Commercial news round-up: Brexit, Google, austerity, Barclays, house prices
updated on 22 June 2017
Application season is upon us (LCN’s comprehensive deadline list is here) and part of your preparation should be developing your commercial awareness – namely, an interest in the business world and how the issues that affect clients will also affect and shape the advice that you, as their lawyer, will give. There’s also every chance you’ll be asked to comment on something topical in an interview, so best to be prepared! For a selection of this week’s most interesting commercial news stories, read on:
- Brexit negotiations are formally underway, with the UK Brexit secretary David Davis saying that things had got off to a “positive start”. The EU chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, noted that it wasn’t about “punishment or revenge”, but that the process was still in essence “unravelling 43 years of patiently-built relations.”
- Google is staring down the barrel of a potentially record-breaking fine from the European Commission over its market dominance and use of its own shopping comparison search tool in preference to others. The alleged abuse could see it hit with a fine that surpasses €1 billion.
- Philip Hammond has indicated that the government may be considering easing its austerity programme, in large part a response to the election result.
- Barclays and four of its chief executives have been charged with fraud related to misconduct during the 2008 financial crisis, and the way in which it raised billions of pounds from Qatari investors.
- Finally some good news for those hoping to get on the housing ladder; house prices have fallen by up to 30% in some parts of the United Kingdom.
Be sure to check the News section every Thursday for this weekly commercial news round-up. Follow @LawCareersNetUK on Twitter and like us on Facebook for instant business news updates.
