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Passing the test

Far from being a victory for the Independent Schools Council, the Upper Tribunal ruling on the interpretation of the 'public benefit' test vindicates the Charity Commission's careful approach to the letter of the law, says Alice Holt

University challenged

What a relief for the profession. Judging by the number of applications for law courses, its future is safe. Graduate interest in law is still measured in thousands this year, with 13,139 applications, according to UCAS's latest figures. That's fewer than last year, for sure, which recorded 13,858 applications for law courses, but the drop is only 5.2 per cent – much better than the 7.9 per cent average across all subjects combined.

Memory lane

I recently caught myself saying into a digital dictation microphone my standard phrase with which I have for years now wrapped up my recordings as a clear sign off: “Thanks that's the end of that tape.” Tape. Tape? What even is one of those? I vaguely recall the days of handing physical files to secretaries with a tiny tape in its little clip-on holder attached to the front of them. The tapes were easily mislaid, quickly wiped/recorded over in error and have thankfully now been consigned to history in favour of digital files.

DLA Piper enters capital of proto-ABS

Magic circle firm DLA Piper has thrown its hat in the ABS ring by buying a minority share in LawVest Ltd, a company set up only last week to deploy “a market disrupting brand” to exploit the opportunities offered by changes to the legal services market.

Have we forgotten about clients in merger discussions?

By Andrew Hedley, Director, Hedley Consulting

Clarke launches new mandatory life sentence

Justice secretary Ken Clarke has announced that a new mandatory life sentence will be introduced, for a second 'very serious sexual or violent' offence. The long list of offences includes manslaughter, rape and wounding with intent together with terrorism offences, child sex offences and 'causing or allowing the death of a child'.

Law course applications fall to just above UK average

University applications to study law dropped 5.2 per cent with only 13,139 applicants this year compared with 13,858 last year.

Former Apax boss tells Cameron to scrap unfair dismissal laws

Adrian Beecroft, former senior managing partner of global private equity and venture capital firm Apax, has called for the UK's unfair dismissal laws to be scrapped in a report for the prime minister.