It seems like they had not actually designed the full interview process before starting recruitment. Initially I got the impression from the HR representative that it would be two stages, one online with HR and an in-person interview at an office.
The process actually went something like this:
• 1st interview in April, told to expect to hear back in a few weeks
• A few weeks go by, I start asking for updates and get told there are some delays due to "staff availability"
• At this point, a friend of mine who is already in the profession tells me they have been reached out to by a recruiter now looking for a part-qualified attorney to fill what seems to be the same role I applied for at HGF (asking for same specialisations / locations)
• Eventually I am invited to a 2nd online interview in June (8 weeks have passed) which seems like a redo of the 1st, but now a partner is also present with the HR rep
• Invited to a 3rd and final interview a month later (July), which is an assessment centre consisting of an interview plus two tasks, one focusing on drafting claims based on an invitation and the other was actually to take part of a EQE qualifying exam paper - the latter is why I have rated the interview as difficult
• Got a decision about 2 weeks later
I would say the staff were quite friendly throughout the process, but they do not seem to be a particularly well organised company.
Also I would recommend that if you are thinking about joining you look into recent events surrounding their acquisition by private equity and what that might mean for you in the long run.
