The woman I was a month ago and the woman I am today are two very different people and it’s all thanks to beginning my Bar Vocational Studies course at City, University of London.

The Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT), which all aspiring barristers must pass to gain a place on the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), is to have its pass mark raised to exclude students who would be unlikely to pass the course or secure pupillage.

The Bar Council, the body that represents around 18,000 barristers in England and Wales, has several committees; one of which is the Young Barristers’ Committee.

After announcing that the opening date of the Pupillage Gateway application system would be moved from April to January from 2016 onwards, the Bar Council has now U-turned to say that the current timetable will remain in place (with applications being made in April and offers being sent out in August) until further notice.

The Bar Council has come out in support of a new barrister training programme involving a two-part Bar Professional Course run by the Inns of Court, which should be cheaper for aspiring barristers. 

The Bar Council has extended its outreach programme, the Bar Placement Week, to Liverpool. It has been running in London for eight years, as well as in Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and Leeds for shorter periods.

From the intellectual challenges to the excitement of seeing her work in the news, find out more about Abbie’s journey into law and career at Baker McKenzie.

The nights have drawn darker, the candles are lit and many pumpkin-spiced lattes will be drunk during this season. Importantly, the autumn/winter application cycle for training contracts and vacation schemes is now in full swing.

The time has come for me to leave LCN blogging. It has been an absolutely fantastic experience and a career-building opportunity. Here are my final thoughts for all potential and current law students.

Students from Northumbria University's award-winning Student Law Office recently had the chance to meet Attorney General Dominic Grieve QC MP as he visited the university and LawWorks' regional offices.

As part of LCN's increased focus on diversity in the legal profession, we have been looking at the relationship between candidates and firms when it comes to diverse talent. 

As part of LCN's increased focus on diversity in the legal profession, we’ve been looking at the relationship between candidates and firms when it comes to diverse talent. 

Diversity organisation Aspiring Solicitors has opened team registrations for its national commercial awareness competition 2017-18. 

The Law Society of England and Wales’ has awarded 15 tenacious aspiring solicitors each a Diversity Access Scheme to help them qualify as a solicitor.

BPTC students from the University of Law have been involved in a series of mock trials at the crown court.

LawCareers.Net’s recent early career lawyer diversity survey has found that 76% of aspiring or junior lawyers agree or strongly agree that law firms often contain ‘old boys’ clubs’, while nearly 70% believe firms aren’t doing enough to promote diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. 

Find out more about Ashurst’s three annual vacation schemes and ‘Evening with Ashurst’ networking events, plus the application process and the importance of a good cover letter, as Nicola Stafford offers her insights into the firm.

Global law firm Ashurst LLP is launching a virtual experience programme for students, as part of an initiative to promote access to careers in the NewLaw division of the firm.  

International firm Ashurst has become the latest to launch a ‘new law’ graduate training scheme which enables candidates to pursue careers in new and emerging legal roles.