AllAboutLaw Top Lawfluencers 2023: Best Trainee Solicitor Accounts

If you’re currently navigating the training contract application process, or have a training contract offer, you’re probably wondering what life as a trainee solicitor is like. As part of the AllAboutLaw Top Lawfluencers 2023, we are highlighting some of your favourite trainee solicitor content creators. These creators share the realities of trainee life, as well as provide tips and tricks to help you navigate the application cycle.

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AllAboutLaw Top Lawfluencers 2023: Best Law Student Accounts

Currently studying law, or looking into doing so in the future? As part of AllAboutLaw’s Top Lawfluencer Awards, check out our list of the best law student accounts. All these content creators provide tips and advice to help you successfully navigate law student life.

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AllAboutLaw Top Lawfluencers 2023: Most Popular Lawfluencers

As part of our Top Lawfluencer series in 2023, AllAboutLaw is spotlighting a range of content creators who share informative content about legal life. Today, we’re sharing some of our favourite popular Lawfluencers; accounts with over 20,000 followers. If you’re looking to add some legal expertise to your For You page, here are some accounts you’ll want to follow.

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AllAboutLaw Top Lawfluencers 2023: Rising Stars

For this year's Top Lawfluencer series, AllAboutLaw is showcasing content creators who share the realities of legal life. If you’d like to support lesser known content creators who make engaging content, keep reading for our ‘Rising Stars’ of the online legal world.

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The Real Contract: What can a trainee really expect from a Clifford Chance training contract?

Securing a training contract is an incredible achievement. In addition to the legal knowledge and skills you’ll gain, personal development and growth is a key part of the experience. To gain a real, unfiltered account of what a training contract at a leading law firm is like, Clifford Chance asked seven of their solicitors (from trainee to partner) to write a letter to their past selves reflecting on their legal journey so far. We have picked out some important passages from these seven letters to help you better understand what each one means for the trainee experience at Clifford Chance.

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AllAboutLaw Blog - the LPC and BPTC under Covid-19, the Windrush scandal and more

This week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog looks at the response of the legal industry to the spread of the Coronavirus, the projected development of the UK legal market, and the response to the publication of the Windrush scandal.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: Coronavirus, the Uncensored Library and more

This week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog addresses the coronavirus and its impact on the economy, the Uncensored Library of Minecraft and the live-streaming of UK court hearings.

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All About Law Blog: Heathrow expansion, period poverty and more

In this week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog, we discuss the Court of Appeal’s Heathrow expansion decision as well as Scotland’s passing of a bill to end period poverty. We also touch on a corruption scandal originating from the 2008 financial crisis.

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AllAboutLaw blog: the far-reaching effects of the coronavirus, the WikiLeaks trial and more

This week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog addresses the wider implications of the coronavirus, the hearing of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and a potential return to classical architecture.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: Islamic marriages, EU data protection and Trump’s tweets

In this week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw Blog, we address the recent Court of Appeals’ decision to only offer English marriage law protection to registered UK marriages, the EU’s privacy concerns in relation to Facebook and a call to question the legality of Trump’s tweeting.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: the Flybe rescue deal, a televised Crown Court and more

In this week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw Blog we look at the government’s intervention to save Flybe from insolvency, the decision to allow televised coverage of Crown Court judgments and the controversy of New York’s new bail reform law.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s shock statement, the implications of a changing high street and more

This week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog addresses a potential trademark conflict over ‘Sussex Royal’, what a changing high street means for the legal profession and the continued growth of Africa’s start-up culture.

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AllAboutLaw blog: Myanmar at the International Court of Justice, India’s citizenship law, and more

This week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog looks into the current hearings at the International Court of Justice regarding the Rohingya persecution, the discontent surrounding the newly enacted citizenship law in India, and Prince Andrew’s involvement with Jeffrey Epstein.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: a legal perspective of the impeachment inquiry, the unexpected consequence of Disney’s success and more

This week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog looks at the impeachment enquiry against Trump, the double-edged sword of “Frozen 2”’s success, and the trafficking of Pakistani brides to China.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: A call to end Black Friday, an unusual ode to thanksgiving and more

 This week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog looks at the damaging effects of Black Friday and the ensuing discontent of the shopping event in France, how the signing of a new bill lead to a display of thanks by Hong Kong protesters, and a legal action launched by British athletes against the British Olympic Association.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: Remember, remember the 5th of November and more.

This week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw Blog looks at the history of Guy Fawkes Night and the growing discontent around the topic of fireworks, a case brought by WhatsApp against a cybersecurity firm, and the implementation of a new internet law in Russia.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: The BBC is accused of gender discrimination, the move to include unaccompanied migrant children in legal aid, and more

This week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw Blog looks at a case brought by the presenter Samira Ahmed against the BBC on grounds of unequal pay, the possibility for unaccompanied migrant children to claim legal aid, and a judge who lost her cool during a court proceeding.

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AllAboutLaw blog: the digitisation of UK courts and tribunals, Sudan's first female judge and more

In this week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog, we look at the digitisation of the UK Courts (and the reluctance to proceed at full speed), the election of Sudan’s first female judge, and a case involving Domino’s Pizza and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: Hong Kong mask ban, a Google lawsuit and the Trump impeachment

In this week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw Blog the Hong Kong protests once again take centre stage. For the first time in more than 50 years, the chief executive of Hong Kong referred to the emergency regulations ordinance to ban the wearing of masks. 

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AllAboutLaw Blog: Saudi Arabia's far-reaching ambitions, a prison sector in flux and more.

This week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw Blog takes a look at Saudi Arabia’s ambitions to diversify its economy in the face of human-rights accusations, the change in the prison sector of the UK and the Human Rights Watch condemnation of Lebanon’s failure to implement a law.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: The suspension of parliament, AIs role in fraudulent behaviour and more

 In this week’s edition of the AllAboutBlog, tensions reach an all-time high following the decision to suspend parliament. We also take a look at a worrying new strategy used by fraudsters and the UK justice system’s struggle to address an increase in rape reports.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: The contagious spread of the opioid crisis, a new legal territory and more...

 In this week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog, we look at the implications (or rather lack of) of a recent Johnson & Johnson case on the global opioid market, the first person to be investigated for a crime committed in space, and the pressing need for law firms to remain competent in matters of money laundering.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: A tough stance on law and order, the Epstein ordeal and more

In this week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw Blog, we look at the government's proposal to tackle crime rights in the UK, the implications of Epstein’s death and the National Rifle Association’s attitude following the mass shootings in the United States.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: Increasing your employability, a grim forecast for the legal sector following a no-deal Brexit and more

In this week’s edition of the AllAboutLaw blog, the Junior Lawyers Division (JLD) offers the chance to boost your employability and help to secure a training contract, the legal sector is likely to lose a significant amount of work in the event of a no-deal Brexit, and following the tragic shootings in the United States this weekend, there is a renewed effort to reform gun-control laws.

