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TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25
- Thread starter Jessica Booker
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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.
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?
Congratulations!!!
Do you mind letting me know when you applied and if you attended the open day?
Update to this - this was for a paralegal app and NOT VS. Clearly I need to learn to read.
I applied deadline and am still waiting to hear back
@Jessica Booker
Regarding your advice about offer holding, I had another query. I have accepted a vac scheme offer for summer 2025, but also recently did an AC for a direct training contract and will hear soon. I also have a few applications to firms for spring vac schemes which have progressed past the first stage. If I was to get the direct TC offer and accepted, what would the consequences be of still completing the summer vac schemes and a potential spring one? Moreover, is it common for people to accept offers and then reject it later if a better offer comes along?
Regarding your advice about offer holding, I had another query. I have accepted a vac scheme offer for summer 2025, but also recently did an AC for a direct training contract and will hear soon. I also have a few applications to firms for spring vac schemes which have progressed past the first stage. If I was to get the direct TC offer and accepted, what would the consequences be of still completing the summer vac schemes and a potential spring one? Moreover, is it common for people to accept offers and then reject it later if a better offer comes along?
thank you! i applied on the deadline and didn't attend an official open day, i did however attend a uni specific insight-day that was organised by future trainees.
Jessica Booker
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It depends who is involved with screening. If screening is in part done by lawyers, then they will be the lawyers in the regional office you have applied to. If the screening is just done by graduate recruitment then it will be done centrally but with the graduate recruitment team being mindful of what is needed in that office.
When it comes to interviews and assessment centres, they are typically done by lawyers from that office
I haven't heard anything yet...but sounds like people have already received Acs :O
For anyone who is stressing still waiting to hear back from AG post-VI like myself, I reached out to the early careers team for an update and got the following reply:
"I hope you are well and thank you for your email.
Our assessment centres run from January to March, and we currently do not have a set deadline as to when you will hear back but we are currently working through screening applicants and will be in touch with updates as soon as possible."
I'm assuming this means they're running more than one AC so I wouldn't assume PFO just yet as people who have been notified already may just be doing an earlier AC timeslot.
"I hope you are well and thank you for your email.
Our assessment centres run from January to March, and we currently do not have a set deadline as to when you will hear back but we are currently working through screening applicants and will be in touch with updates as soon as possible."
I'm assuming this means they're running more than one AC so I wouldn't assume PFO just yet as people who have been notified already may just be doing an earlier AC timeslot.
Jessica Booker
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Graduate Recruitment
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- Aug 1, 2019
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Your TC or VS offers may have terms in them that you cannot proceed with the VS if you have accepted the TC offer. If you breach that, then your offer can be withdrawn as you are in breach of contract.
Some TC and VS offers do not have these terms though, and if not, there are no issues.
It’s not common for people to accept a TC and then renege it - last stats from leading law firms suggested about 8% of TC accepted offers were reneged.
Thank you, this is most helpful. Is it typically uncommon for people to receive TC offers and still do vac schemes at another firm in hoping of receiving another TC offer, or is it frowned upon?
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