Do I need to do a contentious or non-contentious seat during my training contract? And what is the difference between them?

Well. Here we all are. Donald Trump is America’s president-elect and much of the world is reeling as it works out what that’s going to mean politically, environmentally, socially and economically. In the immediate aftermath of Tuesday’s election, the result had a destabilising effect on markets. Things have calmed down since then, but the world is watching. In light of the upsetting enormity of the Trump triumph, here are some other business stories that you might want to distract yourself with.

The alternative 'equivalent means' route to qualifying as a solicitor has been successfully completed for the first time by Robert Houchill, who had been working as a senior paralegal in the immigration team at Bates Wells Braithwaite and is now a solicitor in the same team.

Much like last week’s round-up, there is only thing on the business pages and that is the effect that the referendum result is having on the pound, markets, deals, consumer spending and so much more. 

The requirement that prospective solicitors gain two years’ practising experience in order to qualify will remain when the Solicitors Qualifying Examination comes into force, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has confirmed. 

As a part of its efforts to support a sustainable, low carbon economy and reduce emissions by 90%, law firm DWF Group Limited has launched the ‘DWF forest’, in collaboration with carbon market specialists Climate Impact.

UK top 50 law firm Birketts LLP has achieved 40% female partnership ahead of International Women’s Day 2023, following its ongoing commitment to supporting gender diversity. 

This week, a rare collection of news without any Brexit-related items. Which is not to say that it’s not bubbling away in the background of course, but it’s nice to have a short break from its overt presence.

The aftershocks of Carillion’s collapse are still being felt a month on, not least by its former employees. Magic circle firm Clifford Chance has taken on Carillion’s in-house legal team, saving the jobs of around 60 specialist paralegals. 

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.

The recommendations of the Legal Education and Training Review will quickly become irrelevant if they fail to address the rapid changes taking place in the legal services market, Professor Richard Susskind has warned.

London-based Macfarlanes LLP has released its gender pay gap data, becoming only the second City law firm to include partners’ pay in its results after Allen & Overy LLP revealed its partner gender pay gap data in September.

In a bid to ease strain on the court system, divorcing couples will now be forced to undergo mediation before taking their dispute to court when new government proposals come into effect from 6 April.

Britain should leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) even if it stays in the European Union, Home Secretary Theresa May has said.

Exam questions in all Solicitors Qualifying Exam assessments will be reviewed for bias against black and minority ethnic candidates, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has said.

Legal education provider The College of Legal Practice has partnered with leading Midlands law firm Wright Hassall LLP to enable all employees from all parts of the firm to train and qualify as solicitors via the Solicitors Qualifying Exam.

Reed Smith and Mayer Brown joined Aspiring Solicitors at an event discussing how to increase awareness and understanding of disabilities in the legal profession earlier this month.

International firm Dentons will close two UK offices – one in Aberdeen and the other in Watford – to assist with full-time working from home and reduce its real estate.

Stronger Together is a network designed to “promote racial diversity, inclusion and equality” in Leeds’ professional services sector, while identifying ways to create a more diverse and inclusive sector in the city.