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AllAboutLaw blog: legal aid turns 70, gender law reforms and more

This week in AllAboutLaw’s weekly blog, we will be looking at the state of legal aid in the UK as it celebrates its 70th birthday. We will also briefly be taking a look at the push for reforms to the gender law by LGBT+ groups and campaigners, as well as at the possible legalisation of cannabis in the near future.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: image-based sexual abuse laws, the new Bar qualification, and more

Welcome to the fifth edition of AllAboutLaw’s weekly blog! This week, we’ll give you a brief overview of changes to legislation surrounding image-based sexual abuse, which includes practices such as revenge porn and ‘deepfake’ pornography. We’ll also be taking a look at changes to the Bar qualification rules and the recent pensions case.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: UK arms exports, cyberattacks and the courts, and more

Welcome to the fourth AllAboutLaw weekly blog! This week, we will be looking at last week’s ruling on arms exports to Saudi Arabia, possible criminal trial delays due to cyberattacks, and changes to the Solicitors Qualifying Examination.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: your weekly legal news drop

Welcome to the second edition of AllAboutLaw’s weekly blog! This week, we will take a look at prosecution lawyers’ planned walkout against low fees, as well as several current news stories related to sexual-offence cases and to technology within the legal sector.

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AllAboutLaw Blog: what's new in the legal sphere this week?

Welcome to the first ever edition of AllAboutLaw’s weekly blog! This week, we briefly look at Human Rights law in relation to LGBT+ rights, as well as various current affairs related to tenancy and artificial intelligence.

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ULaw in Norwich: The University of Law announces a collaboration with University of East Anglia

The national law course provider has announced another expansion—this time a collaboration in which it will provide the LPC at the University of East Anglia.

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SQE given tentative approval by LSB

The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) has been given a tentative approval by the Legal Services Board (LSB). After a collective of legal professionals and academics put pressure on the LSB to reject the SQE, today it said that there were “no grounds” to reject the SRA’s application.

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Law students face repercussions as racist WhatsApp chat exposed

Members of the Bracton Law Society at the University of Exeter are being investigated after screenshots from a WhatsApp group chat revealed racist comments. 

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International Women's Day: the women who have shaped law

Historically, many women have challenged the law, whether by defying odds and becoming legal professionals, or by publically calling for updates to archaic and oppressive legislation. Events of the past year, in particular the #MeToo campaign, reflect the ongoing struggle for women to be safe and accepted in their workplaces. This International Women’s Day, we take a look at just a few of the women who have shaped the legal sector as we know it today.

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The beast from the East - what does the law say about working in low temperatures?

From the most northerly points of the UK to the beaches of Brighton, snow has been making a rare appearance in the UK, leading to cancelled trains and closed schools. But in a country where snow on the ground is a rarity, what exactly are your work rights when the big freeze sets in?

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Upskirting: law against invasive photographs is under “constant review”, says Ministry of Justice

78 cases of upskirting - the popular name for taking an intimate photograph of somebody beneath their clothing - have been recorded by British police in the past two years. Yet there is still no law against such activity, despite some of the victims being as young as 10 years old.

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Ireland to hold referendum on abortion law

The Republic of Ireland will hold a referendum on abortion in May of this year, after years of campaigning for reform to the country’s controversial abortion laws. Leo Varadkar, the Taoiseach (prime minister) of Ireland, announced the decision to hold a referendum on the evening of 29 January.

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Disgraced former gymnastics doctor jailed for up to 175 years

Larry Nassar was handed down a sentence of between 40 and 175 years in prison at the cumulation of his abuse trial. The doctor, who formerly worked with US Gymnastics team, admitted to abusing and molesting girls under his care under the guise of medical treatment.

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“We’re no criminals!” women with criminal records due to prostitution take on government

Today (17 January) and tomorrow (18 January), the Divisional Court will hear an application for judicial review of the Government’s policy in relation to the retention, recording and disclosure of criminal convictions arising from soliciting offences.

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Mindfulness in Law – the good habits to get into now

My interest in mindfulness and ways to remain resilient when practising law began ten years ago. At the start of my legal career I, like many others, was faced with a lot of responsibility early on. As a result, I thought it valuable to learn techniques that would keep me calm, resilient and well in the office.  Learning these techniques, and making my inner wellbeing a priority, had an unexpectedly positive impact on my work as a lawyer.

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First case of spiritual abuse brought against Oxford priest

In a case that is the first of its kind in relation to a priest, an Oxfordshire vicar has been convicted of spiritual abuse by a tribunal. Reverend Timothy Davis of Christ Church, Abingdon, spiritually abused a teenage boy within his congregation for a period of six months in 2013.

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Legal action launched against Google over mass consumer data collection

Google You Owe Us has launched legal action against tech giant Google. The group, led by veteran consumer champion and former Executive Director of Which?, Richard Lloyd, aims to secure compensation for the millions of people across Britain who are believed to have had their personal information unlawfully collected by Google. The campaign is encouraging consumers to spread the word, in order to hold Google to account.

This is the first representative action of its kind in the UK against a major tech company that is centred on the alleged mass misuse of personal data.

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Lauri Love: British man accused of hacking US government fights extradition in High court

Lauri Love is accused of illegally accessing US government websites, and is currently embroiled in a fight to be tried in the UK. Theoretically, the crime Love is accused of took place in the UK, yet the US government wants to try him as the crime was against them.

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Sexual harassment - breaking the silence around the world

Quite easily, the sexual harassment scandal could have unfolded quite differently. Harvey Weinstein - now referenced as the first abuser in a long, long list of names - could have been the only person to be publically accused of multiple offences, including unwanted comments, physical contact and rape. Yet Weinstein would not be the only person to stand accused, nor would Hollywood be the only industry. As the #MeToo hashtag moved around the world, workers - mainly women, but a proportion of men too - from film, theatre and politics came forward to talk about how they had been subjected to sexual harassment or assault at work.

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Robert Mugabe resigns after a 37 year rule

As a hearing was conducted to discuss his possible impeachment, Robert Mugabe - who has been the president of Zimbabwe for 37 years - has submitted his letter of resignation.

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Catalonia - arrest warrants issued for deposed government members

Eight of the deposed Catalan government ministers have been jailed following their landmark vote for independence on Friday. Rebellion, sedition and misuse of public funds are the charges they face in the High Court of Spain.

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Acid attackers to be subject to ‘two strikes’ rule

Individuals carrying acidic substances will be subject to a ‘two strikes’ rule, where if they are caught with a corrosive substance on more than one occasion they will receive a six-month custodial sentence.

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The University of Law launches new solicitor apprenticeship programme

The University of Law (ULaw) has launched a new solicitor apprenticeship programme for 2017. The programme, which started on 25th September, is designed to create successful partnerships between the University, employers and apprentices to meet the requirements of the Government’s employer-led trailblazer standard for solicitor qualification.

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Lavinia Woodward - complaints against judge who sentenced Oxford student dropped

The judge who presided over the much-debated case of Lavinia Woodward will not be investigated further by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO). Ian Pringle QC was criticised for sentencing Woodward to a ten-month suspended custodial sentence after she stabbed her boyfriend in the leg. His reasoning attracted criticism - he focused on Woodward’s educational background - she studies Medicine at the University of Oxford - saying that a sentence which would prevent her from pursuing her career would be “too severe”.

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Top law firms recognised in AllAboutLaw Awards 2017

AllAboutLaw.co.uk recognised the top law firms for vacation schemes and training contracts in its annual AllAboutLaw Awards. The awards ceremony was held on Monday 2nd October 2017, and representatives from some of the biggest firms in the legal industry gathered to celebrate their successes, and those of their peers.

