Rise of 19%

Partners at Allen & Overy enjoyed an uplift of 19% in their average earnings in the financial year before the tie-up with Shearman & Sterling.

A&O Shearman released new figures today regarding A&O’s financial performance prior to the mega-merger going live earlier this year.

They show that the average profit per equity partner (PEP) increased from £1.8 million to £2.2 million, thanks to a healthy 17.2% rise in pre-tax profits, reaching £1.05 billion.

Revenues increased a more modest 3.4% from just over £2.1 billion to £2.2 billion.

Commenting on the results, Hervé Ekué, global managing partner at A&O Shearman, said:

“In the year leading up to the completion of our merger, we’re pleased to report positive growth for the firm. This is testament to our strategic focus on diversification across regions, practices, and sectors.”

The results come after A&O Shearman initially set newly qualified (NQ) associate pay at £125,000, before upping this to £150,000 a month later following similar moves by its Magic Circle counterparts.

Earlier this week the newly-formed firm posted its combined retention score, with 37 its of 56 (66%) final-seat trainees staying on.

Fellow Magic Circle player Linklaters published its results this week, reporting a 10% increase in revenues, surpassing the £2 billion mark for the first time in its history. PEP also saw growth, climbing 8% up to £1.9 million.

City salary rises continue

Reed Smith and Ashurst have raised the salaries for their newly qualified (NQ) lawyers to £125,000 as City firms continue to splash the cash to attract and retain top talent.

This represents a 16% increase for Reed Smith, raising from a previous salary of £107,500. For Ashurst the new figure is a 9% increase from its previous £115,000, which the firm raised to this time last year. Over the past two years, NQ pay at Ashurst has risen by £20,000, and over the last five years, it has increased by more than £40,000.

Prior to their improved NQ pay, Reed Smith’s can expect to earn £50,000 in their first year and £55,000 in their second. The firm takes on around 26 trainees each year.

It has also confirmed that all other associate level salaries will increase in line with the most recent change, and that associates will continue to be eligible for a bonus programme, subject to completing the set number of target hours

By comparison, new recruits at Ashurst’s London office earn £52,000 in their first year and £57,000 in their second. The Legal Cheek Firms Most List shows the firm takes on around 40 trainees each year, with the most recent retention rate seeing 82% (18 out of 22) of the spring qualifying cohort stay on.

Commenting on Reed Smith’s salary uplift London office managing partner Andrew Jenkinson said: “We are pleased to confirm the increase to associate salaries in London. It is a reflection of the market and our desire to retain and attract the best legal talent by providing a competitive and sustainable reward structure.”

He continued: “The new salary is an investment in our lawyers, which keeps us in line with other leading international law firms, and supports the firm’s strategic growth objectives enabling us to continue to deliver the highest quality, legal services that we are known for.”

This latest raise comes on the back of a spree of salary uplifts across the City.

Freshfields hit headlines when it increased NQ pay to £150,000, with three of its Magic Circle rivals, Linklaters, A&O Shearman, and Clifford Chance, quickly implementing the same increases. Slaughter and May has remained steadfast at £125,000 so far.

Other firms to increase rates include Herbert Smith Freehills and Hogan Lovells, both of which have raised NQ pay to £135,000, while Macfarlanes has gone further, increasing NQ salaries to £140,000.

Elsewhere, HFW boosted its NQ pay to £100k, with Bird & Bird climbing to £98,000 and DLA Piper rising to £110,000.

Handed two lawyers’ caseloads on second day

A trainee, who was frequently left “unsupervised” and asked to handle the caseloads of two qualified lawyers on her second day, has been awarded £36,000 in damages by an employment tribunal.

The tribunal found that the Mayfair firm Gillen De Alwis Solicitors, which has since entered into administration, “failed to fulfil the fundamental purpose of a training contract”.

It heard that R. Kaur joined the firm in the summer of 2021 and, two days in, was given the “caseload responsibility” of two temporarily employed qualified lawyers, following an email handover.

