A survey by Bolt Burdon Kemp revealed that 46% of the British public did not understand the legal aid system or how they can get legal support and 51% said there were too many barriers to legal aid funding.

For the past 18 months, members of the Crown Prosecution Service, police chiefs, lawyers, the Ministry of Justice, and the HM Prison and Probation Service formed a working party to update guidelines for judges in what’s been labelled a “change in culture”. The guidelines were rolled out from 16 January.  

The Bar Standards Board has launched its consultation paper on the future training of barristers, and has invited all those with a view on the matter to express their views by 23 December.

Finalists have been announced for the prestigious National Paralegal Awards, which set out to find the best paralegals in the UK and businesses that support the legal industry.

Some 12 City firms have been named among this year’s top 100 LGBT-friendly employers by leading equality charity Stonewall. 

Pinsent Masons and the Crown Prosecution Service were named on the Working Families’ Top Ten Employers 2021 list.

In a bid to tackle the spread of coronavirus, staff at magic circle firms Baker McKenzie and Allen & Overy have been told to work from home until at least the end of March.

Application season is upon us and part of your preparation should be developing your commercial awareness – namely, an interest in the business world and how the issues that affect clients will also affect and shape the advice that you, as their lawyer, will give. There’s also every chance you’ll be asked to comment on something topical in an interview, so best to be prepared! For a selection of this week’s most interesting commercial news stories, read on:

The Criminal Bar Association has raised the threat of industrial action as the dispute over legal aid funding continues. 

Earlier this year, a review was commissioned to revaluate 50-year-old legislation regarding how financial assets are split, with calls for less generous financial awards expected to be requested for financially weaker spouses.

A gay couple that was refused a double room in a hotel in Cornwall has been awarded compensation by a Bristol county court judge in a discrimination claim under the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007.

In this LCN Says, we speak to Zhi Yung Foo from Mayer Brown International LLP about life as a trainee working in finance. Read this article to find out how he builds commercial awareness, and how understanding client objectives, market trends and global factors shapes the deals he works on.

Another week closer to my vacation scheme, another week full of preparation! As I left off in my previous post, I had a couple of areas that I was hoping to gain insight into throughout the week – primarily, how I'm going to be assessed and how to best come across on a virtual scheme.

Senior early talent advisor Beth Petch sets out what Trowers & Hamlins LLP wants to see in applications from strong candidates, discusses common mistakes she comes across, as well as what to expect during the vacation scheme and the firm’s solicitor apprenticeship programme. 

How will clean energy power the UK’s future?

In this LCN Says, we speak to Zhi Yung Foo from Mayer Brown International LLP about life as a trainee working in finance. Read this article to find out how he builds commercial awareness, and how understanding client objectives, market trends and global factors shapes the deals he works on.

How important is online advertising and how is it governed in the United Kingdom?

What role do pensions have to play for the younger generation and how will they operate?

Birmingham law firm Shakespeare Martineau LLP is supporting British Muslim charity Mercy Mission UK to launch a mentoring scheme, offering work experience placements to Muslim youth.