Rich is The Lawyer’s deputy editor. He has a particular focus on firms outside the UK top 50.
He was previously editor of The Lawyer’s student publication Lawyer 2B, and as such also has an interest everything to do with legal education, training contracts and pupillage, as well as lawyers’ ongoing career development.
Kent law student Claire Splawn explains her role in a groundbreaking asylum case. Our case involved a claim to the Home Office on behalf of an Afghan atheist client. The client had arrived into the UK at the age of 16 and while he had been brought up a Muslim, had gradually turned to atheism […]
How to prepare for the Watson Glaser test and BCAT critical thinking appraisal tests, and the deciding role they play in your legal career. Increasingly, law firms are using critical thinking tests as part of their recruitment process. Critical thinking tests, also referred to as critical reasoning tests, are a type of psychometric test considered […]
Clifford Chance has posted a 94 per cent retention rate for its spring 2014 qualifiers. Of the 48 trainees reaching the end of their training contract, 45 were offered newly qualified positions, and all accepted. The result is the best in recent years for the magic circle firm, whose retention rates have generally hovered around […]
Online practices are joining ABSs in shaking up the traditional legal marketplace, reports Shana Ting Lipton. Since their official introduction into the UK marketplace in October 2011, Alternative Business Structures (ABSs) have been feared, eagerly anticipated, and perceived as heralding the democratised future of law firms – and a ‘de-lawyered’ one at that, according to […]
“Right amigos, now we swim – but don’t worry, I’ll create a distraction so the piranhas won’t eat you,” said the least convincing man I have ever met as we were tipped out, sent panting towards the riverbank while said unconvincing man threw raw chicken in the opposite direction. But before I had the chance […]
Immigration lawyers Duncan Lewis Solicitors respond to the revelation that Home Office staff are being rewarded with gift vouchers for helping to ensure failed asylum seekers lose their attempt to stay in the country. The Home Office practice of rewarding its staff with gift vouchers, cash bonuses and extra holidays for winning appeals in immigration and […]
Berwin Leighton Paisner will retain 89 per cent of its spring 2014 qualifiers. The firm offered newly qualified (NQ) roles to 17 of its 18 final-seat trainees, and 16 accepted. BLP’s training principal Antony Lennox said: “I am delighted we have achieved such a high retention rate, which reinforces the fact that the calibre of […]
Michael Schumacher’s unforeseen skiing injury undoubtedly came as a massive shock to all. However, head injuries are an increasing and unsettling trend in the world of sport and there are many legal issues surrounding them. One major cause of head injuries in sport is the scrum. In rugby, the referee is probably the most important part […]
The signing of the Unified Patent Court (UPC) Agreement on 19 February 2013 heralded a radical change to the system of litigating patents in Europe. When ratified by 13 signatory countries, including France, Germany and the UK, the UPC will come into force. At the same time a new form of EU patent known as […]
Lawyers give their views on one of the country’s most hotly debated topics Joining the eurozone has been a strategic target for Romania since joining the EU in 2007, as part of the country’s commitment to deeper integration with Europe, and developing a strong market economy and a solid business environment. While this continues to […]
Ed Miliband does have a point about increasing energy bills, but price caps just don’t work Price regulation at consumer level is not in itself an alien concept in the UK. For example, water and sewerage regulator Ofwat sets separate price controls for whole-sale activities and household retail services. Ed Miliband knows that fixing […]
Lawyer 2B looks at the varied forms of apprenticeships in the legal market, and asks whether they are really the answer to the future of legal education. Apprenticeships are in vogue. The government is very keen on them – and it has set the legal profession in its sights. “I’m especially excited about a new […]