Leading regional firm Coffin Mew has completed its merger with Charles Lucas & Marshall. 

Research and writing skills tests could no longer be included in stage one of the new Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), with the Solicitors Regulation Authority suggesting that law firms could instead pay for potential trainees to take these tests separately.

Thomas Egger is set to continue its legal apprenticeship programme with a new hire after its first apprentice successfully progressed to the role of trainee legal executive.

As the country emerges from Storm Imogen to find itself bathed in glorious sunshine, the day feels full of possibility – why not harness that energy to improve your understanding of the commercial world? 

Mega firm A&O Shearman has released guidance for students on the use of AI in training contract and vacation scheme applications.

Herbert Smith Freehills has launched its first ever Community Engagement Awards, designed to showcase the best social projects led by students in India. 

This week, we have tried to provide a more varied selection of business news, although we can’t entirely ignore Brexit-related updates - read on for other stuff. 

Do I need to do a contentious or non-contentious seat during my training contract? And what is the difference between them?

Well. Here we all are. Donald Trump is America’s president-elect and much of the world is reeling as it works out what that’s going to mean politically, environmentally, socially and economically. In the immediate aftermath of Tuesday’s election, the result had a destabilising effect on markets. Things have calmed down since then, but the world is watching. In light of the upsetting enormity of the Trump triumph, here are some other business stories that you might want to distract yourself with.

The alternative 'equivalent means' route to qualifying as a solicitor has been successfully completed for the first time by Robert Houchill, who had been working as a senior paralegal in the immigration team at Bates Wells Braithwaite and is now a solicitor in the same team.

Coram Children’s Legal Centre, one of the UK’s first children’s charities, has called for the mandatory provision of an independent advocate enshrined in law for all children and young people receiving or seeking care or support from the state.

Commercial firm Gordon Dadds has acquired fellow City practice Ince & Co in a deal worth £27 million, although the final agreement will see Ince’s affiliated overseas offices continue to operate under the Ince & Co brand.

Cuts of £13.8 million to universities' bursary and scholarship budgets could disadvantage less wealthy students during their time in higher education.

On Sunday 1 January Mishcon de Reya LLP and Taylor Vinters LLP completed their merger after it was first announced in September 2021. A joint statement confirmed that more than 200 staff joined Mishcon de Reya, including 145 fee-earners and 60 business operations and legal staff as part of the merger.  

The bitter legal battle over the introduction of employment tribunal fees is set to end soon as the verdict on a Supreme Court hearing is considered. 

Tens of thousands of pounds have been spent on improving the security of top judges’ homes due to fears for their safety, a freedom of information request has revealed. 

Prospective barristers studying the Inns of Court College of Advocacy’s (ICCA) new Bar course will receive their Postgraduate Diploma in Bar Practice from King’s College London (KCL), after KCL’s Dickson Poon School of Law agreed to act as the course’s validating body.