Bristol - the UK’s most environmentally friendly city, the world’s leading producer of hot air balloons and the place I call home during term-time.

Big changes are sweeping the legal profession - not least to the ways in which you can become part of it and how you will be trained once you get there.

Two international law firms have reported increased profits, and several other firms saw revenues rise as the 2024/25 financial reporting season begins.

In this LCN says we want to draw attention to the wealth of legal and political writing produced by Black authors. By highlighting these voices, we hope to not only expand your legal knowledge, but hope that you’ll also be entertained, educated and inspired.

The University of Law (ULaw) has agreed a new partnership with leading firm Muckle LLP, which will see ULaw become the exclusive Solicitors Qualifying Exam training provider for the firm’s future trainees from September 2023. 

Decked out in magnificent magenta, this year's edition of the Training Contract & Pupillage Handbook should be your guiding light as you search for the legal career that is right for you.

In September 2020, 10 new barristers from across England and Wales joined #IAmTheBar – the Bar Council’s award-winning social mobility campaign, which is now in its third year – as social mobility advocates.

In September, many students start their new venture into university to study all kinds of different subjects. Preparation before starting a course can help you hit the ground running. I don't just mean buying stationary (although that can most definitely help motivation) but also preparing for the course itself.

It comes as no surprise that gender equality in the legal profession remains an issue that law firms and barristers' chambers alike attempt to address. In this Feature, we’ll consider the progress made so far, what 2025 looks like for women in the legal profession, and the steps law firms and chambers must take to ‘Accelerate Action’ – the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD). 

LIBOR and the EU: did the banks collude to manipulate the rate?

The long road, from starting your legal studies to becoming a fully qualified solicitor or barrister, can feel lonely. For me, one of the most difficult aspects of starting my journey into law was knowing what I was getting myself into! 

European law firm Fieldfisher has launched a two-week legal work experience programme aimed at candidates who are from underrepresented backgrounds in the legal profession. 

TLT LLP has introduced a new diversity access programme, Beyond, aiming to eliminate barriers to entry into the legal profession for aspiring lawyers from ethnic minority backgrounds and improve diversity in early careers.

Diversity, equal opportunity and the end of the ‘old boys network’ remain a long way off in the legal profession, a study by the Sutton Trust and PRIME showing that three quarters of judges and 71% of Queen’s Counsel (QC) barristers were privately educated has revealed. 

The best paralegals in the legal profession were celebrated at the prestigious National Paralegal Awards on 23 September 2021.

Encased in sapphire blue, this year's edition of the Training Contract & Pupillage Handbook should be your treasure map as you search for the right legal career.

Is the approach taken by the Financial Services Authority to financial crime and market misconduct making financial service firms sit up and pay attention?

What are the implications of Brexit for employment law in England and Wales?

Legal work experience is extremely beneficial not least because it demonstrates commitment to the legal field but also because it provides valuable insight into life as a solicitor. As a student, you’re encouraged to apply for insight days and vacation schemes. These, of course, are extremely useful but if you want to gain further experience, here are three creative ways you can do so.  

By using AI, am I breaching client confidentiality?