The tribunal noted that shortly before Kaur joined, the property department became short staffed due to the passing of the solicitor in charge.

This situation seems to have put the department under serious pressure, with Kaur explaining that she and an intern were left to their “own devices at times” and frequently “unsupervised”, often approving documents without them being checked.

It was also noted that less than two weeks into her TC, the trainee had still not received an induction, and evidence showed that one of the firm’s founding partners, Shehani De Alwis, had “made comments that her contract would be in jeopardy” if certain tasks weren’t completed immediately.

Kaur said it was “common place” for clients to complain about lack of progress on their files.

The tribunal noted that another director of the firm emailed the same founding partner, expressing concern about the “threats to terminate her contract” and describing the treatment of the new trainee as “unfair”.

The tribunal further found that De Alwis “bullied and harassed” Ms Kaur, criticising her for not completing tasks she had actually finished, which De Alwis hadn’t noticed due to not reading the emails, and at one point, screaming at her on the telephone. The trainee was also taken off tasks and then shortly put back on them, and she was moved into different departments without notice.

Kaur raised her concerns in meetings and emails about the way the firm was being run and how she was being treated on numerous occasions, but received no response.

The trainee eventually filed a written report to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), a move she mentioned to the firm she was considering but did not confirm she had done.

In April 2022, the firm summarily dismissed Kaur, less than halfway through her training contract.

On this, Judge Leonard-Johnston dismissed the firm’s argument that the trainee was fired for misconduct.

“I have already found that the claimant was not guilty of misconduct, and I place weight on the fact that the respondent, who was after all a firm of solicitors, carried out no investigation or disciplinary procedure at all from which I draw an inference that the respondent did not seriously consider this to be a misconduct case,” the judge said. “Nor did the respondent respond in any way to the claimant’s grievances. As per my findings above, particularly in relation to the timing of her dismissal, I find that the claimant has established it is more likely than not that the reason for her dismissal was the complaints she was making about the firm’s management.”

The judge awarded Kaur over £36,062 for unfair dismissal and an additional £362 for breach of contract after the firm dismissed her without notice.

‘Cockney Kit’ launch

Eversheds Sutherland‘s London office has appeared in a new launch video for West Ham United’s latest football kit.

The Hammers’ new away offering, dubbed the ‘Cockney Kit’, is inspired by the club’s East End roots and features a graphic representation of St Mary-le-Bow Church woven into the fabric.

Legend has it that to be a true Cockney, you must be born within earshot of the Church’s ‘Bow Bells’. The shirt features a motif of this East London icon on its neck.

Step forward Eversheds Sutherland’s London HQ, where the rooftop offers unobstructed skyline views of the historic church.

The launch video, released this week, features many of the club’s famous faces posing in the new kit on Eversheds Sutherland’s roof, and even the firm’s star man, co-CEO Lee Ranson, couldn’t resist getting in on the action.

Is a summer move on the cards?

66%

A&O Shearman has recorded its first post-merger retention score, with 37 of its 56 trainees staying put.

The new outfit confirmed it made 39 offers to the 48 trainees who applied for newly qualified roles. Thirty-seven offers were accepted, all on permanent deals.

Before the tie-up, Allen & Overy offered significantly more training contracts than Shearman, with 80 each year compared to Shearman’s 12.

Combining the trainee intakes of both firms has resulted in a larger-than-usual qualifying cohort, making the lower score — in this case 66% — somewhat expected.

Both outfits were typically strong retention performers prior to the merger, with A&O posting a result of 77% earlier this year and Shearman regularly chalking up results of over 80%.

The firms officially joined forces on May 1, creating a new global mega-firm with nearly 4,000 lawyers across 48 offices in 29 countries and combined annual revenues of approximately $3.5 billion (£2.9 billion).

James Partridge, early careers partner and training principal London, commented:

“This is the first qualifying cohort of A&O Shearman, and we are pleased that 37 trainees from both legacy firms have chosen to remain and progress their careers with us at this exciting time for the firm.”

