Many law firms use assessment centres as part of the selection process for vacation scheme and training contract candidates. So how do you prepare for an assessment centre, what can you expect on the day and what are firms looking for? Read on for LawCareers.Net’s expert advice.

Many law firms use assessment centres as part of the selection process for vacation scheme and training contract candidates. So, how do you prepare for an assessment centre, what can you expect on the day and what exactly are firms assessing you on? Here’s our expert advice.

Many law firms use assessment centres as part of the selection process for vacation scheme and training contract candidates. So, how do you prepare for an assessment centre, what can you expect on the day and what exactly are firms assessing you on? Here’s our expert advice.

Summer is the time when most firms invite training contract applications. Here is LawCareers.Net’s guide to the process, from preparing your applications to the final interview.

I'm finishing my final year of a non-law degree. Is the application process for a vacation scheme or training contract more difficult or different for non-law students?

The ‘standard’ route to qualification that most Scottish solicitors take is to do a four-year undergraduate degree in Scots law, followed by a mandatory one-year course called the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice and finally a two-year ‘traineeship’ at a solicitors’ firm.

Law degrees are offered at Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University in Northern Ireland. 

Magic Circle firm Clifford Chance is considering rolling out its trainee stress-reducing programme to staff throughout the firm.

Leeds-based firm Walker Morris has announced it will award travel bursaries of £1,000 to three of its future trainees as part of a wider support programme.

The Law Society Gazette reports that this year, the proportion of trainees being retained at the top City firms has increased to an average of 83%.

A survey has found that the proportion of trainees who stay with their firms after qualifying has recovered to 80% in 2011, marking a 5% increase on the figures from 2009 and 2010.

How does agile working impact trainees who are beginning their careers in commercial law?

Both Shearman & Sterling LLP and K&L Gates have confirmed that they will take on more trainees in the upcoming recruitment cycles.

A US law firm which only acts for companies in the cannabis industry is set to launch a UK office, in a move which is bound to put some anti-marijuana campaigners’ noses out of joint.

The department for business, innovation and skills has published new assessment plans and standards for legal apprenticeships following ministerial approval. 

US trade sanctions: should non-US reinsurers be running scared?

Companies around the world have taken a hit following the outbreak of covid-19 last year. But what aspects of the pandemic impacted these companies? What can they do to facilitate their recovery? And what might they need to prepare for going forward? These are all questions you can be asking yourself to help you think more commercially. Read this week’s commercial round-up below and then start analysing one of the stories in more depth.

Why should businesses register a trademark?

A legal offshoot has been launched by trade union United Voices of the World (UVW) in order to represent all workers in the legal sector. Legal Sectors Workers United (LSWU) claims to “organise workers in the legal sector, for the benefit and protection of the less privileged”.

As the autumn term is fast approaching and social gathering rules are updated, this commercial news round-up outlines some of the week’s interesting news to help you develop your commercial awareness.