Commercial awareness is a vital skill for trainee solicitors. For candidates applying for vacation schemes and training contracts, becoming commercially aware involves building an understanding of how law firms and their clients work as businesses and how the wider world impacts them. This concise guide rounds up a range of key commercial stories and talking points from 2021.

Following the encouraging retention figures released by several firms in January, more big names have disclosed their retention rates for March 2012.

Magic circle law firms Allen & Overy, Freshfields and Linklaters have announced their partner promotions for 2021, with some positive signs that the firms are working to rebalance their male-dominated partnerships.

As universities plan to hike tuition fees, some firms are to review the financial assistance on offer to their future trainees.

Linklaters, RPC and Taylor Wessing have revealed high trainee retention rates as we emerge from covid-19-induced lockdowns. 

Six leading law firms are set to attend the third annual OPEN event for disabled students who are interested in a career in commercial law.

A number of City firms weathering the effects of coronavirus are evaluating the need for secretaries and support staff during the pandemic.

US firm Latham & Watkins and global giant Baker & McKenzie have been rated by students as the two best vacation scheme providers in the Legal Week Intelligence 2011 Law Student Report.

Magic circle firm Linklaters has launched a new innovation podcast series, Linkubator, aimed at students who want to develop their understanding of how the legal sector is being transformed by innovation and emerging technologies.

Fifteen law firms and other legal sector organisations have made this year’s list of the top 100 LGBT-inclusive employers, compiled by charity Stonewall.

Sixteen law firms have made LGBT rights charity Stonewall’s top 100 LGBT-inclusive employers list for 2018, with three in the top 10.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority’s latest report shows a drop in overall pass rate for the first part of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), SQE1, from 53% in the November 2021 sitting to 51% in the January 2023 sitting.

I’m beginning to understand the mechanics of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). In Autumn 2021 the Solicitors Regulation Authority will introduce a two-part assessment, including a multiple-choice element designed to test legal knowledge (SQE1) and a series of written and oral exams designed to test legal skills (SQE2). Eventually, all new solicitors will have to pass both stages and undertake two years of relevant work experience before they can qualify.

BARBRI has announced the innovative funding initiative, BARBRI Bridges, to support and enhance diversity inclusion and wider access to the legal sector.

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.

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.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has revealed that apprentices are achieving top performance levels across the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), averaging scores that are 8% higher than other candidates on SQE1 and SQE2.  

The Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund, which is backed by 18 major law firms, has secured funding for its first cohort of social welfare legal workers to begin their journey to qualifying as solicitors via the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE).

I didn’t go to a selective school, but have good A levels and my ambition is to be a City lawyer – what does this mean for my chances? What are law firms doing to improve the representation of people from low socioeconomic backgrounds?