On Saturday 25 February the first CityLawLIVE student conference was held in London, bringing together around 160 students keen on a career in the City with firm representatives and industry experts.

The Bar Council has warned that the government's plans to introduce competitive tendering for legal aid contracts and deny defendants the right to choose a lawyer will undermine the UK justice system's good reputation among the international community.

Irwin Mitchell LLP has revealed that a total of 48 out of its 53 final-seat trainees will be continuing at the law firm as newly qualified (NQ) solicitors in its offices across the country. This marked a retention rate of 91% for the firm’s latest cohort.

The Law Society has told the House of Commons Justice Select Committee that the Ministry of Justice's proposed fee cuts for criminal legal aid pose "significant risks" to the criminal justice system.

Scottish law firm Biggart Baillie has been tasked with advising administrators from Duff & Phelps regarding the case of Glasgow Rangers Football Club, which went into administration on 14 February.

The College of Law will provide a programme which combines Legal Practice Course and Master of Laws qualifications from 2013.

The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives has introduced a new mental health and wellbeing initiative award category into this year’s CILEx National Awards, in partnership with legal sector mental health charity LawCare.

US firm McDermott Will & Emery has launched a new internship at City Law School, the law faculty of City University London.

A barrister has called for the Inns of Court to do more to promote social mobility after Lincoln’s Inn quoted £3,000 for hosting an event about diversity in the legal profession.

Newly qualified lawyer salaries at firms in the UK and US have skyrocketed in recent weeks as law firms continue to fight to attract and retain future legal talent.

The Law Society has awarded 14 scholarships to aspiring solicitors through its Diversity Access Scheme (DAS), which supports aspiring solicitors who are facing social, educational, financial or personal obstacles to qualifying.

The Ministry of Justice has published new proposals to ensure that barristers and other advocates receive fair pay when they work on publicly funded criminal cases.

The justice secretary, Michael Gove, has said that rich lawyers and firms should do more to make justice available for all following the removal of access to justice for most of the public by his government’s legal aid cuts.

We know that it’s less than a week until the big training contract deadline of the year (31 July, in case you weren’t sure) and you’re probably furiously working away on the last few applications. To help, cast your eye over this week’s selection of business news.

Research from The University of Law has found that Manchester is the top location for hybrid and remote roles in the legal profession, with London and Birmingham coming in second and third. 

Demonstrate that you take being green seriously by getting your hands on a copy of this year’s verdant edition of The Training Contract & Pupillage Handbook, enrobed in this year’s most on-trend colour.

Earlier this year, a review was commissioned to revaluate 50-year-old legislation regarding how financial assets are split, with calls for less generous financial awards expected to be requested for financially weaker spouses.

The City of London Corporation’s plans for a new development called the ‘Justice Quarter’, which will include an innovative 18-courtroom facility, new headquarters for the City of London Police and new east-west links through the site, as well as creating 400 new jobs, received the go ahead in April.