“No man is above the law and everyone, whatever his condition or rank is, is subject to the ordinary laws of the land.”

The law centre helping victims of the Grenfell Tower fire has had its funding slashed so severely that it is relying on public donations, charitable grants and lawyers choosing to work for free, it has been revealed. 

Oxford Brookes School of Law and The College of Legal Practice have joined forces to offer the law school’s students discounted access to Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) preparation courses, as well as appropriate guidance and information on the new route to qualifying.

The 30-month training programme will involve working alongside our experienced lawyers in one of our legal teams, while studying with BPP one day per week.

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.

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 Law Society of England and Wales has highlighted the need for clearer AI guidance, following the UK government’s call for evidence on the proposed AI Growth Lab.

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. 

To what extent should aspiring solicitors understand the impact of the APR/BPR shake-up?