The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has been criticised for its response to the collapse of Axiom Ince in 2023, which led to the loss of 1,400 jobs.

As well as this week’s news round-up, you can also watch our latest webinar (live or via our YouTube), which will provide insight from a law firm partner at Squire Patton Boggs, a future Travers Smith trainee solicitor and a graduate recruitment officer from Baker McKenzie. For now, here’s the latest commercial news update from LCN.

The University of Law will launch a two-year specialist undergraduate law degree in international legal practice in 2014, the first of this kind of accelerated LLB in the United Kingdom.

Stronger Together is a network designed to “promote racial diversity, inclusion and equality” in Leeds’ professional services sector, while identifying ways to create a more diverse and inclusive sector in the city.

LawCareers.Net recently conducted its annual survey of users, attempting to find out how our many thousands of readers use the information that is available to them.

The decision on whether or not to approve plans for a new solicitors’ ‘super exam’ has been delayed once again by the Legal Services Board.

As the country emerges from Storm Imogen to find itself bathed in glorious sunshine, the day feels full of possibility – why not harness that energy to improve your understanding of the commercial world? 

Earlier in the week the government confirmed that courts will remain open during the latest coronavirus lockdown. The government’s guidelines set out “reasonable excuses” for leaving home, including “to fulfil a legal obligation, such as attending court or jury service”.

Nearly 60% of legal professionals reported poor mental health, while half said they had experienced frequent anxiety over the past 12 months, according to LawCare’s 2025 Life in the Law report. 

With the rolling out of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) from September 2021, the route for non-law students to qualify as a solicitor has changed. Confused? In this Feature we’ll run through what your options are as a non-law student pursuing a career as a solicitor, and the different kinds of law conversion course that are available.

Working as a paralegal before securing a training contract is increasingly the norm for thousands of candidates. It is even possible to qualify as a solicitor by gaining relevant experience as a paralegal, instead of a formal training contract – a route which could become even more popular with the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). However, this stepping stone also has potential downsides to watch out for…

Looking for an ‘in’? Open days and insight schemes are invaluable opportunities to meet the people that work for the law firms you’re interested in. You’ll learn about life in the organisation, its culture, the work on offer and much more. Plus, if prepped well, it’s your chance to ace that initial interaction, which will set you up nicely for future encounters and could eventually lead to a training contract.

The government has announced an increase in the minimum wage and WH Smith faces an inquiry following an accounting error. Meanwhile, Heathrow’s plan for a third runway has been chosen over a rival proposal from Arora Group, and Warner Music Group is set to collaborate with AI music company Suno, a firm it sued just a year ago.

This week started with Prime Minister Boris Johnson setting out the roadmap to begin easing lockdown in the UK, with all restrictions due to be lifted by 21 June. But what else happened this week that you, as an aspiring lawyer, should know about? Read the round-up below for insight into some of the week’s news.