“At A&O Shearman we remain committed to investing and developing our people and extend our congratulations to our first combined intake of qualifying solicitors,” Partridge continued.

The Legal Cheek Firms Most List shows the new recruits will start on a recently-improved salary £150,000.

10% increase on last year

Magic Circle outfit Linklaters has crossed £2 billion revenue mark for the first time in its history.

The firm has recorded a revenue of £2.1 billion for the 2024 financial year, increasing income by 10% on the previous year.

With this comes the highest ever pre-tax profit at the firm, another 10% increase up to £942 million. Profit per equity partner (PEP) has also seen growth, climbing 8% up to £1.9 million.

The strongest performance came across the pond with Links’ US offices breaking records, delivering a 24% increase in revenue, whilst the UK contingent also topped its previous best.

Elsewhere the firm has hit its annual diversity targets of 40% female and 15% underrepresented minority ethnic newly elected partners whilst clocking 55,000 hours of pro-bono work around the globe.

Paul Lewis, Linklaters’ firmwide managing partner, commented: “Its been an exceptional year with record financial results and revenues exceeding £2bn for the first time. We’ve seen a strong performance across the firm, with M&A, complex restructurings, contentious mandates and energy transition-linked projects the biggest drivers of growth.”

“In what remain challenging markets for businesses, our corporate, bank, funds and financial investor clients continue to turn to our global platform on their biggest, cross-border mandates, like advising VW on its recent landmark US$5bn partnership with Rivian in the US,” Lewis continued. “These are the roles that have placed us top of league tables across the UK, Europe and Asia, as well as powering our UK and US offices to their best ever year.”

Linklaters is one of the largest trainee recruiters in capital, with the Legal Cheek Firms Most List 2024 showing that the firm takes on around 100 trainees each year. The firm recently increased the salaries of newly qualified associates to £150,000, matching the raises of its Magic Circle rivals, except for Slaughter and May, which has yet to increase.

‘I’m so f*****g bored’

A former pupil barrister has been fined £500 for repeatedly swearing during an online ethics exam and at one point sticking up his middle finger to the camera.

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) said that by doing so Jack Henry Sadler had “acted in a way which was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in him”.

The published finding states that last summer, Sadler was taking a professional ethics assessment remotely as part of his mandatory training during his second six as a pupil barrister.

During the exam, Sadler made statements including: “I’m so fucking bored of this”, “This is annoying, oh my god, this is going to really piss me off”, and “Fucking finally, a criminal question… This civil shit… How can you have any ethics if you’re a civil practitioner, honestly.”

The BSB further noted that at the end of the recorded exam, the then-pupil barrister could be seen holding up his middle finger to the camera.

A second charge found that Sadler “failed to keep the affairs of each client confidential and/or failed to protect the confidentiality of each client’s affairs” after he accessed his work email during the recorded exam and clicked on two emails from solicitors’ firms containing client information.

In mitigation, Sadler stated that he did not realise his words and actions could be heard and recorded, and that nothing he said or did was directed at any individual, especially the exam proctor.

Regarding the second charge, Sadler said he did not appreciate at the time that accessing his Outlook could risk a GDPR breach, attributing this to both a lack of knowledge and a lack of thought on his part. The necessary steps were taken by him and chambers to address any potential breach.

The panel agreed that Sadler, who is an unregistered barrister and has since left the bar, showed genuine contrition and remorse.

The matter was handled through a procedure known as determination by consent, an alternative method for dealing with cases that would otherwise be referred to a disciplinary tribunal.

Barristers Shabana Mahmood MP and Richard Hermer KC

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has appointed a pair of fellow barristers to take over the roles of Lord Chancellor and Attorney General after last week’s landslide election victory.

Shabana Mahmood, MP for Birmingham Ladywood, will take up the role of Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice. Prior to becoming an MP in 2010 she practiced as a barrister specialising in professional indemnity.

Mahmood was awarded a scholarship to study the bar course and was called to the bar by Gray’s Inn in 2003 She will become only the second woman to hold the post and the first observant Muslim to do so.

