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The Legal Cheek Podcast

The Legal Cheek Podcast

Legal Cheek 65 Episodes Sep 18, 2026

The Legal Cheek Podcast is a weekly show covering major issues in the legal sector and beyond. It is hosted by Legal Cheek publisher Alex Aldridge, editor Tom Connelly, and writers Nadia Ismail and Saul Agar-Ward, with occasional special guests. Episodes discuss legal news, law firm insights, and events relevant to lawyers and law students. The podcast is independently produced and sponsored by Simpson Thacher.

Episodes

Has the SQE just got easier?
Has the SQE just got easier? Sep 18, 2026 00:21:21 The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/The SRA has announced changes to SQE1, cutting the number of questions from 360 to 340 after candidate feedback that the assessment can feel rushed and pressurised.Legal Cheek writer Nadia Ismail sits down w
The REAL REASON training contract numbers are falling (clue: it’s not AI - yet)
The REAL REASON training contract numbers are falling (clue: it’s not AI - yet) Sep 11, 2026 00:32:05 The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thatcher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/ Training contract numbers across 100 Legal Cheek Most List firms have fallen by 2% this year, but what is really driving this decline, and why is it not as dramatic as we may have expected?In this episode,
What to expect on the PGDL
What to expect on the PGDL Sep 1, 2026 00:21:51 The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/Starting the PGDL this September? Here's everything you'll need to know!Legal Cheek writer and PGDL graduate Lydia Fontes sits down with events co-ordinator Molly Jamieson to talk all things law conv
Should I do the SQE even though I don’t have a training contract?
Should I do the SQE even though I don’t have a training contract? Aug 24, 2026 00:31:41 The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/Should you start the SQE if you do not have a training contract lined up?Legal Cheek writer Nadia Ismail sits down with events coordinator Hannah Thompson to discuss her experience of self funding the SQE be
How I landed a pupillage: what every aspiring barrister should know
How I landed a pupillage: what every aspiring barrister should know Aug 18, 2026 00:27:10 The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/Last year 3,912 aspiring barristers applied for pupillage. Only 287 got it.Entry to the bar has never been more competitive, so what can aspiring barristers do to improve their odds?Applying for pupillage ta
What to expect on the SQE — from someone who’s passed it
What to expect on the SQE — from someone who’s passed it Aug 10, 2026 00:29:27 The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/As the new SQE intake approaches, so do the inevitable nerves about what lies ahead.Legal Cheek writers Nadia Ismail and Ryan Scott sit down to discuss what students can expect from SQE1, with Nadia sharing
How to secure a training contract this application cycle
How to secure a training contract this application cycle Aug 4, 2026 00:42:15 The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/ As the autumn approaches, so does the 2026-27 training contract application cycle.Legal Cheek publisher, Alex Aldridge, and writer, Lydia Fontes, share the tips and tricks that will give you the best chance
Is the CPS a good place to start your career as a trainee lawyer?
Is the CPS a good place to start your career as a trainee lawyer? Jul 30, 2026 00:30:19 The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) have just expanded their trainee solicitor numbers by 50% from 80 places to 120.The pay is some way off global law firm levels, and the office will no doubt be less slick
What the lawyer picks in Andy Burnham's Cabinet tell us about the way he will govern
What the lawyer picks in Andy Burnham's Cabinet tell us about the way he will govern Jul 22, 2026 00:36:14 The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/Andy Burnham’s newly announced Cabinet features three lawyers, a former trainee solicitor who didn’t finish his training contract and a non-lawyer who’s been given the role of Lord Chancellor (aka Secretary
From lawyer to plasterer?! Why do so many quit law?
From lawyer to plasterer?! Why do so many quit law? Jul 17, 2026 00:33:07 The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/Over the years, Legal Cheek has reported on dozens of ex-lawyers who have left the profession for something completely different -- heading into the arts, opening restaurants, moving into content creation an
Why Prince Harry’s lawfare was a BIG MISTAKE
Why Prince Harry’s lawfare was a BIG MISTAKE Jul 10, 2026 00:38:19 The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/It's been well reported in the UK media that Prince Harry has been waging war on Britain's press establishment in a series of protracted legal battles fought out in the High Court and beyond.Whilst h
Better together? The hidden headaches of mega mergers
Better together? The hidden headaches of mega mergers Jul 7, 2026 00:50:19 The Legal Cheek Podcast is proudly independent. Thanks to our sponsor Simpson Thacher, home of the private equity training contract, for making that possible: https://ukearlycareers.stblaw.com/Law firm mergers are often presented as a neat equation: bigger platform, bigger clients, bigger profits. But behind the slick press releases and carefully worded announcements, the reality of combining two

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