The National Paralegal Awards, hosted by the Professional Paralegal Register, is taking place on Thursday 22 September at the Iconic Grand Hotel in Birmingham. This is the fourth year the awards has run.

On 19 December the UK government revealed plans to increase criminal legal aid rates for solicitors by a further 12% to improve access to justice. An initial 6% rise will follow a consultation in early 2025, with a further 6% committed by the end of parliament. This will result in a total boost of £92 million.

The SRA's annual equality report has this year shown a small improvement in the diversity of its own employees.

There are lots of ways you can get involved with furthering disability inclusion both in the workplace and in wider society. There’s so much power an individual possesses when it comes to creating cultural change for better disability inclusion.

City law firm Vinson & Elkins RLLP has announced the implementation of a new policy requiring its employees to work from the office for at least four days each week. 

Liz Truss has become the first woman to hold the post of lord chancellor in the thousand-year history of the role, after replacing the sacked Michael Gove as justice secretary in Theresa May’s new cabinet. 

Research undertaken jointly by the Judicial Appointments Commission, the Law Society, the Bar Council and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives has found that members perceive nearly all aspects of judicial office as increasingly appealing.

How have recent developments, such as in Merricks, changed the future landscape of opt-out collective proceedings?

Is continuing financial support for 'zombie' companies good or bad for the economy?

Has the tide begun to turn on offshoring?

How does the example of the Sainsbury’s takeover of Argos demonstrate the two different types of UK M&A deal and the importance of lawyers being commercially savvy?

Aspiring solicitors could be “exploited” under the new Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), warns the Junior Lawyer Division (JLD) in an open letter to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) published this week.

Leading South East firm Cripps and London firm Pemberton Greenish will merge on 1 December to create a leading practice focusing on real estate, private wealth and growing businesses. The merged firm will be ranked in the top 70 of UK law firms with revenues of c£45 million and create a firm of 465 people, including 66 partners.

Apparently it’s “Super Thursday” again, so if you’re interested in the vicissitudes of rising and falling rates and markets, follow the Guardian’s live business blog for a blow-by-blow account. For other commercial news, check this selection out.

As we refuse to mention the fact that it is Friday 13th today or that it is Valentine’s Day tomorrow, we are left with very little to theme this intro around.

Knights Solicitors LLP has published its half year data, which shows both organic growth and an increase in revenue following several acquisitions over the past year and an expanded focus on cash collection.

Judges have been unable to agree on whether to ban fee-charging ‘McKenzie Friends’ despite admitting concerns and have asked the government to decide instead.

The SRA began accepting applications from organisations seeking to become alternative business structures yesterday.