The greatest honour of my life to walk into @MoJGovUK as the Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice yesterday.

Before politics, I was a lawyer. I understand the deep challenges facing our justice system. But there is so much we can do. The hard work starts now. pic.twitter.com/38HwhZZRi2

— Shabana Mahmood MP (@ShabanaMahmood) July 6, 2024

Congratulating Mahmood on her appointment, president of the Law Society Nick Emmerson said:

“The appointment of the new justice secretary Shabana Mahmood is a unique opportunity to bring much-needed change to our justice system and address the longstanding neglect and underinvestment that have left it on the verge of collapse. The challenges ahead are significant and demand urgent attention.”

“It’s crucial to acknowledge that transforming the justice system is a long-term project, requiring a collaborative effort, Emmerson continued. “We look forward to working with Shabana Mahmood over the coming parliament and sharing the insight and experience of our members to rebuild our justice system, harness the economic power of legal services and ensure access to justice for all.”

For his new Attorney General, Starmer has appointed Richard Hermer KC from Matrix Chambers, who will be granted a life peerage in the House of Lords.

The experienced silk was called to the bar in 1993 before reaching the prestigious rank of silk in 2009. He is also a Deputy High Court Judge assigned to the King’s Bench Division and the Administrative Court, and specialises in all areas of private and public international law, as well as domestic public and private law.

Better but still not great

BCLP has released the retention rate for its September 2024 qualifiers, with 11 of the 19 trainees staying on.

This equates to 58% of the most recent UK cohort, with the global retention marginally lower at 57% (12 out of 21).

Whilst this isn’t a particularly strong figure, it is a significant increase from the 29% (4 out of 14) retained in the spring. The firm expects this trajectory to continue, with a spokesperson stating: “We remain committed to making further progress with our retention efforts and acknowledge there is still more work to do here.”

BCLP has faced challenging market conditions in recent years with the commercial real estate sector, one of its key specialisms, suffering. The firm has also lost a number of Russian clients since sanctions were applied after the invasion Ukraine.

A spokesperson for the firm added:

“We are pleased that one of our qualifiers is our first Solicitor Apprentice to qualify through the apprenticeship route for the firm. We are actively supporting our remaining trainees to find alternative roles, with many in the final stages of that process. We wish all our qualifiers all the best in their future legal careers.”

The Legal Cheek Firms Most List shows that BCLP take on around 35 trainees each year, with London recruits receiving £50,000 in year one, £55,000 in year two, and £105,000 upon qualification.

Those joining the Manchester office can expect a first year salary of £33,000, rising to £37,000 in their second year and £67,000 upon qualification.

The top legal affairs news stories from this morning and the weekend

Starmer could let out 40,000 inmates early to ease prisons crisis [The Times] (£)

Lawyer accused of sexual misconduct fails to get case thrown out [The Telegraph] (£)

KPMG Law seeks to establish distinctive foothold in UK legal market [City A.M.]

Boeing to plead guilty to criminal fraud charge [BBC]

British police to be deployed in Europe to fight people smugglers [Telegraph] (£)

The City of London’s wish list for the new Labour government [Financial Times] (£)

Labour expected to drop challenge to ICC over Netanyahu arrest warrant [The Guardian]

Labour’s mountain to climb: the challenge facing Keir Starmer’s government [Financial Times] (£)

New law on child exploitation by drug dealers in Labour crime crackdown [The Guardian]

“I thought the legal market was struggling?” [Legal Cheek comments]

Upcoming events

THIS THURSDAY: How to get Qualifying Work Experience — with BPP University Law School [Apply Now]

Bar Tribunal finally acts

Barrister Henry Hendron has been disbarred after receiving a 14-month jail sentence for a number of drugs related offences.

Hendron was convicted in March last year of three counts of intentionally encouraging/assisting the supply of Class A and Class C drugs, and a further charge of possessing “a quantity of crystal methamphetamine”. His sentences concurrently totalled 14 months.

