On 1 May the largest ever merger in the UK legal services market went live, with CMS UK, Nabarro and Olswang joining together to create a new super-firm

Co-operative Legal Services has announced strong revenue growth for 2012.

The Co-operative Group has bought up the Sheffield-based Collective Legal Solution Group – the retailer’s first legal acquisition since launching its legal services offering in 2012, when the Co-Op became the joint-first organisation to gain an alternative business structure license.

Co-operative Legal Services has announced that it will apply to the Solicitors Regulation Authority to become an alternative business structure on 3 January 2012.

The Co-operative Group has pulled out of a £750 million deal to buy 632 high street branches from the Lloyds Banking Group.

The Co-operative Group launched its family law operation on 20 September, further evidence of the crucial role this organisation is playing in the post -Legal Services Act world.

The Legal Services Act is gathering momentum, with the Co-operative Bank currently running a trial of its legal services through a handful of its bank branches.

The Co-operative Group's announcement of its intentions to create 3,000 jobs in the legal sector is the latest and clearest sign that alternative business structures are set to have a big impact on the legal profession.

Co-operative Legal Services plans to halve the workforce of its 120-strong personal injury department by making up to 60 redundancies.

The Co-operative Legal Services has entered into a partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University to establish a new learning academy, which will provide legal training that is designed to accommodate current and future changes in the legal profession, including the rise of alternative business structures and non-traditional career paths.

Co-operative Legal Services has announced that it is to enter the family law market, supported by three leading family law practitioners from TV Edwards LLP.

Further to news that Co-operative Legal Services is to offer family law services as part of its expansion into the legal market, the organisation has indicated that it will also be offering training contracts.

Further to news last week that Cobbetts planned to go into administration, with DWF intending to buy the ailing firm, the deal has now gone ahead.

Major brands Coca Cola and Marks & Spencer have adopted the solicitor apprenticeship.

Top regional firms Coffin Mew and Charles Lucas & Marshall have announced their impending merger. 

Leading regional firm Coffin Mew has completed its merger with Charles Lucas & Marshall. 

The College of Law and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives have teamed up to deliver a 'one-stop shop' for the legal profession's training requirements.

The College of Law and European law firm CMS Cameron McKenna have together announced the launch of a bespoke Legal Practice Course tailored toward training in international and corporate legal services.