their TC offers were rescinded. They were future trainees at big city law firms. I think it’s a policy that TC offers get rescinded, but most law firms are generally lenient about it and allow at least 1 retake. @Jessica Booker will know more about rescinding offers and whether it’s common.​
I wouldn’t say “most” firms at lenient on resits. There are enough out there that do not allow resits and will rescind offers - whether they then clawback money is another matter though.
 
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Jessica Booker

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They were probably applicants who flunked it hard - unless we are saying these firms rescind all TC offers?
Discretion is often applied based on circumstances.

But I wouldn’t say it’s only people who are flunking the SQE badly that are getting their TCs rescinded. Heard from enough people who failed only one of the FLK assessments and others who have only been a few percentage points off passing.
 

Jessica Booker

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I received an offer for a vacation scheme last Thursday afternoon, and the firm asked me to reply before Monday. I replied the same day confirming my attendance, but I haven’t heard anything back since. The scheme starts on 14th April. Should I follow up today or it’s normal not to receive a response yet?
If you mean you replied yesterday, I would wait until the end of the week before chasing up. If it is was last Monday, then it’s okay to follow up.

Generally give HR at least three working days between emails unless it’s super time urgent (eg something is happening that week).
 

Jessica Booker

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What is a commutable distance for travelling during a VS? Is there a set time that determines if you are within a commutable distance for a law firm? @Jessica Booker
There isn’t a set time but I’d generally say around 90 minutes each way is commutable distance. Many people working in law firms are doing that type of commute anyway.
 
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