The drugs were purchased from clients Hendron was representing in criminal proceedings, with his arrest taking place outside of Belmarsh prison.

His behaviour, the independent tribunal said “was likely to diminish the trust and confidence which the public places in him or in the profession, and which could reasonably be seen by the public to undermine his integrity and independence.”

It continued: “Mr Hendron also had a previous criminal and disciplinary record, including for drug related offences, which were taken into account in making the order to disbar.”

Hendron’s legal troubles began back in 2015 when he was arrested after his boyfriend, 18-year-old Miguel Jimenez, was found dead in Hendron’s Temple flat following a drug overdose. Hendron was 34 at the time.

After pleading guilty in March 2016 to two counts relating to possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply he was handed a community order with 18 months supervision and 140 hours unpaid work.

He was then suspended from legal practice for three years, during which time he failed to comply with the tribunals order, and earned himself a reprimand and ban from public access work for a further two years.

Commenting on the most recent order, a BSB spokesperson said:

“Possessing and encouraging the supply of Class A drugs is clearly a very serious matter. The conduct for which Mr Hendron was convicted, including being involved in his client’s criminal activity, is clearly entirely unacceptable behaviour for a barrister and the Tribunal’s decision to disbar him reflects this.”

In statement, Hendron said:

“Previous tribunals had been generous to me and given me chance after chance which by my conduct I took for granted, and in the battle with addiction I squandered those chances to my own folly. In the time it has taken to determine the bar disciplinary process I have used in trying to come to terms with the inevitable prospect disbarment and of losing the profession I have spent my life serving and love. I fully endorse the sanction of disbarment handed to me today, it was the right sanction to impose.”

Along with his disbarment, Hendron was ordered to pay £2,670 costs.

5% across the board

International firm Osborne Clarke has handed bonuses out across the firm after a bumper financial performance.

The profit share, which hands all UK members 5% of their annual salary, follows financial results that saw UK net profits increase by 14% to £84.8m, with Profit per equity partner (PEP) increasing 11% to £771,000.

The bonus was paid out to staff in June, with a pro-rata adjustment for new starters. The minimum payment was fixed at £2,000.

The payout notably includes all trainees, newly qualified and junior lawyers. Whilst the firm’s newest batch of trainees will, subject to start dates, have taken home anywhere from £2,000 up towards £2,750, NQ lawyers at the firm’s London office will have bagged as much as £4,500 for their contributions.

Those further up the ladder will also be pleased to hear that the firm had its biggest round of partner promotions in the last decade, with 11 new UK partners. This comes alongside a bonus scheme which will see “high performers” receive bonuses of up to 40%, paid over three years.

This year’s financial results season is off to a strong start across the board. Weightmans has reported its most successful year to date, taking income up 12% to above £140 million, with HFW pushing its turnover over £250 million, an 11% boost.

International firm Kennedys has also reported a record year of growth, clocking a revenue of £384 million, a 17% increase on last year.

Get ahead of the competition

Applications have opened this week for Legal Cheek‘s first virtual law fair of the new 2024-25 graduate recruitment season, featuring over 60 leading law firms.

The fair takes place on Tuesday 3 September from 2-5pm. It features video walk-ins with all the firms — including the entire Magic Circle and majority of leading US and international firms, as well as a host of top national outfits — plus six back-to-back careers and commercial awareness virtual workshops delivered by leading lawyers.

It’s free and open to all, and a great opportunity to meet firms from the comfort of your own home right at the start of the recruitment cycle.

Secure your place now

First legal couple in Downing Street since the Blairs

After a landslide election victory the keys to Number 10 have been handed over to a couple of lawyers.

Keir Starmer, the UK’s new PM, has a well documented legal past. Called to the bar by Middle Temple in 1987, Starmer joined Doughty Street Chambers in 1990 before taking up the post of Director of Public Prosecutions in 2008, overseeing a number of significant cases.

Keen law students may recall, for example, Purdy v DPP, a 2009 House of Lords case which has become a staple on administrative and constitutional law courses.

