Nearly 19,000 students graduated with law degrees from universities in England and Wales in 2021 – the highest number on record – while the number of firms in England and Wales fell to a record low.

The SRA is currently holding a series of focus groups and running an online survey as part of its consultation into whether it should continue to have a minimum rate of pay for trainee solicitors.

People from minority ethnic backgrounds still “face bias, including overt discrimination” in the UK criminal justice system, according to a highly critical report produced by Labour MP David Lammy at the request of the prime minister. 

What are charter parties?

Project finance and PFI; what is it and does it have a long-term future?

Lawyer2B has reported that Eversheds has launched a new student academy that aims to support them from A-levels right up to graduation.

Statistics in a recently published annual report show that The College of Law’s Pathways to Law scheme has actively helped young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to gain places at leading universities.

Applications are now open for the Law Society Diversity Access Scheme (DAS). The DAS seeks to support talented, aspiring solicitors from less advantaged backgrounds who wish to pursue a career in the legal profession.

The research showed that many students were unable to complete mini-pupillages without funding, creating a huge barrier for less-privileged students because legal work experience is viewed as vital by many chambers.

The Law Society’s Diversity Access Scheme is now accepting applications for its 2018 round of scholarships until Sunday 8 April.

On Saturday 25 February the first CityLawLIVE student conference was held in London, bringing together around 160 students keen on a career in the City with firm representatives and industry experts.

The Times has teamed up with leading barristers’ chambers 2 Temple Guardians to launch the Times Law National Student Mooting Competition.

Organisers of the 10km London Legal Walk on 19 May 2014 are calling for more participants to sign up and raise money for charities providing free legal advice in London.

The shining lights of the student pro bono scene were celebrated on 26 April at the annual LawWorks & Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards. Held at the House of Commons, the awards are designed to recognise the exceptional work being done by students and their law schools around the UK in the provision of free legal advice and support.

Google Ventures has backed Lawhive in a £9.5 million funding round, taking a stake in the British legal technology start-up developing an ‘AI paralegal’.

How are robotics and automation fated for the retail industry?

Bridging the Bar’s (BTB) 2024/25 Academy is set to begin in September, with the aim of increasing diversity at the Bar by preparing 100 aspiring barristers from non-traditional backgrounds for pupillage applications.

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has published a diversity strategy for the next two years after a report it commissioned found that much progress still needs to be made in opening up the barristers’ profession to people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. 

LawCareers.Net has teamed up with diversity organisations Aspiring Interns and upReach to offer free places to LawCareersNetLIVE.