Junior lawyers can now defer compulsory Professional Skills Course modules for 12 months, as the Solicitors Regulation Authority responds to the pandemic and relaxes professional training rules.  

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has confirmed that it will allow trainee solicitors from its London and Hong Kong offices to do an overseas secondment in Australia.

Magic Circle firm Clifford Chance is considering rolling out its trainee stress-reducing programme to staff throughout the firm.

The Law Society Gazette reports that this year, the proportion of trainees being retained at the top City firms has increased to an average of 83%.

How do international banks and English lawyers help in the movement of global trade?

Top up your commercial awareness with this week’s commercial news round-up.

Do you have any advice for a successful video interview or virtual assessment centre?

There are plenty of resources about what employers should do to avoid any pitfalls with Christmas parties, but employees also play a big part in making sure that Christmas parties go well and are memorable for the right reasons. We all play a part in ensuring that we have an enjoyable Christmas party and can go to work with our collective consciences clear!

Many law firms, in-house legal departments and other organisations including the Government Legal Department have become the founding signatories of the Law Society’s Pro Bono Charter. 

As universities plan to hike tuition fees, some firms are to review the financial assistance on offer to their future trainees.

Top law firms have announced their autumn retention rates, following the lead of Shearman & Sterling which revealed in June that it would keep on 11 of its 12 NQs.

Six leading law firms are set to attend the third annual OPEN event for disabled students who are interested in a career in commercial law.

Six magic circle sets of chambers have collaborated to create a mentoring scheme for aspiring barristers from underrepresented groups, including women, people with ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people and those with disabilities.

Tooks Chambers - the set of Michael Mansfield QC - has decided to begin the process of dissolution as the "direct result of the government's legal aid policies".

How will the Court of Appeal’s ruling that sleep-in care workers are not entitled to the National Minimum Wage impact employers in the care sector?

‘To moot or not to moot?’ is the question asked by law students at various stages of their legal education. From first years on the LLB to those undertaking the Graduate Diploma in Law, chances are you will have heard of mooting competitions or societies. If you’re anything like me, you will have also felt a shiver of intimidation whenever the topic is even brought up. For those who have yet to participate, a good starting point is to outline exactly what a moot is.

Since the pandemic, there’s been a sudden urge for students to apply to study a legal master’s. Although this includes those looking to study non-law-related master’s, aspiring lawyers are commonly torn between whether to complete a master’s or not. Many question a master’s applicability in the legal profession and if it will improve their chances of gaining a pupillage or training contract.

Early careers advisor Marcus Ketley outlines how you can make a successful application for TLT LLP, including advice on the research required and the skills the firm is looking for in its future trainees. 

UK commercial firm TLT has agreed that The University of Law will be its exclusive training provider of the LPC, GDL and Professional Skills Course, having been impressed with private university’s preparations for the upcoming Solicitors Qualifying Exam.