hrtraining
Bar Council: Positive action like ‘preferential briefing’ can aid diversity
Positive action – such as giving female barristers preferential access to briefs after returning to chambers from career breaks – can help address diversity problems, the Bar Council says.
Solicitor apprentices train while boosting advice agency
One of the oldest legal advice centres in the country has been given a boost by taking advantage of the new path to qualifying as a solicitor by employing six apprentices.
Disabled lawyers “benefit from homeworking during pandemic”
The suspension of office working under lockdown has helped improve the mental and physical health of disabled lawyers, research has indicated.
Women worry about impact of menopause on hitting billing targets
Female solicitors undergoing the menopause have expressed concern about the impact it can have on meeting their billing targets, with firms urged to do more to understand the symptoms and their effects.
“Partnership penalty” of lower socio-economic background laid bare
Solicitors from lower socio-economic backgrounds take around 18 months longer to reach partner at major City law firms than those from higher ones, a major study has concluded.
BSB: Bar students’ results “broadly in line” with the average
The early signs are that the performance of Bar students in last month’s controversial exams was “broadly in line” with the average, the Bar Standards Board said yesterday.
Students “could save up to £38k” by qualifying with SQE
Students could save as much as £38,000 when qualifying as a solicitor following the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination next September, a report has estimated.
SQE decision delayed as legal academics urge rejection
The decision on whether to approve the Solicitors Qualifying Examination has been delayed amid a call from groups representing more than 4,000 legal academics to reject it.
City giant throws weight behind domestic abuse helpline
City giant Hogan Lovells has endorsed the launch of a charity’s government-backed advice line to help employers support staff experiencing or at risk of domestic abuse.
Female Australian lawyers face “high levels” of sexual harassment
The Australian state of Victoria has launched a review into sexual harassment in the legal profession following a “deeply disturbing” survey that found that a majority women had faced it.
Blog
AI and client confidentiality: the next regulatory faultline
The area most likely to expose firms to regulatory jeopardy in 2026 needs far more guidance: client confidentiality in the age of commercial AI systems.
The UK’s global leadership in lawtech is at risk if women are left behind
Tech has the equivalent of an old boy’s network. That makes it harder for women to break in. It also makes it harder when it comes to networking, finding backers and ultimately clients.
How legal judgement is shifting in in-house practice
Across UK organisations, legal teams are now involved earlier in decision-making, often before proposals have taken a settled shape.
