Clifford Chance and A&O Shearman become the latest magic circle law firms to increase pay for newly qualified (NQ) solicitors to £150,000, after their counterparts announced similar moves in recent weeks. 

Barristers working within a set of chambers are self-employed and known as tenants.

Some 55% of all barristers’ chambers will go under within six months and 81% will not survive 12 months without financial aid, if current pressures caused by the coronavirus pandemic continue, a recent survey by the Bar Council indicates.

On 21 May London's lawyers will once again emerge from their offices for the London Legal Walk, an event organised by the London Legal Support Trust to raise money for legal aid and access to justice.

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

Aspiring Solicitors, launched in November 2013 by former Norton Rose Fulbright associate, Chris White, has recently gained support from a number of high-profile law firms.

The government’s attempt to introduce a discriminatory residence test for legal aid claimants, which sought to limit the availability of services for people born outside the United Kingdom, but living here for "one year or more", has been unanimously thrown out by the Supreme Court.

Why should businesses register a trademark?

According to the new report by Careers Research and Advisory Centre (CRAC), “45% of the Young Bar reported a negative impact on their financial situation, higher still at 60% for those working in crime – as court work ceased in 2020, their earnings plummeted.”

In a joint letter to the lord chancellor, legal aid providers have warned that the immigration legal aid system requires systemic change. 

A “more prescribed” approach is required to ensure that all newly qualified barristers receive good support and guidance from their assigned ‘qualified person’, research by the Bar Standards Board has concluded.

The bitter legal battle over the introduction of employment tribunal fees is set to end soon as the verdict on a Supreme Court hearing is considered. 

With London’s free legal advice centres closing at the rate of one a month towards the end of 2011, the London Legal Support Trust is planning to hold several events in 2012 to raise funds to prevent further closures throughout the year.

The legal profession’s use of the ‘BAME’ label to group Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic lawyers has been criticised by chair of the Bar Council, Derek Sweeting QC.

The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) annual report has revealed that 56% of candidates passed the January 2024 SQE1 sitting – an increase on the January 2023 sitting (51%). 

Is the court system a laggard or just being cautious?

Jasmine Coyne is a solicitor in the employment team at Gowling WLG (UK) LLP. She explains her route to qualification, day-to-day work and why Gowling stands out. 

Law Training Centre has become the latest training provider to reveal details of new online courses designed to prepare students for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE).