As part of a revamped graduate recruitment policy, Wragge & Co has launched an exciting trainee secondment programme to China.

Major brands Coca Cola and Marks & Spencer have adopted the solicitor apprenticeship.

International firm Dentons has appointed a ‘chief mindfulness officer’.

In 2024, Middle Temple awarded scholarships worth around £1.4 million, with more than £1.2 million of that going to Bar course students and £211,750 to GDL students. 

A record number of solicitors have gained the prestigious title of Queen’s Counsel in the most recent round of appointments, which are usually taken up by barristers. 

Both Shearman & Sterling LLP and K&L Gates have confirmed that they will take on more trainees in the upcoming recruitment cycles.

Another consultation has been launched on the new Solicitors Qualifying Examination, with this one focusing on the changes to regulations that will be necessary in order to introduce the ‘super exam’.

The merger of City firm Berwin Leighton Paisner and US-based Bryan Cave has been completed, creating new firm Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner.

The partnerships of Charles Russell and Speechly Bircham have voted to merge their two firms.

Brenda Hale has today been sworn in as president of the Supreme Court, the first woman ever to have held the position. The appointment was announced in July by Downing Street.

Herbert Smith has indicated that it is considering offering training contracts to its legal assistants - of whom there are 10 - in its Belfast base.

Some barristers are earning less than the minimum wage following decades of underfunding and the Treasury has been warned that the justice system is at a “tipping point”.

Wilberforce Chambers has announced an enormous 35% pupillage award increase, with pupils' salaries rising from £48,000 to £65,000 for those starting Autumn 2013.

Partner salaries at Travers Smith LLP have increased by 18%, bringing average earnings to £1.3 million.

The Legal Services Act is gathering momentum, with the Co-operative Bank currently running a trial of its legal services through a handful of its bank branches.

Magic circle firm Allen & Overy plans to increase pay for its newly qualified (NQ) solicitors but the amount will still not reach pre-pandemic levels.

Irwin Mitchell and Thomas Eggar have announced their merger, which will be complete by the end of the year.

Although Gray’s Inn is the smallest of the four Inns, it awards more than £1.5 million in scholarships, awards and prizes each year. 

Mishcon de Reya has confirmed that it will offer training contracts only to those attending its vacation scheme.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority is to visit at least 55 firms that it has identified as being at high risk of financial instability.