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Gender pay gap at the top - women paid around £12,000 less

Women who hold managerial positions are being paid significantly less than their male counterparts, recent studies have shown. There are 3.3 million managers in the UK, and the gender pay gap for this entire group stands at 26.8%.

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Lord Chief Justice calls for double sentencing powers

Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, the lord chief justice, has called for magistrates to have more weighted sentencing powers. He has said that Magistrates’ power should be increased to so that they can hand down one-year jail sentences to offenders.

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Grenfell Tower fire: individual manslaughter charges may be sought alongside corporate manslaughter charges

The police officers investigating the Grenfell Tower fire have identified 336 different organisations who had ‘varying degrees of involvement’ in the disaster - some of which could be charged with corporate or personal manslaughter.

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Rape trials: Half of jurors make guilty verdict before deliberation

New research has shown that nearly half of jurors in rape cases come to a guilty verdict before deliberation, indicating a predictive relationship between juror demographics, personal experience, and psychological make up. This in turn has an impact upon verdicts in rape cases.

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David Lammy exposes ‘racial bias’ in the criminal justice system

David Lammy has written a report which addresses the ‘racial bias’ within the criminal justice system. Written at the request of the British prime minister, Lammy’s report highlights the disproportionate number of black and ethnic minority males involved in the justice council.

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CPS addresses cases thrown out in relation to the Psychoactive Substances Law

Just one year after its introduction, the Psychoactive Substances law has fallen under scrutiny after two separate cases were thrown out.

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Staggering rise in IP court cases

Hugh James, the Top 100 law firm, has revealed this week that the number of small businesses going to court over their Intellectual Property (IP) rights has soared in recent years. 

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AAL Bizarre: 'James Bond' gadget cheat thrown out of Law school

The annual report from the Office of the International Adjudicator has thrown up a truly bizarre incident which resulted in the failing of a law student after she attempted to use a gadget deception to illegally cheat in her law exams. 

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Bar Council backs the Lawyer Portal

The Bar Council has given its backing to a new service for aspiring lawyers, called the Lawyer Portal. 

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Gender Diversity Conference a roaring success

HR and legal experts from all over Britain came together earlier this month at Simmons & Simmons Law head office London, in order to discuss gender diversity in the legal sector, in an event coming nearly 100 years since women were allowed to begin working in law. 

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Bar parental leave policy set to challenge old stereotypes

The Bar Council today set out its new policy regarding parental leave, cementing the idea that the Bar is becoming one of the most innovative and forward thinking bodies in the legal landscape. 

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SRA announces it WILL go ahead with super-exam from 2020

The Solicitors Regulation Authority today stated that it will go ahead with its new 'super-exam', the Solicitors Qualification Examination, from 2020, despite criticism from within the profession as a whole. 

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Online Court reforms need quality control

The Bar Council has warned the Government that the quality and reputation of the UK's justice system must not suffer a fall from grace, as it prepares to press ahead with plans for online courts and virtual hearings. 

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New Zealand grants 'person' status to a river

The Whanganui River in North Island has been given the same rights as a human being, it has emerged today. 

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AAL Bizarre: Pensioner cleared of shooting intruder

A farmer from East Yorkshire has been cleared by the Hull Crown Court after just 24 minutes of discussion.

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AAL Muppet of the Week: Ex-Judge Robin Camp

A Canadian judge has resigned hours after the country’s legal disciplinary body recommended that he should be removed from the bench.

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BBC barrister makes RPC switch

A senior barrister from the in-house team at the BBC has made the short hop across London to join RPC's media team. 

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Bar Council Chief Executive announces retirement

The Chief Executive of the Bar, Mr Stephen Crowne, announced today that he is going to be retiring this year. 

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AAL Bizarre: Man jailed for live-streaming court case

A man from Wales who live-streamed a court case in Cardiff has himself been arrested for a month. 

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Bar Council launches debt recovery initiative

A new debt recovery panel to help barristers get the money they are owed from professional clients has been launched today by the Bar Council, the representative body for barristers in England & Wales.

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BLP launches training contracts in Manchester

In exciting news for North-West based lawyers, Berwin Leighton Paisner has announced the introduction of training contracts in their Manchester office. 

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Bar Council speaks out on Civil Justice

Following the Lord Chancellor's calls for co-operation on civil justice in the wake of Brexit, the Bar Council has spoken out to show their support, and to echo the need for working together in a turbulent period. 

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Reed Smith takes seven KWM trainees in swoop

As part of a 50-person haul from the now-defunct King Wood Malleson's firm, Reed Smith have taken on seven legal trainees - three in their London office, and four in Paris. 

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BSB Diversity Report and Bar Council Reponse

The Bar Standards Board released their annual diversity report last week, entitled Diversity at the Bar. Whilst response rates are up for all categories, it has been stated that there are still a number of barristers who are not disclosing their diversity data to the report.

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Law Rocks! gains charity status

The Law Rocks! programme announced last week that it had secured approved charitable status, after firm Howard Kennedy had advised them on the nuances of their application. 

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Law Teacher of the Year - 2017 finalists announced!

The finalists for the Law Teacher of the Year award for 2017, in association with sponsors Oxford University Press, have been revealed. 

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Chairman of the Bar gives speech to IBA at Washington

Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, the Chairman of the Bar, gave a speech this week to the International Bar Association in Washington, highlighting the battles that the profession faces in the current climate, and you can read the full transcript below. 

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Winners announced for AllAboutLaw Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2016

On Tuesday 27th September 2016, AllAboutLaw.co.uk hosted its annual Top Law Firms awards ceremony in Cavendish Square, London. Hundreds of representatives from the UK’s most esteemed law firms celebrated, as the results for the Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes were announced and a range of awards were presented. 

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BPP partners leading firms for new apprenticeship scheme

From September 2016, BPP University Law School will be launching two new legal apprenticeships, and has announced this week that it will be partnered by some of the country's leading firms in pioneering this new route into the profession. 

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University of Law offers LPC funding

The University of Law has announced changes to its courses which now allows government funding to be used for certain LPC courses. Previously the government postgraduate loan could only be used for full master's degrees such as the LLM, but not diplomas like the LPC or GDL.

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Bar Council challenges Ministry of Justice

In a response issued this week to the report released by the House of Commons Justice Select Committee, the Bar Council has challenged the Ministry of Justice to 'learn from its mistakes'.

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AAL Statistics: Guardian Law Table shows usual suspects

Oxbridge, LSE and Kings London topped the Guardian tables for Law this week, as it was a case of been there, done that, for many.

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Land Registry privatization dangerous, says watchdog

The government’s planned privatization of the Land Resistry is a dangerous precedent because it could create a monopoly business with the ability to abuse its position, the competition watchdog has warned.

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AAL Muppet of the Week: Court selfie-taker fined 190 quid

A 32 year old man was arrested and slapped with a £190 fine for taking a selfie in York Magistrates Court and posting it on his Facebook page

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Justice System under real stress, says report

The public accounts committee report has been heavily critical of the Ministry of Justice, stating that the number of Crown Prosecution Service lawyers has fallen by more than 20% and that the Ministry is too slow to recognize the stress the system is under.

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Law Society hits out at accountants’ legal services plan

The Law Society has claimed that plans to allow the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) to regulate legal activities would create chaos whilst providing no clear benefits.

