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

The Bar Standards Board has announced that aspiring barristers wishing to take the Bar Professional Training Course will now have to pass an exam – the Bar Course Aptitude Test.

The role of the Inns of Court in the education and training of aspiring barristers has been strongly defended by the Bar Council after it was revealed that joining an inn could be no longer compulsory under Bar Standards Board (BSB) plans to overhaul the training of barristers.

Leading commercial firm DAC Beachcroft has launched an “in-house chambers”, with plans for it to become “the biggest model of its kind” by the end of the year, according to Sahar Farooqi, one of the two barrister partners leading the project.

According to recent research into Twitter use by the top 50 UK law firms, those that have corporate accounts but fail to use them effectively could be "damaging their brand".

The Law Society of England and Wales has highlighted the need for clearer AI guidance, following the UK government’s call for evidence on the proposed AI Growth Lab.

The University of Law has guaranteed that its students will get 50% of their tuition fees back if they have not secured full-time employment within nine months after graduating.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has fined eight law firms for breaching transparency rules and one firm for failing to publish diversity data. 

The University of Law (ULaw) and leading law firm White & Case LLP have agreed an exclusive partnership, in which ULaw will deliver training and development to the firm’s future trainees to prepare them for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) and legal practice. 

The Solicitors’ Charity has appointed I. Stephanie Boyce as chair elect, from March 2026, and as a member of the board of trustees.

Some 12 City firms have been named among this year’s top 100 LGBT-friendly employers by leading equality charity Stonewall. 

Global law firm White & Case LLP has announced a firm-wide rollout of Legora’s AI platform for legal professionals across its 43 offices in 29 countries. The strategic partnership will see the firm make the most of Legora’s capabilities and solutions to enhance legal workflows and support complex matters across its global practices.

Responding to the latest coronavirus update, The University of Law has suspended face-to-face teaching and postponed assessments for a month, with thousands of law students affected. Learning and teaching will be moved online where possible.

US firm Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP has reinforced its London bankruptcy team in anticipation of the cost-of-living crisis.

A study analysing cases before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) over two decades, has explored whether women make more ethical lawyers than their male counterparts.

Is it true that the most valuable asset of many businesses is their brand? If so, how are such brands protected?

Phew, it’s fair to say that it’s been another unprecedented week in British politics, and it looks like this unpredictability and chaos will continue until 31 October, and undoubtedly well beyond.