Happy holidays

This is the last Gazette print edition until 3 September. 

SQE provider named

Educational services giant Kaplan will develop and run the new Solicitors Qualifying Examination, the Solicitors Regulation Authority revealed. US-headquartered Kaplan already runs the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme.

Partner pay plea

Responding to the Commons Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee’s recommendations on gender pay gap reporting, the Law Society has backed the mandatory inclusion of partner pay alongside employee data. Chancery Lane said this would give law firms an evidence base to develop action plans to tackle inequalities.

Bar complaints up

Complaints about barrister conduct rose by nearly one-third in the past year. According to the annual report of the Bar Standards Board, 475 complaints about barristers were opened in the year ending 30 April, up from 366 the year before.

New diversity role

International firm Hogan Lovells has created a new senior role focused on diversity, inclusion and wellbeing. Julie Thomas will be in charge of a global team advising on how to attract and retain diverse employees across the business.

Botros goes in to bat

Solicitor Meena Botros has been appointed to the new role of director of legal and integrity at the England and Wales Cricket Board, overseeing matters including anti-doping, anti-corruption, safeguarding and player discipline.