Law Society members will once again have access to the society’s HQ at 113 Chancery Lane, London from 9:00am on Monday 19 July. 

Lawyers in England and Wales are poised to withdraw from criminal legal aid work in a pay dispute, which could severely impact the justice system. The Law Society plans to advise members to "withdraw or scale back" their legal aid services unless the government takes “meaningful action”.

Despite high stress levels across the profession and the widespread practise of going into work when sick, new research published by the Law Society has claimed that solicitors are in better general health than the general population.

The Law Society has responded to the concerns raised in the legal education and training review, reinforcing its commitment to the traditional route to qualification while simultaneously acknowledging that the LETR should lead to the opening of alternative ways into the profession.

As reported recently in the Law Society Gazette, the Law Society has launched a high-profile campaign called Sound Off for Justice aimed at growing public opposition to the government cuts to legal aid.

The creation of a legal aid task force and the uprating of the legal aid means test are some of the proposals set out in a report by the Law Society to combat the “perilous state” of the criminal justice system in England and Wales.

The Ministry of Justice has downgraded the pilot project to extend court working hours, to the relief of the Law Society.

Trainees should be paid £23,122 outside of London and £26,068 in London, the Law Society has said as part of the annual minimum salary review.

Trainee solicitors’ pay should be increased, the Law Society has recommended. 

Candidates undergoing qualifying work experience (QWE) must be paid the same as those completing a training contract, the Law Society has recommended.

The Law Society has published guidance to highlight how organisations can improve digital accessibility to support people with disabilities.

On Monday 13 January, the government published an AI Opportunities Action Plan, which has been welcomed by Law Society President Richard Atkinson. Atkinson said that the plan “demonstrates the UK's commitment to invest in AI and digital infrastructures, but above all in people and talent”.  

David Greene, president of The Law Society, has resigned over allegations of misconduct. 

The Law Society has pledged to continue using all its influence and resources to support criminal solicitors.

The Law Society has invited law students, trainees, pupils and other junior lawyers to enter its annual Graham Turnbull essay competition, which this year references the Magna Carta and the ramifications if the United Kingdom were to radically alter its human rights protections.

The Law Society has launched its 2017-18 mentoring scheme, designed to support solicitors from under-represented groups to progress their careers and improve diversity within the profession.

The Law Society lead legal sector representatives in Saturday’s Pride parade in London. Marching under the banner “All are equal under the law”, those who took part were keen to spread the message of the legal profession’s support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) diversity.