Welcoming new students and launching qLegal’s participation in the Company Insolvency Pro Bono Scheme
qLegal welcomes 163 new students, who will gain practical legal experience across an expanded range of opportunities supporting entrepreneurs, start-ups and non-profits.
Operating as a simulation of an innovative commercial law firm, and mirroring what happens in legal practice, qLegal’s competitive application process began in September 2025. The two-staged process required students wanting to join qLegal as an extra-curricular activity to submit an application form demonstrating their motivation and critical thinking skills.
Shortlisted students were invited to attend an in-person assessment day on 27 September. The day involved team-based exercises inspired by real-life law firm practice, where students demonstrated their skills while also gaining a taste of the collaborative environment fostered at qLegal.
Successful students then took part in accelerator days the following Saturday, where they were introduced to their programmes and began developing the skills they’ll need to thrive this year. These future-focused skills, including creativity, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration and ethical decision-making, will prepare students for a legal profession that is increasingly shaped by technology and AI. The days were generously sponsored by Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, Morrison & Foerster LLP and Covington & Burling LLP.
qLegal's comprehensive induction programme continued with a session on “Thinking like an entrepreneur”, delivered by qLegal Advisory Board member and Head of Product and Commercial Legal at Airwallex, David Shanks. Students also received training on substantive areas of law relevant to early-stage start-ups, delivered by volunteer lawyers at qLegal’s partner law firms including Baker McKenzie, Bird & Bird, CMS and Ropes & Gray.
The training laid the foundation for the students’ work across qLegal's three programmes: Future of Law, Legal Advisory, and Externships.
The new academic year also brought new opportunities for the Legal Advisory programme, with the addition of a new partnership with the Company Insolvency Pro Bono Scheme (COIN). The COIN scheme provides free legal advice and representation for company directors attending the winding up court without a lawyer.
qLegal students will attend the Royal Courts of Justice where they will meet clients, observe barristers as they give advice and represent directors in court, and prepare case summaries. The official launch of qLegal’s participation in the COIN scheme was marked by a training and networking session hosted by Sidley Austin.
The qLegal staff and students are delighted to be supported by a network of external law firms and in-house legal teams, and look forward to an exciting year ahead supporting the start-up community.