The Bar Council of India has amended its rules so that final‑semester LLB students can take the All India Bar Examination (AIBE) and the exam will be held twice a year. In January 2026 the BCI told the Supreme Court it had “framed rules enabling final-year law students to take the AIBE” and that the…
Nigerian Bar Association responds to debate over proposed Legal Practitioners Bill
On 18 January 2026, discussions around the Federal Government’s proposed Legal Practitioners Bill gained momentum within Nigeria’s legal community following its transmission to the National Assembly. The bill, which seeks to repeal the long-standing Legal Practitioners Act, proposes a comprehensive overhaul of the regulatory framework governing legal practice in Nigeria. Key elements of the proposed…
Law Society of Ontario in Canada opens new mobility pathway under Ontario Labour Mobility Act
Ontario’s law regulator has launched a new pathway to let Canadian‑licensed lawyers work temporarily in Ontario. Under amendments to the Labour Mobility Act, effective 1 January 2026, the Law Society of Ontario will accept “As of Right” mobility applications. Lawyers licensed in another Canadian jurisdiction can practise in Ontario for up to six months after…
United States Supreme Court in Florida moves to limit American Bar Association role in law school oversight
The Florida Supreme Court’s 5-1 ruling on 15 January 2026 removed the ABA as the sole accrediting agency for law schools whose graduates can sit for Florida’s bar. The order allows the court to consider other federally recognized accrediting bodies (none of which currently accredit law schools) in future. The Court said the change aims…
Wealth management institute and law society of Singapore launch certification to equip 6,500 lawyers for family office sector growth
The Wealth Management Institute (WMI) and the Law Society of Singapore have launched a major multi-year training initiative to equip Singapore’s 6,500 practising lawyers with specialised skills in family office advisory. The partnership, formalised on 26 September 2025, responds to the rapidly expanding family office landscape in Singapore and the rising demand for sophisticated legal…
The Accredited Legal Technologist specialisation relaunched in Scotland
The Law Society of Scotland has announced the relaunch of its Accredited Legal Technologist specialisation, a designation first introduced in 2019 to recognise professionals with significant expertise at the intersection of law and technology. With the rapid evolution of digital tools and legal innovation, the updated accreditation aims to better reflect the growing diversity of…
New scheme to help smaller firms bridge the technology gap
The Law Society of Scotland has introduced a new initiative aimed at supporting smaller law firms in adopting practical and cost-effective technology solutions. The scheme, known as the LawscotTech Bridge Builder, was launched on 20 November 2025 and developed in collaboration with Hey Legal founder, Ally Thomson. It follows a recent Law Society survey highlighting…
Malaysian bar opposes executive interference in legal education reforms
On 17 November 2025, the Government tabled the Legal Profession (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2025 (“November Bill”) in the Dewan Rakyat, seeking significant changes to the Legal Profession Act 1976, particularly concerning the Legal Profession Qualifying Board (LPQB). Since its establishment, the LPQB has consisted of five members: the Attorney General as Chair, two judges…
Gender equality of the future of the profession
The Law Society of New Zealand has launched a national engagement initiative to explore how the legal profession can better reflect the communities it serves, with a particular focus on advancing gender equality. The initiative begins with panel discussions in Wellington on 25 November and in Auckland on 3 December, bringing together a diverse group…
Legal Services Board publishes plans to tackle barriers to a more diverse legal services profession
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has released a set of new proposals aimed at addressing persistent barriers to equality, diversity and inclusion within the legal services profession. Despite incremental progress, the sector continues to fall short of reflecting the diversity of the communities it serves. Women, minoritised ethnic groups and disabled individuals remain significantly underrepresented,…