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07 July 2023
Issue: 8032 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Career focus , Diversity
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NLJ this week: Government Legal Department tears down socio-economic barriers

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Government lawyers should reflect the society they serve, Susanna McGibbon, Treasury Solicitor and Permanent Secretary to the Government Legal Department, writes in this week’s NLJ.

McGibbon, who is the second female Treasury Solicitor, reflects on her own ‘culture shock’ on starting pupillage in London as the first person in her immediate family to go to university. She sets out the Government Legal Department’s action plan to increase access and improve social mobility. In particular, she wants to ensure socio-economic background is not a barrier to starting a legal career.

McGibbon writes: ‘I believe we achieve this by integrating principles of fairness and inclusion into everything we do—from recruitment to training and career development.’ 

Read more on social mobility in government here.

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Penningtons Manches Cooper—Jean-François Le Gal

Penningtons Manches Cooper—Jean-François Le Gal

Penningtons Manches Cooper strengthens international disputes team with appointment of leading arbitration partner

Shakespeare Martineau—Aaron Sanders & Kate Saunders

Shakespeare Martineau—Aaron Sanders & Kate Saunders

Shakespeare Martineau strengthens trust and estates disputes team with new appointments

Bellevue Law—Shannon Moore

Bellevue Law—Shannon Moore

Bellevue Law strengthens employment disputes and international advisory capability with senior associate appointment

NEWS
More than 500 former rugby players can pursue brain injury claims despite serious failures to disclose documents ordered by the High Court
When does a solicitor’s retainer become a contentious business agreement? The Court of Appeal’s decision in Broadfield Law UK LLP v Barnes shows that listing hourly rates alone will not do, leaving firms and clients uncertain about their rights over bills
A divorced woman has secured funding to participate in her former husband’s inquest after the Legal Aid Agency reconsidered repeated refusals
The Thirlwall Inquiry has exposed a ‘complete failure’ to protect babies at the Countess of Chester Hospital, but its recommendations must now be put into practice
Developers in areas with poorly performing councils can apply directly to the Planning Inspectorate for permission under section 62A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990
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