Kaplan Law School's plan to introduce an admissions test for entry onto its LPC course has been blocked by the SRA, according to a recent report in the Lawyer.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has announced that non-practising solicitors will need to pay a £20 charge to stay on the roll from next year. The change will affect around 60,000 non-practising solicitors who are already on the roll.

Members of the legal profession - including Miriam González Durántez and representatives from the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives - attended the government’s latest Inspiring Women campaign event.

The delegate fees from this year’s LawCareersNetLIVE conferences will be donated to two legal charities.

Today, legal technology provider Litera announced that it’s working with Microsoft to develop a Microsoft Copilot integration to streamline workflows for lawyers, improving efficiency and accuracy.

Reed Smith has agreed to become the first law firm to place all of its work experience opportunities on www.GoThinkBig.co.uk, an initiative which aims to make thousands of diverse work experience opportunities available to anyone with access to the Internet.

As you might expect, the potential Brexit has dominated news headlines following confirmation that there will be a referendum in June on whether Britain will be staying in the European Union. Implications for businesses of all sizes is one of the key features of the debate - here is just a small selection of this week’s Brexit (and other) stories:

Following a review, the Bar Standards Board has decided not to implement the Quality Assurance Scheme for Advocates, but continues to commit to assuring the quality of all aspects of barristers’ services. 

News-wise, there is a lot to absorb this week, including some big financial losses being reported, as well as bad news for both the “flash crash” trader and the Co-op’s Fairtrade suppliers.

US law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP a has introduced a ‘salary sacrifice’ scheme to attract talented junior lawyers, which will enable lawyers at the firm to drive away in an electric vehicle.

BARBRI and Damar Training are urging the government to consider the impact that withdrawing levy funding for some level 7 programmes could have on access to the legal profession.

The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives has announced a revamped approach to training as a lawyer, designed to meet the changing demands of the modern legal market.

The Bar Council has furloughed 20% of its staff and introduced cuts to spending in a bid to support the profession during the coronavirus crisis.

What’s to be done when you feel that your commercial awareness is lacking? Here’s an idea: try absorbing what our Feature has to say on maximising your chances at interview by honing your commercial awareness skills well in advance – and that means now. In addition, check out the following key business/economic stories from the past week.

The House of Commons Justice Committee has summoned justice secretary Chris Grayling to examine the government's proposed cuts to legal aid for a second time.

The prestigious LawCareers.Net Training & Recruitment Awards, celebrating the best recruiters and trainers in the UK legal market, are to be held this Wednesday, 8 June.

International firm RPC has relaunched training contracts at its Bristol office after several years of basing the firm’s training programme solely at its London headquarters.

Ten students from Notre Dame sixth form college in Leeds have spent a week’s work experience with Walker Morris, which concluded with a mock trial run in conjunction with 11 South Square.

Government proposals to increase Asylum and Immigration Tribunal fees by more than 500% could constitute unlawful discrimination, the Law Society has warned.