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

Latham & Watkins approves ‘super points’ to boost partner pay above $20m [Financial news] (£)

Corporate lawyer Faiza Saeed: ‘There’s a human element to all deals’ [Financial Times] (£)

Post Office in turmoil as top lawyer Ben Foat steps back [This is Money]

Employment law shake-up: Lawyers prepare to be the hottest call in town [City A.M.]

The police have lost control. Welcome to the era of mob rule [The Telegraph]

Mother of trainee barrister, 26, who vanished in Majorca after ‘beach robbery’ accuses British police of ‘failing’ her son as she lands on Spanish island [Daily Mail]

Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories illegal, rules top UN court [The Times] (£)

Thumbs up for Grimsby Crown Court staff as emojis take over hearing [Grimsby Live]

Lawyer used balloons to smuggle drugs on prison visit [Daily Mail]

“You won’t have this time again. Be young, travel, explore, enjoy life. Once you start working the only prolonged period of leave you will have is your qualification leave (4-6weeks) and then career breaks in between jobs etc.” [Legal Cheek comments]

Upcoming events
Next Wednesday: What to consider before starting the SQE — with The College of Legal Practice [Apply Now]

A round-up of online musings, memes and more

‘I gave some controversial advice last week ’ [Helen Pamely on LinkedIn]

In Law School? Write running notes. [Madhuli Kango on LinkedIn]

Unusual and cool things in law firm offices [Legal Cheek on TikTok]

The struggle is still real… [Alex Herrity on LinkedIn]

‘As is customary, I have the opportunity to book a place on the admissions ceremony at my expense. And I’m really struggling to hit the ‘Buy’ button’ [Amit Kapoor on LinkedIn]

It’s bizarre that junior lawyers don’t get more training on how to manage traumatic situations [Chrissie Wolfe on LinkedIn]

Third year of uni v firm profile pic [Legal Cheek on Instagram]

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

How to best approach your SQE2 Research Assessment now that the format of the answer has changed [Daniel Hill on LinkedIn]

Deadlines that aren’t helpful [Shaun Sethna on LinkedIn]

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

Diverse lawyers used as ‘window dressing’ in client pitches, poll finds [Financial Times] (£)

Thousands of prisoners to be released early to ease overcrowding [BBC News]

AI won’t be replacing human lawyers any time soon [The Scotsman]

Fox-clubbing barrister sparks outrage by claiming new Government will ‘kill trans children’ by continuing ban on puberty blockers [Mail Online]

Climate in the courtroom: all sides are using ‘green lawfare’, and it’s good for democracy [The Conversation]

Pregnant woman who survived neighbour’s crossbow rampage demands weapon law reform [Mirror]

Latest legal bid in Stonehenge tunnel scheme begins [BBC News]

German lay judge challenges a headscarf ban in court [DW]

Ex-Porsche Lawyer Sentenced After Throwing Her Newborn Out Window So It Wouldn’t Disrupt Her Career [International Business Times]

Alec Baldwin’s Rust trial dismissed over hidden evidence [BBC News]

“Yes you will certainly be taken seriously but you should manage your expectations as to how far you can leverage your career to date. Partners are largely disinterested in experience that isn’t legal…” [Legal Cheek comments]

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TOMORROW: AI and the law — with A&O Shearman, Macfarlanes, Osborne Clarke and ULaw [Apply Now]

Thursday 18 July: How to secure a pupillage at the commercial Bar — with COMBAR [Apply Now]

A round-up of online musings, memes and more

‘I’ve always thought NQ retentions rates don’t really tell the full story. Let me try to add a bit of context for any aspiring solicitors who worry about this.’ [Paul Gascoyne on LinkedIn]

Tip for law students and newer lawyers: don’t include an exact date unless it matters [Nick Bullard on LinkedIn]

Law firm tip [jefffdylan on X]

Law firm tip: if you’re ever low on hours make lots of social plans. Like magic you’ll be staffed on new urgent matters!

