The Law Society of England and Wales has welcomed changes proposed in the new Sentencing Bill, which had its second reading in the House of Commons on Tuesday 16 September. 

Forget the upcoming general election, Brexit confusion and the increasingly cold weather: today is everyone’s favourite day of the year – John Lewis Christmas Advert Day! 

There are a lot of sources of information surrounding legal aid and the benefits it has in the legal system. However, universities often don't promote its importance within today's society.

International firm Herbert Smith Freehills LLP published an anthology of thoughts and experiences shared by Black colleagues across the firm and leading external commentators to mark Black History Month this October.

Legal education provider BARBRI has collaborated with Hall & Stott Publishing on a series of law textbooks for UK law students.

Without a little prompting, we can all let good intentions slide – especially so when it comes to the sort of preparatory work that requires long-term commitment. Developing your commercial awareness is one such example; it’s not enough to read the FT on the way to your training contract interview. You have to put in hours well in advance of that, so where better to start than with another collection of the week’s most interesting business news stories?

Chambers have been issued new guidance by the Bar Council in a move to ensure that any sexual harassment complaints are dealt with properly.

The Bar Council, Inns of Court and the Institute of Barristers’ Clerks have together launched an online portal aimed at supporting barristers in terms of wellbeing and mental health. 

Law Training Centre has announced its new Access to Law Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) Scholarship, which will provide an initial 50 learners from all backgrounds with targeted support.

In September, many students start their new venture into university to study all kinds of different subjects. Preparation before starting a course can help you hit the ground running. I don't just mean buying stationary (although that can most definitely help motivation) but also preparing for the course itself.

Solicitors have recently reported a rise in legal battles over incapacity as dementia cases rise. Disputes centre around inheritance and “who should actually have control of someone who hasn’t got capacity”. 

How far are communications between clients and in-house lawyers confidential?

‘Commercial awareness’ needn’t be a frightening phrase that law firms throw around to bamboozle you. It’s broadly about understanding that lawyer advise clients who operate in the business world – plus a law firm is a business too.

Two leading City firms have delayed partner promotions due to pandemic pressures.

Ashurst has delayed partner promotions until later this year due to “continuing market uncertainty”. 

The planned Solicitors Qualifying Exam stage one skills assessment will be changed or abandoned after the results of a pilot showed that it disadvantaged BAME candidates.

Insurance specialist Horwich Farrelly has become one of the first UK law firms to appoint mental health ‘first aiders’ for the promotion of good mental health at work. 

The Law Society of England and Wales has awarded 15 scholarships to aspiring solicitors, welcoming them into its Diversity Access Scheme (DAS), which is now in its 21st year. The DAS supports those facing social, educational, financial or personal obstacles to qualifying – assisting awardees on their legal academic journey and helping them obtain relevant work experience and access to mentoring opportunities.