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Sheffield still pushing for Steel Circle

Following their initial drive to try and convince law firms to move to the Steel City, Creative Sheffield held another conference this month to try and drum up more interest.

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AAL Bizarre: TV barrister under fire for ‘fix’

One of the infamous ‘chasers’ on ITV’s The Chase has become embroiled in a controversy centred around whether he allowed celebrities to win the show in order to get the money to charity.

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Kraftwerk lose sampling case in Germany

The German court has ruled that a two second beat sampled from the Kraftwerk track Metall auf Metall is not enough to breach copyright laws.

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AAL Bizarre: Sun newspaper names junior barrister as ‘highest earning lawyer’

In a strange turn of events, The Sun newspaper has named Balbir Singh, a 61 junior barrister from Birmingham, who heads up a criminal setup, as the richest lawyer in the UK.

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US to bring in new law protecting journalists

The United States teeters on the verge of creating a landmark law which would have the potential of removing the spectre of impunity for journalists around the world.

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Switching chairs at the Bar Council

The elected barristers who will chair the Bar Council in 2017 have been announced recently, and it’s a case of which Andrew is which in the hot seats.

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BLP launches LGBT initiative

Berwin Leighton Paisner, the international law firm, has recently announced the launch of a new enterprise named ‘AuthentiCity’, which will be aimed at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT*) students and graduates.

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London firm steps up in landmark Dutch-Russian case

A Chancery Lane-based international law firm, Zaiwalla & Co Solicitors has made an important contribution to a landmark case regarding the Dutch Court’s decision regarding the Yukos Award of $50 billion against the Russian Federation.

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SRA slammed for conduct failures

An all-party parliamentary group has today criticised the Solicitors Regulation Authority for their failures in examining the conduct of a magic circle firm.

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AAL Muppet of the Week: Drunk Tulisa crashes Ferrari, cries in court

Tulisa Contostavlos broke down in tears in court this week as she pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

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AAL Bizarre: Judge halts trial to gain a new ‘Direction’

A judge this month paused a court case in order to determine who One Direction, the world’s biggest boy band, were.

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‘Rehabilitated’ ex-solicitor denied readmission

A solicitor who was struck off 17 years ago has been denied readmission to the roll of solicitors after a Tribunal decided it was not an ‘exceptional circumstance.’

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CMS Bursary Scheme opens across the UK

The CMS Bursary Scheme has been announced for 2016, meaning that it is now into its fifth year and has become somewhat of a stalwart in the legal world.

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Fletchers launches legal apprenticeship scheme

A new legal apprenticeship initiative designed by Fletchers Solicitors and the University of Law is offering students a debt-free way into the legal profession and a serious alternative to the standard route in.

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Bar Chairman challenges Snoopers Charter

A joint event between the National Union of Journalist and the Bar Council at the Houses of Parliament ended with the Chairman of the Council calling on MPs to protect fundamental rights to privacy.

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Law firms to take on relay at Olympic Stadium

The first ever Great Team Relay will be taking over the Olympic Stadium in Stratford for the first time ever this summer, with thousands of staff taking part in the city’s largest team challenge.

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McKenzie Friends – Bar Council speaks out

The Chairman of the Bar Council, Chantal-Aimee Doerries QC, told BBC listeners this week that the protection of consumers was “paramount” in relation to McKenzie Friends.

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AAL Bizarre: Injunction returns to block tale of ménage-a-trois

The Sun on Sunday has been prevented from running a story about an entertainer having an extra-marital affair with another couple. Whilst in itself, this is not anything particularly outrageous, it is expected to provoke a new round of legal battles between celebrity lawyers and the media over privacy.

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Legal coalition calls for Government action

In a letter published today in The Guardian, a coalition of some of the most prominent figures in the legal world have called on the government for a full review into the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act of 2013.

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Is the legal profession failing small businesses?

The Federation of Small Businesses (or FSB), which consists of over 200,000 British members, has called for an inquest into the functioning of the legal services sector, which they feel is not serving them properly.

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Local government pioneers legal service

What’s KLS, you ask? No, it’s not a tribute act to the once great X-Factor runners up – it’s a newly independent legal service set up in Kent to provide public services.

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Profession urged to remove jargon

A report published this week by the Legal Services Board has suggested that regulators should follow in the footsteps of other sectors and remove confusing legal speak to make life easier for consumers.

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AAL Insight: GSK in patent pledge

UK pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline has stated that it will not file patents in some of the world’s poorest nations to make medicine cheaper for those in need.

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The Steel Circle? Sheffield stakes its claim

The City of Sheffield has created a plan to try and tempt the UK’s leading law firms out of London and into the Steel City, a plan being coined as ‘northshoring.

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Much more manageable – Solicitor’s Handbook to be slashed

The current Solicitors Regulation Authority Handbook is 600 pages long, but plans are in motion to slash this by more than 90% - to a much more manageable 50 pages.

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No merger in sight

The planned merger between UK firm Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) and US firm Greenberg Traurig has come to a shuddering halt after the two firms decided there was not enough common ground for any deal to take place.

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SRA bombarded by criticism over ‘super-exam’

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has been bombarded by criticism of its new centralised ‘super-exam’ which was set to be key for a new way of regulating would-be solicitors.

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Bar Council tackles sexual harassment

In an attempt to remove any remaining sexual harassment that exists within the legal profession, the Bar Council has released a guide to supporting chambers as a response to their 2015 research which highlighted some occurrences of unacceptable behaviour.

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Chambers merger to take place

A merger of commercial chambers 3 Stone Buildings and chancery and commercial set 13 Old Square, both housed within the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn, has been confirmed to take place at the start of the new financial year in April.

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Corrupting the Profession?

No win, no fee agreements are having a corrupting effect on the legal profession, according to latest research from civil society thinktank Civitas, who are about to publish a book on the subject named ‘Democratic Civilisation or Judicial Supremacy?’.

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Time at the Bar: Round-up 26th February

Welcome to the inaugural Time at the Bar, the AllAboutLaw roundup of the best of recent news and commercial awareness in the legal sphere.

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Has UBS committed tax offences in Europe?

Swiss banking giant UBS is under investigation for money laundering and serious tax fraud in Belgium, it has been revealed. 

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Apple, unlocking iPhones and the FBI

A recent court order that demanded that Apple help the FBI break into the iPhone used by one of the San Bernadino killers has been challenged by the company on the grounds that it violates the constitutional right of freedom of speech.

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AAL Statistics: No change in the Oxbridge-private-school domination of the Bar

Latest data from the Sutton Trust has showed that the privately-educated-Oxbridge stereotype that pervades the justice system and the Bar, is still a correct one.

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No merger for Addleshaw and Maclay

Leading corporate firm Addleshaw Goddard will not be merging with Maclay Murray & Spens, it has been revealed, ending speculation that talks were underway between the corporate giant and one of Scotland’s top independent firms.

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The end of the friend? Ban on paid McKenzie friends proposed

In a move echoing calls from the Bar Council, the judiciary has proposed a blanket ban on fee-charging McKenzie friends, so that they can protect vulnerable litigants from paying cash rewards to unregulated individuals.

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Are online courts the answer?

Lord Justice Briggs, who is the senior judge in charge of overseeing the renovation of the civil justice system, has been warned that online courts will not provide all of the answers to the current challenges it is facing.

