For many years mental health and the legal profession have been at loggerheads. Long hours, high-intensity workloads and covid-19 are among a seemingly endless list of factors that continue to contribute to the profession’s mental health crisis. And what about those vying to get through the door? The competition is, as ever, fierce and expectations high.

Aspiring solicitors could be “exploited” under the new Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), warns the Junior Lawyer Division (JLD) in an open letter to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) published this week.

The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) was introduced in September 2021. Here's everything we know about the new exams, from the syllabus, to the format of the exams themselves, to the cost for candidates, to what law firms, universities and law schools are doing.

What effect will the decision in FAPL v QC Leisure have on how rights owners license their products in the EU?

Three legal apprentices have just started at the BBC, joining its in-house legal team on a two-year advanced apprenticeship course that will lead to a Level 3 CILEx Certificate in Law and Practice.

The full version of an internal Ministry of Justice report detailing the concerns of judges about people forced to represent themselves in court due to legal aid cuts has been leaked, despite the government’s attempts to conceal its existence. The government has now been reported to the Information Commissioner for an alleged breach of freedom of information law.

How effective are the efforts currently underway to prevent companies from avoiding paying corporation tax?

The University of Law has announced the relocation of its Yorkshire training centre from York to Leeds.

As part of LCN's increased focus on diversity in the legal profession, we’ve been looking at the relationship between candidates and firms when it comes to diverse talent. 

Access to justice is invaluable, but at what price?

Pro bono lawyers play a vital role in expanding access to justice and supporting communities in need.

Everyone says law firms are looking for tech-savvy lawyers, how do I become more tech savvy?

Maya Shah, senior early careers specialist at Ropes & Gray, outlines what the firm wants to see from candidates in their applications and at interview, as well how the firm is adopting the SQE and what candidates can expect from the vacation scheme. 

Diversity and inclusion is being talked about more than ever. For the legal profession, a commitment to ensuring candidates from all backgrounds feel welcome and supported, as well as implementing inclusive policies and outreach is paramount to its recruitment strategies, and is often splashed across law firm websites and brochures. Sometimes it might feel like this is just lip service – buzz words used for marketing purposes.

As a part of our Inclusion for All strategy, we continue to look at our behaviours, policy and process changes, and ways of working that enable Gowling WLG (UK) LLP to be truly diverse.

As a part of our Inclusion for All strategy, we continue to look at our behaviours, policy and process changes, and ways of working that enable Gowling WLG (UK) LLP to be truly diverse.

As a part of our Inclusion for All strategy, we continue to look at our behaviours, policy and process changes, and ways of working that enable Gowling WLG (UK) LLP to be truly diverse.

Will the Jackson reforms reduce the cost of litigation as intended?

You don’t need a law degree to become a lawyer – in fact, the modern legal profession is full of non-law graduates, and the skills and experiences gained studying and working in other fields are assets that make you a stronger candidate.