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📩 Big News for Equal Opportunity (and Even Bigger News for You)

📩 Big News for Equal Opportunity (and Even Bigger News for You)

We Made The Impact List, Here’s What’s Coming Next

Alin George Ilinca
November 23, 2025

Hey there

We are proud to announce that Equal Opportunity has been officially recognised as one of the organisations breaking barriers and driving real change for young people in the UK.

We have been featured on The Impact list alongside national leaders like Google, TLT, Linklaters, Unilever, EY, KMPG, Airbus and many more.

This recognition confirms something important: the work we are doing matters, and it’s making a difference.

Our mission has always been clear: to support aspiring lawyers and ensure opportunities are accessible to everyone.

That’s why we are excited to announce that we are putting together the most comprehensive course you will ever need on how to secure a vacation scheme and a training contract.

Featuring recruiters and trainees, it will offer a complete walkthrough through the entire application process, plus access to mock interviews, assessment centres, and more.

If you complete your registration now, you’ll be the first to get access as soon as it launches.

We’re looking for proactive, ambitious students to join us as Brand Ambassadors

If you care about social mobility, love sharing resources, and want to help more aspiring lawyers, this is your chance to get involved (and get paid for it).

You will:

✅ Represent EO at your university
✅ Get early access to our projects
✅ Promote exclusive events and resources.
✅ Help widen access to top legal careers

If you’d like to join us, create an account and apply below.

📄Research for your applications
Access over 20 law firm profiles, complete with breakdowns, seats, secondments, and other requirements.
💼 Virtual Work Experience
Explore free virtual internships and DIY vacation schemes. Build real-world skills you can showcase on applications.
📚 Studying
First Class LLB Notes, Problem Question Model Answers, Essay Structures and more tips to ace your degree.
✍️ Application Writing & Tests
Application tracker, CV & Cover Letter guidance, psychometric tests guidance, interview answering guidance and more.
🏆 Personal Development
Resources to boost your confidence, communication, and professional skills.

23 November 1584 — The English Parliament pass the Jesuits, etc. Act 1584, ejecting Jesuits.

24 November 2005 — The Licensing Act 2005 comes into force, allowing for more flexibility in pub, nightclub, and bar opening times and for the possibility of “24 hour drinking”.

25 November 2013 — It is announced that Clare’s law, which allows the police to disclose to individuals details of their partners’ abusive pasts, will be expanded to cover all of England and Wales.

26 November 1953 — The Peers have backed the Conservative Government’s proposals for the introduction of commercial television.

27 November 2014 — Cooper-Hohn v Anthony Hohn [2014] EWHC 4122 (Fam) is settled, resulting in what was then the UK’s largest divorce payout awarded — £337m.

28 November 1997 — The House of Commons approved a Private Member's Bill — The Wild Mammals (Protection) Bill — to ban fox hunting. This would later fall in the House of Lords, eventually resulting in the controversial Hunting Act 2004.

29 November 1641 — England’s first newspaper is published. It was named Heads of Severall Proceedings in this Present Parliament and contained domestic news.

By Dylan Anton, Future Trainee @ Clifford Chance

1) Ashurst–Perkins Coie Merger

Ashurst (UK) and Perkins Coie (US) have agreed to merge, becoming the third major UK–US tie-up after A&O Shearman and HSF Kramer. Interestingly, this merger is being structured as a genuine 50–50 partnership: Ashurst’s CEO, Paul Jenkins, and Perkins Coie’s managing partner, Bill Malley, will act as global co-chiefs of the combined firm. This contrasts with the A&O Shearman merger, where A&O was clearly the dominant party, and more closely resembles the balance seen in HSF Kramer.

More broadly, this merger reflects a wider trend: UK firms are increasingly expanding into the US market. Perhaps this is partly a response to large US firms entering London and raising competition. Even firms not choosing to merge, such as Freshfields, are investing heavily in their US presence, as they aim to position themselves as global elite firms.

2) Government Borrowing & Economic Uncertainty

Public sector borrowing was over £2 billion more than expected by expert analysts last month. This indicates the uncertainty tied to government financing, which has a knock on effect on the wider economy.

Two main areas that are impacted are those of consumer confidence, and subsequently, retail sales. A fiscal hole represents the gap between a government’s planned spending and expected revenue. In this instance, Rachel Reeves (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) will need to address a £20-30 billion shortfall in the upcoming 2025 Autumn Budget, due to be delivered this upcoming Wednesday. Naturally, this will mandate an increase in taxation, which is what is so detrimentally affecting consumer confidence, as households hold back on spending until the announcement.

For businesses, especially retail, this is a significant dampener on activity as businesses rely on consumer spending. The Office for National Statistics reported a 1.1% fall in British retail sales. When consumer spending drops, businesses often turn to additional financing to stabilise their operations, and banks, lenders, and law firms become involved in facilitating this. Additionally, law firms may have to support businesses with potential disputes if they are unable to meet their current obligations.