Baker & McKenzie has confirmed that it is switching its course providers for the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and the Legal Practice Course (LPC). Future Baker & Mckenzie trainees will now study at BPP rather than the University of Law (ULaw).

The news comes hot on the heels of the announcement last week that ULaw was sold to 36-year-old Aaron Etingen for an undisclosed sum. With a loss of a major client happening so soon, Etingen may be wondering what he's actually paid for.

The departure of Baker & McKenzie also follows other large law firms who have jumped ship from ULaw to BPP in recent years: Allen & Overy, Clifford Chance, DWF, Osborne Clarke and DAC Beachcroft. Also in 2013 the Open University ended its partnership with ULaw.

A Baker & McKenzie spokesperson said: "We invest heavily in recruiting the best trainees and in providing training and development to help them reach their full potential as top, commercially-minded, lawyers. The BPP programme best matches our needs at the current time and we are looking forward to working with them. We would like to thank The University of Law for many successful years of delivering the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and Legal Practice Course (LPC) to our trainees."

Baker & McKenzie jumps ship

A spokesperson for ULaw also commented that "We have enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with Baker & McKenzie and look forward to working with them again in the future.  We pride ourselves on our first rate training and this is reflected in a number of exciting new business wins, including Trowers & Hamlins..."