AllAboutLaw Top Lawfluencers 2023: Best Trainee Solicitor Accounts

If you’re currently navigating the training contract application process, or have a training contract offer, you’re probably wondering what life as a trainee solicitor is like. As part of the AllAboutLaw Top Lawfluencers 2023, we are highlighting some of your favourite trainee solicitor content creators. These creators share the realities of trainee life, as well as provide tips and tricks to help you navigate the application cycle.

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AllAboutLaw Top Lawfluencers 2023: Best Law Student Accounts

Currently studying law, or looking into doing so in the future? As part of AllAboutLaw’s Top Lawfluencer Awards, check out our list of the best law student accounts. All these content creators provide tips and advice to help you successfully navigate law student life.

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AllAboutLaw Top Lawfluencers 2023: Most Popular Lawfluencers

As part of our Top Lawfluencer series in 2023, AllAboutLaw is spotlighting a range of content creators who share informative content about legal life. Today, we’re sharing some of our favourite popular Lawfluencers; accounts with over 20,000 followers. If you’re looking to add some legal expertise to your For You page, here are some accounts you’ll want to follow.

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AllAboutLaw Top Lawfluencers 2023: Rising Stars

For this year's Top Lawfluencer series, AllAboutLaw is showcasing content creators who share the realities of legal life. If you’d like to support lesser known content creators who make engaging content, keep reading for our ‘Rising Stars’ of the online legal world.

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The Real Contract: What can a trainee really expect from a Clifford Chance training contract?

Securing a training contract is an incredible achievement. In addition to the legal knowledge and skills you’ll gain, personal development and growth is a key part of the experience. To gain a real, unfiltered account of what a training contract at a leading law firm is like, Clifford Chance asked seven of their solicitors (from trainee to partner) to write a letter to their past selves reflecting on their legal journey so far. We have picked out some important passages from these seven letters to help you better understand what each one means for the trainee experience at Clifford Chance.

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AllAboutLaw Blog - the LPC and BPTC under Covid-19, the Windrush scandal and more

This week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog looks at the response of the legal industry to the spread of the Coronavirus, the projected development of the UK legal market, and the response to the publication of the Windrush scandal.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: Coronavirus, the Uncensored Library and more

This week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog addresses the coronavirus and its impact on the economy, the Uncensored Library of Minecraft and the live-streaming of UK court hearings.

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All About Law Blog: Heathrow expansion, period poverty and more

In this week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog, we discuss the Court of Appeal’s Heathrow expansion decision as well as Scotland’s passing of a bill to end period poverty. We also touch on a corruption scandal originating from the 2008 financial crisis.

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AllAboutLaw blog: the far-reaching effects of the coronavirus, the WikiLeaks trial and more

This week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog addresses the wider implications of the coronavirus, the hearing of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and a potential return to classical architecture.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: Islamic marriages, EU data protection and Trump’s tweets

In this week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw Blog, we address the recent Court of Appeals’ decision to only offer English marriage law protection to registered UK marriages, the EU’s privacy concerns in relation to Facebook and a call to question the legality of Trump’s tweeting.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: the Flybe rescue deal, a televised Crown Court and more

In this week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw Blog we look at the government’s intervention to save Flybe from insolvency, the decision to allow televised coverage of Crown Court judgments and the controversy of New York’s new bail reform law.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s shock statement, the implications of a changing high street and more

This week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog addresses a potential trademark conflict over ‘Sussex Royal’, what a changing high street means for the legal profession and the continued growth of Africa’s start-up culture.

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AllAboutLaw blog: Myanmar at the International Court of Justice, India’s citizenship law, and more

This week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog looks into the current hearings at the International Court of Justice regarding the Rohingya persecution, the discontent surrounding the newly enacted citizenship law in India, and Prince Andrew’s involvement with Jeffrey Epstein.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: a legal perspective of the impeachment inquiry, the unexpected consequence of Disney’s success and more

This week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog looks at the impeachment enquiry against Trump, the double-edged sword of “Frozen 2”’s success, and the trafficking of Pakistani brides to China.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: A call to end Black Friday, an unusual ode to thanksgiving and more

 This week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog looks at the damaging effects of Black Friday and the ensuing discontent of the shopping event in France, how the signing of a new bill lead to a display of thanks by Hong Kong protesters, and a legal action launched by British athletes against the British Olympic Association.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: Remember, remember the 5th of November and more.

This week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw Blog looks at the history of Guy Fawkes Night and the growing discontent around the topic of fireworks, a case brought by WhatsApp against a cybersecurity firm, and the implementation of a new internet law in Russia.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: The BBC is accused of gender discrimination, the move to include unaccompanied migrant children in legal aid, and more

This week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw Blog looks at a case brought by the presenter Samira Ahmed against the BBC on grounds of unequal pay, the possibility for unaccompanied migrant children to claim legal aid, and a judge who lost her cool during a court proceeding.

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AllAboutLaw blog: the digitisation of UK courts and tribunals, Sudan's first female judge and more

In this week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog, we look at the digitisation of the UK Courts (and the reluctance to proceed at full speed), the election of Sudan’s first female judge, and a case involving Domino’s Pizza and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: Hong Kong mask ban, a Google lawsuit and the Trump impeachment

In this week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw Blog the Hong Kong protests once again take centre stage. For the first time in more than 50 years, the chief executive of Hong Kong referred to the emergency regulations ordinance to ban the wearing of masks. 

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AllAboutLaw Blog: Saudi Arabia's far-reaching ambitions, a prison sector in flux and more.

This week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw Blog takes a look at Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to diversify its economy in the face of human-rights accusations, the change in the prison sector of the UK and the Human Rights Watch condemnation of Lebanon’s failure to implement a law.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: The suspension of parliament, AIs role in fraudulent behaviour and more

 In this week’s edition of the AllAboutBlog, tensions reach an all-time high following the decision to suspend parliament. We also take a look at a worrying new strategy used by fraudsters and the UK justice system’s struggle to address an increase in rape reports.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: The contagious spread of the opioid crisis, a new legal territory and more...

 In this week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog, we look at the implications (or rather lack of) of a recent Johnson & Johnson case on the global opioid market, the first person to be investigated for a crime committed in space, and the pressing need for law firms to remain competent in matters of money laundering.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: A tough stance on law and order, the Epstein ordeal and more

In this week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw Blog, we look at the government's proposal to tackle crime rights in the UK, the implications of Epstein’s death and the National Rifle Association’s attitude following the mass shootings in the United States.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: Increasing your employability, a grim forecast for the legal sector following a no-deal Brexit and more

In this week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog, the Junior Lawyers Division (JLD) offers the chance to boost your employability and help to secure a training contract, the legal sector is likely to lose a significant amount of work in the event of a no-deal Brexit, and following the tragic shootings in the United States this weekend, there is a renewed effort to reform gun-control laws.