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Immigration judges emigrating in droves

The irony of this is quite possibly lost on Judge Michael Clements and senior President Sir Ernest Ryder, who have admitted that a falling number of judges in the sector is causing increasing problems.

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Squire Patton Boggs strengthens US arm

International law firm Squire Patton Boggs has agreed to combine with a California-based global litigation management practice, strengthening the firm’s position in both the US and Germany.

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‘Offensive Banner’ student is cleared

The prosecution have dropped the case against Adam Barr, a student who was arrested for holding a banner depicting David Cameron, Nick Clegg, Ed Miliband and Nigel Farage above an offensive slogan.

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Soliciting Funds

The head solicitor of a firm closed last year by the Solicitors Regulation Authority has now been convicted of evading VAT.

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AAL Bizarre: Wragge sack supervisor for selling printer toner on eBay

In a situation that could have come straight out of a sketch show, Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co have sacked a former supervisor at the firm for selling one of the firm’s printer toners on eBay, for personal profit.

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Norfolk firm expands southward

Norwich based insolvency firm Parker Andrews has announced the opening of its new offices in Portsmouth, which will serve the south of the UK. The office will be Parker Andrew’s fifth UK office.

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Law Teacher of the Year Shortlist Announced

The Oxford University Press has announced the competition to be named the Law Teacher of the Year for 2016 has moved into its second stage. At this point, the nominations have been narrowed down to a shortlist of six outstanding candidates.

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Put it on the ex-Spencers as buy-out goes through

Spencers Solicitors, a specialist accident and personal injury solicitors firm, has been acquired by its management team from named Director John Spencer, for whom the company is named.

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Bar Council move Pupillage Gateway timetable

Following a consultation with both students and chambers, the Bar Council have decided to move the Pupillage Gateway timetable, starting in January 2017.

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Leeds lawyers get childcare boost

The Bar Council has recently launched a follow up nursery partnership in Leeds, to add to its flagship programme in London. The scheme, set up to aid barrister parents with their childcare needs, offers special rates to barristers at the Tiny Tree Day Nursery.

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Court of Appeal rejects bedroom tax as 'unlawful'

It was found to discriminate against women and children, in certain circumstances. 

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Is Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co the right firm for you? Find out on their new first year vacation scheme

Vacation schemes aren’t just for second and third year students anymore. Our new Summer vacation scheme gives first year students the chance to spend a week with us and get a taste of all that Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co has to offer.

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Going up: entry-level solicitor jobs in Scotland are rising

Good news for gender equality too: 63% of solicitors admitted in Scotland over the past five years have been women.

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Theresa May launches inquiry into 'sexist' Sharia courts

It's feared that some courts discriminate against women, and that the women using them may not know their real legal rights.

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Droning on about legality

A budding barrister has taken home £4,000 in a Bar Council essay competition by taking apart the legality of the Government’s lethal drone strikes on two British citizens this summer.

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All’s fair when crime pays

A report published this week by the Ministry of Justice has suggested that legal fees for criminal aid work have fallen drastically in recent years.

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City firms try to debunk their ‘posh’ image with new pro-diversity initiative

The initiative follows reports last month that elite firms were using a 'poshness test' to assess applicants.

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People believe the UK justice system is ‘unfair, confusing and inaccessible’

New research shows both the public – and legal professionals themselves – believe only wealthy people have access to the justice system.

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Pupillage Gateway date change proposed

The Bar Council has put forward a proposal to shift the Pupillage Gateway recruitment window to the January to April period, and has made a call for anyone with a vested interest in the topic to respond to the proposals.

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Two-tier contracts delayed

The Government has delayed the implementation of the new two-tier contract scheme until April, it has emerged, because of a legal challenge by some of the contractors who were unsuccessful in the bidding process.

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Barry Beavis loses Supreme Court parking ticket challenge

It was a case close to many peoples’ hearts, but despite 48 year-old fish-and-chip-owner Barry Beavis taking his battle as far as it could go, the Supreme Court ruled that he would, indeed, have to pay his £85 parking fine.

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Haters gonna hate… and sue, apparently.

Much to the outrage of ‘Swifties’ worldwide, it has recently been revealed that 25-year old mega-star Taylor Swift is being sued for $42m (£27m) over the lyrics of her 2014 hit single ‘Shake It Off’. 

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A tale of two women: a case study on the pro bono of Oxfam Lawyers Against Poverty

Launched on 18 June 2015, Oxfam Lawyers Against Poverty is a collective of lawyers who identify crucial legal projects that will aid the poorest and most vulnerable people. 

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Gove poised to introduce “lawyers’ levy”

Top City law firms are likely to see themselves facing a new compulsory tax: a planned 1% tax on profits that is becoming known as the “lawyers’ levy”.

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Winners of the Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2015-16

On Wednesday 30 September, AllAboutLaw.co.uk hosted its annual Top Law Firms awards ceremony. Hundreds of representatives from the UK’s most esteemed law firms celebrated, as the results for the Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes were announced and a range of awards were presented. 

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ULaw extends employment promise to GDL students

In early August the University of Law (ULaw) announced they would reimburse LPC students 50% of their fees if they fail to find gainful employment in the ‘legal or commerce’ sectors within 9 months of finishing the course, evoking a snowstorm of media attention.

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Kaplan Law School will close in 2016

In a somewhat surprising announcement, Kaplan Law School has revealed its intention to stop providing the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and the Legal Practice Course (LPC) from the academic year 2016/2017.

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NEW: Bar Council Pupillage Fair 2015

Aspiring barristers listen up, because the Bar Council is about to join forces with the Chancery Bar Association to hold a joint bar fair!

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Ryanair is facing a £610m claims bill

After successfully defending against two claims last year, the notoriously cheap Irish airline Ryanair is now in line to face a claims bill of £610m.

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Change to Pupillage Gateway opening date may cause ‘logistical problems’ for chambers

The Bar Council, the disciplinary and regulatory body that also represents the interests of barristers, is to launch a consultation into the effects of bringing the Pupillage Gateway opening date forward.

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Google battle taken to Supreme Court

Earlier this year, in March ’15, Olswang was declared ‘victorious’ over Bristows as the Court of Appeal (CoA) ruled that people in the UK would be allowed to sue Google in the UK courts, rather than in the California ones where Google is based. However, the landmark case Vidal-Hall et al v. Google is now being taken to the Supreme Court.

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42% gender pay gap between male and female Scottish solicitors

In July, the UK government announced that businesses of more than 250 employees must publish their wage data by gender.

We thought the gender pay gap between English solicitors was bad enough, with females getting paid on average 24% lower than their male counterparts.

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Court of Appeal writes woman back into estranged mother's will

In a decision which is dividing opinion, the Court of Appeal has made the decision to write an estranged daughter back into her mother’s will - despite her mother explicitly stating that she did not want her daughter to receive any of her £500,000 estate.

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Artist arrested for 'abstracting electricity'

Last week a 45 year old artist, based in Islington, was arrested on the charge of ‘abstracting electricity’ from a London Overground train. 

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Pupillage Gateway Opening Brought Forward To January in 2016

Ding-ding, times are a-changing.

The Pupillage Gateway, which is the online application system for pupillage, is to be brought forward from April to January. Consequently, offers will be received in May rather than August.