Starmer held the DPP role until 2013, being elected to the House of Commons a year later in December 2014.

It’s not just Keir who has a legal past. His wife, Victoria Starmer, is a former solicitor who practised in London after gaining her law degree from Cardiff University. They’re the first legal couple in Number 10 since the Blairs, with ex-PM Tony and his wife Cherie both originally barristers by trade.

There are also a number of notable lawyers who crossed over from the opposition last night. David Lammy, the former shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, was called to the bar in 1994 before practicing as an attorney in the US for a number of years.

Emily Thornberry has also had an extensive legal career. After being called to the bar she practiced for two decades between 1985 and 2005, specialising in human rights law.

The former shadow Secretary of State for Justice, Shabana Mahmood, is another former barrister to add to the list. Called to the bar in 2003, she had a short career specialising in professional indemnity before being elected as an MP in 2010.

With the large number of new seats taken by Labour, there are also a slew of lawyers entering the Commons for the first time. These include the likes of seasoned public law barrister Tony Vaughan, former Crown prosecutor Linsey Farnsworth and international firm partner Lucy Rigby.

Meanwhile, a host of Conservative lawyer-MPs may be returning to legal practice after having lost their seats. Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk, former Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland and attorney general Victoria Prentis were all voted out last night, alongside several other lower profile legal Tories.

A round-up of online musings, memes and more

Why did I choose to become a lawyer? [Holly Moore on Instagram]

Advice for recent law graduates [Zaynab H on LinkedIn]

Real things legal professionals have said to me as a neurodivergent trainee lawyer [Amelia Platton on LinkedIn]

Social life [Legal Cheek on Instagram]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Legal Cheek (@legalcheek)

‘You think I can get a job at a magic circle firm if I can do a backflip?’ [Reddit]

10 relatable TikToks about law firm interviews [Legal Cheek]

Enid Blyton’s more pessimistic first draft [David KC on X]

Enid Blyton’s more pessimistic first draft pic.twitter.com/7aWkCjEkr5

— David KC (@DavidMuttering) July 2, 2024

Regional salaries receive boost to £75k

International firm DLA Piper has raised the salaries of its newly qualified lawyers, taking City recruits up to £110,000 with their regional counterparts rising to £75,000.

The new figures represent a 10% increase across the board for the firm’s newest associates, with the previous figures sitting at £100,000 and £68,500.

With trainee pay remaining the same, rookies in the City office will continue to receive £50,000 in year one, and £55,000 in year two, with regional trainees on £34,000 and £37,500 respectively.

The firm has also announced its PGDL and SQE grants. Students in London will receive £12,500 for their conversion courses, with graduates taking online courses or those in the regions awarded £8,750.

For the SQE students can then expect a London grant of £17,000, with those elsewhere handed £12,000.

The Legal Cheek Firms Most List shows that the outfit takes on around 65 trainees each year.

This pay boost is the latest in a string of rises that have hit firms across the UK in recent months. Fellow international firms Herbert Smith Freehills and Hogan Lovells both increased their NQ salaries to £135,000 in recent weeks, with Macfarlanes going further to hit £140,000.

HFW has also boosted its NQ pay up to £100k, with Bird & Bird climbing to £98,000.

These more recent changes follow a significant shift in the Magic Circle, with Freshfields, Linklaters, A&O Shearman, and Clifford Chance all boosting rates to £150,000 earlier this year. Slaughter and May has so far stood firm, keeping junior lawyer pay at £125,000.

Durham undergrad Niall Hignett reflects on the challenges of navigating uni without parental support

An aspiring lawyer has shared his experiences as an “estranged” law student, juggling academic commitments, financial challenges and loneliness.

Niall Hignett, a final-year law student at Durham University, has shed light on the lives of the approximately 10,000 estranged students in the UK, explaining that these students have little or no contact with their parents while pursuing higher education.