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AllAboutLaw blog: legal aid turns 70, gender law reforms and more

This week in AllAboutLaw’s weekly blog, we will be looking at the state of legal aid in the UK as it celebrates its 70th birthday. We will also briefly be taking a look at the push for reforms to the gender law by LGBT+ groups and campaigners, as well as at the possible legalisation of cannabis in the near future.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: image-based sexual abuse laws, the new Bar qualification, and more

Welcome to the fifth edition of AllAboutLaw’s weekly blog! This week, we’ll give you a brief overview of changes to legislation surrounding image-based sexual abuse, which includes practices such as revenge porn and ‘deepfake’ pornography. We’ll also be taking a look at changes to the Bar qualification rules and the recent pensions case.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: UK arms exports, cyberattacks and the courts, and more

Welcome to the fourth AllAboutLaw weekly blog! This week, we will be looking at last week’s ruling on arms exports to Saudi Arabia, possible criminal trial delays due to cyberattacks, and changes to the Solicitors Qualifying Examination.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: your weekly legal news drop

Welcome to the second edition of AllAboutLaw’s weekly blog! This week, we will take a look at prosecution lawyers’ planned walkout against low fees, as well as several current news stories related to sexual-offence cases and to technology within the legal sector.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: what's new in the legal sphere this week?

Welcome to the first ever edition of AllAboutLaw’s weekly blog! This week, we briefly look at Human Rights law in relation to LGBT+ rights, as well as various current affairs related to tenancy and artificial intelligence.

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ULaw in Norwich: The University of Law announces a collaboration with University of East Anglia

The national law course provider has announced another expansion—this time a collaboration in which it will provide the LPC at the University of East Anglia.

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SQE given tentative approval by LSB

The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) has been given a tentative approval by the Legal Services Board (LSB). After a collective of legal professionals and academics put pressure on the LSB to reject the SQE, today it said that there were “no grounds” to reject the SRA’s application.

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Law students face repercussions as racist WhatsApp chat exposed

Members of the Bracton Law Society at the University of Exeter are being investigated after screenshots from a WhatsApp group chat revealed racist comments. 

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International Women's Day: the women who have shaped law

Historically, many women have challenged the law, whether by defying odds and becoming legal professionals, or by publically calling for updates to archaic and oppressive legislation. Events of the past year, in particular the #MeToo campaign, reflect the ongoing struggle for women to be safe and accepted in their workplaces. This International Women’s Day, we take a look at just a few of the women who have shaped the legal sector as we know it today.

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The beast from the East - what does the law say about working in low temperatures?

From the most northerly points of the UK to the beaches of Brighton, snow has been making a rare appearance in the UK, leading to cancelled trains and closed schools. But in a country where snow on the ground is a rarity, what exactly are your work rights when the big freeze sets in?

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Upskirting: law against invasive photographs is under “constant review”, says Ministry of Justice

78 cases of upskirting - the popular name for taking an intimate photograph of somebody beneath their clothing - have been recorded by British police in the past two years. Yet there is still no law against such activity, despite some of the victims being as young as 10 years old.

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Ireland to hold referendum on abortion law

The Republic of Ireland will hold a referendum on abortion in May of this year, after years of campaigning for reform to the country’s controversial abortion laws. Leo Varadkar, the Taoiseach (prime minister) of Ireland, announced the decision to hold a referendum on the evening of 29 January.

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Disgraced former gymnastics doctor jailed for up to 175 years

Larry Nassar was handed down a sentence of between 40 and 175 years in prison at the cumulation of his abuse trial. The doctor, who formerly worked with US Gymnastics team, admitted to abusing and molesting girls under his care under the guise of medical treatment.

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“We’re no criminals!” women with criminal records due to prostitution take on government

Today (17 January) and tomorrow (18 January), the Divisional Court will hear an application for judicial review of the Government’s policy in relation to the retention, recording and disclosure of criminal convictions arising from soliciting offences.

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Mindfulness in Law – the good habits to get into now

My interest in mindfulness and ways to remain resilient when practising law began ten years ago. At the start of my legal career I, like many others, was faced with a lot of responsibility early on. As a result, I thought it valuable to learn techniques that would keep me calm, resilient and well in the office.  Learning these techniques, and making my inner wellbeing a priority, had an unexpectedly positive impact on my work as a lawyer.

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First case of spiritual abuse brought against Oxford priest

In a case that is the first of its kind in relation to a priest, an Oxfordshire vicar has been convicted of spiritual abuse by a tribunal. Reverend Timothy Davis of Christ Church, Abingdon, spiritually abused a teenage boy within his congregation for a period of six months in 2013.

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Legal action launched against Google over mass consumer data collection

Google You Owe Us has launched legal action against tech giant Google. The group, led by veteran consumer champion and former Executive Director of Which?, Richard Lloyd, aims to secure compensation for the millions of people across Britain who are believed to have had their personal information unlawfully collected by Google. The campaign is encouraging consumers to spread the word, in order to hold Google to account.

This is the first representative action of its kind in the UK against a major tech company that is centred on the alleged mass misuse of personal data.

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Lauri Love: British man accused of hacking US government fights extradition in High court

Lauri Love is accused of illegally accessing US government websites, and is currently embroiled in a fight to be tried in the UK. Theoretically, the crime Love is accused of took place in the UK, yet the US government wants to try him as the crime was against them.

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Sexual harassment - breaking the silence around the world

Quite easily, the sexual harassment scandal could have unfolded quite differently. Harvey Weinstein - now referenced as the first abuser in a long, long list of names - could have been the only person to be publically accused of multiple offences, including unwanted comments, physical contact and rape. Yet Weinstein would not be the only person to stand accused, nor would Hollywood be the only industry. As the #MeToo hashtag moved around the world, workers - mainly women, but a proportion of men too - from film, theatre and politics came forward to talk about how they had been subjected to sexual harassment or assault at work.

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Robert Mugabe resigns after a 37 year rule

As a hearing was conducted to discuss his possible impeachment, Robert Mugabe - who has been the president of Zimbabwe for 37 years - has submitted his letter of resignation.

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Catalonia - arrest warrants issued for deposed government members

Eight of the deposed Catalan government ministers have been jailed following their landmark vote for independence on Friday. Rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds are the charges they face in the High Court of Spain.

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Acid attackers to be subject to ‘two strikes’ rule

Individuals carrying acidic substances will be subject to a ‘two strikes’ rule, where if they are caught with a corrosive substance on more than one occasion they will receive a six-month custodial sentence.

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The University of Law launches new solicitor apprenticeship programme

The University of Law (ULaw) has launched a new solicitor apprenticeship programme for 2017. The programme, which started on 25th September, is designed to create successful partnerships between the University, employers and apprentices to meet the requirements of the Government’s employer-led trailblazer standard for solicitor qualification.

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Lavinia Woodward - complaints against judge who sentenced Oxford student dropped

The judge who presided over the much-debated case of Lavinia Woodward will not be investigated further by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO). Ian Pringle QC was criticised for sentencing Woodward to a ten-month suspended custodial sentence after she stabbed her boyfriend in the leg. His reasoning attracted criticism - he focused on Woodward’s educational background - she studies Medicine at the University of Oxford - saying that a sentence which would prevent her from pursuing her career would be “too severe”.