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"The Gender Pay Gap Is A Continuing Reality"

A consultation has been launched by the Government which demands that all top UK firms reveal their gender pay gaps. The top UK law firms will, of course, be included in this upheaval. 

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Simon Davies Leaves Linklaters To Join Lloyds Banking Group… And Is Conducting A Review Of Their Legal Function?

On the 1 July 2015 Simon Davies, Managing Partner at Linklaters (a ‘Magic Circle’ firm) gave the surprise announcement that he would be leaving the firm to join Lloyds Banking Group as chief people, legal and strategy officer.

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Budget 2015: Osborne Makes Allowances For HSBC And Standard Chartered

With the July Budget George Osborne delivered a number of contentious financial policies, including the news that the levy banks pay on their balance sheets is to be cut back almost completely.

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US Retention Rates High All Round

In recent weeks, US giants such as Shearman & Sterling and Sullivan & Cromwell have announced retention rates for their 2015 London trainees. And it looks like it’s been a good season so far!

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Pro Bono Initiatives at Latham & Watkins

Pro bono is a key part of being a lawyer, even at the largest firms. AllAboutLaw.co.uk spoke to Latham & Watkins about their pro bono initiatives.

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Banks Face Challenges Following Fifa Scandal

Phil Beckett, partner at Proven Legal Technologies, the corporate forensic investigation and e-disclosure firm, discusses the allegations of corruption and bribery in connection with Fifa and the type of advice that financial institutions should be receiving in order to minimise the chance of getting caught up in similar scandals in the future.

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Female Lawyers Paid 24% Less Than Male Lawyers

Not what you want to hear on a Friday ladies! New research shows that female lawyers are paid, on average, 24% less than males.

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Freshfields Raise Trainee Salary; Freezes Associate Pay

Magic Circle firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer have raised their trainee solicitor wages.

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On Your Marks, Get Set… GO! Training Contract Applications Are Open

It’s June, and you know what that means… training contract applications are open! And we all know what training contracts are, don’t we? That’s right; the final hurdle to becoming a solicitor!

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Baker & McKenzie, Hogan Lovells To Compare Applicants Social Backgrounds

International firms Baker & McKenzie and Hogan Lovells are to compare economic and social circumstances of their applicants, suggesting the legal industry could become more diverse very soon.

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MPs With Legal Backgrounds Increases

Earlier this week, we revealed the Cabinet ministers who had a legal background. Now, thanks to research by BPP University, it has also been revealed that the number of MPs with a legal background has increased by 40%. Wow!

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Trainee Fakes Law Degree & LPC Certificates

Ladies and gentlemen, allow us to introduce the real-life Mike Ross (if you’re a law student who doesn’t watch Suits we strongly urge you to start your free Netflix trial).

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‘Gay Cake’ Row: Why Are The Bakery’s Actions Unlawful?

On Tuesday 19 May, a judge ruled that a bakery was guilty of unlawful discrimination by refusing to make a cake with a pro-gay marriage slogan.

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Major Bodies Remain Signatories To Trainee Recruitment Code

The AGR (Association of Graduate Recruiters), AGCAS (Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services) and the JLD (Junior Lawyers Division of the Law Society of England and Wales) have agreed to remain as signatories to the ‘Voluntary Code to Good Practice in the Recruitment of Trainee Solicitors’

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There’s A Conservative Majority Government… What’s Next?

Despite the very best of us thinking that the prospect of a second general election was a question worth addressing prior to last Thursday, the Conservative Party proved pollsters wrong by securing a 12 seat majority.

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Slaughter and May Increase Trainee Salary

Magic Circle firm Slaughter and May is increasing their salaries for trainees.

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Pupillage Places Fall

It hasn’t been the best week for the aspiring lawyer.

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Are Striped Houses Illegal?

This is probably the most stereotypically West London news nugget you’ll hear all year. The owner of a house that has been painted with red and white stripes has been ordered to repaint it.

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Tesco’s Plummeting Profits – Why Did It Happen & What Does It Mean?

Tesco has announced a massive pre-tax loss of £6.38bn. It makes that £20 you ‘misplaced’ (at the bar) last Saturday night seem like nothing.

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University of the Arts London Students Served With Injunction

You may have read in the media recently that 15 students from the University of the Arts London (UAL) have been served with an injunction that bans them protesting through occupation on campus indefinitely. If you haven’t read this, then let us inform you that 15 students from UAL have been served with an injunction that bans them protest- you got the message? Ah, right. Okay.

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General Election 2015 - Party Business Manifestos

The general election is just weeks away (hooray!) and the major political parties have published their manifestos (double hooray!). What’s more, AllAboutLaw.co.uk have decided to take a look into what the parties are proposing when it comes to business (triple hooray!).

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BPTC Could Be Split Into Two Parts

In a similar move to on-screen adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) is considering splitting the BPTC into two parts.

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Leap Over The Final Hurdle! Training Contract Applications Are Now Open!

Thought you could just glide back into contract law after an Easter bank holiday consisting only of a slow roasted shoulder of lamb and numerous chocolate eggs? Think again – training contract applications are open!

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Trainee Minimum Wage To Return?

The Law Society is having a think about introducing a minimum salary for trainee solicitors.

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Bar Council Recommend BPTC Reforms

The Bar Council have published a report that recommends some changes to the BPTC. If you’re an aspiring barrister, you should be very interested.

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More Student Pro Bono Opportunities

Aspiring lawyers will be able to get their teeth into more pro bono opportunities, a report has found.

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Student Pro Bono Winners Announced

Students from law schools across the country attended the LawWorks & Attorney General Student Pro Bono Awards 2015 at the Houses of Parliament yesterday.

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Does A Career In Law Live Up To Expectations?

Awkwardly, the answer to this question is no, according to two-thirds of lawyers.

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Judges Sacked For Watching Porn

No, we aren’t joking. Three judges have been sacked for watching porn via their official IT accounts. Luckily, it doesn't appear that were caught with their robes around their ankles.

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Nottingham Law School to become ‘teaching law firm’

Nottingham Law School has applied to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for Alternative Business Structure (ABS) status.

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Hogan Lovells Lawyer Appears In House Of Cards

Neal Katyal may be a partner at Hogan Lovells, but he recently appeared in the Netflix’s flagship show, House of Cards.

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TV Debates: Is Ed Miliband’s Law Proposal A Step Too Far?

With two months to go until the 2015 general election (we can barely contain our excitement!), the issue of David Cameron’s attendance to the televised TV debates has become quite the ‘talking’ point.

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Paralegal Shortcut Sees 29 Applications, Four Hires

The ‘equivalent means’ provision which allows paralegals who have passed the Legal Practice Course (LPC) to qualify as solicitors has seen an increase in applications (woo-hoo!).

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Just How Likely Is It That I’ll Get A Training Contract?

Following the release of the number of trainee lawyers registered in 2014 and the number students who completed their Legal Practice Course (LPC) in 2012/2013, a number of questions have been raised about the competitiveness of the industry.

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HSBC Tax Avoidance & The Law

If you’ve been keeping up with the business and commercial world in the past couple of weeks, you might have heard about HSBC being found out to be helping their clients avoid millions in tax.

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Law Firms to Flock… North?

