TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[AlegalA]

Fieldfisher PFO!

 

[ashwright]

Hey there,

There’s a common misconception that commercial awareness needs to be shown all through for successful written applications. Now don’t get me wrong, it certainly is important, but some questions and some stages will require you to show this more, than others. For example, if the question asks for a recent development and its impact on X firm‘s clients, this clearly requires more commercial awareness than why you want to be a commercial lawyer. You may also find that this skill is tested more in interviews, than actual written applications (dependent on the firm’s application questions). That said, it is always beneficial to find a way to weave this in, though this requires less effort than is typically perceived by applicants. For example, adequately explaining why you are drawn to X firm’s corporate practice, backed up by specific life examples, is a clear demonstration of commercial awareness because it shows you understand the core foundational aspects of corporate law work. The ability to not make this generic and tailored to the firm is, in my opinion, already showing an understanding of the commercial world and how law sits within it.

The problem with including deals is to ensure you don‘t just drop it, but fully explain why that solidifies your interest in the firm. As you can imagine, many firm’s will work on similar deals so this needs to be really strong.

These few tips should help if you decide to name a deal:

Focus on the why and impact: If a firm worked on a big deal, mention why it’s significant (e.g., its impact on the market or industry) and connect it to broader trends like ESG, tech innovation, or market consolidation.

Link it back to the firm’s strengths: Talk about how the deal or trend aligns with the firm’s reputation, strategy, or expertise. For example, “This reflects the firm’s strength in X sector and its ability to navigate complex cross-border matters.”

Engage with trends that interest you: Highlight your genuine curiosity about a key industry trend the firm is working on and why it resonates with you. E.g., I’m particularly interested in how the firm is advising clients on adapting to ESG regulations, a topic I explored during X experience.

Tie it to your goals: Show how the firm’s work inspires you or aligns with what you want to do in the future. This makes your application personal and authentic.

Best of luck! You’ll do amazing!

Thank you so, so much @Amma Usman! You are honestly a legend - the tips you provided are exactly what I needed to deepen my analysis when talking about a deal. What you say about weaving in commercial awareness into responses makes a lot of sense.

If I may add as a follow-up, would the tips you provide also be helpful for answering 'Why Firm X?' questions if one is talking about practice areas?
And if may add another question sorry, may I check whether you can signpost your favourite posts on answering the three common 'why' questions?

Thank you so much I really appreciate your kindness and supportiveness - we are so lucky to be able to hear from you <3

 

[rabialegal]

Hi, does anyone have any tips or insights they can give for the Reed Smith Assessment. I understand it is Untimed, however not sure what’s included within it. Much appreciated.

 

[bigbodybenz]

Hi, if anyone has done the Ashurst AC please pm me. I can share insights on CMS, Dechert, and Reed Smith VI

 

[ashwright]

I just got an AC invite for LL, and mine was at 66% on hold last time I checked. I know sometimes it is said that 66% means rejection, but in my experience this is not the case necessarily! I also applied a long time ago, I would say mid October from memory.

You're honestly the best!! Thank you so so much😊
If I may, could I ask what your WG score was? Tysm

 

[EA95]

You're honestly the best!! Thank you so so much😊
If I may, could I ask what your WG score was? Tysm

Do they send out AC invites at the same time? Mine is also at 66% on hold.

 

[lucylul123]

Hi guys! Is it okay to do a VI in the night, like 9pm? I have good lighting so it won't look dark, just wondering if timing is something they look at or matters.

 

[Jessica Booker]

Does everyone have to wait for their posts to be approved before them being posted? I find it very restricting and leads to your questions or messages being lost In the forum as it is very active.

This can happen for two reasons.

The first is if your post contains a word picked up by our SPAM filters. We get a fair amount of people try to put promotional posts on the forums, often with highly suspicious content and/or links to websites that are pretty dodgy.

To ensure the safety of our community we set up spam filters to restrict the number of posts that could go live. The system is not perfect and sometimes promotional posts still get through the system and also it can be over restrictive and pick up occasional posts that clearly have no negative intention to them at all, but just because they have a word in them that our SPAM filters are set to pick up.

