I first decided I wanted to be a solicitor when I graduated from high school. The intellectual rigour of a law degree, coupled with the high-octane nature of legal work, seemed irresistible.

I discovered that diligently following the course schedule provided by the law faculty was a destructive race to the bottom. Naturally some classes require more allocation of time and effort than others and this will vary with your interests. 

It’s that time of year where many eager first-year students submit applications for places on open days at law firms. In the next few weeks and months, some lucky students will receive coveted invitations to such events, and for many it will be their first chance to interact with such large and high-profile firms. Of course, many ‘meet the firm’ style events this year will be online instead, but this does not prevent them from being useful!

How should you prepare for the big event, so that you make the most of it?

Most trainee-hiring law firms run work experience schemes and events specifically for first-year students. So, if you’re seriously considering becoming a solicitor, you’ll be doing yourself a big favour by making sure you attend one or two during your first year at university. Use this list of firms offering opportunities to first-year students to get you started!

Most trainee-hiring law firms now run work experience schemes and events specifically for first-year students, so if you’re seriously considering becoming a solicitor, you’ll be doing yourself a big favour by making sure you attend one or two during your first year at university. Use this list of firms offering opportunities to first-year students to get you started!

An important part of going to university is having a great time, meeting new friends and making the most of the wide variety of opportunities that being a student has to offer. That being said, focusing solely on fun and not paying attention to your academics is likely to result in a few missed opportunities. A healthy balance of work and socialising during your first year will have long-term benefits that you’ll appreciate later down the line.

What is the commercial role of a bill of lading?

Are fixed recoverable costs going to be introduced for clinical negligence litigation?

Is the future of litigation based in fixed fees?

London-based commercial firm Fladgate has agreed an exclusive training partnership with The University of Law. 

London-based commercial firm Fladgate LLP has significantly boosted its trainee recruitment, in a welcome development for aspiring solicitors.

Two UK firms have announced they are getting behind the growing apprenticeship movement, recruiting apprentices to join their firms in September 2016.

Leading medical negligence firm Fletchers Solicitors is accepting applications for its 2018 trailblazer solicitor apprenticeship scheme.

Extended court sitting hours in the early mornings and evenings will be tested for the first time from 2 September, which marks the start of a six-month pilot scheme.