May 2026 tie-up target Following the announcement of merger plans late last year, Taylor Wessing and Winston & Strawn’s partnerships have now given the proposed tie-up the green light. The merger will go under the name Winston Taylor, with completion…
Trainee pay and numbers still TBC US law firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett is moving ahead with plans to launch a training contract programme in its London office, it has emerged. The New York-headquartered firm has had a presence in…
Trainee seeks advice In our latest Career Conundrum, a trainee solicitor wonders whether it’s a bad look to use the firm’s on-site gym during the working day. “Hi. Slightly random conundrum to put to your readers… I’m a trainee at…
*Pretends to be shocked* The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned aspiring lawyers that the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) is “more demanding” than its predecessor, the Legal Practice Course (LPC). The comparison comes as the regulator points to several groups…
Neurodivergent candidates outperform counterparts in SQE1 and SQE2 Candidates with neurodivergent conditions who sat the SQE with reasonable adjustments in place slightly outperformed their peers across all stages of the assessment, according to a new analysis of exam performance data…
No word on City TCs just yet Liverpool-founded law firm Brabners has announced plans to expand into the capital, marking its fifth office in the UK. The new City office, set to open in mid-2026, will add London to Brabners’ existing footprint across Manchester,…
Admitted dishonesty Credit: Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal A former Irwin Mitchell lawyer has been struck off the roll after telling a newly qualified legal executive to lie to the other side. Kirsten Tomlinson qualified in 2010 and had worked as a…
Candidates may receive a full refund The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has published guidance on what happens when SQE assessments are disrupted. According to the regulator, the new page aims to assist SQE candidates with assessment delivery disruptions and to…
Unnamed aspiring lawyer sent email to uni staff A libel claim brought by a law lecturer against a former student will proceed to trial after the High Court found that allegations she made in a complaint email to her university…
Exclusive research: More than 500 students share how they are balancing work–life pressures, funding challenges and the search for meaningful work experience in pursuit of qualification For many aspiring solicitors, the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) provides a clear route to…