“Can I still qualify as a solicitor via the Legal Practice Course (LPC) even though the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) is now the new pathway into the profession?” This is a question that’s becoming increasingly more familiar as many aspiring lawyers consider their next step towards qualification.

Magic circle firms Linklaters and Slaughter and May have increased their Legal Practice Course maintenance grants for future trainees.

I recently started my ‘Practical Legal Research and Writing’ module on the LPC and after weeks of covering the core modules based around substantive law, I was looking forward to changing tack and learning some skills. I am fast learning that skills are harder than they seem! 

Even though it feels like I only started the Legal Practice Course (LPC) yesterday, I am somehow already preparing to take my mock exams.

As reported by the Law Gazette, the number of students submitting applications to study the legal practice course is down 10% on 2013 figures.

The Low Commission has released its report into the impact of cuts in funding for social welfare law advice.

How do English courts decide the award of damages for loss of chance?

The SRA is set to begin granting its first alternative business structure licences in early 2012, now that the House of Lords has approved legislation regulating the disclosure of criminal convictions for non-lawyer owners of ABSs.

The value of the planned new Solicitors Qualifying Examination which all solicitors would have to pass in order to qualify has been questioned in the House of Lords.

In its report on judicial appointments, the House of Lords Constitution Committee has found that a more diverse judiciary would increase public trust and confidence in the country's justice system.

Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, the Master of the Rolls, has succeeded Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers as the president of the United Kingdom's Supreme Court.

What are Lord Jackson's key recommendations for the civil litigation costs system?

The lord chief justice has called for an independent investigation into the effects of the Legal Services Act 2007, and why increased competition has not led to a reduction in fees.

I, like many of you reading this, have just finished exam season. The relief is palpable! But once the post-exam elation becomes slightly less new and shiny, it's easy to feel a bit empty. After all, you’ve worked extremely hard for a sustained period and for the first time in a while you have more choice about how you spend your time.

I hope you all had a chance to take a break from studying and applications over the winter break.

Elizabeth Rimmer from legal charity LawCare discusses why it's so important for aspiring lawyers to think about their mental health, how you can manage your mental health in your search for a legal career, and what law firms are doing to support trainees and newly-qualified lawyers in this area. 

The City of London Corporation’s plans for a new development called the ‘Justice Quarter’, which will include an innovative 18-courtroom facility, new headquarters for the City of London Police and new east-west links through the site, as well as creating 400 new jobs, received the go ahead in April.

The week’s news has been dominated by the government’s announcement that UK lockdown measures will be eased on 4 July, including a reduction in the two-metre social distancing rule and the opening of pubs, restaurants, hotels, hairdressers and barbers. As such, this commercial news round-up aims to bring you other important news from the business and legal world that may have understandably slipped under your radar.