Writing for the Metro website, the Durham undergrad shares that his journey began by selling his 18-year-old Renault Clio to give himself a modest cash boost. He explained, “I didn’t need the car anymore because I wasn’t driving back home”.

Amidst the typical law student challenges of a heavy workload and expensive textbooks, Hignett needed to find housing deposits, pay for a guarantor scheme, and fund rent and food, all without “the bank of mum and dad”.

Despite receiving the highest government loan, the funds didn’t come close to covering his costs, he explains. “I spent more time serving drinks than I did in lectures or seminars in that first year of university.”

“It’s not just covering living costs that I was worried about,” says Hignett. “Without the obvious back-up plan to return home, I needed to create a financial safety net for myself. That meant earning as much as possible, and spending as little as possible. For example, I haven’t ever been to an expensive ball or college formal — or even bought one of those Hogwarts-esque gowns. Thankfully, the posh-boy aesthetic wouldn’t suit me anyway — but it’s isolating nonetheless.”

It isn’t just financial concerns that plague estranged students, however. “Seeing other students able to enjoy the experience, and engage more with their degree, was isolating,” says Hignett.

In particular, it was the Christmas break where “feelings of isolation peaked”. Having considered dropping out, and taking a hiatus for a year to earn some extra money working as an election organiser, Hignett returned to Durham in September 2023 to continue his legal studies.

Now on track to finish his degree, and having undertaken placements at a range of firms including Bates Wells and DLA Piper, Hignett credited the “incredible student group” the Estranged and Care Experienced Network.

The group, comprised of current estranged and care experienced students in the UK and Ireland, offer guidance on the basics of applying for higher education and practical advice on financial support, employment, and relationships.

Struggling with stress or anxiety? Contact LawCare via its helpline or live chat.

Upticks across the board

The first round of financial results for the 2023-24 year have been released, with several top City and national law firms putting in positive performances.

Osborne Clarke has seen international revenues climb 19% up to €525 million, with the UK figures showing 11% growth up to £240.5 million. Of this, the outfit recorded an impressive £84.8 million net profit, an increase of 14% since the last results.

Profit per equity partner (PEP) also saw a boost, jumping 11% up to £771,000.

Elsewhere Weightmans has reported its most successful year to date, taking income up 12% to above £140 million, with £18 million net profit, a whopping 41.1% rise on the previous figure. PEP is now sitting at £391,000.

HFW has also reported strong numbers, hitting a turnover of £251 million. Whilst this marked a solid increase of 11% from last year, net profit saw a bigger boost, rising 16.5% to hit £75.4 million. PEP saw a more modest, although still very impressive, boost of 9% up to £855,000.

Kennedys has also reported a record year of growth, clocking a revenue of £384 million, a 17% increase on last year. This marks the 10th year of consecutive growth for the firm.

Whilst the UK wing saw a very impressive 18% growth in revenue, the US offices topped this with 22%.

Why law?

For those embarking on the punishing task of training contract applications for the first time, wondering how the hell you’re going to sit through a partner interview without coming off like a gibbering mess, this one’s for you!

Maybe you’re even a veteran in the field of law firm interviews, having smashed out so many vac schemes and mini-pupillages that you’ve got your interview technique down to a T, this one’s guaranteed to take you down memory lane.

We’re compiled a list of 10 hilarious TikToks about law firm interviews. Let us know which one’s your fave in the comments.

Can’t really remember what marks I got tbh …

@legalcheek Land Law and Equity & Trusts really let the team down #CapCut #babyreindeer #lawyer ♬ original sound – legalcheek

If we’re being honest

@legalcheek Let’s be honest #babyreindeer #lawstudentlife ♬ original sound – legalcheek

But my biggest strength is teamwork

@legalcheek I bring a certain Gen Z mindset to the function #lawyersoftiktok #lawmemes #lawstudent ♬ original sound – legalcheek

@legalcheek NQ pay is how much #meme #lawschool #lawstudent #lawstudentlife #student #university #lawyersoftiktok ♬ original sound – Dessirae

‘I’m a perfectionist’

