How is new UAE legislation addressing discrimination and hatred  likely to impact employers in the United Arab Emirates?

How are the regulators adapting?

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is growing massively in the legal sector due to its cost-effectiveness and success rates in comparison to going to court. ADR utilises dispute resolution processes, such as arbitration, mediation and negotiation, to help disputing parties come to an agreement. 

Will radical employment reforms get the balance right between encouraging growth and protecting employees?

As UK lockdown restrictions were eased at the start of the week and several businesses reopened their doors to welcome the public back, aspiring lawyers might want to consider the impact that this might have on the UK economy, as well as the legal and business worlds. That said, remember that there is more to commercial awareness than just Brexit and covid-19 – think outside the box to find a story that interests you and is relevant to your chosen firm and its clients.

For this blog post, I thought I would look at some of my role models in the industry right now.

How have the capital markets been affected by the current economic downturn?

This week we saw Netflix move beyond TV shows and films, Nike lose its latest round in court, Boohoo partner with the Alshaya group and Apple launch a buy now pay later service in partnership with Goldman Sachs. What are the key takeaways from this commercial news? Can you see any trends or patterns? Which sectors are continuously doing well and which sectors are struggling in today’s climate? 

What would be the impact for the City if Britain were to leave the European Union?

What caused the world's financial system to enter the greatest crisis for at least a century?

Is the Supreme Court ‘on-demand’ service the Netflix of the legal world?

There’s lots to be getting stuck into in this week’s commercial news round-up, including acquisitions, employment and tech – what’s on your radar? 

Is there a right to privacy under English law?

Students and mental health isn't a new connection to make, with stress and anxiety being linked to university students for years. Law students especially have been renowned for experiencing a high amount of stress during their studies. But do universities have a duty of care to their students to support them through their time in education?

The UN General Assembly headlined the news this week, as did Theresa May's peace talks with her own foreign secreatry Boris Johnson. In the meantime she has an even more serious issue to consider on which we’ll provide a starting point for your further reading below, as well as a round-up of the week’s other commercial stories.

LawWorks has announced the shortlist for its upcoming award ceremony, which aims to celebrate the best pro bono activities undertaken by UK students and law schools.

After the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act received royal assent in 1919, it began to pave the way for women to become lawyers for the first time in the UK. Much has been achieved since then, but as in many professions, women working within the legal sector still face many distinct challenges.

What factors led Debenhams to become the latest casualty of the high street?

When the US intelligence community is reportedly withholding information from its own commander in chief due to a belief that he and his circle are beholden to a hostile foreign intelligence service, and this is all happening against the backdrop of nuclear escalation in North Korea and the return to the great obsession of war hawks and neo-conservatives, confrontation with Iran, you know it’s time to sit up and engage with far more than just the latest business developments. However, the business world never stops moving even when more existential concerns push it off the front pages, and here is this week’s round-up of the big commercial stories.