The Legal Action Group has established a commission to examine the consequences of cuts to the legal aid budget and suggest solutions to ensure access to justice for all members of the public.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has been urged to revaluate its conclusions of a review it made of the in-house sector, with the regulator being criticised for “understating” the severity and risks faced by general counsel.  

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) let down disabled candidates in the way that it conducted Summer 2020’s Bar course exams, in which breaks were prohibited and technical problems saw a quarter of candidates unable to complete their exams, an independent review has found.

The SRA has announced an investigation into the role and conduct of solicitors involved in the legal proceedings following the Hillsborough disaster on 15 April 1989, in which 96 football fans were crushed to death.

International firm Herbert Smith Freehills LLP published an anthology of thoughts and experiences shared by Black colleagues across the firm and leading external commentators to mark Black History Month this October.

The Westminster Legal Policy forum is taking registrations for its upcoming seminar entitled ‘Innovation in the legal services market - growth, skills and emerging business models’, which is set take place on Tuesday 11 March 2014.

UK Legal industry turnover dropped to £2.91 billion in May 2021, down 23% on April 2021, according to recent Office of National Statistics data. The statistics show that April 2021 was the second-highest month on record after March 2021.

Most people do not feel that the justice system works for them, according to new research.

Apprentices are being let down by their quality of training, says a report published yesterday by Parliament’s education committee which also claims that too many people, particularly the disadvantaged, are not being supported to pursue an apprenticeship.

London-based commercial firm Fladgate LLP has significantly boosted its trainee recruitment, in a welcome development for aspiring solicitors.

Let’s jump straight into our round-up of this week’s big commercial stories you should know about. 

With news this week that Article 50 will be triggered on 29 March, the reality of what a departure from the European Union will mean for the economy is likely to start firming up. 

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has approved changes to its training regulations as part of both its Training for Tomorrow programme and Red Tape Initiative.

The criminal bar has secured additional hardship provisions from the government in a bid to support practitioners as the pandemic continues to impact the profession and chambers report huge reductions in income. 

Norton Rose Fulbright has confirmed a 92% retention rate for its trainee solicitors qualifying in May.

The first barristers’ set to address elitist discrimination at the Bar by adopting contextual recruitment practices has been accused of “virtue signalling,” according to its head of chambers.

The High Court has launched a new initiative to improve the diversity of its judges by supporting and mentoring people from "non-traditional backgrounds".

A statement posted on the Bar Council’s website highlights its support of trans, non-binary and gender-fluid individuals, and urges chambers to recognise that “some people are transgender and not everyone feels that their gender can be defined within the margins of gender binary.”

The SRA is currently holding a series of focus groups and running an online survey as part of its consultation into whether it should continue to have a minimum rate of pay for trainee solicitors.