Companies around the world have taken a hit following the outbreak of covid-19 last year. But what aspects of the pandemic impacted these companies? What can they do to facilitate their recovery? And what might they need to prepare for going forward? These are all questions you can be asking yourself to help you think more commercially. Read this week’s commercial round-up below and then start analysing one of the stories in more depth.

Why should businesses register a trademark?

A legal offshoot has been launched by trade union United Voices of the World (UVW) in order to represent all workers in the legal sector. Legal Sectors Workers United (LSWU) claims to “organise workers in the legal sector, for the benefit and protection of the less privileged”.

As the autumn term is fast approaching and social gathering rules are updated, this commercial news round-up outlines some of the week’s interesting news to help you develop your commercial awareness.

How do international banks and English lawyers help in the movement of global trade?

The end of the UK’s Brexit transition period is looming and with a deal still not in place, there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding Brexit and what 2021 might bring. Make sure you stay up to date with the news from the business and legal worlds, and don’t forget to read LCN’s guide to the 19 commercial issues from 2020 that you should know about. For now, though, here’s this week’s round-up.

Start to build your commercial awareness with this week’s news round-up – take a summary from below and think about how you could use it in an interview or application to demonstrate that you can think commercially.

Top up your commercial awareness with this week’s commercial news round-up.

As aspiring lawyers it’s important that you keep up to date with the news and trends from the legal and business world and understand what they mean for law firms and companies. Use this week’s commercial news round-up as a tool to get you started and take a look at LCN’s guide to commercial awareness for useful advice to help you develop your skills. 

While your immediate concerns may centre on defeating the Beast from the East (mostly by staying inside, cancelling plans and drinking warm beverages), don’t let the Siberian weather freeze your ambition. In fact, what better way to warm up than with the absorption of all the hottest business stories? For which, you need look no further.

Evening and weekend legal advice centre for those who would ordinarily not be able to afford such support – it holds the title of oldest surviving free legal advice centre in the world.

This advice service provides a daily diagnostic drop in centre, casework support and court representation to residents of Tower Hamlets.

Do you have any advice for a successful video interview or virtual assessment centre?

There are plenty of resources about what employers should do to avoid any pitfalls with Christmas parties, but employees also play a big part in making sure that Christmas parties go well and are memorable for the right reasons. We all play a part in ensuring that we have an enjoyable Christmas party and can go to work with our collective consciences clear!

I started on the Legal Practice Course (LPC) with an interest in advocacy.

Prominent barrister Michael Mansfield QC has argued against imposing a limit on the number of Bar Professional Training Course places.

Diversity, equal opportunity and the end of the ‘old boys network’ remain a long way off in the legal profession, a study by the Sutton Trust and PRIME showing that three quarters of judges and 71% of Queen’s Counsel (QC) barristers were privately educated has revealed. 

Responding to the latest coronavirus update, The University of Law has suspended face-to-face teaching and postponed assessments for a month, with thousands of law students affected. Learning and teaching will be moved online where possible.

Magic circle law firms Allen & Overy, Freshfields and Linklaters have announced their partner promotions for 2021, with some positive signs that the firms are working to rebalance their male-dominated partnerships.