Law firms make up almost a third of the organisations which feature in what is believed to be the first ever social mobility index, which was unveiled by the government today (21 June). 

The Law Society of England and Wales has welcomed changes set out in the Department for Business and Trade’s recent consultation on flexible working rights, but urged that reforms must be “clear and fair for all”.

Top national firm Shoosmiths has announced a new partnership with Aspiring Solicitors, an organisation which works to improve diversity in the legal profession by helping talented candidates from less-privileged backgrounds to improve their skills and access opportunities. 

The annual LawWorks & Attorney General Student Awards were held recently, in the elegant surrounds of the House of Commons, to recognise the outstanding pro bono achievements of students and law school staff throughout the United Kingdom.

The University of Law in Hong Kong has welcomed its first official cohort as students at the campus begin their part-time and full-time GDL courses.

The Law Society has launched a series of interactive commercial awareness webinars for second-, third- and first-year students, which will be delivered by dual qualified lawyer Denis Viskovich in March.

Operation Early Dawn has been reintroduced to ease prison overcrowding in the north of England, following the sentencing of rioters who engaged in violent unrest across parts of the UK earlier this month. 

In a joint letter to the lord chancellor, legal aid providers have warned that the immigration legal aid system requires systemic change. 

On 19 December the UK government revealed plans to increase criminal legal aid rates for solicitors by a further 12% to improve access to justice. An initial 6% rise will follow a consultation in early 2025, with a further 6% committed by the end of parliament. This will result in a total boost of £92 million.

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.

The UK government has announced a £24 million injection of cash into police station and youth court fees, marking the “start of the government’s work to support the sustainability of the justice system both now and in future”.

How do you know which type of law firm is the right fit for you? Where you train will influence your career path, as the key practice areas, size and clients of each firm vary. 

Long since labelled a ‘male-dominated industry’, the legal profession is having its gendered division challenged by women solicitors joining at three times the rate of men.

Legal mental health charity LawCare is running a Christmas fundraising appeal, the Big Give Christmas Challenge, which will see all donations made to the charity via the Big Give website doubled. 

The Ministry of Justice has revealed that the crown court backlog hit a new high of 67,573 between October and December 2023. 

The Legal Services Board (LSB) has stepped tentatively into the debate around legal aid to highlight concern about the number of people now facing their legal problems without advice or support.

A new commercial awareness competition for students at non-Russell Group universities has attracted sponsorship from 12 City law firms.