Commercial awareness is a vital skill for trainee solicitors. For candidates applying for vacation schemes and training contracts, becoming commercially aware involves building an understanding of how law firms and their clients work as businesses and how the wider world impacts them. This concise guide rounds up a range of key commercial stories and talking points from 2021.

Commercial awareness is a vital skill for all lawyers. For candidates applying for vacation schemes and training contracts, becoming commercially aware involves building an understanding of how law firms and their clients work as businesses, and how the wider world impacts them. This guide rounds up a range of commercial stories and talking points from 2022.

The laws surrounding lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTQ+) rights have been changing for decades. But how do we ensure the revisions to laws are reflected in peoples’ attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals? While there have been recent legal changes for the better, prejudices remain engrained in society.

In this guide we outline some of the key issues facing the UK legal profession, as well as headline-grabbing cases and mergers – are you in the know?

In this guide we outline some of the key issues facing the UK legal profession, as well as headline-grabbing cases and mergers – are you in the know?

On Monday 13 January, the government published an AI Opportunities Action Plan, which has been welcomed by Law Society President Richard Atkinson. Atkinson said that the plan “demonstrates the UK's commitment to invest in AI and digital infrastructures, but above all in people and talent”.  

The best paralegals in the legal profession were celebrated at the prestigious National Paralegal Awards on 23 September 2021.

How do English courts decide the award of damages for loss of chance?

The House of Lords constitution committee has launched an inquiry into the centuries-old office of lord chancellor, asking whether it is sufficiently independent of government and whether it should be held by a lawyer.

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

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

The many members of the legal profession who harbour doubts over Lord Chancellor Liz Truss have been joined by some of her cabinet colleagues following a series of blunders at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ), briefings to the press made clear last week. 

Will the government’s cut to the discount rate, which determines how much compensation insurers must pay to claimants who have suffered life-changing injuries, amount to a fairer system?

The University of Law (ULaw) has appointed Professor Zoe Radnor as its new deputy vice-chancellor to work alongside Professor Andrea Nollent, ULaw’s vice-chancellor and CEO to “develop and implement the university’s strategic plan” with a focus on delivering “high-quality, innovative academic teaching and developing excellence in applied research and thought leadership”.

On Saturday 16 November Gray’s Inn played host to the Chancery Bar Association annual careers fair for students interested in pursuing a career at the Bar.

Sarah Walker, a barrister at Selborne Chambers, talks about the importance of mini-pupillages, the type of work she gets involved with as a commercial chancery disputes barrister, work/life balance and more in this Meet the Lawyer interview. 

This commercial news round-up touches on some of the issues brought about as a result of the cost-of-living crisis, as well as developments in other areas that we think you might also want to keep on your radar.