Students enrolling at the College of Law will now be able to start the Graduate Diploma in Law in January, in addition to having the option of starting in September.

As you might expect, the potential Brexit has dominated news headlines following confirmation that there will be a referendum in June on whether Britain will be staying in the European Union. Implications for businesses of all sizes is one of the key features of the debate - here is just a small selection of this week’s Brexit (and other) stories:

Following a review, the Bar Standards Board has decided not to implement the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates, but continues to commit to assuring the quality of all aspects of barristers’ services. 

News-wise, there is a lot to absorb this week, including some big financial losses being reported, as well as bad news for both the “flash crash” trader and the Co-op’s Fairtrade suppliers.

US law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP a has introduced a ‘salary sacrifice’ scheme to attract talented junior lawyers, which will enable lawyers at the firm to drive away in an electric vehicle.

BARBRI and Damar Training are urging the government to consider the impact that withdrawing levy funding for some level 7 programmes could have on access to the legal profession.

The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives has announced a revamped approach to training as a lawyer, designed to meet the changing demands of the modern legal market.

The Law Society is asking its members to participate in an online discussion on education and training.

Leading national firm Penningtons Manches and shipping specialist Thomas Cooper have agreed to merge, the firms have announced.

As the Lawyer reports, flexible working has come under scrutiny at Ashurst as part of a long-term project to improve the firm's working environment.

Commerciality remains top of many recruiters’ list of ideal traits for their future trainees - where better to develop that skill than with a small collection of topical business news stories, designed to help you to start thinking like a lawyer.

The chair of the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s equality, diversity and inclusion committee has emphasised the SRA’s commitment to addressing the disproportionately high representation of black and minority ethnic solicitors in the regulator’s disciplinary work.

Submissions are now open for the 2019 Future Legal Mind Award essay competition run by National Accident Helpline.

International firm Dentons – the largest law firm in the world by headcount –is opening its first office in Ireland.

Prominent in-house appointments have made the news this month, with Royal Dutch Shell naming Donny Ching as its new legal director and HSBC Holdings hiring Shawn Chen to lead its global litigation and regulatory affairs group.

The Times has released its annual list of the country’s 100 most influential lawyers, as judged by the paper.