A round-up of the smaller stories, consultations, deadlines and updates that matter for solicitors and aspiring lawyers this week.
Pensions Regulator consults on five-year corporate strategy
The Pensions Regulator published a refreshed corporate strategy consultation on 11 May 2026, with a deadline for responses of 8 June. The strategy responds to a changing pensions market, the Pension Schemes Act 2026 and a move toward more forward-looking, system-wide oversight.
TPR says it wants to ensure schemes are run well, money is safe and good outcomes are delivered for savers. The consultation is relevant for pensions lawyers, trustees, employers and professional advisers. Responses can be submitted through the TPR website.
HMRC tax adviser registration starts next week
HMRC’s online registration system for agent services accounts opens on 18 May 2026. Tax advisers interacting with HMRC on behalf of clients may need to register and meet minimum standards. Requirements will be staged, with sanctions for non-compliance.
This affects tax lawyers, private client teams and firms providing tax advisory services. Check the HMRC registration guidance to confirm whether your firm is in scope and when you need to act.
ICO automated decision-making consultation open until 29 May
The Information Commissioner’s Office is consulting on draft guidance about automated decision-making, including profiling, following the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. The consultation is aimed at data protection officers, compliance professionals and technical leads overseeing ADM systems.
This is particularly relevant for firms advising clients on AI tools, automated hiring decisions, insurance pricing and credit scoring. The draft guidance is not final — respond before 29 May on the ICO website.
LegalEdCon takes place this week: AI, training and early talent
LegalEdCon 2026 takes place on 14 May, bringing together law firm learning and development teams, graduate recruitment professionals and universities. Agenda themes include training contract recruitment in the AI age, trainee wellbeing and skills development.
Students and early-career lawyers should watch for any published outputs from the conference, particularly on how firms are adapting recruitment and training in response to AI and changing skill requirements.
Training contract deadlines: late-May application windows to watch
Several training contract application deadlines fall in late May 2026. LawCareers.Net’s deadline tracker lists the specific dates and firms involved. Students should check and apply well ahead of closing dates — last-minute submissions rarely reflect well.
Always verify deadlines directly on the firm’s own website before applying. Published trackers are helpful but may not reflect late changes.
HMRC consultation on uncertain tax treatment runs until 4 June
HMRC is consulting on extending the uncertain tax treatment notification regime. Proposals would bring individuals and trusts into scope and cover additional taxes including SDLT, NICs, CIS, CGT and IHT.
This is a specialist item but worth noting for commercial, tax and private client practitioners. The consultation document is available on GOV.UK.