Has the 2017 Budget actually made any big changes?

Banana puns aside, this week has highlighted the importance of secure and functional IT systems with both TSB and Dixons Carphone facing the financial and administrative repercussions of failing to secure their customer's data, or provide working online services for their customers. There's more on this, plus Burberry's burning clothes ban, and the energy bill price cap, in this week's commercial news round-up.

How can making a business more sustainable be beneficial?

Should more be done to regulate buy now, pay later services?

Leading regulatory law firm Capsticks Solicitors LLP has been appointed by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) to provide external legal support and advice to the Board’s regulation of barristers in England and Wales.

The aftershocks of Carillion’s collapse are still being felt a month on, not least by its former employees. Magic circle firm Clifford Chance has taken on Carillion’s in-house legal team, saving the jobs of around 60 specialist paralegals. 

What are the liability risks for parent companies and investors when a subsidiary or portfolio company engages in cartel activity?

Who can initiate an investigation of potential cartel conduct?

Clifford Chance has launched its third annual Intelligent Aid student competition, challenging students to "think critically about reducing greenhouse gas emissions".

Law firms are avoiding reporting the true extent of their gender pay gaps and regulations should be updated to force them to be transparent, Conservative MP Maria Miller has said.

How is such a historical, esoteric point of law impacting on homeowners and on the delivery of housing developments?

Chancery work is split into two areas: traditional and commercial.

What's on the horizon in employment law?

International law firm Charles Russell Speechlys is collaborating with The University of Law to provide a new £5,000 scholarship for one GDL, LPC or master’s student commencing their studies at The University of Law in September. 

CILEX (The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) is one of the three main professional bodies covering the legal profession in England and Wales. The 20,000-strong membership is made up of CILEX lawyers, paralegals and other legal professionals.

Chartered legal executives will be able to set up their own firms in 2015 after legislation passed successfully through the House of Lords.

It might be freezing cold outside at the moment, with parts of the US experiencing temperatures of up to -37C this week, but this collection of commercial news stories is sure to keep you warm and light a fire of business excitement within you (LCN cannot be held accountable for physical warmth caused by business news). So pull up a chair, grab a cup of tea, and catch up with the financial world.

This LCN Says is part of a series looking at The University of Law’s (ULaw) Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) manuals that have been specifically designed to support law students in their SQE1 exams.