The coronavirus pandemic has so far not led to any delay in plans to change legal education and training in 2021 with the introduction of the new Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). Here is everything we know about the new exams, from the syllabus, to the format of the exams themselves, to the possible cost for candidates, to the response of law firms, universities, law schools and junior lawyers.

Manchester-based firm Browne Jacobson has extended its mentoring scheme with Manchester Metropolitan University’s law school, which aims to improve access to careers in the legal profession for students from less-privileged backgrounds. 

With the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, the path to becoming a lawyer has undergone a significant transformation. Candidates across the UK are adjusting to this new assessment format, which differs from traditional academic exams. In this article, Jody Tranter, senior director of learning at BARBRI, explores how adopting the right mindset can help you navigate this new exam and route to becoming a lawyer with confidence and clarity.

The University of Law has received a new “gold” rating in the new government-led Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). The TEF panel judged that the institution “delivers consistently outstanding teaching, learning and outcomes for its students. It is of the highest quality found in the United Kingdom.”

BPP University Law School has launched a nationwide advocacy competition for aspiring barristers, with scholarships and bursaries the prizes. 

The legal profession has a long way to go before it’s truly representative of the population it serves and it’s still playing catch-up when it comes to recognising the benefits diversity can bring.

London is a huge, sprawling city to study in, and is home to several prestigious world-class universities including LSE, UCL and King’s; this guide lays out some of the most important benefits and issues with studying in the capital.

At university, if you wanted to become a solicitor, the only route I knew about was private practice. I knew there were a vast array of firms, from high street to the magic circle, but I knew very little about the in-house legal functions in corporations or the public sector.

Krishna Patel, managing associate at leading national law firm Stevens & Bolton LLP, shares details of his journey into the legal profession, his area of expertise and the type of corporate finance work he takes on, including M&A, and his advice for you. Read Krishna’s insights in this Meet the Lawyer profile.

I’m qualifying via the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), can I still do a training contract?

A record number of aspiring lawyers enrolled on the Bar Professional Training Course in 2018, with most graduates unable to go on to secure pupillage, the Bar Standards Board revealed.

I’m in the final year of my law degree – should I do the Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course after I graduate, or the new Solicitors Qualifying Exam?

At first glance, this might seem like one of those ‘how-tos’ that you’ve read before. Don’t stop reading! I want to highlight some key points that contribute towards drafting a good CV in a more structured way. As a non-law graduate who has successfully secured a training contract, I want to provide a perspective on what a desirable ‘law CV’ should look like, but also how to adapt and make fundamental changes to a CV when converting to law.  

Finn Halton is a corporate tax lawyer at Macfarlanes. Find out why Finn pursued this area of law, how the firm has supported her and Finn’s top tips for aspiring lawyers.

With the start of the new academic year coming up, no doubt your anticipation is intensifying and a sense of responsibility mounting. This final year will not merely test your legal knowledge; it's one of the key last steps before a career in law. This is a period marked by intense academic rigour, critical decision making regarding specialisations and much career planning. Let's delve into what this crucial year entails

UK law firm TLT LLP has created a bespoke and innovative Solicitors Qualification Programme (SQE) in collaboration with BPP University Law School. 

DWF Group Limited partner Sarah Mir speaks about her work in catastrophic injury insurance, why she was drawn to this area of the law and the array of opportunities at DWF. 

Anyone who knows me, also knows that I am honest as they come.