The Alternative Business Structure model has facilitated two more firsts for the profession with the granting of ABS licences by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to long-standing advocates of the new ownership approach, Knights Solicitors and Quindell Portfolio.

Following on from its stage one pilot of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam, the Solicitors Regulation Authority is looking for candidates to take part in a trial run of SQE stage two in December.

International law firm White & Case LLP has become one of the latest firms to announce its autumn trainee retention rate of 86%, having kept 19 out of its 22 newly qualified solicitors (NQs). This closely aligned with the firm’s 87% trainee retention figure in spring 2025 and its five-year average of 83%.

The Ministry of Justice’s approach to cutting legal aid has been criticised by one of its own consultants.

Both undergraduate and postgraduate students considering a career at the Bar are now able to get involved with the Bar Council, benefitting from a number of its services and helping to support its work on access to justice.

The body representing barristers has urged the next government to reverse funding cuts which have left the justice system “on its knees”, in a manifesto highlighting hundreds of court closures and the growing number of people having to represent themselves in court despite having no legal training.

The National College of Legal Training has announced that it will not recruit intakes for the GDL or LPC in 2013-14 because of a decrease in applications for the courses.

Members of the Criminal Bar Association are due to vote on whether to replace the current fortnightly strikes with uninterrupted ones as of 5 September.  

An event aimed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, with the tag line "Now you're out, let us help you get in", is being held on 4 December 2012.

It’s a week in which the UK finally left the EU, fears about the deadly coronavirus spread across the globe and Donald Trump was acquitted in his impeachment trial.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP recently introduced a new solicitor apprenticeship programme to improve access to the profession, making it one of the first US-headquartered firms to make this move.

The Bar Standards Board has released its diversity data summary for the Bar in 2023. 

You can only really practice company law in the City of London, can't you?

The use of video-link technology as a replacement for face-to-face hearings is not yet “sufficiently advanced” enough to be effective, says Jo Hynes, a PhD researcher at Exeter University.

There are many different kinds of barristers' chambers. Where you train has a significant influence on your career, as the style, size and clientele of each chambers will vary. Consider the following broad categories to establish which type of set might best match your career goals and working style.

A recent study by the Bridge Group – a social equality consultancy – found that more than half of partners at City firms went to private schools, while solicitors from lower socio-economic backgrounds take 18 months longer to reach partner.

Magic circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is offering university students the chance to attend a two-day international workshop on 4 April and 5 April 2011.

As reported on Legal Futures, a Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) review into the continuing professional development (CPD) of solicitors is considering whether ethics training should become compulsory.

The government should not abandon access to physical courts in its drive to digitise the justice system because of the impact it would have on the poorest in society, leading judges and academics have warned.

Legal sector charity InterLaw Diversity Forum is inviting everyone who works within the legal sector to contribute to its 2023 Career Progression Report with the launch of its new survey designed to uncover workplace culture in the profession.