The research showed that many students were unable to complete mini-pupillages without funding, creating a huge barrier for less-privileged students because legal work experience is viewed as vital by many chambers.

People from minority ethnic backgrounds still “face bias, including overt discrimination” in the UK criminal justice system, according to a highly critical report produced by Labour MP David Lammy at the request of the prime minister. 

Lawyer2B has reported that Eversheds has launched a new student academy that aims to support them from A-levels right up to graduation.

Statistics in a recently published annual report show that The College of Law’s Pathways to Law scheme has actively helped young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to gain places at leading universities.

Nearly 19,000 students graduated with law degrees from universities in England and Wales in 2021 – the highest number on record – while the number of firms in England and Wales fell to a record low.

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.

John Wick – arguably the best action movie series of recent times, but, did you know that there are points that aspiring lawyers can take away from it? Just not the over-the-top violence, obviously!

BPP University Law School has won the coveted Leadership Award at the UK Social Mobility Awards 2023. Focusing on advancing social mobility and recognising employers that are working to improve it, the awards are run by London-based societal change charity Making The Leap, with the ceremony taking place on 12 October 2023.

Details of the 22nd UK Pro Bono Week have been revealed, with the focus on bringing legal professionals together to make a sustained impact around three cross-cutting themes.

Social mobility advocates, a new group of barristers from across England and Wales, have joined the Bar Council’s award-winning social mobility campaign – #IAmTheBar.

Bridging the Bar (BTB) – a charity “committed to the promotion of equal opportunities and diversity at the Bar of England and Wales” – was launched in August this year.

In November 2021, 1090 candidates, including 27 solicitor apprentices, took the first-ever Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) – SQE1. The candidates received their results on Friday last week and the Solicitors Regulation Authority has revealed an overall pass rate of 53%. 

Students’ important contributions to access to justice were recognised at the annual Student Pro Bono Awards at the House of Commons on 1 May.

Daniel Jeffrey shares his journey and experiences as a barrister at 29 Bedford Row Chambers, highlighting his career transition from police officer to lawyer, the extensive application process he undertook and the importance of hard work and individuality in securing pupillage. 

Law firms and barristers’ chambers need to improve the diversity of their workforces or face having quotas imposed on them, the Black Solicitors Network has said.

The National Legal Alliance has launched a wellbeing service – métier legal lifestyle protect – to support lawyers who are struggling with burnout and poor mental health. 

What does it mean to be a solicitor? Am I cut out for the work? Why do I want to be a solicitor rather than a barrister?

Insurance specialist Horwich Farrelly has become one of the first UK law firms to appoint mental health ‘first aiders’ for the promotion of good mental health at work. 

International Women’s Day began in New York on 8 March 1857, when female textile workers marched in protest against unfair working conditions and unequal rights for women. Since then, it’s become a recognised day that occurs each year and is an important day to mark because women still face inequality around the world, in their education, work, pay, voting rights and more.

The Social Mobility Foundation has opened applications for its 2014 programmes, including law, which provide young people from less privileged backgrounds with free mentoring, skills development, internships and support with university applications.