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.

The four-day weekend looms and while it’s hard to imagine doing anything much other than gorging on chocolate and hot cross buns, it’s also an opportunity to catch up on some light reading. 

The annual celebration of pro bono achievement went ahead in a ceremony on 5 December, organised by LawWorks, hosted by Allen & Overy, and sponsored by the Law Society and LexisNexis. 

One of the few benefits of a summer holiday that feels more like late autumn is that you won’t be tempted to spend all day lying around in the sunshine. Instead, you could cast your eye over this week’s collection of business stories, all designed to help you work on your commercial awareness.

A £1 million hardship fund has been created by SBA The Solicitors’ Charity, formerly known as the Solicitors Benevolent Association, to support solicitors in financial difficulty and with accessible savings of less than £2,500, as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

Herbert Smith Freehills has announced a new internship programme offering graduates with autism a chance to work at the firm for eight weeks.

New measures to improve the quality of advocacy in youth courts have been announced by the Bar Standards Board.

On Saturday 8 December 2012 the second CityLawLIVE student conference was held in London, bringing together around 200 students keen on a career in the City with firm representatives and industry experts.

Partners from magic circle law firm Allen & Overy LLP and New York-based Shearman & Sterling LLP are due to take a vote on their proposed merger that’s worth £2.7 billion.

The Future Legal Mind Award 2020 has been launched by National Accident Helpline.

The unthinkable happened this week; KFC ran out of chicken! With the doors of most of its branches firmly shut, thousands of disgruntled consumers had to take their fried poultry habits elsewhere. 

Labour has announced its spending plans for the justice sector at its annual conference, pledging £74 million to reverse cuts to legal aid and train more community lawyers.

Associates are considering leaving their firm due to feeling “underappreciated”, a new survey by Thomson Reuters has found.

US law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP a has introduced a ‘salary sacrifice’ scheme to attract talented junior lawyers, which will enable lawyers at the firm to drive away in an electric vehicle.

Amid much controversy, and to the profound disappointment of many in the profession, the Legal Aid Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill has received royal assent.

Public-spirited lawyers undertaking long, complex cases for free are the only people filling the “gaping holes in the fabric of legal aid”, a High Court judge has said.

On Saturday 25 February the first CityLawLIVE student conference was held in London, bringing together around 160 students keen on a career in the City with firm representatives and industry experts.

You may find yourself being quizzed on your knowledge of economic affairs in vac scheme interviews, so it pays to be prepared. Here’s a selection from the past week to get you started.

The Law Society has announced the awards on offer as part of its Diversity Access Scheme, which this year includes two guaranteed training contracts.

Magic circle law firm Allen & Overy expanded its offering with a new Los Angeles office earlier this month, after merger talks with international firm O’Melveny & Myers came to an end in September 2019 without a deal.