David Gauke has become the sixth MP to take up the role of justice secretary in as many years, replacing David Lidington after just six months as part of Prime Minister Theresa May’s latest cabinet reshuffle. 

As a part of our Inclusion for All strategy, we continue to look at our behaviours, policy and process changes, and ways of working that enable Gowling WLG (UK) LLP to be truly diverse.

It’s so important to inform employers and universities when you experience genuine mitigating circumstances that have affected or may affect your academic performance.

Nearly 70% of legal professionals have experienced mental ill-health and 22% have experienced bullying, harassment or discrimination at work, according to LawCare’s recent survey.

Does size matter? Why UK law firms look to merge.

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has launched a three-month public consultation, seeking input on proposed changes to revise the definition of academic legal training. 

I’m in my 40s and thinking about retraining as a solicitor, but is there any point? I have heard that recruitment focuses on young graduates.

City solicitors have warned that firms may require all trainees joining from 2022 onwards to pass the new ‘super exam’, despite the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s indication that transitional arrangements allowing students to qualify through the old system may be in place until 2031. 

Should I disclose my disability when I apply for a vacation scheme? Are careers in the legal profession accessible for candidates with disabilities?

Chris Eaton completed The University of Law’s LLM Legal Practice (SQE1&2) ahead of sitting the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) and securing a training contract. We spoke to Chris about the prep course, taking the assessments themselves and Chris' advice for future SQE candidates.

The Law Society’s annual statistics report 2020 offers a snapshot of the profession in the 12 months to 31 July 2020, with women outnumbering men plus concerns regarding ethnicity reporting and monitoring as most newly qualified solicitors do not disclose “their ethnic origin on the mySRA website”. 

For many aspiring solicitors interested in the world of commercial law, our assumed trajectory is a two-year training contract with a City firm – where, rotating through several seats, we'll get to grips with the foundations of being a solicitor and explore the various practice areas available to us.

How is the Financial Services Authority changing its approach to regulation?

Is Copilot an indispensable part of a programmer’s toolbelt or is it copyright infringement?

Application season can be tough, so here are five things I wish somebody had told me before I started my first one!

What is adtech and how does it affect us?

How will the outcome of the general election affect financial regulation in the United Kingdom?

If you’re looking for ways to boost your commercial awareness check out our most recent LCN Says, which offers three top tips to help you develop yours. On top of this, you can read summaries of some of the week’s top stories in the commercial round-up below.