— attorney@lol (@jefffdylan) July 7, 2024

Law students struggling to land legal roles in the UK — is this really how it should be? [Iqra Ali on LinkedIn]

Law students looking to connect on LinkedIn [Legal Cheek on Instagram]

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Failure… A word so many of us hate, and so rarely talk about [Andrew Mackinnon on LinkedIn]

No, you can’t “just tell” when someone has used ChatGPT [Dana Yewbank on LinkedIn]

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]

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]

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‘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

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

Keir Starmer the lawyer: rational, diligent, ruthless [Financial Times] (£)

How the young Keir Starmer made his name as a ‘radical’ barrister [The Times] (£)

Lawyers flock to crypto jobs: ‘They are even learning coding’ [Financial News]

The Conservative Party could mount a legal challenge over the General Election after it emerged thousands of postal ballots have not been delivered on time [Mail Online]

Asda and Tesco face legal action over E. coli cases [BBC News]

A third of non-doms could leave the UK if Labour wins election, says top wealth lawyer [City A.M.]

Rob Rinder: ‘There are more sociopaths working in TV than in HMP Belmarsh’ [iNews]

Citi was money launderers’ favourite bank, US law enforcement officials say [Financial Times] (£)

Meet the Bristol University student hoping to win a seat in the general election next month [Bristol Post]

“I didn’t think the matter was even open to debate. Becoming a Barrister is, objectively, more difficult (although, with the introduction of the SQE, that gap has narrowed). It’s not only more difficult academically and financially, but also in its comparative lack of openness…” [Legal Cheek comments]

Upcoming events

THIS THURSDAY: Secrets to Success London — with Travers Smith, Reed Smith, Farrer & Co, Radcliffe Chambers and ULaw [Apply Now]

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

A round-up of online musings, memes and more

SQE: who can call out the regulator? [Helen Pamely on LinkedIn]

“In general, business attire means smart dark office wear…” [Jason Gifford Head on X]

Quoth the Bar Council:

“In general, business attire means smart dark office wear. This will usually
mean a black, dark grey or dark blue suit with tie for men…”

On my train, I am the only person with a tie. Few have a jacket.

Is “business dress” as archaic as a wig & gown?

— Jacob Gifford Head (@gifford_head) June 26, 2024

‘I’ve always been very vocal about the fact that practicing the law from an early age has helped me immensely with my studies… that was until the SQE’ [Maia Crockford on LinkedIn]

My law firm starting XI [Luke Mitchinson on LinkedIn]

Employed barrister expresses frustration over inability to sign off QWE [
Natalie Connor on LinkedIn]

“You might’ve forgotten to attach a file…” [Aidan James on X]

the face Outlook is doing when it says “you might’ve forgotten to attach a file” pic.twitter.com/03lYwNu5Qf

— Aidan James (@mcandidate) June 26, 2024

“Just happy to be here guys” [ Legal Cheek on Instagram]

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

All rise (up)! Politicians have been silent on the criminal justice crisis – that must change [City A.M.]

Veteran wants medal law after police chief sacked [BBC News]

Man City legal action and 115 charges position offers stark indicator amid expert verdicts [Manchester Evening News]

Police pay legal fees over parking ticket [BBC News]

Low pay for UK financial crime prosecutors hits efforts to hire top talent [Financial Times] (£)

Harry Dunn’s legacy [A Lawyer Writes]

EU devises legal loophole to bypass Hungary veto on support for Ukraine [Financial Times] (£)

Village protesters launch legal battle against ‘monstrous’ broadband poles [The Telegraph] (£)

I’m a lawyer – these are the 3 biggest driving myths everyone believes they could land you with UNLIMITED fines [The Sun]

“This story goes to show why the title of “barrister” must be restricted to those who are entitled to practise…” [Legal Cheek comments]

Upcoming events

THIS TUESDAY: The SQE: students and law firms share their stories — with ULaw [Apply Now]

THIS THURSDAY: Secrets to Success Birmingham — with Pinsent Masons, Reed Smith, DWF, Browne Jacobson and ULaw [Apply Now]

Weekly round-up of the top legal blogosphere posts

How Keir Starmer plans to rule through the courts [The Spectator] (£)

England v France – who takes the gold in the race for arbitration supremacy? [Legal Cheek Journal]

Knife crime has increased in England and Wales over the last decade – here’s how the next government can prevent it [The Conversation]

