Isabella Gartside, early careers assistant at Ashfords LLP, highlights how crucial thorough research is prior to making an application, the importance of being genuine and how you can make yourself stand out. 

There's cause to celebrate for the majority of SNR Denton's Spring 2011 qualifying trainees, as the firm reveals that it has positions for 11 out of the 14-strong intake.

Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, Baroness Carr, is “really interested” in filming more trials in a wider range of courts to “promote open justice”.

The Law Society of England and Wales has opened applications for its 2026 Diversity Access Scheme, which aims to promote social mobility and increase diversity within the legal profession by supporting individuals who face social, educational, financial or personal challenges to qualifying as a solicitor.

The University of Law is set to launch a US Bar Preparation Course designed to support non-US graduates and lawyers taking the New York or California Bar exam. 

You should apply from September onwards in your final year at university. 

In September 2024, the House of Commons held its first reading of the Renters' Rights Bill 2024, which aimed to reform the build to rent and private rented sectors. The Bill passed its second reading in October and is due to become law in summer 2025.

As teachers across the country prepare to welcome back students into the classroom for the first time since March, there are a number of other important updates for you to catch up on in this week’s commercial news round-up.

City solicitors have warned that firms may require all trainees joining from 2022 onwards to pass the new ‘super exam’, despite the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s indication that transitional arrangements allowing students to qualify through the old system may be in place until 2031. 

Here Becky Jackson and Aasha Tikoo from our London graduate team talk about our award-winning, innovative internship programme for future trainees.

Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP has confirmed the election of Lisa Mayhew as managing partner of the firm following the first contested elections held in 16 years.

Research and writing skills tests could no longer be included in stage one of the new Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), with the Solicitors Regulation Authority suggesting that law firms could instead pay for potential trainees to take these tests separately.

What key skill do all firms want to see in their future lawyers? That’s right: commercial awareness. Building your commercial awareness will be a lot easier if you’re reading and keeping on top of an issue that you’re genuinely interested in. Get started now…

One of the main reasons that the Solicitors Regulation Authority introduced the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) route to qualification, was in an effort to promote social mobility, but will the new regime lead to an increase in diversity within the legal profession?

CILEx Regulation is “delighted” to have launched its first-ever equality, diversity and inclusion strategy earlier this week, which aims to promote fair access for all in the legal services market and implement measurable targets for the next two years. 

Despite talking a good game on diversity issues, the legal profession needs to “be brave and walk our talk” by making diverse workplaces an individual responsibility, according to the findings of the Miranda Brawn Annual Diversity Leadership Conference hosted by The University of Law earlier in October. 

Calum Smith shares his journey into law and advice for aspiring barristers, as well as outlining how he manages his workload.