A long-running pilot scheme trialling a new way for students to qualify as solicitors has come to a close at Nottingham Law School.

Bright Network has released its research paper, "What do the brightest graduates want?", which among other conclusions reveals that law is in the top three sector preferences among its members, with female members placing it at number one.

The controversial draft Brexit deal agreed by UK and EU negotiators, if implemented, would allow UK lawyers to continue to operate in the EU throughout the transition period that runs until 2020, while one of the aims of a post-Brexit trade deal would be to make such “appropriate arrangements on professional qualifications” permanent.

A poll taken of 500 second and third-year law students in the UK has found that 80% believe applying for London-based firms is fundamental.  

The ability of international firms with UK offices to recruit from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) is crucial if London is to remain a leading global centre for legal services, the Law Society has told the independent government advisory body, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC).

Key findings from the Law Society’s strategic workforce planning report include that the legal services market needs to adapt to changes such as deregulation of the profession, commercial pressures and the increasing adoption of technology.

Senior associates are reportedly the least satisfied cohort of fee earners at UK law firms, according to a recent Leading Teams report.  

According to research by legal software company Clio, 54% of UK law firms expect fixed-fee billing to increase over the next 12 months.

City law firm Addleshaw Goddard is set to move to the heart of London’s square mile having signed a 15-year lease on a new office opposite the Bank of England. 

The Legal Services Board (LSB) has published a consultation with proposed regulatory measures to strengthen ethical standards in the legal sector.

The government’s promise of £15 million of new funding for the criminal justice system will boost the fees of high-earning QCs but fail to address the problems faced by struggling junior barristers, the Law Society has warned.

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As Tuesday 5 November marked the 60th quadrennial presidential election in the US, the world awaited the results with bated breath. In this week’s commercial news round-up, we outline the impact of Donald Trump’s re-election on lawyers across the world and take a look at US shares, the dollar and predictions for the UK’s economic growth. Plus, we provide an update on the Bank of England’s decision to cut interest rates; and the state of house prices in the UK.

What key skill do all firms want to see in their future lawyers? That’s right: commercial awareness. Building your commercial awareness will be a lot easier if you’re reading and keeping on top of an issue that you’re genuinely interested in. Get started now…

Who owns the goods?

In this week's round-up, find out about the Meta layoffs, Barclays' payment protection insurance (PPI) breach, Vodafone’s sale of its mobile-phone masts business, housing prices and a look into law firms’ future employment plans.