Leading diversity and inclusion organisation Aspiring Solicitors has launched a charity to provide financial relief to aspiring lawyers in England and Wales.

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. 

Applications are now open for places on the Law Society’s Diversity Access Scheme, which provides financial support for the Legal Practice Course (LPC), as well as access to work experience opportunities and mentoring.

A number of firms, including Baker & McKenzie, Pinsent Masons and Mayer Brown, have confirmed how many Spring 2014 qualifiers have secured newly qualified positions.

After a long and acrimonious battle, both in and out of court, the High Court has ordered the publisher of the 'Solicitors from Hell' website, Rick Kordowski, to remove entirely the site from the Internet.

Shoosmiths has announced the winners of its law fair video competition, who have won a place on the firm's summer vacation placement scheme.

Last week, law firms and legal departments across the country promoted legal apprenticeship vacancies as part of National Apprenticeship Week.

City firms are saving money on office costs by moving large numbers of staff to regional offices, a report by the legal consultancy Jomati has revealed.

Sheffield Hallam University has become the first university to set up a fully functioning law firm so that its students can gain work experience during their studies. SHU Law is a not-for-profit alternative business structure that was licensed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority in January.

The government is to continue with its plans to increase court fees for immigration and asylum cases by up to 500%, despite near-unanimous opposition from lawyers, law centres, unions and community groups.

Suffolk Law Centre, launched last year to fill the gap of legal advice services in the county, has helped 2,300 people in its first year.

Applications are now open for the LawCareersNetLIVE careers conferences taking place in November and December later this year.

The University of Exeter and international law firm Reed Smith have combined forces to create a new four-year LLB degree that will incorporate a year-long placement at Reed Smith’s London office.

The University of Law has launched a new combined Bar Professional Training Course LLM programme. 

Applications are now open for the LawCareersNetLIVE careers conferences taking place later this year.

Norwich-based firm Leathes Prior is planning the first football-related alternative business structure (ABS).

A new skills and training initiative for the legal profession has made over 100 paralegal apprenticeships available across nine law firms in the Greater Manchester area.

Chartered legal executives will be able to set up their own firms in 2015 after legislation passed successfully through the House of Lords.

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.