Ask any aspiring lawyer about where the biggest and ‘best’ law firms are located and they’ll reply with London. It’s been the case forever; the largest firms are located in and around the City and these firms rake in millions every year. You’d think, therefore, that renting and property costs for firms is the equivalent to pennies. Wrong! In fact, 83% of firms are considering strategies to reduce property overheads.

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LGBT History, Same-Sex Marriage & The Law

February marks LGBT History Month in the United Kingdom, and despite same sex marriage being legal since 2013, there is still arguably a long way to go for LGBT equality. For example, there is still immense homophobia in football, evidenced by Robbie Rogers and Thomas Hitzlsperger only feeling they were able to come out having already announced their retirement.

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Why BT is Acquiring EE

BT is keen on becoming ‘B-TEE’ is the not too distant future by finalising a £12.5bn acquisition of EE. Freshfields, Norton Rose Fulbright and Clifford Chance have been called in to advise on the deal, but why are BT so keen on re-entering the mobile telecoms market, some 14 years after selling off O2?

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The Magna Carta is 800 Years Old – Is It Time For A ‘British Bill of Rights’?

The Magna Carta turns 800 in 2015 – that’s older than embarrassing uncle Kev who always seems to go too far with the dance moves at family weddings. A lot of people hold the Magna Carta in high regard, particularly when it comes to the question of an English ‘constitution’, but what exactly happened when King John signed the Magna Carta back in the 13th century?

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Social Media Law – Work, Home & Social Media

A Clifford Chance trainee solicitor made news earlier this week by apologising for posting a video on YouTube, which showed him giving his controversial opinion on the Charlie Hebdo Paris attacks. Aysh Chaudhry, said in making the video he “had no had no intention other than to encourage intellectual debate and would never support or condone violence.”

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Mergers & Acquisitions Are Up – But Why?

Global mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity was at the highest it has been since 2007, before that annoying little event called the financial crisis happened, the effects of which increased the price of Freddo’s to an outrageous 25p. 

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Firms Named in Top 100 Gay-Friendly Employers

Ten law firms have been included on Stonewall’s list of gay-friendly employers. Three firms were named in the top 10.

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Ding-ding! Vacation Scheme Applications Closing Soon

Vacation scheme applications are closing soon!

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An In-Depth Look at Training at US Firm Weil

Luke O’Leary is a third seat trainee at Weil, currently undertaking a seat in Banking in Weil’s New York office. In an in-depth interview with AllAboutLaw.co.uk, Luke details unique aspects of training at Weil, what the firm looks for in an applicant and the typical deal and clients at Weil.

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$1 Billion Settlement Turned Down

For some people, a £644 million divorce settlement just isn’t enough.

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New BPTC Application Process

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has introduced a new application system for students intending to study the BPTC (Bar Professional Training Course).

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New Year, New Laws: A Rundown of New Employment Laws in the UK in 2015

2014 saw many laws introduced in the UK. Some of which were more notable than others, namely the bans on what sex acts could and couldn’t be shown in UK produced pornography. This resulted in a face-sitting protest outside Parliament and banners being brandished including the terms “Squirt Doesn’t Hurt”.

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Very Few Applications For Equivalent Means Training Contract

Way back in 2014, it was revealed that there would be an introduction of qualifying as a solicitor by equivalent means. This essentially meant that skilled paralegals could apply for a training contract despite not having a law degree or a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).

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80 Year Old Law Student Graduates

Eric Jones, an 80 year old law student, proved it’s never too late having recently graduated with a Master’s in Law from the University of Liverpool.

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Pro Bono & Community Work at a Magic Circle Firm

Kate Hursthouse is Corporate Responsibility Manager at Slaughter and May and looks after the firm’s pro bono and community programme. In an exclusive interview with AllAboutLaw.co.uk, Kate reveals that the firm takes part in weekly advice clinics in Islington, as well as being a founding member of PRIME, an organisation that seeks to ensure students from less privileged backgrounds receive quality work experience.

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Leading SRA Figure Backs Legal Apprenticeships

Charles Plant, the chair of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) board, claims he is confident about the future of the legal profession following the introduction of legal apprenticeships.

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EY To Offer Legal Services

EY are to provide legal services in England and Wales as an alternative business structure (ABS), after being granted a licence by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

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Two-Thirds of Lawyers Would Not Recommend Law Career

More than two-thirds of lawyers would not recommend the legal profession as a career.

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Key Questions for Core Areas of Law - Part 1

In part one of a special series organised with Oxford University Press and their authors, AllAboutLaw.co.uk take the four core areas of law (Contract Law, Criminal Law, Equity & Trusts and EU Law) and ask some key questions. This should provide LLB and GDL students with some extra knowledge regarding each specific area, which should be handy when it comes to completing coursework and revising for exams…

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Firms Set Women Partnership Targets

A number of law firms have set targets for women in partnership.

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Legal Profession Humiliated in Equal Pay Debate

The legal profession has been humiliated following national press coverage of Equal Pay Day on Tuesday and the revelation that women are effectively working for free until the end of the year.

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Labour Party In Favour of Legal Apprenticeships

Emily Thornberry, the shadow attorney general, revealed that she supports alternative routes to qualifying as a solicitor, such as legal apprenticeships. 

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Pro Bono Importance Highlighted Ahead of National Pro Bono Week

It’s National Pro Bono Week (3 – 7 November 2014) and there is a nationwide campaign to highlight the importance of free legal advice.

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Get Ready To Rumble! Vacation Scheme Applications Are Now Open

Just when you thought it was safe to settle down with a hot mug of cocoa and relax after a turbulent start to the new university year… Vacation scheme applications are now open! AllAboutLaw.co.uk highly recommend aspiring solicitors and even those toying with the idea of a career in law to apply for a vacation scheme. After all, they’re half the battle of securing a training contract!

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Shearman & Sterling Announce Winter Vacation Scheme

US origin firm Shearman & Sterling have announced a winter vacation scheme, launching in 2014.

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Legal Professionals Like To Stay Put

A recent study has revealed that legal professionals are likely to stay with their employer for longer.

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Woman Claims Frozen based on Own Life

A woman is sueing Disney in a $250 million lawsuit, claiming that the plot to festive-hit Frozen is based on her autobiography.

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Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2014-15 Winners Announced

On Monday 29 September, AllAboutLaw.co.uk hosted their annual Top Law Firms awards ceremony where a range of awards were given out to a variety of law firms.

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International Firms Announce Trainee Retention Rates

Two international law firms, Hogan Lovells and Norton Rose Fulbright, have announced their retention rates for autumn 2014. This comes after widespread trainee retention rates were found to be high. 

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Boris: ‘Guilty Until Proven Innocent’

Boris Johnson has argued that a ‘minor’ change should be made in the presumption of innocence.

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Government Approves Law Apprenticeship Scheme

A new apprenticeship route to legal careers has been approved by the government.

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University of Law Second For Student Satisfaction

The University of Law has been voted second in the country for student satisfaction.

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Trainee Retention Rates High

A survey by the Law Gazette has revealed law firms can boast of impressive retention rates.

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Magic Circle Firm Win Prestigious Award

Magic Circle law firm Clifford Chance won the ‘Best of the best’ award at the 2014 Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) Student Recruitment Awards.

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Queen Mary, University of London Crowned Mooting Champions

Queen Mary’s have won the 2013-14 Oxford University Press and BPP National Mooting Competition.