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Top law firms recognised in AllAboutLaw Awards 2017

AllAboutLaw.co.uk recognised the top law firms for vacation schemes and training contracts in its annual AllAboutLaw Awards. The awards ceremony was held on Monday 2nd October 2017, and representatives from some of the biggest firms in the legal industry gathered to celebrate their successes, and those of their peers.

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Gender pay gap at the top - women paid around £12,000 less

Women who hold managerial positions are being paid significantly less than their male counterparts, recent studies have shown. There are 3.3 million managers in the UK, and the gender pay gap for this entire group stands at 26.8%.

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Lord Chief Justice calls for double sentencing powers

Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, the lord chief justice, has called for magistrates to have more weighted sentencing powers. He has said that Magistrates’ power should be increased to so that they can hand down one-year jail sentences to offenders.

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Grenfell Tower fire: individual manslaughter charges may be sought alongside corporate manslaughter charges

The police officers investigating the Grenfell Tower fire have identified 336 different organisations who had ‘varying degrees of involvement’ in the disaster - some of which could be charged with corporate or personal manslaughter.

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Rape trials: Half of jurors make guilty verdict before deliberation

New research has shown that nearly half of jurors in rape cases come to a guilty verdict before deliberation, indicating a predictive relationship between juror demographics, personal experience, and psychological make up. This in turn has an impact upon verdicts in rape cases.

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David Lammy exposes ‘racial bias’ in the criminal justice system

David Lammy has written a report which addresses the ‘racial bias’ within the criminal justice system. Written at the request of the British prime minister, Lammy’s report highlights the disproportionate number of black and ethnic minority males involved in the justice council.

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CPS addresses cases thrown out in relation to the Psychoactive Substances Law

Just one year after its introduction, the Psychoactive Substances law has fallen under scrutiny after two separate cases were thrown out.

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Staggering rise in IP court cases

Hugh James, the Top 100 law firm, has revealed this week that the number of small businesses going to court over their Intellectual Property (IP) rights has soared in recent years. 

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AAL Bizarre: 'James Bond' gadget cheat thrown out of Law school

The annual report from the Office of the International Adjudicator has thrown up a truly bizarre incident which resulted in the failing of a law student after she attempted to use a gadget deception to illegally cheat in her law exams. 

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Bar Council backs the Lawyer Portal

The Bar Council has given its backing to a new service for aspiring lawyers, called the Lawyer Portal. 

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Gender Diversity Conference a roaring success

HR and legal experts from all over Britain came together earlier this month at Simmons & Simmons Law head office London, in order to discuss gender diversity in the legal sector, in an event coming nearly 100 years since women were allowed to begin working in law. 

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Bar parental leave policy set to challenge old stereotypes

The Bar Council today set out its new policy regarding parental leave, cementing the idea that the Bar is becoming one of the most innovative and forward thinking bodies in the legal landscape. 

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SRA announces it WILL go ahead with super-exam from 2020

The Solicitors Regulation Authority today stated that it will go ahead with its new 'super-exam', the Solicitors Qualification Examination, from 2020, despite criticism from within the profession as a whole. 

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Online Court reforms need quality control

The Bar Council has warned the Government that the quality and reputation of the UK's justice system must not suffer a fall from grace, as it prepares to press ahead with plans for online courts and virtual hearings. 

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New Zealand grants 'person' status to a river

The Whanganui River in North Island has been given the same rights as a human being, it has emerged today. 

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AAL Bizarre: Pensioner cleared of shooting intruder

A farmer from East Yorkshire has been cleared by the Hull Crown Court after just 24 minutes of discussion.

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AAL Muppet of the Week: Ex-Judge Robin Camp

A Canadian judge has resigned hours after the country’s legal disciplinary body recommended that he should be removed from the bench.

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BBC barrister makes RPC switch

A senior barrister from the in-house team at the BBC has made the short hop across London to join RPC's media team. 

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Bar Council Chief Executive announces retirement

The Chief Executive of the Bar, Mr Stephen Crowne, announced today that he is going to be retiring this year. 

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AAL Bizarre: Man jailed for live-streaming court case

A man from Wales who live-streamed a court case in Cardiff has himself been arrested for a month. 

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Bar Council launches debt recovery initiative

A new debt recovery panel to help barristers get the money they are owed from professional clients has been launched today by the Bar Council, the representative body for barristers in England & Wales.

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BLP launches training contracts in Manchester

In exciting news for North-West based lawyers, Berwin Leighton Paisner has announced the introduction of training contracts in their Manchester office. 

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Bar Council speaks out on Civil Justice

Following the Lord Chancellor's calls for co-operation on civil justice in the wake of Brexit, the Bar Council has spoken out to show their support, and to echo the need for working together in a turbulent period. 

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Reed Smith takes seven KWM trainees in swoop

As part of a 50-person haul from the now-defunct King Wood Malleson's firm, Reed Smith have taken on seven legal trainees - three in their London office, and four in Paris. 

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BSB Diversity Report and Bar Council Reponse

The Bar Standards Board released their annual diversity report last week, entitled Diversity at the Bar. Whilst response rates are up for all categories, it has been stated that there are still a number of barristers who are not disclosing their diversity data to the report.

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Law Rocks! gains charity status

The Law Rocks! programme announced last week that it had secured approved charitable status, after firm Howard Kennedy had advised them on the nuances of their application. 

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Law Teacher of the Year - 2017 finalists announced!

The finalists for the Law Teacher of the Year award for 2017, in association with sponsors Oxford University Press, have been revealed. 

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Chairman of the Bar gives speech to IBA at Washington

Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, the Chairman of the Bar, gave a speech this week to the International Bar Association in Washington, highlighting the battles that the profession faces in the current climate, and you can read the full transcript below. 

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Winners announced for AllAboutLaw Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2016

On Tuesday 27th September 2016, AllAboutLaw.co.uk hosted its annual Top Law Firms awards ceremony in Cavendish Square, London. Hundreds of representatives from the UK’s most esteemed law firms celebrated, as the results for the Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes were announced and a range of awards were presented. 

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Bar Council challenges Ministry of Justice

In a response issued this week to the report released by the House of Commons Justice Select Committee, the Bar Council has challenged the Ministry of Justice to 'learn from its mistakes'.

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Talking Referendum: Thoughts of a Partner at Hierons

Richard Hierons, a founding partner of Hierons LLP, recently chaired a debate on the legal implications of Brexit. We asked him for his thoughts regarding the referendum and if he had any last minute advice for those still undecided. 

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Legal ‘Airbnb’ launches online

The latest venture from Lawyers on Demand, Spoke, is a lawyer-to-client has been described as a ‘Legal Airbnb’

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Barristers dominate new advisory council

Michael Gove’s new advisory council which he promised to establish when scrapping the criminal legal aid contract system has been revealed.

