Lawyers and sane people have heavily criticised Lord Chancellor Liz Truss after she failed to defend the integrity and independence of the judiciary after three judges were branded “enemies of the people” by the right wing press.

Allen & Overy LLP has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot named Harvey to complete various tasks and save time “at all levels”. 

Earlier in the week the government confirmed that courts will remain open during the latest coronavirus lockdown. The government’s guidelines set out “reasonable excuses” for leaving home, including “to fulfil a legal obligation, such as attending court or jury service”.

Twelve international City law firms have signed up to help develop a new ‘one-stop shop’ providing artificial intelligence (AI) software to lawyers.

The University of Law has announced an exclusive partnership with Royal Holloway, University of London that will see it deliver a number of its postgraduate courses from September 2023. 

Property lawyers are handling 25% fewer cases on average, after monthly property transactions fell 21% year on year, according to data from Search Acumen. 

What’s different about today? It no ordinary Thursday – it’s Super Thursday! Which means that the Bank of England is making a decision on interest rates, releasing minutes from its most recent policy-setting meeting and publishing its Quarterly Inflation Report. Follow it live on the Guardian’s live business blog. And don’t forget about these other important business-driven stories from the past week.

We’re keeping the news round-up Brexit-less this week and focusing on commercial issues elsewhere – including the new Britbox online streaming service launched by the BBC and ITV to rival Netflix, and struggling fashion retailers Laura Ashley and Ted Baker.

A “fully flexible work space” is available to all staff working in DLA Piper’s Birmingham office, following its move to the Paradise Birmingham Development – a move which was in the works before the pandemic hit last year. 

Multinational law firm Linklaters LLP has revealed a trainee retention rate of 83% for its London-based trainees qualifying in autumn, while Mills & Reeve LLP will retain 24 of its 26 trainees.

BARBRI has launched its International Home Study Programme, offering candidates the chance to study over 10 months (rather than the traditional six) its US bar exam course, which is tailored specifically for non-US trained law graduates and lawyers.

Leading law firm Shoosmiths has imposed a £200 levy for lawyers who choose to travel by plane for work.  

The Next 100 Years has launched an annual lecture series, Heilbron Lectures, named after Rose Heilbron QC – the first female senior judge and joint first female Queen’s Counsel (QC). The series of annual lectures will promote rising female legal experts and balance out the current male-dominated lecture format.

BPP University Law School has announced fees for its new Bar Course which is set to replace the BPTC from September 2020.

Research published at the end of last year suggests that a working-class accent could damage your chances of finding a training contract.

Legal education provider The University of Law has revealed that it has entered six new university partnerships to guarantee Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) course places for future lawyers. 

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) launched new research surrounding gaps in access to justice.