LegalEdCon 2021

LegalEdCon 2021 takes place virtually on the morning of Wednesday 19 May and the afternoon of Thursday 20 May. The Conference is headline sponsored by BPP University, BARBRI and The University of Law, with The College of Legal Practice and LexisNexis as silver sponsors and LawCare the charity partner. It is attended every year by over 60 leading law firms learning & development and graduate recruitment teams, as well as academics from universities across the UK.

This year we’ll be exploring what legal education and training will look like after the pandemic. There will be a focus on how remote learning and working can be blended with a gradual shift back towards more in-person interaction. And we will be hearing how universities and law firms have coped with the challenges of the last year.

With the profession gearing up for the launch of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) this autumn, speakers will also discuss their preparations for the roll-out and give insights into the ways they are looking to build out from the basics of the new training framework. Among other topics, we’ll also be discussing the potential for the SQE to help law firms in their ongoing drive to improve diversity in the legal profession, while looking at wider initiatives to help the sector boost representation of minorities and candidates from lower socio-economic backgrounds.

BPP University

We build and shape legal careers. With over 25 years’ experience in delivering professional legal qualifications, we are proud to be one of the UK’s leading law schools. At the forefront of innovation in legal training, we are trusted by some of the most influential law firms, with 60 leading firms training with us exclusively. Our courses focus on employability, giving our students the edge to secure a training contract or pupillage. Preparing them to embrace the demands of practice from day one.

BARBRI

BARBRI has over 50 years’ proven expertise in preparing aspiring lawyers to succeed in their professional exams. The SQE assessment requires a breadth of knowledge in one multiple-choice exam not previously experienced in the law degree, GDL or LPC. Only BARBRI has the experience to prepare graduates to succeed in this style of assessment. BARBRI supports law firms, universities and graduates by investing in a new pathway to qualification and creating a generation of innovative, adaptable and diverse lawyers.

The University of Law

The University of Law (ULaw) is one of the UK's longest-established specialist providers of legal education, with a rich heritage and reputation for innovation. ULaw boasts over 250 tutors who are qualified lawyers and bring their extensive practical experience to the classroom, as well as a track record in impressive employment and pupillage rates.

The College of Legal Practice

The College of Law is an educational charity and is the largest provider of practice-focused legal education in Australasia. The College of Legal Practice in the UK was established in April 2019 by The College of Law with Dr. Giles Proctor as CEO. The College of Legal Practice’s expertise in online, modular, practice based legal training is perfectly placed to deliver legal training urgently needed as a result of the radical changes with the launch of the SQE to replace the GDL and LPC. Our mission in the UK is the same as for Australasia - to enhance the careers of legal professionals through the delivery of innovative, practice-focused legal education and training. The College of Legal Practice is building on the work established by The College of Law Australia over 45 years with leading law firms in the UK.

LexisNexis

LexisNexis Legal & Professional is a leading global provider of legal, regulatory and business information and analytics that help customers increase productivity, improve decision-making and outcomes, and advance the rule of law around the world.

We help lawyers win cases, manage their work more efficiently, serve their clients better and grow their practices. We assist corporations in better understanding their markets, monitoring their brands and competition, and in mitigating business risk. We collaborate with universities to educate students, and we support nation-building with governments and courts by making laws accessible and strengthening legal infrastructures. We partner with leading global associations and customers to collect evidence against war criminals and provide tools to combat human trafficking. LexisNexis Legal & Professional, which serves customers in more than 130 countries with 10,000 employees worldwide, is part of RELX Group, a global provider of information and analytics for professional and business customers across industries.

LawCare

LawCare is an independent charity offering emotional support, information and training to the legal community in the UK and Ireland. We work to promote good mental health and wellbeing in legal workplaces and drive change in education, training and practice. Our support service offers a safe place to talk without judgment. We’re here to help, with helpline calls, emails and webchats answered in confidence by trained staff and volunteers who have first-hand experience of working in the law. We also have a network of peer supporters.