The use of video-link technology as a replacement for face-to-face hearings is not yet “sufficiently advanced” enough to be effective, says Jo Hynes, a PhD researcher at Exeter University.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has launched a campaign to give the public an opportunity to say what kinds of action should be taken against solicitors whose conduct breaks the rules on professional standards.

New trainees at DLA Piper are being offered £10,000 to delay starting work until August 2021. Staggered start dates have been implemented at the international firm, which recruits around 70 graduates each year – one of the City’s biggest intakes, according to the Law Gazette.

A recent study by the Bridge Group – a social equality consultancy – found that more than half of partners at City firms went to private schools, while solicitors from lower socio-economic backgrounds take 18 months longer to reach partner.

Who’s missed our virtual Bootcamp events with The University of Law? Well, they’re back!

The Law Society has published its Annual Statistical Report, which seems to suggest that the pressure on practising solicitors is beginning to show.

Specialist diversity recruitment company Rare's Articles programme has won the Race for Opportunity Future Workforce Award 2013, facing down stiff competition from big-name organisations such as Sky and Microsoft.

The Alternative Business Structure model has facilitated two more firsts for the profession with the granting of ABS licences by the Solicitors Regulation Authority to long-standing advocates of the new ownership approach, Knights Solicitors and Quindell Portfolio.

Following on from its stage one pilot of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam, the Solicitors Regulation Authority is looking for candidates to take part in a trial run of SQE stage two in December.

The College of Legal Practice has created a new law conversion course, which will cost £3,250, to be launched from January 2024. 

The number of firms taking on legal apprentices continues to increase steadily, with Withers LLP and Hill Dickinson both confirming schemes for school leavers.

The Ministry of Justice’s approach to cutting legal aid has been criticised by one of its own consultants.

Both undergraduate and postgraduate students considering a career at the Bar are now able to get involved with the Bar Council, benefitting from a number of its services and helping to support its work on access to justice.

The body representing barristers has urged the next government to reverse funding cuts which have left the justice system “on its knees”, in a manifesto highlighting hundreds of court closures and the growing number of people having to represent themselves in court despite having no legal training.

The National College of Legal Training has announced that it will not recruit intakes for the GDL or LPC in 2013-14 because of a decrease in applications for the courses.

Members of the Criminal Bar Association are due to vote on whether to replace the current fortnightly strikes with uninterrupted ones as of 5 September.  

This week has been punctuated by political speechifying, with economic theory taking centre stage. For more business news that should be on your radar, read on.

The winner of the annual Future Legal Mind Award has been named as Charley-Anne Gordon, a final-year law student at the University of Buckingham. The competition, which is run by National Accident Helpline, aims to find and celebrate future legal talent.

An event aimed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, with the tag line "Now you're out, let us help you get in", is being held on 4 December 2012.

The BLD Foundation (BLD) recently held a reception at the House of Commons to raise awareness of the need to increase diversity in, and access to, the legal profession.