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AAL Muppet of the Week: Court selfie-taker fined 190 quid

A 32 year old man was arrested and slapped with a £190 fine for taking a selfie in York Magistrates Court and posting it on his Facebook page

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Law Society hits out at accountants’ legal services plan

The Law Society has claimed that plans to allow the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) to regulate legal activities would create chaos whilst providing no clear benefits.

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Dot law domains remain scarce

More than six months after they became publicly available to the profession, distinctive .law domain names are still only in use by five UK firms.  

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Wellbeing in the legal profession – one year on

The Bar Council has urged both the legal sector as a whole, and other professions, to work together on improving wellbeing and mental health.

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AAL Bizarre: SRA gives sacked judge slap on the wrist over porn

The SRA has waded into the row regarding three judges sacked for watching pornography at their offices by giving one of them a stern telling off.

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Kraftwerk lose sampling case in Germany

The German court has ruled that a two second beat sampled from the Kraftwerk track Metall auf Metall is not enough to breach copyright laws.

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US to bring in new law protecting journalists

The United States teeters on the verge of creating a landmark law which would have the potential of removing the spectre of impunity for journalists around the world.

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Home Secretary launches UK sharia law review

A new panel has been formed by Theresa May to consider the ways in which sharia law are applied across the UK.

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Bar Council responds to LSB on McKenzie risks

Given the Legal Standards Board’s statement recently supporting the use of paid McKenzie Friends, Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, the Chairman of the Bar, has confirmed the Bar Council’s position.

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Claim forms or contracts?

There's a lot of difficult choices in deciding what type of lawyer you want to become, so we sat down with Steph Rowbottom, a trainee at RPC to get her perspective on contentious and transactional work. 

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London firm steps up in landmark Dutch-Russian case

A Chancery Lane-based international law firm, Zaiwalla & Co Solicitors has made an important contribution to a landmark case regarding the Dutch Court’s decision regarding the Yukos Award of $50 billion against the Russian Federation.

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AAL Muppet of the Week: Drunk Tulisa crashes Ferrari, cries in court

Tulisa Contostavlos broke down in tears in court this week as she pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

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Disgraced barrister disbarred

In what is being touted as the final act in the Huhne/Price speeding points scandal, former judge Constance Briscoe was disbarred this week.

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AAL Bizarre: Lineker calls for ‘divorce equation’

In a strange case this week, ex-footballer, TV pundit and crisp connoisseur Gary Lineker hit out at the proceedings for divorces in the UK and called for a mathematical equation to standardise the process.  

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Stark warning from Susskind

Renowned legal author and lecturer, Professor Richard Susskind, today gave a warning about the future of the profession when speaking at the Law Society’s annual conference.

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CMS Bursary Scheme opens across the UK

The CMS Bursary Scheme has been announced for 2016, meaning that it is now into its fifth year and has become somewhat of a stalwart in the legal world.

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Bar Chairman challenges Snoopers Charter

A joint event between the National Union of Journalist and the Bar Council at the Houses of Parliament ended with the Chairman of the Council calling on MPs to protect fundamental rights to privacy.

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AAL Statistics: The Oxbridge and Russell Group domination

Latest research has revealed that there is still a significant amount of change to be made before the stranglehold of Oxbridge and Russell Group Universities on the legal profession can be consigned to history.

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Reed Smith and Mayer Brown strike Aspiring partnership

It was announced this week that global law firms Reed Smith and Mayer Brown will be partnering Aspiring Solicitors on their flagship event later this year.

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Rise in number of training contracts

According to the latest statistics from the Law Society of England and Wales, the number of training contracts being offered to aspiring lawyers has risen by almost 500.

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AAL Bizarre: Injunction returns to block tale of ménage-a-trois

The Sun on Sunday has been prevented from running a story about an entertainer having an extra-marital affair with another couple. Whilst in itself, this is not anything particularly outrageous, it is expected to provoke a new round of legal battles between celebrity lawyers and the media over privacy.

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Is the legal profession failing small businesses?

The Federation of Small Businesses (or FSB), which consists of over 200,000 British members, has called for an inquest into the functioning of the legal services sector, which they feel is not serving them properly.

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Of your own free will?

The veterinary charity PDSA has begun a scheme in partnership with solicitors nationwide, in which they will pay a fee to the solicitor in order to provide a will for a supporter of the charity.

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New joint-council legal venture announced

Four councils in the south east of England are planning on joining their legal service teams together in the hope that it will save them over £1million in three years.

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AAL Muppet of the Week: Young solicitor struck off

You’ve guessed it – it’s fabricating documents again. Will these solicitors never learn?

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AAL Insight: GSK in patent pledge

UK pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline has stated that it will not file patents in some of the world’s poorest nations to make medicine cheaper for those in need.

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Much more manageable – Solicitor’s Handbook to be slashed

The current Solicitors Regulation Authority Handbook is 600 pages long, but plans are in motion to slash this by more than 90% - to a much more manageable 50 pages.

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Retention rates fall in the Magic Circle

Clifford Chance have posted the lowest figure of retention rates od magic circle firms this spring, with the number of trainees staying at firms falling across the board.

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‘Route to success in law’ at BLP

Berwin Leighton Paisner, the international law firm, are running an inaugural ‘Route to success in law’ event on the 11th April, an event aimed at addressing the issue of underrepresentation of black people in the legal profession.

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Bar Standards Board criticised for Bar Aptitude Test changes

After announcing that it was to raise the pass mark for the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT) from 37 to 45, the Bar Standards Board has been slammed by the Bar Council.

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Bar Council tackles sexual harassment

In an attempt to remove any remaining sexual harassment that exists within the legal profession, the Bar Council has released a guide to supporting chambers as a response to their 2015 research which highlighted some occurrences of unacceptable behaviour.

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Corrupting the Profession?

No win, no fee agreements are having a corrupting effect on the legal profession, according to latest research from civil society thinktank Civitas, who are about to publish a book on the subject named ‘Democratic Civilisation or Judicial Supremacy?’.

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Bar Council begins legal aid award sponsorship

The Bar Council will be sponsoring the category of Legal Aid Barrister at the 14th Legal Aid Pracitioners Group Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year (LALY) awards.

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‘Talent tipping point’ coming in industry?

A study by Deloitte has suggested that the traditional talent acquisition will reach a tipping point by 2020, and that the sector needs to have a rehaul of its system of attracting, developing and retaining up and coming talent.

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AAL Muppet of the Week: Clarkson finally settles lawsuit

Almost a year on from punching producer Oisin Tymon in the face, Jeremy Clarkson has finally managed to clear up the mess which resulted in his exodus from both Top Gear and the BBC, by settling the lawsuit.

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Apple, unlocking iPhones and the FBI

A recent court order that demanded that Apple help the FBI break into the iPhone used by one of the San Bernadino killers has been challenged by the company on the grounds that it violates the constitutional right of freedom of speech.

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No merger for Addleshaw and Maclay

Leading corporate firm Addleshaw Goddard will not be merging with Maclay Murray & Spens, it has been revealed, ending speculation that talks were underway between the corporate giant and one of Scotland’s top independent firms.

