A report commissioned by the Bar Standards Board has concluded that access to justice would be damaged if the Bar's 'cab rank' rule is abolished.

City law firms Travers Smith LLP and Ashurst LLP have both revealed increases to the salaries of their newly qualified (NQ) solicitors. 

With the biggest vac scheme deadline of the year looming (31 January), now’s the time to get your head back in the game, commercial-awareness-wise. You may find yourself being quizzed on your knowledge of economic affairs in vac scheme interviews, so it pays to be prepared. Here’s a selection from the past week to get you started.

Legal aid lawyers have been called a “dying breed” after research by the Junior Lawyers Division found that only 4% of young lawyers are interested in working in legal aid.

UK-based law firm Browne Jacobson LLP has been named the ‘National (British) Winners of the Equity Trailblazer’ at the National British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) Business Awards.  

Allen & Overy LLP and Shearman & Sterling LLP have announced the first 40 partner promotions for A&O Shearman, with women making up 42% of promotions across both firms. 

Want to get a handle on what’s happening in the commercial world and how it might affect your clients of the future? Read this collection of stories from the past couple of weeks to get a glimpse.

Magic circle giant Linklaters is to offer its lawyers the opportunity to work fewer hours for a lower salary – but the scheme remains a pilot in four of the firm’s German offices for now. 

A bit more variety this week, but the headlines are still dominated by all things Brexit, as you would expect only two weeks down the line. Read on for a selection of Brexit, and other commercially driven, stories.

In a bid to encourage equality across the business, leading private wealth and real estate firm Boodle Hatfield LLP has announced its new equal opportunity parental leave policy. 

Post-election, probably the biggest related topic in the City is the prospect of a "Brexit" and what that might mean to investors and UK businesses.

Members of the legal profession celebrated International Women’s Day yesterday, highlighting the achievements of women on social media. This year’s theme, #BreakTheBias, is about living in “a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.” 

The body representing junior lawyers has called for greater scrutiny of decisions made by the legal profession’s ‘super regulator’ after the Solicitors Qualifying Exam was approved amid widespread criticism.

Research conducted by academics at the Universities of Cardiff and Bristol show that the vast majority of work done by paid McKenzie Friends is delivered outside the courtroom, rather than actively representing their clients in court.

The SRA has published a report on the results of its work-based learning pilot, which began in September 2008.

Clyde & Co has announced that it has offered jobs to 100% of its trainees, across all of its international offices, with a 100% acceptance rate in the United Kingdom (and a 98% global acceptance rate).

The London Metropolitan University’s Faculty of Business and Law has been awarded funding from the Higher Education Funding Council for England to set up a mentoring programme for law undergraduates from under-represented backgrounds.

The Bar Council has responded to the Bar Standards Board’s new policy statement on pupillage, work-based learning and qualification.

The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives recently held its annual graduation ceremony, with new CILEx members celebrating their new status as qualified lawyers.