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.

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 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 Law Society of England and Wales updated its official guidance on diversity and inclusion language, encouraging the use of alternatives to ‘Dear Sirs’ at the start of legal correspondence – a greeting often used when a recipient’s name is unknown. This use is widely regarded as antiquated, originating from a time when the profession was predominantly male. The Law Society stated: “This gendered greeting perpetuates the assumption that the recipients of correspondence are by default men”.

University law schools across the country are beginning to grapple with the use of AI models such as ChatGPT in the classroom, as students begin to use the programme to aid their work.

The introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) should be delayed, according to leading law academics, because continuing uncertainty around the new system is making it impossible for students to make informed decisions about the choices available to them.

Have you received a LawCareersNetLIVE offer? Read The University of Law's tips on making the most of your day, so you can connect with lawyers, build lasting relationships and kickstart your career.

The role of librarian ranked as the second most common ‘dream job’ among 14,000 people polled by YouGov, to the delight of the British and Irish Association of Law Librarians.

The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) will have a negative impact on students and academics, and represents a “step backwards” for diversity and equal access to careers in the legal profession, according to law lecturers.

The University of Law has opened submissions for its annual essay competition for students in years 10 to 13.

Diversity and inclusion is being talked about more than ever. For the legal profession, a commitment to ensuring candidates from all backgrounds feel welcome and supported, as well as implementing inclusive policies and outreach is paramount to its recruitment strategies, and is often splashed across law firm websites and brochures. Sometimes it might feel like this is just lip service – buzz words used for marketing purposes.

Clifford Chance and Irwin Mitchell are the latest firms to reveal their gender and ethnicity pay gap figures, with both reporting a decreased gap compared to previous years.

An innovative partnership between leading law firms, barristers’ chambers and the University of Manchester is developing the field of lawtech with plans to introduce a new, specialist qualification that sets the skills standard for lawyers working with legal technology.

Several top law firms have signed up to a London-based hybrid internship scheme that offers the chance to gain a rounded introduction to commercial property.

Broad participation is more important than “star performers” when it comes to improving a firm’s LinkedIn performance, according to a report by TBD Marketing. 

Browne Jacobson LLP, Linklaters LLP and Allen & Overy LLP are among 41 law firms on the 2023 Social Mobility Employer Index, with the legal profession retaining its place as the best-represented sector in the index this year. 

DAC Beachcroft LLP, Hill Dickinson LLP, Mishcon de Reya LLP and Pinsent Masons LLP have each been named as one of the UK’s top 10 family-friendly employers. 

What do clients want and need from their law firms? Lawyers? Business advisers? 

Is working from home here to stay?