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The ins and the outs of the ticket touts

Ticket touting, though strictly illegal, has been part and parcel of attending events since before the dawn of the internet, but it’s particularly in the footballing sphere that it’s become a real issue. We take a look at the legal standing of this, and how touts continue to get away with it.

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Sunday trading laws outdated?

A group of 200 MPs and council leaders has submitted a letter to the Sunday Telegraph stating that the rules about Sunday opening hours for shops in England and Wales need to be updated.

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Reintroduce free cases, says Law Society

The Law Society earlier this week called for the Legal Ombudsman to consider returning to the system it used to employ, where the first two complaints it investigates for a firm were not charged.

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Immigration judges emigrating in droves

The irony of this is quite possibly lost on Judge Michael Clements and senior President Sir Ernest Ryder, who have admitted that a falling number of judges in the sector is causing increasing problems.

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‘Offensive Banner’ student is cleared

The prosecution have dropped the case against Adam Barr, a student who was arrested for holding a banner depicting David Cameron, Nick Clegg, Ed Miliband and Nigel Farage above an offensive slogan.

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Anti-male bias at the complaints board?

The process for complaints at the Bar Standards Board is biased against male barristers, according to new research. The regulator has stated that, in more positive news, there is no evidence to suggest any discrimination against black and minority ethnic (BME) barristers.

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Pay the work experience kids, says the Society!

The Law Society has today called on firms to pay those carrying out work experience, stating that they should receive minimum wage at the very least, after a recent survey displayed the fact that many aspiring lawyers were working for months on end with no compensation.

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Expansion of Bar Placement Week

Liverpool has become the latest UK City to open the Bar Countil’s award winning outreach progamme – Bar Placement Week. 

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Norfolk firm expands southward

Norwich based insolvency firm Parker Andrews has announced the opening of its new offices in Portsmouth, which will serve the south of the UK. The office will be Parker Andrew’s fifth UK office.

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Put it on the ex-Spencers as buy-out goes through

Spencers Solicitors, a specialist accident and personal injury solicitors firm, has been acquired by its management team from named Director John Spencer, for whom the company is named.

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New offshoot gunnerbloom – a young lawyer nursery?

Manchester legal practice gunnercooke has established a nursery practice to allow their young lawyers to get a practical education in the sector. The practice will be staffed by young layers who will be given full responsibility for generating clients and running the business.

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Vital change or blocking the best? Law society warns SRA on new exam.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s proposed plans for one ‘super-exam’ for all solicitors has been brought under scrutiny from The Law Society, who have suggested that there is the possibility of a diluting of standards with any changes from the existing model.

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Dentons launches new bursary scheme at QMU London

Dentons, the global law firm, have made a donation of £48,000 to support three new undergraduate bursaries at the School of Law, Queen Mary’s University London. 

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Court of Appeal rejects bedroom tax as 'unlawful'

It was found to discriminate against women and children, in certain circumstances. 

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Going up: entry-level solicitor jobs in Scotland are rising

Good news for gender equality too: 63% of solicitors admitted in Scotland over the past five years have been women.

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Legal sector claims best year ever in Stonewall Top 100

Twelve legal firms were listed in equality charity Stonewall’s annual top 100 gay-friendly employers list, including four new entries, marking the best ever year for the legal sector. The total of 12 firms is up from 10 in 2014 and 2015.

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Corbyn slams government's legal aid cuts

The Labour leader said aid is a "basic human right" and claimed that Britain will no longer be able to condemn foreign regimes if it walks away from the European Convention on Human Rights.

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Law: A profession, not a business

The incoming Chairman of the Bar, Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, gave her inaugural speech this month at Inner Temple, declaring that the Bar remains a profession, and not simply a business.

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All’s fair when crime pays

A report published this week by the Ministry of Justice has suggested that legal fees for criminal aid work have fallen drastically in recent years.

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People believe the UK justice system is ‘unfair, confusing and inaccessible’

New research shows both the public – and legal professionals themselves – believe only wealthy people have access to the justice system.

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Forthcoming super-exam for solicitors?

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has today proposed a new, final exam for every solicitor before their final qualification. The Solicitors Qualifying Examination, as it will be known, has been in the pipeline for a while, but today the SRA officially opened proposals to make it a reality.

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New mini-pupillage hub is launched

If you want experience in a set of chambers, then look no further.

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New QCs still more likely to be Oxbridge-educated males

Despite huge reforms to the appointments system to the Queen’s Counsel (QC) in 2004, latest research from LSE has suggested that Male, Oxbridge-educated, London-based junior barristers are still much more likely to become QCs.

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Barry Beavis loses Supreme Court parking ticket challenge

It was a case close to many peoples’ hearts, but despite 48 year-old fish-and-chip-owner Barry Beavis taking his battle as far as it could go, the Supreme Court ruled that he would, indeed, have to pay his £85 parking fine.

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A tale of two women: a case study on the pro bono of Oxfam Lawyers Against Poverty

Launched on 18 June 2015, Oxfam Lawyers Against Poverty is a collective of lawyers who identify crucial legal projects that will aid the poorest and most vulnerable people. 

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“Secret courts”: access denied

In the on-going case Bank Mellat vs. HM Treasury, the UK Court of Appeal has dismissed an appeal by HM Treasury. The appeal was to use “secret courts” in this case, which involves closed material, in the interest of national security.

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A matter of principle: two women take their dishonest ex-husbands to the Supreme Court over their divorce settlements

Alison Sharland and Varsha Gohil made legal history earlier this month, when the Supreme Court made the landmark decision that their divorce settlements must be re-evaluated on the account that their husbands had lied about their wealth.

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Mayer Brown first City firm to introduce 'Articled Apprenticeship'

Mayer Brown has become the first law firm in the City of London to embrace The University of Law’s (ULaw) exciting new legal apprenticeship scheme.

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ULaw extends employment promise to GDL students

In early August the University of Law (ULaw) announced they would reimburse LPC students 50% of their fees if they fail to find gainful employment in the ‘legal or commerce’ sectors within 9 months of finishing the course, evoking a snowstorm of media attention.

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Legal aid strike ends after 52 days in a ‘goodwill gesture’

On 1 July 2015, both criminal solicitors and barristers went on a legal aid strike. Legal aid can help with the cost of legal affairs by providing advice, family mediation and representation in a court or tribunal for people if they cannot afford it.

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Clifford Chance retains 96% of its autumn trainees

Clifford chance has announced that it will retain 45 of its 47 trainees who will be qualifying in autumn 2015, putting its retention rate at a solid 96%.

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Solicitor reprimanded for calling opponent a “complete plonker”

Richard Gregory Barca, a solicitor at Wilson Barca, has been reprimanded by the Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal following some sharp-tongued comments that he made by email.

