Can I access the government’s postgraduate student loan for the Postgraduate Diploma in Law (PGDL) and the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) preparation courses?

The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) has enrolled nine scholarship winners onto the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) – a new approach to on-the-job training which CILEX launched in 2021. 

As more law schools and universities reveal the fees students can expect to pay for Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) preparation courses, the Junior Lawyers Division has said that fears that the new ‘super exam’ would fail to drive down the average cost of becoming a lawyer have been confirmed.

The College of Law and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives have teamed up to deliver a 'one-stop shop' for the legal profession's training requirements.

Both Kennedys and Browne Jacobson have recently welcomed their first batch of legal apprentices, reflecting a trend that is fast gathering momentum.

The City Consortium, which includes Freshfields and Linklaters, will provide ‘top-up courses’ for future trainees taking the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) to ensure candidates are prepared to commence training contracts within a City practice.  

Long since labelled a ‘male-dominated industry’, the legal profession is having its gendered division challenged by women solicitors joining at three times the rate of men.

Research published by the Law Society shows that although proposed changes to the legal aid financial eligibility test are positive, the impact of the cost of living crisis and rises in inflation will continue affecting those using legal aid in the justice system.

Linklaters has launched a tailored training contract for Mandarin speakers whereby candidates are trained in London before moving to practise in China upon qualification.

Law fairs offer an important opportunity to meet firms face to face or virtually.

Magic circle law firm Linklaters has launched a bespoke A-level tutoring programme – Making Links Discovery – with two pillars, one aimed at advancing social mobility and the other on improving racial and ethnic diversity within the profession.

Economic data tells a story of unparalleled and strident expansion for legal services. These figures are not only impressive, but also thought provoking: could there be a limit to this legal growth in a well-functioning economy?

It’s worth mentioning that a legal career is competitive and expensive.

The Next 100 Years, a project founded by Dana Denis-Smith, has launched a new £100,000 scholarship campaign, Paving the Way, “to give the next generation of game changers help on the first step of their journey into a legal career”.

A third increase will be applied to the fees associated with the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) assessments from September 2025, taking the costs to £1,934 for SQE1 and £2,974 for SQE2. 

I've pulled together three top tips to help you tackle those January blues and stay upbeat in the coming months… after all, its nearly summer.