I’m beginning to understand the mechanics of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). In Autumn 2021 the Solicitors Regulation Authority will introduce a two-part assessment, including a multiple-choice element designed to test legal knowledge (SQE1) and a series of written and oral exams designed to test legal skills (SQE2). Eventually, all new solicitors will have to pass both stages and undertake two years of relevant work experience before they can qualify.

All my vacation scheme applications have been rejected. What do I do now?

Why has the government proposed a company register of beneficial owners?

A High Court order has ruled that Michael Gove broke the law when he awarded a £560,000 covid-19 contract to a research firm he had “personal connections” with. This blog post will explain the reasons behind the ruling and how a similar situation might play out in the future.

At LCN we usually focus on UK legal matters, but the unprecedented events involving hundreds of US lawyers and several principled judges in the United States over the weekend are of such global importance to those who value the law and legal process that we wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t report them and compile some useful links for the aspiring legal practitioners who comprise our readers.

I’m considering starting a legal apprenticeship, but are the career prospects the same as the university route? What are the main differences between a paralegal/solicitor apprenticeship and going to university?

Does size matter? Why UK law firms look to merge.

What is the B-corp movement and how do the social and environmental considerations of companies influence the work of lawyers?

What are the implications of Brexit for the UK insurance and reinsurance markets in the short term and beyond?

Law is a profession which is seen by many as being dependent on an individual's reputation and accolades.

One commonly overlooked aspect of university is the additional opportunities offered to students, including regional and national level competitions. These are a key aspect of networking within the law and are an excellent way to help you stand out through your CV.

If you’re planning to read law at university and want book recommendations, look no further. Here are the books I read before starting my university degree.

Law firms transitioned to remote working just over a year ago as a result of the covid-19 pandemic, with government guidance confirming that the work from home ‘where you can’ policy will remain in place until 21 June at the earliest.

How do international banks and English lawyers help in the movement of global trade?

What is the GAAR and how will it affect what private client lawyers do in practice?

After five months of strikes, criminal barristers in England and Wales voted to end strike action on Monday 10 October, accepting a government pay rise of 15% on legal aid fees.

Elite law firms could be pressured to return to a full five days in the office as larger fee-paying clients crack the whip on their own staff.  

The government is using the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – which modernises EU data protection law – as cover for its attempts to remove key rights from people subject to UK immigration procedures, a Labour MEP has alleged.

Isabella Gartside, early careers assistant at Ashfords LLP, highlights how crucial thorough research is prior to making an application, the importance of being genuine and how you can make yourself stand out. 

Speakers at LawtechUK advocated for AI use, arguing that it could improve access to justice, both by increasing the capacity to solve issues outside of court and making changes within the court to judges’ processes.