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Google battle taken to Supreme Court

Earlier this year, in March ’15, Olswang was declared ‘victorious’ over Bristows as the Court of Appeal (CoA) ruled that people in the UK would be allowed to sue Google in the UK courts, rather than in the California ones where Google is based. However, the landmark case Vidal-Hall et al v. Google is now being taken to the Supreme Court.

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42% gender pay gap between male and female Scottish solicitors

In July, the UK government announced that businesses of more than 250 employees must publish their wage data by gender.

We thought the gender pay gap between English solicitors was bad enough, with females getting paid on average 24% lower than their male counterparts.

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Battle over £85 parking ticket taken to the Supreme Court

48-year-old fish and chip shop owner Barry Beavis, who argues that his parking fine was unlawful, has taken his complaint to the Supreme Court in a landmark case.

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Law firms can now offer training contracts to second years

The Graduate Recruitment Code has been revamped in a bid to meet employers’ needs and to match the “modern recruitment process”.

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European Court rules that same-sex partnerships must be treated as a human right.

In a landmark decision on Tuesday 22 July, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that international human rights law requires governments to provide legal recognition for same-sex couples.

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"The Gender Pay Gap Is A Continuing Reality"

A consultation has been launched by the Government which demands that all top UK firms reveal their gender pay gaps. The top UK law firms will, of course, be included in this upheaval. 

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Simon Davies Leaves Linklaters To Join Lloyds Banking Group… And Is Conducting A Review Of Their Legal Function?

On the 1 July 2015 Simon Davies, Managing Partner at Linklaters (a ‘Magic Circle’ firm) gave the surprise announcement that he would be leaving the firm to join Lloyds Banking Group as chief people, legal and strategy officer.

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Training Contracts: Only Three Weeks Left to Apply!

Tick-Tock goes the clock. You officially have three weeks to apply for training contracts, which close on the 31 July. Now don’t panic. That’s more than enough time to send out some high quality applications!

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Dentons Merger: Biggest Law Firm in the World Gets Even Bigger

Dentons has announced that Dentons US has officially merged with McKenna Long & Aldridge; an act that secures their place as the largest firm in the world and as an extremely formidable global presence. 

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Training Contract Interviews: Nail Your Garms Now

The legal sector is renowned for its high-end dress sense. ‘Suits’, ‘Silk’ - all sounds pretty fashion-orientated, doesn’t it? In order to prove that you’re not only a 1st class student but also an A-grade fashionista, it is imperative to impress them with your audacious garms.

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Female Lawyers Paid 24% Less Than Male Lawyers

Not what you want to hear on a Friday ladies! New research shows that female lawyers are paid, on average, 24% less than males.

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Freshfields Raise Trainee Salary; Freezes Associate Pay

Magic Circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have raised their trainee solicitor wages.

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Mayer Brown & The University of Law Launch Legal Apprenticeship With Direct Solicitor Qualification

Mayer Brown have announced the launch of a legal apprenticeship which includes a degree, postgraduate qualification and recognised training which will allow apprentices to qualify as a solicitor. Impressive, right?

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Shearman & Sterling Join In Increasing Salaries

International law firm Shearman & Sterling have followed suit to their counterparts and raised their salaries for trainee solicitors and newly qualified associates. And boy, what a raise it is.

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On Your Marks, Get Set… GO! Training Contract Applications Are Open

It’s June, and you know what that means… training contract applications are open! And we all know what training contracts are, don’t we? That’s right; the final hurdle to becoming a solicitor!

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‘Gay Cake’ Row: Why Are The Bakery’s Actions Unlawful?

On Tuesday 19 May, a judge ruled that a bakery was guilty of unlawful discrimination by refusing to make a cake with a pro-gay marriage slogan.

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Law Firms Named As Top School & College Leavers Employers

A number of law firms have ranked as the top employers for school and college leavers in the UK.

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Former Lawyers In The New Cabinet

It’s not uncommon for former lawyers to pursue a career in politics. Just look at Tony Blair! He started off as a barrister of Lincoln’s Inn.

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Major Bodies Remain Signatories To Trainee Recruitment Code

The AGR (Association of Graduate Recruiters), AGCAS (Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services) and the JLD (Junior Lawyers Division of the Law Society of England and Wales) have agreed to remain as signatories to the ‘Voluntary Code to Good Practice in the Recruitment of Trainee Solicitors’

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There’s A Conservative Majority Government… What’s Next?

Despite the very best of us thinking that the prospect of a second general election was a question worth addressing prior to last Thursday, the Conservative Party proved pollsters wrong by securing a 12 seat majority.

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Are Striped Houses Illegal?

This is probably the most stereotypically West London news nugget you’ll hear all year. The owner of a house that has been painted with red and white stripes has been ordered to repaint it.

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Training Contract Competition Greater Than Ever

Competition for training contracts is greater than ever due to the fall in the number of training contracts and the rise in the number of law graduates.

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Law Firms Named Top Employers For Women

Nine law firms have been named in The Times’ Top 50 list of best employers for women.

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Tesco’s Plummeting Profits – Why Did It Happen & What Does It Mean?

Tesco has announced a massive pre-tax loss of £6.38bn. It makes that £20 you ‘misplaced’ (at the bar) last Saturday night seem like nothing.

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University of the Arts London Students Served With Injunction

You may have read in the media recently that 15 students from the University of the Arts London (UAL) have been served with an injunction that bans them protesting through occupation on campus indefinitely. If you haven’t read this, then let us inform you that 15 students from UAL have been served with an injunction that bans them protest- you got the message? Ah, right. Okay.

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Leap Over The Final Hurdle! Training Contract Applications Are Now Open!

Thought you could just glide back into contract law after an Easter bank holiday consisting only of a slow roasted shoulder of lamb and numerous chocolate eggs? Think again – training contract applications are open!

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Little Support For Equivalent Means Qualification

The equivalent means route to qualification, whereby a paralegal who has completed the LPC can become a solicitor if they can demonstrate sufficient experience, has received uncertain support from those in the profession.

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Zayn Malik To Convert To Law

A source close to excommunicated One Direction star, Zayn Malik, has revealed that the 22-year-old Brit is to convert to law.

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Trainee Minimum Wage To Return?

The Law Society is having a think about introducing a minimum salary for trainee solicitors.

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Bar Council Recommend BPTC Reforms

The Bar Council have published a report that recommends some changes to the BPTC. If you’re an aspiring barrister, you should be very interested.

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Spring Retention Rates Announced

In the past month or so, trainee solicitors up and down the country have been finding out if they are to be retained by their firm.

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Government To Crackdown On Tax Evaders

In the wake of the public outcry to the HSBC tax avoidance scandal, and possibly an attempt to harvest votes for the upcoming election, the government have announced further measures to “find and punish more evaders, deter more avoiders”.

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Judges Sacked For Watching Porn

No, we aren’t joking. Three judges have been sacked for watching porn via their official IT accounts. Luckily, it doesn't appear that were caught with their robes around their ankles.

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Nottingham Law School to become ‘teaching law firm’

Nottingham Law School has applied to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for Alternative Business Structure (ABS) status.

