Extra £5,000 Baker McKenzie is the latest City law firm to raise the salaries of its newly qualified (NQ) associates, increasing pay by £5,000 to £145,000. The uplift, which took effect on 1 July, brings the firm’s London-based NQs in…
Delays, rats and outdated paper processes The County Court is falling short in delivering fair and timely justice and requires urgent reform, a new report by the Justice Committee warns this week. In a scathing assessment of the court’s performance,…
64% score with two rookies opting out of NQ process Withers has announced that 9 of its 14 trainee solicitors will be staying on as associates, resulting in a retention rate of 64%. Of the 12 final-seat trainees who applied…
The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend UK relocated Afghan family after they sought data breach disclosure via law firm [Financial Times] (£) Disabled people face harsh justice in ‘secret’ fast-track courts, report finds [The…
Hits Scottish capital next month This summer, future pupils and barristers are heading to the Edinburgh Fringe with an eight-person show centred on a Kafkaesque trial, featuring bizarre and absurd twists — including a defence restricted to speaking in rhyming…
Future rookie worries move could limit legal career In our latest Career Conundrum, an aspiring lawyer has landed a training contract with an in-house legal team — but she’s concerned it might limit her future career options. “I have a…
‘Lack of integrity’ A fee earner has been barred from working in the legal profession after sending confidential client information to his personal email ahead of switching firms. Patrick Maginn worked on housing disrepair cases at Liverpool-based Bond Turner for…
Jailed for 16 years A barrister convicted of rape has been disbarred by a disciplinary tribunal. James Boyle, who was called to the bar in 1999, was convicted of raping a girl under the age of 16, indecently assaulting a…
Profit wavered for some Five firms have unveiled their financial results, revealing generally positive figures for 2024-25 — although some reported a decline in partner profits. Leading the charge is Ashurst, which has seen its revenue surpass the £1 billion…
Personal payments The former head of finance at a law firm has been disqualified after it emerged she had racked up £300,000 in personal expenses on a company credit card. MLP Law became aware of Leanne Sodergren’s actions in July…