Yesterday’s budget is on everyone’s lips, with analysis of who will benefit, who will suffer and general comment on what it means about the state of the UK economy.

A law degree and legal training are highly sought after by employers and members of the legal profession.

Big news just in: in order for the infamous Article 50 to be activated and Brexit to occur, the High Court has ruled that it is not a decision for the government alone to make and that a parliamentary vote must be held. The government is expected to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court – watch this space. For other news of note, read on.

Another week, another set of business stories to keep on top of. Here are just some of the stories that you should lavish your attention on.

As summer takes its last official gasp today, and we look towards autumn and all that brings (new term, law fairs, vacation scheme applications), there is just time to reflect on the business stories of the past week – look no further than this sparkling collection.

The much-discussed triggering of Article 50 has happened, and two long years of negotiation now stretch ahead. At the end of that period, the United Kingdom will leave the European Union, regardless of whether an agreement has been reached. Any certainty on what it all means is entirely elusive at this point, but the Law Society has published a short explanation of some of the implications for lawyers. For Brexit and more, read on.

There's no getting away from the fact that this week the business pages have been dominated by the "will they, won't they" saga of Greece's financial calamities and possible exit from the European Union.

Things aren’t looking so good for John Lewis at the moment, even if it has launched the most fantastic Queen-inspired advert for its new rebrand, as the retailer reports a profit slump of 99% for the first half of 2018. 

Another week, another spurious claim to a day being “super” – and today is “Retail Super Thursday”, so named because it combines revelations about Christmas sales figures at loads of big-name UK retailers. The Guardian is providing live updates, including from M&S, John Lewis, Tesco and JD Sports. In other titillating business news...

The now compulsory Black Friday frenzy provided lots of shoppers with (perceived) bargains this past week, but does it really make economic sense for retailers in the lucrative pre-Xmas shopping rush? Some resisted the urge to discount, claiming that the Black Friday phenomenon is “bonkers” and that it simply moves the traditional January sales period to November. For more on this, and other business stories, read on.

The consequences of the general election earlier this month could monumentally change the country’s economic course as set by politicians before the poll, despite the fact that the same government looks set to return to power (albeit only with the help of its friends in the Democratic Unionist Party). However, this week’s headlines also report some gloomy fallout from another national vote – that of last year’s referendum on EU membership. 

Much like last week’s round-up, there is only thing on the business pages and that is the effect that the referendum result is having on the pound, markets, deals, consumer spending and so much more. 

All solicitors’ firms and barristers’ chambers desire a specific set of skills from their trainees and pupils. This guide explains how to self-assess your skillset, demonstrate these key skills on application forms and focus on areas you need to improve.

All solicitors’ firms and barristers’ chambers desire a specific set of skills  from their trainees and pupils. This guide explains how to self-assess your skillset, demonstrate these key skills on application forms and focus on areas you need to improve.

With training contract application deadlines looming over the next two months, it’s crucial that you stay up to date with the latest developments affecting the business and legal worlds.

"You’re not from the UK, it’s unlikely that you’ll find a training contract. Are you even aware how difficult it is?" – if you’ve ever heard something along these lines, this LCN Says is for you.

This week it was confirmed that Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss will take part in a six-week campaign in a battle to become the next UK Prime Minister, while England’s international football team came from behind to squeeze out a victory in its quarter-final match against a tough Spain opposition last night. What other interesting stories did you spot this week and how can you use them to impress in your applications and interviews? 

International footballer Marcus Rashford’s petition to end child food poverty has reached more than 1,060,000 signatures so far, as his mission to get the UK government to provide free lunches to poor families in England during the school holidays continues. Meanwhile, global stock markets slumped for the second time this week, as concerns about the pandemic’s impact on economic recoveries heighten.

All solicitors’ firms and barristers’ chambers want to see the same handful of key skills in trainees and pupils. This guide explains how to self-assess your own skillset and improve the areas that need work, and how to demonstrate these key skills on application forms.

Develop your commercial awareness with the help of this weekly round-up of key business stories from LawCareers.Net.