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What Exactly Are The UK Surveillance Laws?

Yesterday, the intelligence and security committee (ISC) published a report recommending that Britain’s laws that govern mass surveillance need a total overhaul to be made more transparent and up to date.

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SRA To Withdraw From Graduate Recruitment Code

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is considering withdrawing from the Graduate Recruitment Code. But what does this meaning for aspiring solicitors?

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Law Firms Feature In Top 100 Employers

Ten law firms have been named The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For 2015.

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HSBC Tax Avoidance & The Law

If you’ve been keeping up with the business and commercial world in the past couple of weeks, you might have heard about HSBC being found out to be helping their clients avoid millions in tax.

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What Jobs Are More Desirable Than A Lawyer?

“Absolutely none”, cries the aspiring solicitor, currently on the hunt for a training contract!

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Law Firms to Flock… North?

Ask any aspiring lawyer about where the biggest and ‘best’ law firms are located and they’ll reply with London. It’s been the case forever; the largest firms are located in and around the City and these firms rake in millions every year. You’d think, therefore, that renting and property costs for firms is the equivalent to pennies. Wrong! In fact, 83% of firms are considering strategies to reduce property overheads.

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Emoticons Now Admissible In Court

Wht u up2 2day lol :P? Tb :) xo

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Court Prevents Child Being Named Nutella

Certainly a contender for headline of the year, this one. A French court has stopped parents from naming their daughter Nutella, ordering the kid to be called Ella instead.

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Social Media Law – Work, Home & Social Media

A Clifford Chance trainee solicitor made news earlier this week by apologising for posting a video on YouTube, which showed him giving his controversial opinion on the Charlie Hebdo Paris attacks. Aysh Chaudhry, said in making the video he “had no had no intention other than to encourage intellectual debate and would never support or condone violence.”

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Why Do You Want To Be A Lawyer?

Harbour ambitions to become a top City lawyer? See yourself strolling around the City or Canary Wharf in the sharpest formal attire, possessing the most profound legal knowledge? Like your annual salary to start at nothing less than £40,000?

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Mergers & Acquisitions Are Up – But Why?

Global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity was at the highest it has been since 2007, before that annoying little event called the financial crisis happened, the effects of which increased the price of Freddo’s to an outrageous 25p. 

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BBC Launches Training Contract

Phil Mitchell’s employer has launched a training contract! Nope, not The Queen Victoria pub, the BBC!

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Preparing For A Trial: Litigation Insight From RPC Trainee

Rebecca Rose is a trainee solicitor at RPC. Here she details one of her experiences in litigation, the experience of which “has been by far the most formative of my legal training so far”. Read on for an absolutely fascinating insight into how trainees help prepare for a trial.

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$1 Billion Settlement Turned Down

For some people, a £644 million divorce settlement just isn’t enough.

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There’s Time Left! Vacation Scheme Applications Still Open

How have you fared in the opening rounds of vacation scheme applications? ‘Could do better’? Not to worry, there’s still plenty of time left to get your applications submitted before the 31 January deadlines.

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New BPTC Application Process

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has introduced a new application system for students intending to study the BPTC (Bar Professional Training Course).

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Cardiff Law Students Overturn Murder Conviction

Around 30 students at Cardiff University who were working for the Innocence Project, a form of pro bono work, have overturned a murder conviction.

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Who Wants A Guaranteed Training Contract?

Yes, you heard correctly: a guaranteed training contract! No, there isn’t a Faustian catch – you just have to be an ‘exceptional’ student.

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Pro Bono & Community Work at a Magic Circle Firm

Kate Hursthouse is Corporate Responsibility Manager at Slaughter and May and looks after the firm’s pro bono and community programme. In an exclusive interview with AllAboutLaw.co.uk, Kate reveals that the firm takes part in weekly advice clinics in Islington, as well as being a founding member of PRIME, an organisation that seeks to ensure students from less privileged backgrounds receive quality work experience.

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25% of Young Lawyers Working Unpaid

One in four aspiring solicitors have undertaken unpaid work experience for more than six months at a time, a survey by the Law Society’s Junior Lawyers Division has found.

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Leading SRA Figure Backs Legal Apprenticeships

Charles Plant, the chair of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) board, claims he is confident about the future of the legal profession following the introduction of legal apprenticeships.

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Law Firms Named Top Apprenticeship Employers

Three law firms, Weightmans, Brethertons Solictors and Addleshaw Goddard, have been named in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers.

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Law Firms Recognised For Social Mobility

Law firms Baker & McKenzie and Linklaters have been recognised by the government and nominated as "Social Mobility Business Compact ‘Champions’".

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Firms Set Women Partnership Targets

A number of law firms have set targets for women in partnership.

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Judicial Quota System Proposed

A quota system has been suggested to remedy the under-representation of women and ethnic minorities in the senior judiciary. This proposition is likely to become Labour Party policy.

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Legal Profession Humiliated in Equal Pay Debate

The legal profession has been humiliated following national press coverage of Equal Pay Day on Tuesday and the revelation that women are effectively working for free until the end of the year.

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Magic Circle Increase Salaries

Magic Circle law firms, including Slaughter and May and Freshfields, have increased their trainee salaries for 2014/15 in an attempt to match the lucrative sums offered by US firms. 

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Get Ready To Rumble! Vacation Scheme Applications Are Now Open

Just when you thought it was safe to settle down with a hot mug of cocoa and relax after a turbulent start to the new university year… Vacation scheme applications are now open! AllAboutLaw.co.uk highly recommend aspiring solicitors and even those toying with the idea of a career in law to apply for a vacation scheme. After all, they’re half the battle of securing a training contract!

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Former Solicitors to Appear on The Apprentice

Two former lawyers fancy their chances of going into business with Lord Alan Sugar as they take the plunge on BBC TV show, The Apprentice.

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Legal Professionals Like To Stay Put

A recent study has revealed that legal professionals are likely to stay with their employer for longer.

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Woman Claims Frozen based on Own Life

A woman is sueing Disney in a $250 million lawsuit, claiming that the plot to festive-hit Frozen is based on her autobiography.

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Lawyer Goes To Court Dressed As 'Something Out Of Harry Potter'

A lawyer was criticised by a judge for looking like “something out of Harry Potter” in court.

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International Firms Announce Trainee Retention Rates

Two international law firms, Hogan Lovells and Norton Rose Fulbright, have announced their retention rates for autumn 2014. This comes after widespread trainee retention rates were found to be high. 

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More Graduates Choosing CILEx

The number of students who sat Level 6 modules as part of the CILEx route to legal qualification has increased by 48% since the previous exam session.

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Government Approves Law Apprenticeship Scheme

A new apprenticeship route to legal careers has been approved by the government.

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University of Law Second For Student Satisfaction

The University of Law has been voted second in the country for student satisfaction.

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New Training Shortcut for Paralegals

Paralegals who pass the Legal Practice Course (LPC) may now qualify as solicitors without having to complete a formal training contract. 

