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.

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. 

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. 

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

Most trainee-hiring law firms run work experience schemes and events specifically for year 12/13 and first-year students. So, if you’re seriously considering becoming a solicitor, you’ll be doing yourself a big favour by getting involved at this early stage of your career – if not just to identify whether a career in the legal profession is for you. Use this list of law firms offering opportunities to year 12/13 and first-year university students to get you started!

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