The government has defeated an opposition attempt to reverse reforms to the way that criminal defence barristers are paid for legal aid work, with barristers vowing to step up their strike action in response.

Browne Jacobson LLP has partnered with one of the world’s leading virtual work experience platforms Forage to launch a brand-new programme that aims to improve diversity and inclusion within the legal sector.

With all the furore of government in the past few days, we’re going to assume that you’re fully up to speed (or bored to tears) with all things Brexit-related. Treat yourself this festive period by looking a bit further than the B-word to this week’s selection of commercial news stories that might be of interest to you.

MPs have called for employment tribunal fees to be “substantially” reduced after it was found that such fees have badly reduced the public’s access to justice since they were introduced. 

London South Bank University (LSBU), in collaboration with legal education provider BARBRI, is set to introduce Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) preparation into its legal master’s programme.  

Walker Morris, a distinctive and independent top 100 UK law firm, has introduced a new sabbatical scheme for lawyers.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have made a landmark discovery. Following recent survey, they revealed that there are currently more women than men practising as solicitors in England and Wales.

On almost every job or internship application form – legal or otherwise – there will be a section detailing any past experience you may have. This is frequently a tricky section for students to complete. How are we meant to gain experience when the role we are applying for is experience but requires prior experience to secure it?

Mishcon de Reya LLP has partnered with legal education provider BARBRI Global to refugee lawyers for the Solicitors Qualifying Exam and help them requalify as solicitors in England and Wales.

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%). 

The consultation on proposals for a new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) has closed with students, educators and employers now waiting for a final decision and further detail from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), but the plans remain controversial.

Legal education provider The University of Law (ULaw) has appointed Patrick Johnson as its director of equality, diversity and inclusion as part of efforts to remove existing barriers and create an environment “where everyone, from any background, can succeed”.

Happy new year! We hope that you had a good Christmas break and that it offered at least a brief respite from work (and worrying about Brexit). Here is a selection of important business news stories that you might have understandably missed while you had a face full of chocolate orange.

UK Disability History Month (DHM) is in full swing and runs this year from 16 November until 16 December 2022. The theme for this year’s DHM is disability, health and wellbeing.

If commercial awareness means keeping up with the latest commercial news stories affecting law firms and businesses, then there can be no more timely news than that of the Brexit mayhem currently taking place.

Barristers, solicitors, charity workers and law centre volunteers will congregate outside the Ministry of Justice tonight (18 April) in protest at the crisis in the justice system.

Cost pressures have been cited as a significant barrier to law firms achieving their sustainability goals, according to new research by carbon reduction consultancy Greenarc, despite increasing demands from clients and employees.

Barrister apprenticeships are set to be introduced next year in an effort to improve access to the profession. It’s hoped that the proposed new route to qualification will enable aspiring barristers to earn while they learn, avoiding the costly fees required to attend university and then Bar school.