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Magic Circle Firm Win Prestigious Award

Magic Circle law firm Clifford Chance won the ‘Best of the best’ award at the 2014 Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) Student Recruitment Awards.

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Supermarkets Most Likely to be Sued

Supermarkets have come top of a list of businesses and organisations that Brits would consider suing if they suffered a slip.

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Man Sues ESPN for $10m for Filming Him Asleep

A baseball fan has decided to file a $10 million lawsuit against broadcaster ESPN. 

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Trainees’ Salaries Now Subject to National Minimum Wage

From 1 August, trainee solicitor salaries will be subject to the National Minimum Wage regulations. 

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Ultimate Law Guide to Host Careers Conference

Careers advice provider Ultimate Law Guide is hosting a conference on 11 July 2014 to help trainees and students learn more about the skills needed to succeed in the legal sector. 

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UK Firms Expand to Brazil

Seven of the top 20 largest UK law firms now have an office in Brazil. Just three had offices there before the country won rights to host the World Cup in 2007, meaning the total number of UK firms with an office in the South American country has more than doubled.

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New Provost at The University of Law

Andrea Nollent has been appointed Provost at the University of Law, it has been announced.

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Pinsent Masons nominated for Employer of the Year

Pinsent Masons have been nominated for VQ Employer of the Year.

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New Johannesburg International Secondment Option for Norton Rose Fulbright Trainees

Trainees in the London office at international law firm Norton Rose Fulbright will now have the option to spend six months in the Johannesburg office as part of their training contract.

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It’s That Time Again! Training Contract Deadlines Are Coming…

Just when you thought it was safe to take a peek away from your pile of revision notes for a moment and see what lies beyond a life without Land Law, it’s there…training contract deadlines a looming! Okay, there may be a couple of months left, but now is the time to put in those quality applications if you haven’t started already…

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University of Law Team Win National Mooting Competition

A team from the University of Law have mooted their way to victory in an annual competition run by the Incorporated Council of Law Reporting (ICLR).

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Solicitors are 44th Happiest Professionals

The results are in from a new survey conducted by the Cabinet Office which has aimed to measure the job satisfaction levels of professionals in the UK. And the solicitors amongst us are a rather chirpy bunch!

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Norton Rose Fulbright Pitch Perfect with ‘Office Choir of the Year’ Win

It’s time to sing the praises of Norton Rose Fulbright – they’ve walked away with the ‘Office Choir of the Year’ crown for the second year running! And you thought being a top City lawyer was all about drafting and negotiations…

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Slaughter and May Retains 95% of 2014 Spring Qualifiers

The Magic Circle firm will keep hold of 38 of its 40 trainees, it has announced.

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North West Firm Launches ‘Next-day’ Training Contracts

The Bolton based firm Asons is breaking the mould of the two-year wait between obtaining a training contract and beginning training by offering the opportunity for selected LPC graduates to start on the very next working day if they choose to do so.

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Withers & Rogers Announces New Graduate Recruitment Drive

The Intellectual Property (IP) specialists have launched a new recruitment drive for graduates this year.

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New Silks Appointed to Queen’s Counsel

100 barristers and solicitors will join the Queen’s Counsel as new silks this year, it has been announced. The number of appointments is up from a total of 84 in 2013. 

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Boris Johnson Meets CiLEx at Apprenticeship Fair

The legal executive training provider CILEx was joined by Major of London Boris Johnson during an apprenticeship fair at City Hall in London organised by Inspiring the Future on Thursday 13 February. 

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Lawyers’ Salaries Rise by £5000

A survey conducted by legal and compliance recruiter Laurence Simons shows there has been an increase of £5000 (5%) in lawyers’ salaries in the past year. 

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93% of Junior Lawyers Believe Partnership Model Outdated

Research from law firm Eversheds shows that there is belief that partnerships within law firms are out of sync with the times, with women less likely to aspire to achieve the role of partner than men. 

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Final Chance for 2014 Vacation Scheme Applications!

As January draws to a close, the vacation scheme deadlines are about to drop! The deadline is Friday 31 January for vacation schemes with the majority of the UK’s crème-de-la-crème of law firms.

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Top Law Firms Announce Strong Trainee Retention Rates

This month sees a number of the UK’s biggest law firms announce high retention rates for their spring 2014 qualifying trainees. 

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Bar Chairman Calls for Cap on Training Numbers

The head of the Bar, Chairman Nicholas Lavender QC, has expressed concerns for the amount of legal professional courses students in comparison to the number of legal jobs available to them upon graduation. He believes a cap on training numbers could help to combat this issue.

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Freshfields to Eradicate Criminal Record Box on Applications

The Magic Circle law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has announced it will remove the requirement for applicants to state whether they have criminal records on initial application forms, as reported in the Law Society Gazette.

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Hogan Lovells Tops M&A Deals Rankings

The City law firms Hogan Lovells advised on the deals of the highest total value for 2013 compared to all other UK firms, as reported in the Law Society Gazette.

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Kaplan Law School Students’ Success at Howard League Debating Final

The House of Commons played host to the prestigious Howard League Debating Final earlier this month. The event saw Kaplan Law School BPTC and GDL students battle it out at the debating table. So who triumphed?

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SRA Reveals Plans to Scrap Cap on Trainee Intake

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has revealed plans to get rid of limits on the number of trainees law firms in the UK can take on each year.

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Linklaters to Introduce Merit-based Bonuses for Associates

The law firm has announced it will introduce a merit-based bonus scheme to “reward high performance as well as chargeable work” for associates who have passed two years PQE.

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New ‘Law First’ Scholarship Programme with the University of Law

The University of Law has launched a new scholarship scheme with awards totalling £300,000. The 2014/15 academic year will see the University of Law offer 74 scholarships to law students as part of the new ‘Law First’ scholarship scheme. 

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Vacation Scheme Application Hub Launched!

Never underestimate the power of the vacation scheme! The time has come to apply for the next round of placements with some of the UK’s very best law firms – and the vacation scheme application hub is here to help with a bang! If you’re dead set on a law career, or just curious about what the legal world has to offer you, don’t miss out!

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Herbert Smith Freehills Launches BAME Scholarship to Increase Diversity

The Herbert Smith Freehills Excel Scholarship is open to exceptional BAME (black and minority ethnic) students who aspire to become solicitors. The law firm’s London office have teamed up with diversity-focused recruiter Rare to provide this opportunity.

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Religious Veil Poses Courtroom Conundrum

Judge Peter Murphy at Blackfriars Crown Court in London has allowed a Muslim woman to make a plea in court whilst wearing a face-covering niqab. But should she be allowed to do so during her full trial?

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MP Demands Reformation of Rules on Cross-Examination of Children

Labour MP Anne Coffey is to call for the establishment of a commission that will look into reforming existing rules on the cross-examination of children and vulnerable witnesses in court.

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Nottingham Law School Launches First Centre for Advocacy

Nottingham Law School is to introduce the UK’s first centre dedicated to the training and research of advocacy. 

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