The second reason this happens is if an individual member’s content has raised concerns with the TCLA Community Assistants in the past. There are only a small number of people who have their accounts set to this pre-approval system (which requires the TCLA Community Assistants to approve posts before they are published). Community members who have received warnings or had their content deleted may be changed to this setting as we cannot monitor the forums 24/7 and are required to ensure the forums are a safe space for everyone.

 

[NCTC2025]

Hi guys! Is it okay to do a VI in the night, like 9pm? I have good lighting so it won't look dark, just wondering if timing is something they look at or matters.

Don't think it matters. In fact it'd probably be a selling point if you give an amazing VI at 9pm - they want trainees who can work late hours!🫢

 

[EK_27]

Hi guys! Is it okay to do a VI in the night, like 9pm? I have good lighting so it won't look dark, just wondering if timing is something they look at or matters.

Hi,

Opinion may differ but I don’t think it matters, as long as the lighting is good. I did my last VI in the early afternoon but still chose to close the curtain and turn on the lights, just in case. I got through to the AC.

Good luck!!

 

[Jessica Booker]

Hi guys! Is it okay to do a VI in the night, like 9pm? I have good lighting so it won't look dark, just wondering if timing is something they look at or matters.

The whole point of these video interviews is you can do them at a time that suits you. I really wouldn’t worry when you do them. Firms literally see every hour of the day/night and it really doesn’t matter in their eyes when you do them.

 

[SamiyaJ]

I’m honestly happy to help out whenever I can but a simple please and thank you goes a long way. Most interactions are very pleasant.. Please don’t PM me for advice if you can’t converse in a polite way and certainly don’t message me again when the first time round you got your advice and didn’t even have the decency to say thanks/respond. Sorry for the rant but manners matter to me!

 

[Defnefresko]

Congrats on the invite! I've also got one —would love to hear any tips if anyone's done it before. I'm wondering whether we focus solely on the information provided, or if is it useful to bring in relevant outside knowledge to demonstrate commercial awareness.

I'm in the same boat, and also wondering what do to to prepare beyond reading articles etc. as we don't have much information to go on. If anyone has tips I would appreciate it!

 

[g.cl.2020344]

I’m honestly happy to help out whenever I can but a simple please and thank you goes a long way. Most interactions are very pleasant.. Please don’t PM me for advice if you can’t converse in a polite way and certainly don’t message me again when the first time round you got your advice and didn’t even have the decency to say thanks/respond. Sorry for the rant but manners matter to me!

I completely second this- I’ve had over five messages from different people outright asking me for video interview questions! Not even advice, the actual questions! As much as I love supporting others on here, to share VI questions would disadvantage me!

 

[Alwaysdreaming]

Latham AC (spring)!! Any insights please share, I can offer HSF, CC and A&O insights!

 

[Chris Brown]

If I'm not wrong, I believe Freshfields is non-rolling so you probably won't hear back until after the deadline (23 Jan)?

With Freshfields’ direct TC route they now also have the SJT which you do before the WGT. It’s an automatic test that everyone receives after the deadline (23rd Jan).

If you don’t meet or pass the benchmark for this SJT (unknown as it’s a new test) then you get automatically PFO’d. Guess this is a way of filtering the numbers since there is no longer a summer direct TC window.

Those who meet or pass the benchmark for the SJT and pass the application screening do the WGT. I imagine this will be in Feb/March.​

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Could anyone please share what exact attributes are firm looking for when asking about a time we worked in a team? I am not sure how to approach this as the examples I have do not really have any conflicts in them

 

[pleasepleaseplease]

Could anyone please share what exact attributes are firm looking for when asking about a time we worked in a team? I am not sure how to approach this as the examples I have do not really have any conflicts in them

@Jessica Booker would love your input on this

 

[fffvfdsfv]

i did a vacation scheme for a law firm in summer 2024 but did not manage to convert it into a training contract. i am currently a penultimate year law student (i.e. due to graduate in 2026). Is it worth applying for this firm's training contract directly? or should i wait and apply in my final year?

 

[Diana54]

Latham AC (spring)!! Any insights please share, I can offer HSF, CC and A&O insights!

Congratulations!!!

Do you mind letting me know when you applied and if you attended the open day?