City Law School has joined the Law Society's Diversity Access Scheme, aimed at improving social mobility in the legal profession.

The UK’s status as a global hub for legal services will continue after Brexit, but securing a “bespoke” deal that gives UK and EU lawyers maximum mutual access to each other’s markets is key for future growth, a City lobby group has said.

A new data law committee formed by the City of London Law Society (CLLS) will offer the government the expertise of specialists at City law firms to ensure that data can continue to flow freely in between the United Kingdom and European Union in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Several firms have moved to defend themselves from accusations that their gender pay gap reporting has been rendered meaningless because the reports exclude data on partners.

Twelve international City law firms have signed up to help develop a new ‘one-stop shop’ providing artificial intelligence (AI) software to lawyers.

City firms have lined up in support of diversity organisation Rare’s new ‘Vantage’ scheme, an online recruitment tool designed to help candidates from less-privileged backgrounds break through the artificial barriers holding them back from careers in law.

The British Inter-University Commercial Awareness Competition (BIUCAC) is running for the third time this year, sponsored by over 20 City law firms.

Nine City firms have signed up to the Vision for Literacy Business Pledge 2017, agreeing to take practical action to tackle low literacy in the United Kingdom. The firms involved are Allen & Overy, Baker McKenzie, Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, Bird & Bird, Clifford Chance, Norton Rose Fulbright, Pinsent Mason, Slaughter and May, and Travers Smith.

City firms are saving money on office costs by moving large numbers of staff to regional offices, a report by the legal consultancy Jomati has revealed.

Magic circle rates held especially strong with 94% of newly qualified (NQ) solicitors at Linklaters (47 out of 50) accepting roles, while Allen & Overy revealed that 92% (34 of 37) of trainees are staying on post qualification.

The latest round of partner promotions at City firms indicates some progress toward greater gender equality at the top, with women making up a higher number of newly promoted partners than in previous years.

London firms have reacted to the proposed Brexit deal with “cautious optimism” despite lawyers advising business to prepare for the worst, as reported in the Law Gazette.

Top City firms have been preparing to advise their clients on the consequences of the United Kingdom’s potential exit from the European Union.

City law firms are considering an additional requirement that candidates will need to gain some “City-specific” training on top of passing the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) when the new ‘super exam’ comes into effect.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP has introduced a four-day in-office work policy, meaning lawyers in the firm’s London office are expected to come into the office at least four days a week. 

City solicitors have warned that firms may require all trainees joining from 2022 onwards to pass the new ‘super exam’, despite the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s indication that transitional arrangements allowing students to qualify through the old system may be in place until 2031. 

A group of City law firms have launched an initiative to give opportunities to less-privileged students and shake off their elitist reputation.

Allen & Overy LLP and Travers Smith LLP have revealed a new partnership with LGBTQI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex) charity GiveOut to launch a new LGBTQI Legal Aid Fund.