TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[AveragePoster]

Does anyone know how long it typically takes to find out from HFW post-AC? (For the VS). Thanks!

 

[bsh]

Were you on the waitlist? I ended up registering to watch virtually.

I was.. maybe try and message grad rec if you fancy going in

 

[tomaspessanha]

Can anyone give me any insights into Mischon´s VI?

 

[allenpopi]

Hi, are there any resources which goes over competition law and CMA in detail on the forum or elsewhere?

 

[heyheyyy]

Hi! Has anyone heard from TLT (post-AC)?

 

[YS391]

For people that applied to PMC but have not heard back - what is the "last update" date for your application on their website? Mine is 04/01, which is the day after the deadline, and idk if that just means they processed my app or if it means they had my answer of PFO/next stage on the 4th?? (In which case it's deffo a PFO but could've been informed ages ago)

I had their AC for their London office last Thursday and they said their last AC's are being held next week. So if you don't hear back soon it might be a PFO (although I am of course not 100% sure).

 

[Ram Sabaratnam]

Hi @Ram Sabaratnam ,

Thank you for all your help so far!
Quick follow up, are there any specific resources you used to prepare for the group exercise, I’m just feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the information available online. I’ve been keeping up with the commercial world fairly ok through Watson’s daily and little law and stuff but I’m wondering if it’s worth going through FT and other sources more to help with this stage? (Sorry if that’s a bit long-winded😅) Also roughly how many people move onto the interview bit (feeling a bit nervous about this group exercise haha)

Hiya @sc13

It's great that you're keeping up with commercial news stories and trends. That can definitely be helpful in thinking through the commercial group exercise. At the same time, I'd suggest that the group exercise isn’t so much about how much you know about current commercial events. It’s more about demonstrating that you can think commercially. Instead of focusing too much on keeping up with the FT or any particular publication, I’d recommend spending some time thinking about how you would approach typical commercial matters. If you've ever done a case study with TCLA or at a firm, think about the key issues that often arise in the context of business transactions/cases. I've listed a few key areas to consider below:

• Financial and legal factors: What are the main commercial risks and opportunities posed by the transaction/case? How might the deal/case be approached to minimise the benefits or maximise the benefits.
• Documents and evidence: What kind of information would you need to properly assess the situation? Would you look at financial statements, contracts, regulatory filings, or due diligence reports?
• Approvals and stakeholders: Are there regulatory bodies involved? Think, for instance, if there could there be competition and anti-trust concerns or whether shareholder approvals required?
• Strategic fit and rationale: If it's a deal, why does this deal make sense (or not) for the business? What challenges might arise?
• Market and industry context: How do external factors (e.g., economic conditions, supply chain issues, competitive landscape) impact the deal?

Ultimately, I think the exercise is about showing you can ask the right commercial and legal questions. If you focus on identifying key risks and opportunities, I think you'll be in a great position to contribute meaningfully to the group discussion.

 

[adrian_nlh]

Mishcon Summer VI

 

[tarty23]

Is silence from Mishcon a PFO then

 

[lawgal1908]

Can I assume that not getting a call on the day of or after DLA AC means a PFO?

 

[hfbjsdhfbhf]

Has anyone not heard back post ac for fieldfisher yet? (das)

 

[Amma Usman]

haha why is this?

Taking a sip of water during an interview can be beneficial as it provides a natural pause, allowing you a moment to gather your thoughts before responding to a question. This brief pause can help ensure that your answers are well-structured and articulate. However, I believe that if done too frequently, it may unintentionally signal nervousness.

 

[User5678]

Got a great email:
Subject: Deadline Approaching
from: [email protected]

Hi Trainee4u,

We are pleased to see you have started your application with us for the Vacation Scheme 2025. We wanted to send a reminder that the deadline is the 28th February. We wish you all the best in your application.
Best wishes,

Graduate Recruitment Team

No indication of who it is from, lol.