Tech solutions to limit kids’ access to social media are fraught with problems, including privacy risks [Inforrm’s Blog]

2004, 2007, 2014, 2024 – Four lives for the Crocs design? [IPKat Blog]

New International Commercial Courts: A Comparative Analysis – and a Tentative Look at Their Success [Oxford Business Law Blog]

HMRC errors let the UK’s most notorious tax avoider escape a £14m penalty [Tax Policy Associates]

The Crime of Piracy’s Colonial Legacy [International Law Blog]

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

Lawyers take lord chancellor to high court over legal aid fees [The Guardian]

Saudi Arabia lures British lawyers with paid-for private school fees [The Telegraph]

No more luxuries: how life as a British judge in Hong Kong is changing [The Times] (£)

Rishi Sunak says he is not opposed to assisted dying [The Guardian]

‘Insane’ pay rises for junior London lawyers raise concerns over culture [Financial Times]

Apple set to be first Big Tech group to face charges under EU digital law [Financial Times] (£)

Asylum seekers could claim false imprisonment – solicitor [BBC News]

ICC must be allowed to carry out work ‘without intimidation’, say 93 member states [The Guardian]

Driver of police car who hit cow removed from duty [BBC]

“Netflix, Bring It On”: Fiona Harvey’s Lawyer on How He Can Win the ‘Baby Reindeer’ Battle [The Hollywood Reporter]

“I recognise the NQ market for a lateral is in turmoil, however I still think the increases in salaries at top level will trickle down…” [Legal Cheek comments]

Upcoming events

TOMORROW: Secrets to Success Manchester — with Squire Patton Boggs, Pinsent Masons, Clyde & Co, Fletchers, Express Solicitors and ULaw [Apply Now]

25 June: The SQE: students and law firms share their stories — with ULaw [Apply Now]

Weekly round-up of the top legal blogosphere posts

Of course Starmer is boring. That’s a good thing [Prospect] (£)

The strange omission in the Conservative manifesto: why is there no commitment to repeal the Human Rights Act? [The Law and Policy Blog]

Why Britain must leave the ECHR [Spiked]

Moral courage: Chief justice stands up for judicial independence [A Lawyer Writes]

The Future of Cryptocurrency Regulation: Lessons from SEC v Coinbase [Oxford Business Law Blog]

Why are students steered towards duff A-levels? [The Spectator] (free, but registration required)

Is Rachel Reeves hiding her real tax plans? [The New Statesman] (free, but registration required)

The football world’s war on free speech [The Critic]

Sixteen years for stealing a flower pot: the film about the IPP jail sentence ‘designed to bury you alive’ [The Guardian]

Bans on fossil fuel advertising are coming – and sport should not be exempt [The Conversation]

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

Labour pledges 80 new rape courts in bid to tackle backlog crisis [The Guardian]

Why two UK judges cut ties with Hong Kong’s courts [BBC News]

Ex-Post Office lawyer who left for Australia given award as postmasters fought justice [Mirror]

Landmark report reveals GenAI’s time-saving impact on legal work [City A.M.]

Solicitor Akhmed Yakoob: He’s flashy, pro-Gaza and winning over Labour’s once-loyal Muslim vote [The Times] (£)

Manchester City’s legal case has power to blow Premier League’s house down [The Guardian]

Conservatives pledge to ‘back drivers’ with new law [BBC News]

Sir Oliver Popplewell, High Court judge and MCC president famous as ‘Mr Justice Popplecarrot’ – obituary [Telegraph] (£)

Labour pledge planning law move to boost prison places [BBC News]

Tesla looks to cut award for lawyers in Elon Musk pay lawsuit from $5.2bn to $13.6mn [Financial Times] (£)

Gender-critical Newcastle fan launches legal action against police ‘political’ trans activism [Telegraph] (£)

“This is genuinely the worst I’ve seen the NQ market for several years. I feel really bad for those qualifying this September.” [Legal Cheek comments]

Upcoming events

STARTS TODAY: The Legal Cheek Summer Virtual Vacation Scheme and Law Fair 2024 [Apply Now]