@legalcheek I genuinely forget how to put a sentence together #CapCut #Meme #studentsoftiktok #lawstudent ♬ original sound – legalcheek

Mr Worldwide

@legalcheek Mr worldwide #lawyersoftiktok #lawstudentlife #yearabroad ♬ original sound – legalcheek

You’re my favourite dish

@legalcheek The questions need to be clearer….#CapCut #Meme #studentsoftiktok #lawstudent #fypシ゚viral #trainingcontract #law #fyp #students ♬ original sound – legalcheek

Shady’s back, back again

@legalcheek This ain’t my first rodeo #law #lawstudent #lawschool #lawyersoftiktok #nohardfeelings #fyp ♬ No Hard Feelings_Now on Google Play – lovelove

Does Netflix count?

@legalcheek Time to panic #lawyersoftiktok #lawyer #lawschool #university #student #fyp #lawstudentlife #Meme ♬ original sound – legalcheek

Thank you, next

@legalcheek Next question#Meme #MemeCut #lawyersoftiktok #student #lawstudent #fypシ #trainingcontract #law #lawyerlife #fyp ♬ original sound – legalcheek

Follow Legal Cheek on TikTok

SRA v Law Society

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has taken a step towards regulating CILEX lawyers in spite of the Law Society’s continued objection to the plans.

The SRA began discussions with CILEX (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) in 2022 about a change to the regulatory structure of the two professions.

The solicitor’s regulator has said that there would be public interest benefits to it regulating all CILEX members, namely that the regulatory landscape would be less complex and easier for consumers to navigate, and that it would allow for more consistent standards and levels of protection.

There has been significant opposition to these proposals, however, with the Law Society amongst the most vocal opponents.

Despite what the regulator describes as “mixed” views among the profession, the SRA board has now agreed that it would regulate CILEX members, if CILEX decides to re-delegate this task.

The regulator would, it says, “make sure the costs of regulating CILEX members would be fully recovered from their practising certificate fees”, whilst ensuring that “the distinct identities of CILEX members and solicitors” are maintained.

A CILEX lawyer is a legal professional who has qualified through the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. CILEX members typically start with a level three diploma in law and practice, equivalent to A-levels, followed by a level six diploma, equivalent to an undergraduate degree.

Anna Bradley, SRA chair, commented:

“We have reflected long and hard on the potential risks and benefits. In making this decision we are conscious of the strong professional interests that are in play, but the key question for us has always been — is this in the public interest? All the evidence shows that consistency and relative simplicity in regulation matters to the users of legal service. This change would result in a simpler system, with more consistent levels of protection for consumers. There will also be efficiency benefits.”

“Most people find the current regulatory landscape bamboozling. This change won’t solve all the issues of complexity, but it would benefit the public,” she continued.

The Law Society hasn’t let up its opposition, however. Its statement on the development notes the “serious concerns from solicitors, CILEX members and consumer representatives” about a move that would “irreparably change the legal regulatory landscape”.

Ian Jeffery, chief executive officer of the Law Society, also commented that the body is “deeply concerned that the SRA Board has given the go ahead to regulating CILEX members, despite its own regulated community, and CILEX’s members objecting to the idea of regulatory change, and the Legal Services Consumer Panel stating that the consumer case has not been made”.

“We are concerned that the redelegation of CILEX’s regulatory functions to the SRA could adversely affect the SRA’s ability to meet its duty to regulate the solicitor profession in a way that supports and promotes the regulatory objectives,” Jeffery continued. “This is of particular concern in light of the collapses of Axiom Ince, Metamorph, Kingly and the SSB Group.”

The existing CILEX regulator, CILEx Regulation, has gone public with its concern over the plans, stating that it is “considering next steps including recourse to the courts”.

Another potential hurdle, or brick wall, faced by the SRA is that its proposals, even if agreed by CILEX, would need approval from the Law Society. The Society’s consent for the changes “cannot be assumed” it has said, although the matter would ultimately be left to the Law Society’s Council to decide.