TLT Beyond Programme

The Beyond Programme first came to my attention through an email from the Bright Network, introducing TLT’s brand new, one-of-a-kind initiative. It stood out to me because of its genuine commitment to supporting people from ethnically diverse backgrounds. Law is an industry that can sometimes feel full of barriers, but receiving the right support and a guaranteed place on the vacation scheme provided an empowering boost in a highly effective and practical way.

The Application and Assessment Centre

What I appreciated about the application process was its accessibility and simplicity. There were five questions in total that related to the values of the firm, my motivations for joining the Beyond Programme, commercial awareness, sector understanding, and the evolving challenges in the legal profession.

The next step was the assessment centre. It was divided into three parts: a group task, a written task, and a strengths-based interview. In groups of four to five, we were assigned a case study to read, discuss, and ultimately present our solutions. For the written task, we were given a mock client query and had to make a judgment based on the materials provided and offer a final recommendation. For both tasks, there was no objectively right or wrong answer; it was about demonstrating strong reasoning abilities. In hindsight, when I discussed the experience with another candidate from a separate group, we discovered that we had reached completely opposite answers in the group exercise, but had both been successful!

The Beyond Programme Sessions

The Beyond Programme itself was an incredible journey. The sessions were highly interactive and often involved debating ideas, team discussions, and collaborative exercises, which strengthened my confidence in communication and teamwork. For example, in one session led by trainees about Commercial Dispute Resolution, we carried out a mock third-party claim mediation exercise. This encouraged us to think critically, communicate persuasively, and work together under time pressure. The most directly transferable skill I learned from the Beyond Programme was through the final presentation. We worked in smaller teams to prepare for a final presentation, and it felt like a direct rehearsal for the group task I faced later during the Vacation Scheme. In my opinion, the most important aspect of Beyond was the network that I formed. The multiple networking opportunities with trainees across the firm, a trainee buddy, and a personal mentor provided a direct line of access to any question I had about TLT, the vacation scheme, and the legal industry as a whole.

The Vacation Scheme

When I started on my first day, I was extremely well prepared because of the advice, skills, and network I had built in the months prior to that moment. After the induction in Manchester, my first day began in the Bristol office, where an early trainee breakfast set the tone. I was welcomed by my Beyond Programme buddy, which immediately made settling in much easier. She introduced me to my trainee buddies in both my first seat, Corporate, and my second seat, Employment. In Corporate, I researched client queries, created company structure charts, and searched on Companies House to identify Persons with Significant Control. My week in Employment gave me practical exposure to litigation, from attending witness preparation calls to drafting letters seeking counsel and assembling court bundles. When it was time for our final assessed group presentation, I drew on everything I had learned from the Beyond Programme and the Vacation Scheme, which helped our group deliver a smooth, confident, and successful presentation.

We celebrated the end of the Vacation Scheme with closing drinks, and just a few weeks later, I was absolutely delighted to receive the call offering me a training contract.

One of TLT’s core values is to go beyond expectation, and this programme truly exceeded mine. Looking back, it helped me realise my potential and broaden my sense of what I am capable of achieving. To anyone considering the Beyond Programme, make the most of every moment; I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, and I wish you the very best of luck!

Author: Inara Aliyeva, Assistant Paralegal