Trainees at Lewis Silkin recently organised a sponsored 30-hour, non-stop "spinathon", which took place in the firm's reception on 22 and 23 November.

How far are communications between clients and in-house lawyers confidential?

Our society caters to non-law students who aspire to transition into legal careers. The main goal this year has been to demystify the process of entering the legal profession and provide support and opportunities for students from a variety of academic backgrounds.

The requirement that prospective solicitors gain two years’ practising experience in order to qualify will remain when the Solicitors Qualifying Examination comes into force, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has confirmed. 

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

The Young Barristers' Committee is hosting its annual conference on Saturday 6 October, focusing on the need for young barristers and pupils to develop excellent advocacy skills.

A law career can take you into a variety of sectors. Four years ago, I moved into the complex, everchanging world of defence technology and the transition to this world of futuristic concepts has been an eye opener. The defence industry is about so much more than bullets and guns.

Hear from Harry Samuels in this Meet the Lawyer barrister profile, as he discusses his career at the Bar, a recent interesting case and the collegiate culture at XXIV Old Buildings.

Section 137(1) of the Highways Act 1980 codifies the offence of wilfully obstructing a highway without lawful reason or excuse. Given the popularity of roadblocking as a form of peaceful protest, this provision has repeatedly been used as a catch-all clause with which many arrested protestors can be charged.

One of the United Kingdom’s oldest firms, Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co, has merged with Canadian firm Gowlings to create an international firm boasting over £400 million in annual revenue.

As part of a revamped graduate recruitment policy, Wragge & Co has launched an exciting trainee secondment programme to China.

Lawrence Graham’s merger with Wragge & Co was completed today, with the combined firms now being known as Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co.

In a week where nobody really knows what’s going on, calm your bemused Brexit brain by taking a look at our summary of some relevant commercial news stories from this week.

Slater & Gordon, the Australian practice credited as the world’s first listed law firm, has agreed to acquire PI specialists Russell Jones & Walker for £53.8 million in a landmark transaction for the legal world.

How does blockchain interact with law and business?

I recently graduated with my law degree (which still feels odd to write) and, call me nosy, one of the most interesting things following this has been hearing about the plans of my fellow graduates. These conversations have reminded me how versatile a law degree is and forced me to think of life outside of legal studies.

The World Cup may well be taking a lot of your time and energy at the moment – and fair enough – but spare a thought for concerned pub and bar owners worried that the shortage of CO2 in Europe could mean a lack of beer and food during what is a very lucrative trading period. The horror. For other commercial news of interest, read on.