The Law Society of England and Wales has announced its new AI strategy, which is based on three pillars: innovation, impact and integrity. 

The Law Society has criticised the Bar Standards Board's plans to allow barristers with less than three years' experience to accept work directly from the public, without supervision.

The annual Law Society Excellence Awards saw a record attendance of over 1,000 guests as they celebrated key lawyers within the profession in London on Thursday night.

Ten new students have been welcomed onto the Law Society’s Diversity Access Scheme which supports aspiring lawyers facing social, educational, financial or personal obstacles to qualifying as a solicitor.

The Law Society of England and Wales has called the recent Legal Aid Agency (LAA) data breach “extremely concerning” and highlighted “the need for sustained investment to bring the LAA’s antiquated IT system up to date and ensure the public have continued trust in the justice system”. 

The Law Society has called for further investment into the justice system – especially civil and criminal legal aid, which wasn’t mentioned in the recent autumn budget. The Law Society President Richard Atkinson said: “The message that the Lord Chancellor should be hearing is spend to save.”

The outstanding achievements of professionals across the legal sector have been celebrated by the Law Society.

Members of the legal profession celebrated International Women’s Day yesterday, highlighting the achievements of women on social media. This year’s theme, #BreakTheBias, is about living in “a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.” 

Chair of the City of London Law Society, Colin Passmore, has called for law firms to introduce overworking “trigger warnings” to protect the mental health of lawyers, following the death of a partner at a City Law firm.

Des Hudson, chief executive of the Law Society, has confirmed that he will retire from his position in July.

“Clarification is needed now on UK entry clearance for people at risk under the new Taliban rule in Afghanistan,” says the Law Society.

The Law Society has said that the vote by the UK electorate to leave the European Union has created an “unprecedented and complex range of legal issues”, but that the profession is focused on finding solutions.

To mark International Women’s’ Day 2018, the Law Society has released its findings from the largest international survey of women in the law. The survey of 7,781 people (5,758 women, 554 men and 1,469 unknown or other) aims to shed light on current state of gender equality in the legal profession.

The Law Society met with the Lord Chancellor last week in another bid to influence the government's decision in relation to its planned legal aid cuts.

The Law Society has called the recent UK-EU summit a “welcome starting point” in rebuilding post-Brexit ties. 

The Law Society has awarded 14 scholarships to aspiring solicitors through its Diversity Access Scheme (DAS), which supports aspiring solicitors who are facing social, educational, financial or personal obstacles to qualifying.

The annual Law Society Diversity Access Scheme (DAS) has reopened its system and is accepting applications until 6 April 2016.