Bro I got the same email this morning and I’m as confused as you! Let me know if you figure out😂

 

[ashwright]

Is silence from Mishcon a PFO then

hopefully not.. i haven't heard back yet either but fingers crossed we get a positive response soon 🙂🍀

 

[Chris Brown]

Bro I got the same email this morning and I’m as confused as you! Let me know if you figure out😂

The only firms that I know of that have a deadline of 28th Feb for VS are RWK Goodman and Stephenson Harwood, is it either of those or nah? 😂​

 

[badmintonflyinginsect]

Taking a sip of water during an interview can be beneficial as it provides a natural pause, allowing you a moment to gather your thoughts before responding to a question. This brief pause can help ensure that your answers are well-structured and articulate. However, I believe that if done too frequently, it may unintentionally signal nervousness.

oh i thought it's okay since it's one hour of just speaking? i took 4-5 sips of water (not bcs of nervousness/to take a break, i just needed it to continue talking lol) in my interview!

 

[AlegalA]

I had their AC for their London office last Thursday and they said their last AC's are being held next week. So if you don't hear back soon it might be a PFO (although I am of course not 100% sure).

Mmh yeah that's kinda what I figured unfortunately. It's frustrating because I genuinely feel that my app was one of my best as it was one of my top firms, and I've gotten to second stages with weaker apps this cycle imo so I'm not sure what more I could've done. Also frustrating that I've heard nothing since applying, not even a "thank you for applying we'll get back to you as soon as we can" when the deadline closed, but it is what it is.

Best of luck to you!! Thank you for replying, and I hope you get the VS!!

 

[trainee4u]

Bro I got the same email this morning and I’m as confused as you! Let me know if you figure out😂

I believe it's RWK Goodman.

Reasons:
1. I previously received an email from them which read

"Thank you for registering with the A Law Firm LLP Online Application. To log into your application at any time, visit https://ALawFirm.grad.allhires.com/ and enter your credentials. From here you can preview your full application and make modifications before finally submitting the application. We recommend you add [email protected] and [email protected] to your safe senders list to ensure you receive our emails.

Regards

Graduate Recruitment
A Law Firm LLP"

2. I have other active Allhires applications that are due on 28 February, but they seem to be called Training Contract, not Vacation Scheme

 

[YS391]

Mmh yeah that's kinda what I figured unfortunately. It's frustrating because I genuinely feel that my app was one of my best as it was one of my top firms, and I've gotten to second stages with weaker apps this cycle imo so I'm not sure what more I could've done. Also frustrating that I've heard nothing since applying, not even a "thank you for applying we'll get back to you as soon as we can" when the deadline closed, but it is what it is.

Best of luck to you!! Thank you for replying, and I hope you get the VS!!

Sorry to hear that. Honestly, that's been my experience for other firms too where I've written very strong apps and not gotten through.

Thank you and good luck to you too!

 

[Amma Usman]

Hi, are there any resources which goes over competition law and CMA in detail on the forum or elsewhere?

Hey,

This is a really good question. I just wrapped up a module on it last semester which was really interesting.

When applying to law firms, competition law often comes up in case studies. One of the key issues is whether a deal can go through without violating competition rules. If a company is too dominant in the market or if an agreement between businesses reduces competition, regulators might step in to stop the deal.

Competition law in the UK and the EU is designed to make sure businesses compete fairly so that consumers get better prices, more choices, and high-quality products. Without these rules, big companies could take over entire markets, push smaller businesses out, and charge higher prices without any real competition.

There are two main areas where companies can break competition law. The first is anticompetitive agreements. This is when businesses make deals that reduce competition, like fixing prices or agreeing not to compete with each other. In the UK, this is covered by Chapter I of the Competition Act 1998, and in the EU, it falls under Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).

The second is abuse of a dominant position. A company that is much stronger than its competitors has to be careful not to use that power unfairly. For example, it cannot force customers to buy only from them or sell at a loss just to drive competitors out of business. This is covered by Chapter II of the Competition Act 1998 in the UK and Article 102 of the TFEU in the EU.

When companies try to merge, regulators (like the CMA or EC) check whether the new business would become too powerful and reduce competition. If that happens, they might block the deal or ask the companies to change it to protect consumers. This is why competition law is a big part of M&A case studies in law firm applications.