18 June: Secrets to Success Manchester — with Squire Patton Boggs, Pinsent Masons, Clyde & Co, Fletchers, Express Solicitors and ULaw [Apply Now]

25 June: The SQE: students and law firms share their stories — with ULaw [Apply Now]

Weekly round-up of the top legal blogosphere posts

What price justice? Small disputes involving ordinary people are not a waste of the courts’ time [The Conversation]

Waging lawfare against Trump will not end well for Democrats [New Statesman] (free, but registration required)

Sunak’s crime crackdown won’t pay off for the Tories [The Spectator] (free, but registration required)

Protest laws: Striking the balance between order and rights [Legal Cheek Journal]

The rise of political misuse of the law [Prospect] (free, but registration required)

Donald Trump is convicted – but it is now the judicial system that may need a good defence strategy [The Law and Policy Blog]

Why we should scrap the Equality Act [Spiked]

Compensating injustices. Is failure to pay victims a breach of their human rights? [A Lawyer Writes]

What Determines a Breach of Oversight Duties? [Oxford Business Law Blog]

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

Open prisons and AI could reduce jail population, says ex-minister [The Times] (£)

US students face recruitment challenges after Gaza protests [Financial Times] (£)

More trauma for rape victims as court backlog doubles in two years due to lawyer shortage [Independent]

Covid fines of £34mn issued since pandemic in England and Wales [Financial Times] (£)

Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda admission sparks legal action from detained asylum seekers [The Guardian]

The case against Lord Lucan: Meet the barristers who’ll fight to convict Britain’s most notorious murder suspect [Daily Mail]

Attacking art ‘should be criminal offence even if there’s no damage’ [The Times] (£)

Taylor Swift inspires Glasgow student to pursue copyright law [BBC News]

Exodus of US law firms from Shanghai accelerates [Financial Times]

Early Adopters Of Gen AI In Law [Forbes]

“Imagine if the Magic Circle didn’t have freshfields? I imagine NQ salaries would still be around 100k.” [Legal Cheek Comments]

Upcoming events
THIS TUESDAY: Secrets to Success Leeds — with Eversheds Sutherland, Pinsent Masons, Shoosmiths and ULaw [Apply Now]

THIS THURSDAY: SQE courses: everything you need to know — with BPP and speakers from Norton Rose Fulbright and Stephenson Harwood [Apply Now]

Weekly round-up of the top legal blogosphere posts

Delays for Rwanda challenge? [A Lawyer Writes]

Labour’s law and order plans are pure vibes [The Spectator] (registration required)

The ICC and the nature of legal power [Prospect] (registration required)

The legal grey area of mining the moon [Legal Cheek Journal]

ICC arrest warrants: why attempts to prosecute war criminals too soon can complicate peace efforts [The Conversation]

Only the rich can play [A Lawyer Writes]

What the BBC does not say about femicide in London [The Critic]

Thoughts on the calling of a general election [Law and Policy Blog]

The British state has given up on keeping us safe [Spiked]

The Guardian view on prison overcrowding: a justice system in meltdown [The Guardian]

The top legal affairs news stories from the long weekend

US law firms ramp up London talent war with huge junior lawyer salaries and high-profile hires [Business Insider]

How a class-action gold rush is drowning UK plc in legal wrangling [The Telegraph] (£)

Scarlett Johansson’s OpenAI clash is just the start of legal wrangles over artificial intelligence [The Guardian]

Teachers could get legal protection from blasphemy claims [The Times] (£)

Conservative Party ‘hit with legal threat’ for ‘blocking’ pro-Boris Johnson candidates [Express]

If Trump is convicted, what happens next? [BBC News]

Prince Harry’s US visa papers ‘should be private due to legal stigma’ [The Times] (£)

EU approves law to hit gas imports with methane emissions limit [Reuters]

European Super League: Spanish court says Uefa and Fifa wrong to ban clubs from joining breakaway competition [BBC News]

“Burberry baseball cap, Stone Island top (get that badge in) designer jeans, Adidas Gazelle’s. You’ll look like crap but at least non of the partners will mess with you.” [Legal Cheek comments]

Upcoming events:

This Wednesday: Why non-law students make great lawyers — with Brabners, Mishcon de Reya, Reed Smith and ULaw [Apply Now]

4 June: Secrets to Success Leeds — with Eversheds Sutherland, Pinsent Masons, Shoosmiths and ULaw [Apply Now]

Weekly round-up of the top legal blogosphere posts

The UK’s archaic court system is not fit for use [The Spectator] (registration required)

The ICC’s milestone decision [The New Statesman] (registration required)

The rise of the ‘climate refugee’ and why you need to care [Legal Cheek Journal]

Infected blood scandal: government has promised compensation but will justice really be done? [The Conservation]

I’m a barrister — the prisons are full and we can’t bring offenders to trial [iNews]

Vennells demolished [A Lawyer Writes]

The police should stop wasting time on tweets [The Critic]

Public pain about private prosecutions [The Bar Council]

US hostility towards the ICC is nothing new – it has long supported the court only when it suits American interests [The Conversation]

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

Courts in talks to abandon wigs amid claims they are ‘culturally insensitive’ [The Telegraph] (£)

Barristers ‘gaming system’ with virtual hearings, says Bar Council [The Times] (£)

Infected blood victims await report into biggest ever NHS disaster [BBC]

Teachers to get free speech protection from blasphemy claims [The Times] (£)

White Witch of Rye’ barrister, 42, faces jail for harassing ‘wizard’, 82, after she ‘took control of his bank account and what he ate, drank and wore’ [Daily Mail]

Why Wikileaks’ Julian Assange faces US extradition demand [BBC]

‘Once you take choice away, there’s nothing left’: assisted dying edges closer in Jersey, but can they protect against a ‘duty to die’? [The Guardian]

Quarter of young people believe carrying a knife makes them safer [The Times] (£)

“Someone please explain this in football terms?” [Legal Cheek Comments]

Upcoming events
29 May: Why non-law students make great lawyers — with Brabners, Mishcon de Reya, Reed Smith and ULaw [Apply Now]

4 June: Secrets to Success Leeds — with Eversheds Sutherland, Pinsent Masons, Shoosmiths and ULaw [Apply Now]

Weekly round-up of the top legal blogosphere posts

Contracts on Monday, machine learning on Tuesday: The future of the LLB [Legal Cheek Journal]

I hate hate speech laws [The Spectator] (registration required)

OpenAI’s content deal with the FT is an attempt to avoid more legal challenges – and an AI ‘data apocalypse’ [The Conversation]

Secret courts in crisis [A Lawyer Writes]

On how regulating the media is hard — if not impossible — and on why reviving the Leveson Inquiry may not be the best basis for seeing what regulations are now needed [The Law and Policy Blog]

How do we remove the gender pay gap? [Bar Council]

The dance of death of Scottish devolution [Spiked]

Tackling liability: Lessons from Elbanna v Clark on negligence in sports injuries [LawInSport]

MPs to to see law in action [A Lawyer Writes]

The top legal affairs news stories from the long weekend

Majority verdicts facilitated 56 miscarriages of justice in England and Wales, charity says [The Guardian]

Single-sex toilet law proposed for new buildings [BBC]

Cyclist avoids prosecution after fatal collision with pensioner [The Times] (£)

The law needs to catch up with rogue cyclists [The Telegraph] (£)

Mother of Manchester Arena bombing victim to walk to Downing Street to demand new law [Sky News]

Female prison guard on trial for giving gangster the ‘kiss of death’ [The Telegraph] (£)

Octopus gets arms around legal tech start-up Definely [Sky News]

Judge threatens Trump with prison after tenth breach of gagging order [The Times] (£)

Bitterly divided Garrick Club prepares to vote on female membership again [The Guardian]

UK government’s climate action plan is unlawful, High Court rules [Financial Times] (£)

High-flying Brisbane lawyer Michael Bosscher accused of trying to move 120kg of cocaine in van loaded with frozen chickens – on top of earlier money laundering charges [Mail Online]

“Another potential pay war? let’s bring it ” [Legal Cheek comments]

Upcoming events:

Why non-law students make great lawyers — with Brabners, Mishcon de Reya, Reed Smith and ULaw [Apply now]