Coronavirus latest: Supreme Court goes virtual as junior lawyers plea against postponing exams

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Coronavirus latest: Supreme Court goes virtual as junior lawyers plea against postponing exams

For the first time in its history, the Supreme Court conducted a case entirely through video conferencing this morning (24 March), after taking the decision to close its building to the public due to the spread of Covid-19.

The move saw the matter of Fowler (Respondent) v Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (Appellant) conducted virtually, with all cases and judgment hand-downs set to continue via video conferencing until further notice. The measures will see legal teams and counsel, as well as each of the justices, located separately. Continue reading “Coronavirus latest: Supreme Court goes virtual as junior lawyers plea against postponing exams”

Deloitte launches pioneering post-grad training contract as education shake-up looms

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Deloitte launches pioneering post-grad training contract as education shake-up looms

Big Four giant Deloitte has teamed up with the University of Law (ULaw) to launch a work-based training contract for graduates to harness the incoming regime to replace traditional solicitor training routes.

Hailed as a pioneering move, the three-year course will be targeted at graduates, phasing out the need for the Legal Practice Course (LPC), making use of the incoming Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) regime, touted as a more flexible means of producing solicitors. Continue reading “Deloitte launches pioneering post-grad training contract as education shake-up looms”

Fresh starts – inside the pioneering US school training lawyers on the start-up community

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Fresh starts – inside the pioneering US school training lawyers on the start-up community

Look out law schools, there is a disrupter in town. Naturally, that town is Silicon Valley, the home of innovation. And the innovator in question is University of California Berkeley, which includes a leading US law school, renowned for its prowess in technology and IP.

It might seem natural that Berkeley Law’s proximity to the Bay Area tech hub would lead to an inventive approach to legal education. This idea certainly drew Hannah Porter, a former entrepreneur, to enrol at Berkeley Law in 2015. Continue reading “Fresh starts – inside the pioneering US school training lawyers on the start-up community”

‘The real work starts now’: profession reacts as regulator makes radical changes to legal training

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‘The real work starts now’: profession reacts as regulator makes radical changes to legal training

Super-exam to be used from September 2020

Despite some considerable hostility, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) announced last month that its planned Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), dubbed ‘the super exam’, will be used from September 2020.

Continue reading “‘The real work starts now’: profession reacts as regulator makes radical changes to legal training”

Taking the initiative: Burges Salmon pushes ahead on legal apprenticeships through government scheme

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Taking the initiative: Burges Salmon pushes ahead on legal apprenticeships through government scheme

Burges Salmon has become one of the first law firms to hire legal apprentices under the Government’s new Trailblazers Apprenticeship in Law initiative, taking on five apprentices who start today (26 September).

Continue reading “Taking the initiative: Burges Salmon pushes ahead on legal apprenticeships through government scheme”

Magic Circle’s ‘disappointing’ approach to apprenticeships

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Magic Circle’s ‘disappointing’ approach to apprenticeships

Magic Circle firms have taken a ‘disappointing’ approach to the government-backed scheme, the Trailblazers Apprenticeship in Law initiative, with both Slaughter and May and Clifford Chance ruling apprentices out completely, while Allen & Overy (A&O) and Linklaters have been non-committal.

The only firm to announce any willingness to offer apprenticeships is Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, with a spokesperson confirming last month it was ‘looking at a number of ways to attract talented people in Manchester and the apprenticeship model is one that we are hoping to be able to offer later this year’. It is understood the firm is currently mulling over paralegal apprenticeships with no decision on whether this will be offered in conjunction with Trailblazers.

Continue reading “Magic Circle’s ‘disappointing’ approach to apprenticeships”

‘A common sense decision’: Bar Council moves Pupilage Gateway timetable

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‘A common sense decision’: Bar Council moves Pupilage Gateway timetable

Following calls from students and chambers, the Bar Council is moving its Pupillage Gateway timetable so applicants know the outcome of their applications before committing to the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC). The course can cost up to £18,000 in London.

Continue reading “‘A common sense decision’: Bar Council moves Pupilage Gateway timetable”

‘Irrelevant word-smithing’: Leading law firms to pay millions for apprenticeships payroll tax

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‘Irrelevant word-smithing’: Leading law firms to pay millions for apprenticeships payroll tax

Preliminary Law Society figures estimate more than 250 firms will be hit by the 0.5% payroll tax to supplement apprenticeships announced in last month’s Autumn Statement, as full details of the levy are delayed.

Continue reading “‘Irrelevant word-smithing’: Leading law firms to pay millions for apprenticeships payroll tax”

Eighteen law firms join latest attempt to improve the profession’s dire social inclusion record

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Eighteen law firms join latest attempt to improve the profession’s dire social inclusion record

Eighteen major law firms, including Linklaters, Macfarlanes, White & Case and Sullivan & Cromwell, have joined a new initiative to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds join the legal profession.

Continue reading “Eighteen law firms join latest attempt to improve the profession’s dire social inclusion record”