Global disability network The Valuable 500 has reached its target to get 500 global businesses to add disability inclusion to their business leadership agenda, including several law firms.

New research has revealed that City law firms are hiring at a rapid rate, with a 14% annual rise in vacancies recorded in the capital.

There has been a sharp rise in the number of trainees being paid less than the Law Society’s recommended minimum salary, according to a new survey. 

Calls to reject proposals for a new ‘super exam’ for qualifying solicitors have increased in intensity to put the Legal Services Board under unprecedented pressure as it considers its final decision.

The Law Society’s annual report on the make-up of the profession has revealed several key stats, including that (i) the number of registered training contacts has risen, and (ii) the growth in numbers of practising solicitors has been led by women, at a rate that if it continues, will see women outnumber men in the profession by 2017. 

The Supreme Court has ruled that the government acted unlawfully and unconstitutionally by introducing fees of up to £1,200 for those bringing claims to an employment tribunal. 

Grab that ice cream and sit down with LawCareers.Net’s commercial news round-up for a summary of our pick of the news from the past week. What’s on your radar?

Is the freedom of the media being tempered by an ad hoc privacy law?

A legal aid support package was unveiled last week, which the government claims will help legal aid practitioners through the coronavirus pandemic.

This week has seen preparations take place for the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, with Commissioner of Transport for London Andy Byford stating that it will be the largest organisational challenge TfL has faced since the 2012 Olympics. Meanwhile, four ‘magic circle’ firms have been accused of greenwashing in an open letter signed by over 150 prominent lawyers, and the SRA confirms the replacement of the Solicitors Indemnity Fund.

Following on from fellow blogger Indiya Kainth’s piece on how working from home might be affecting the individual, I was inspired to write the following piece on how working from home might affect law firms. 

What are the pros and cons of using AI to do your legal work?

AI in law is a curious concept. Take a sector that’s, rightly or wrongly, greatly impacted by human perception and feelings, strip it of everything that’s subjective and you have the legal system under AI in the perhaps not-so-distant future.

Political parties have announced their policies on legal aid and the justice system as the general election ramps up ahead of polling day on Thursday 12 December.

A study of 3,000 firms by the Solicitors Regulation Authority has found that many law firms do not know how to make reasonable adjustments for disabled staff and solicitors are concealing their disabilities at work.

A deal between Irwin Mitchell LLP and Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP will involve the two firms working together to “maximise the opportunities both sides of the border” for their clients.

How are the UK's net zero commitments affecting commercial law firms?

How can private entities hold the state to account?