Public-spirited lawyers undertaking long, complex cases for free are the only people filling the “gaping holes in the fabric of legal aid”, a High Court judge has said.

Farrer & Co LLP has launched a free training guide for prospective lawyers to improve their commercial acumen – a skill that all law firm recruiters look for in candidates. 

International law firm CMS has launched its ‘next generation’ vacation scheme as part of its CMS Academy programme. 

While acknowledging calls for greater flexibility in the provision of legal training, the Law Society has insisted that the rigorous standards of the current system must be maintained in its response to the latest discussion paper from the Legal Education and Training Review.

The legal industry is bearing witness to a string of mergers taking place this winter as law firms expand their strength and reach ahead of the new year.

Simmons & Simmons has earned the title of most gay-friendly law firm in the United Kingdom for the second year in a row.

This blog will give a brief historical overview of the barrister/solicitor distinction in the UK, analysing their characteristics and identifying whether there’s a merger between the two branches of the legal profession today. 

EU officials have come to an agreement regarding proposed laws to regulate the use of AI, there have been calls for a new food allergen law to be passed, more than two million Tesla cars have been recalled in the US, and an England Lioness star has trademarked her name. Find out more in the commercial news round-up.

The legal mental health charity LawCare has reported has reported that calls to its helpline have increased by 11% on last year.

Crime solicitors have lost their appeal against the government's plans to cut the number of duty solicitors' contracts by two thirds – a decision which the Law Society has said could lead to vulnerable people being denied access to justice.

London law firm Mishcon de Reya has launched a programme to offer free legal advice and mentoring to early-stage tech businesses.

Lawyers have been seeking specialist support with their mental health since the UK’s lockdown began in March, according to recent figures.

The College of Law has recently published research that shows that vacancies for training contracts are likely to outnumber new LPC graduates within the next few years.

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. 

“I’ve had doors closed because of who I am, but I’ve also had doors opened because of who I am”, says Phil Steventon of The Neurodivergent Lawyer blog.

Cost pressures have been cited as a significant barrier to law firms achieving their sustainability goals, according to new research by carbon reduction consultancy Greenarc, despite increasing demands from clients and employees.

You can only really practice company law in the City of London, can't you?

The Co-operative Group has pulled out of a £750 million deal to buy 632 high street branches from the Lloyds Banking Group.

This year’s London Legal Walk saw another record number of legal professionals turn up to complete one of the 10-kilometre routes to raise awareness and funds for access to justice. On Tuesday 17 June, 19,000 walkers came together in support of the London Legal Support Trust (LLST), an independent charity that funds law centres and pro bono agencies across London and the South East.