In the UK, the defence of insanity has been under scrutiny practically from its conception. It’s a special verdict of ‘not guilty’. If the defence of insanity is used, the sentencing judge may decide on absolute discharge, a supervision order or a full hospital detention.

The Law Society has commented on the findings of the Victims’ Commissioner’s report, stating that it’s “unacceptable that victims are having to wait so long with their lives in limbo to access justice”, while chair of the Bar Council, Barbara Mills KC, acknowledged the “harrowing impact of excessive court backlogs on victims” as outlined in the report.

“AI has very high potential to help firms, consumers and the wider justice system,” according to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) latest Risk Outlook series. 

Shoosmiths is the latest law firm to implement summer pay rises, increasing its London newly qualified (NQ) solicitor salaries to £105,000.

I'm just going to come out and say what everyone is thinking: barrister wigs look funny and seem pointless. The concept of wearing a wig nearly deterred me from pursuing the Bar when I was a first-year student (jokes!).

Sometimes we’re bombarded with revision materials, often with two or three weeks to go until the exams, we just don’t have time to make our own notes, go through past papers and examine each piece of revision material. So, what should we prioritise?

The shortlist of students and law schools nominated for the 2021 LawWorks and Attorney General’s Student Pro Bono Awards has been announced.

I’m an international student and am wondering whether the legal work experience I complete outside of England and Wales can count towards the required two years’ qualifying work experience (QWE) needed to qualify?

Previously, the legal age of marriage in England and Wales was 16 with parental consent and 18 without it. This meant that children as young as 16 could legally marry with the permission of their parents.

What should I do if I don't know the answer to a scenario-based question at a training contract interview?

What are the implications for companies under the Environmental Liability Directive?

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. 

How does blockchain interact with law and business?

How is the gig economy impacting employment status?

Disruptive technologies are becoming increasingly prevalent in our lives and the law. The introduction of AI into society has led the Government to release a much anticipated white paper addressing AI on 29 March 2023, ‘AI Regulation: A Pro-Innovation Approach’, which outlines the UK Government’s proposals to regulate AI.

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has launched a three-month public consultation, seeking input on proposed changes to revise the definition of academic legal training. 

The Bar Council will respond to claims that many barristers’ sets’ policies for dealing with sexual harassment are not fit for purpose by producing new guidelines to which chambers must adapt.