This week, we have tried to provide a more varied selection of business news, although we can’t entirely ignore Brexit-related updates - read on for other stuff. 

Do I need to do a contentious or non-contentious seat during my training contract? And what is the difference between them?

Well. Here we all are. Donald Trump is America’s president-elect and much of the world is reeling as it works out what that’s going to mean politically, environmentally, socially and economically. In the immediate aftermath of Tuesday’s election, the result had a destabilising effect on markets. Things have calmed down since then, but the world is watching. In light of the upsetting enormity of the Trump triumph, here are some other business stories that you might want to distract yourself with.

The alternative 'equivalent means' route to qualifying as a solicitor has been successfully completed for the first time by Robert Houchill, who had been working as a senior paralegal in the immigration team at Bates Wells Braithwaite and is now a solicitor in the same team.

Coram Children’s Legal Centre, one of the UK’s first children’s charities, has called for the mandatory provision of an independent advocate enshrined in law for all children and young people receiving or seeking care or support from the state.

Commercial firm Gordon Dadds has acquired fellow City practice Ince & Co in a deal worth £27 million, although the final agreement will see Ince’s affiliated overseas offices continue to operate under the Ince & Co brand.

Cuts of £13.8 million to universities' bursary and scholarship budgets could disadvantage less wealthy students during their time in higher education.

On Sunday 1 January Mishcon de Reya LLP and Taylor Vinters LLP completed their merger after it was first announced in September 2021. A joint statement confirmed that more than 200 staff joined Mishcon de Reya, including 145 fee-earners and 60 business operations and legal staff as part of the merger.  

The bitter legal battle over the introduction of employment tribunal fees is set to end soon as the verdict on a Supreme Court hearing is considered. 

Tens of thousands of pounds have been spent on improving the security of top judges’ homes due to fears for their safety, a freedom of information request has revealed. 

Prospective barristers studying the Inns of Court College of Advocacy’s (ICCA) new Bar course will receive their Postgraduate Diploma in Bar Practice from King’s College London (KCL), after KCL’s Dickson Poon School of Law agreed to act as the course’s validating body.

The number of domestic violence victims having to represent themselves against their abusers in court without a lawyer has more than doubled since 2012.

Another mixed bag of business news this week – some up, most down. Guess that’s to be expected in this time of unprecedented economic uncertainty. Even if you’re in the final throes of training contract application fever, read on for our hand-picked selection of stories.

We know it’s exam time, but how about taking five minutes to glance up and think about what’s swirling around in the commercial world - it may come in handy when you get to interview time. 

Scottish law firm Biggart Baillie has been tasked with advising administrators from Duff & Phelps regarding the case of Glasgow Rangers Football Club, which went into administration on 14 February.

Following HFW's lead, more firms reveal their financial results for the year ending 2010-11.

The Community Justice Fund has given out more than £11.5 million to 178 legal advice organisations across the UK to support them through the pandemic and help them deal with the rise in demand from local communities.

New alternative business structure entrants to the legal profession are winning a lot of business through major affinity and partnership deals with non-legal companies, a report has revealed.