The United Nations’ (UN) expert on poverty and human rights has highlighted cuts to legal aid among the government policies causing “the systematic immiseration of millions across Great Britain”.

Sexual harassment and discrimination is still happening at the Bar, a wide-ranging survey of women barristers has found. 

Nottingham Law School has rebranded its award-winning teaching law firm to reflect its status as a regulated law firm.

As National Apprenticeship Week 2018 launches, Browne Jacobson – one of the profession’s earliest adopters of legal apprenticeships – has announced plans to add to its stable of apprenticeship programmes. Over 100 new positions will be offered across the firm’s various offices in two new schemes, with a commitment to invest 100% of its apprenticeship levy into the new programmes.

More than 800 teams and 12,000 walkers took part in the London Legal Walk 2022 last Tuesday 28 June in aid of supporting access to justice. Those completing the 10km route through central London have so far raised £590,000.

The value of the planned new Solicitors Qualifying Examination which all solicitors would have to pass in order to qualify has been questioned in the House of Lords.

The Co-operative Group has pulled out of a £750 million deal to buy 632 high street branches from the Lloyds Banking Group.

With people in the Midlands and the North of England in “dire need of early legal advice”, the Bar Council has called for the government to invest in local court systems ahead of today’s spending review.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has responded to pressure from women’s groups and MPs by promising that his government will revive a key domestic abuse bill that would have introduced protections for victims, but was cancelled due to his decision to shutdown Parliament.

Law schools may be forced to postpone LPC exams after the Solicitors Regulation Authority said that law schools assessments may not move online. Government social distancing guidelines mean that normal examinations cannot take place.

Following UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s announcement last Thursday, junior barristers have said that the support package for self-employed people unable to work because of coronavirus measures is “woefully insufficient” and has advised the Bar Council to challenge the government’s criteria.

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. 

Organisations from across the legal sector, including the Solicitors Regulation Authority will once again be attending the Birmingham and London Pride festivals in a show of support for and celebration of the LGBT community.

The Co-operative Legal Services has entered into a partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University to establish a new learning academy, which will provide legal training that is designed to accommodate current and future changes in the legal profession, including the rise of alternative business structures and non-traditional career paths.

The introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam in 2021 could enable four times as many graduates to become solicitors than currently qualify every year, according to Mark Edwards of online legal advice provider Rocket Lawyer.

Despite pressure from students, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) will not reinstate spring Bar Professional Training Course exams. The regulator said it would be impossible to create a “suitable, secure alternative” to in-person assessments by April.

Legal education provider The College of Legal Practice has partnered with leading Midlands law firm Wright Hassall LLP to enable all employees from all parts of the firm to train and qualify as solicitors via the Solicitors Qualifying Exam.

Entries are open for the National Paralegal Awards, which is now in its fifth year.  

BPP University law students have launched a new pro bono legal advice clinic in London, for people going through residential property disputes.