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LPC Applications Down 10%

The number of applications for the legal practice course (LPC) is down 10% compared to 2013. 

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Man Sues ESPN for $10m for Filming Him Asleep

A baseball fan has decided to file a $10 million lawsuit against broadcaster ESPN. 

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Trainees’ Salaries Now Subject to National Minimum Wage

From 1 August, trainee solicitor salaries will be subject to the National Minimum Wage regulations. 

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Ultimate Law Guide to Host Careers Conference

Careers advice provider Ultimate Law Guide is hosting a conference on 11 July 2014 to help trainees and students learn more about the skills needed to succeed in the legal sector. 

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UK Firms Expand to Brazil

Seven of the top 20 largest UK law firms now have an office in Brazil. Just three had offices there before the country won rights to host the World Cup in 2007, meaning the total number of UK firms with an office in the South American country has more than doubled.

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New Provost at The University of Law

Andrea Nollent has been appointed Provost at the University of Law, it has been announced.

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Pinsent Masons nominated for Employer of the Year

Pinsent Masons have been nominated for VQ Employer of the Year.

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New Johannesburg International Secondment Option for Norton Rose Fulbright Trainees

Trainees in the London office at international law firm Norton Rose Fulbright will now have the option to spend six months in the Johannesburg office as part of their training contract.

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It’s That Time Again! Training Contract Deadlines Are Coming…

Just when you thought it was safe to take a peek away from your pile of revision notes for a moment and see what lies beyond a life without Land Law, it’s there…training contract deadlines a looming! Okay, there may be a couple of months left, but now is the time to put in those quality applications if you haven’t started already…

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University of Law Team Win National Mooting Competition

A team from the University of Law have mooted their way to victory in an annual competition run by the Incorporated Council of Law Reporting (ICLR).

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Solicitors are 44th Happiest Professionals

The results are in from a new survey conducted by the Cabinet Office which has aimed to measure the job satisfaction levels of professionals in the UK. And the solicitors amongst us are a rather chirpy bunch!

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Norton Rose Fulbright Pitch Perfect with ‘Office Choir of the Year’ Win

It’s time to sing the praises of Norton Rose Fulbright – they’ve walked away with the ‘Office Choir of the Year’ crown for the second year running! And you thought being a top City lawyer was all about drafting and negotiations…

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Slaughter and May Retains 95% of 2014 Spring Qualifiers

The Magic Circle firm will keep hold of 38 of its 40 trainees, it has announced.

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North West Firm Launches ‘Next-day’ Training Contracts

The Bolton based firm Asons is breaking the mould of the two-year wait between obtaining a training contract and beginning training by offering the opportunity for selected LPC graduates to start on the very next working day if they choose to do so.

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Withers & Rogers Announces New Graduate Recruitment Drive

The Intellectual Property (IP) specialists have launched a new recruitment drive for graduates this year.

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New Silks Appointed to Queen’s Counsel

100 barristers and solicitors will join the Queen’s Counsel as new silks this year, it has been announced. The number of appointments is up from a total of 84 in 2013. 

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Boris Johnson Meets CiLEx at Apprenticeship Fair

The legal executive training provider CILEx was joined by Major of London Boris Johnson during an apprenticeship fair at City Hall in London organised by Inspiring the Future on Thursday 13 February. 

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Lawyers’ Salaries Rise by £5000

A survey conducted by legal and compliance recruiter Laurence Simons shows there has been an increase of £5000 (5%) in lawyers’ salaries in the past year. 

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93% of Junior Lawyers Believe Partnership Model Outdated

Research from law firm Eversheds shows that there is belief that partnerships within law firms are out of sync with the times, with women less likely to aspire to achieve the role of partner than men. 

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Final Chance for 2014 Vacation Scheme Applications!

As January draws to a close, the vacation scheme deadlines are about to drop! The deadline is Friday 31 January for vacation schemes with the majority of the UK’s crème-de-la-crème of law firms.

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Top Law Firms Announce Strong Trainee Retention Rates

This month sees a number of the UK’s biggest law firms announce high retention rates for their spring 2014 qualifying trainees. 

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Bar Chairman Calls for Cap on Training Numbers

The head of the Bar, Chairman Nicholas Lavender QC, has expressed concerns for the amount of legal professional courses students in comparison to the number of legal jobs available to them upon graduation. He believes a cap on training numbers could help to combat this issue.

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Freshfields to Eradicate Criminal Record Box on Applications

The Magic Circle law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has announced it will remove the requirement for applicants to state whether they have criminal records on initial application forms, as reported in the Law Society Gazette.

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Vacation Scheme Deadlines Approaching

Are you in sync with your New Year law career plans yet? There isn’t long left! A vacation scheme could well be your ticket to that coveted training contract you’ve been dreaming about, and the deadline for a lot of this year’s opportunities is 15 January 2014!  Time to get busy and get applying if you haven’t already!

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Hogan Lovells Tops M&A Deals Rankings

The City law firms Hogan Lovells advised on the deals of the highest total value for 2013 compared to all other UK firms, as reported in the Law Society Gazette.

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DAC Beachcroft Extend Apprentice Intake

Law firm DAC Beachcroft has announced it will increase its legal apprentice intake to seven after a successful pilot of its new legal apprenticeship scheme. There will be two new opportunities opening in the Real Estate department just three months after the initial intake of apprentices got started.

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SRA Reveals Plans to Scrap Cap on Trainee Intake

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has revealed plans to get rid of limits on the number of trainees law firms in the UK can take on each year.

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Number of Students on the LPC Drops

The number of students taking the full-time Legal Practice Course (LPC) has fallen by 8.4% this year, as reported in the Law Society Gazette. The figures demonstrate a reaction to the limited number of available training contracts with law firms and ever-increasing competition for positions.

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Kaplan Law School & Field Fisher Waterhouse Diversity Scheme Triumphs at 2013 British Legal Awards

A diversity scheme pioneered by Kaplan Law School and Field Fisher Waterhouse was commended at the recent British Legal Awards ceremony, as the two programme partners scooped the ‘Best Diversity Initiative’ award.

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The University of Law Launches Annual Student Mentoring Scheme

Over 600 legal professionals from across the UK have been recruited by The University of Law to provide vital advice and support to students with limited legal work experience as part of the law school’s annual student mentoring scheme. 

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Vacation Scheme Application Hub Launched!

Never underestimate the power of the vacation scheme! The time has come to apply for the next round of placements with some of the UK’s very best law firms – and the vacation scheme application hub is here to help with a bang! If you’re dead set on a law career, or just curious about what the legal world has to offer you, don’t miss out!

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Herbert Smith Freehills Launches BAME Scholarship to Increase Diversity

The Herbert Smith Freehills Excel Scholarship is open to exceptional BAME (black and minority ethnic) students who aspire to become solicitors. The law firm’s London office have teamed up with diversity-focused recruiter Rare to provide this opportunity.

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Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes 2013-14 Winners & Rankings Announced

Ever wondered who really offers the top training contract programmes and vacation scheme opportunities in the country? 4 November 2013 saw representatives from some of the UK’s very best law firms gather to celebrate the winners of the brand new Top Law Firms for Training Contracts & Vacation Schemes rankings, voted for by current trainees and vacation scheme students. So how do the rankings look?

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