There’s a theme to this week’s commercial news round-up and that’s carmakers announcing that they will be cutting jobs in the UK, and high street department stores reporting a fall in sales as the retail slump continues. 

It’s a busy time of year for everyone: LawCareersNetLIVE is just around the corner, universities have been holding their virtual law fairs and aspiring lawyers have application deadlines for vac schemes or training contracts looming. Developing your commercial awareness for these applications and any interviews you might have will be crucial to your success. Start now by reading this week’s commercial news round-up.

A number of City law firms have collaborated to create a legal operations graduate scheme, which includes a four-week course and workshops. 

In a bid to improve diversity at the Bar, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) has said that chambers need to provide anti-racism training and implement “positive action measures”, including targeted adverts to recruit people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) has announced that 83% of students passed the latest CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) Foundation assessments.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned that firms found to be inadequate at taking continuing professional development seriously can expect enforcement action “where necessary”. 

Legal technology company Litera’s new research report has found that both law firms and departments are embracing new technology, with those that “strategically leverage generative AI’ predicted to “gain a competitive edge in today’s volatile economy”.

Last week, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) welcomed the publication of the Bar Council’s Pupillage Gateway report.

While Theresa May attempts to get her EU withdrawal deal through for the third time in the coming days (see #BrexitMayhem on Twitter), there is one thing we know for sure about Brexit: nobody knows what will happen and how it will affect the British economy. So, is it a matter of keep calm and carry on? 

Law firms are becoming prime targets for cybercriminals due to the large quantities of sensitive client data they hold. Despite 97% of firms prioritising safety from cybercrime and fraud, according to the Law Firm Benchmarking 2024 report, only 32% of these firms provide regular training to their staff.

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues are becoming an increasingly important topic for businesses of all types, including law firms.

Nearly 100% of senior commercial property law professionals said it will be ‘very likely’ or ‘quite likely’ that administrative tasks involved in commercial real estate transactions will be fully automated in the next three years, according to a report published by SearchFlow. 

Metro Bank has become one of the first in-house legal teams in the financial services sector to support aspiring solicitors through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination on their way to qualification.

Eight UK law firms have set ambitious net-zero goals as a part of the Net Zero Law Initiative, designed by Net Zero Now. Over the next five years, firms will aim to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 30% – an important step towards reducing the legal sector’s emissions and reaching net zero by 2050.

Magic circle law firm Linklaters has launched a bespoke A-level tutoring programme – Making Links Discovery – with two pillars, one aimed at advancing social mobility and the other on improving racial and ethnic diversity within the profession.

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling has indicated in a letter to the chair of the Justice Select Committee that he would allow choice of solicitor to continue and would consider the Law Society's suggested alternative model to price competitive tendering.

LawCareers.Net is delighted to announce the launch of the Student Law Society Awards 2018. 

Dozens of barristers’ chambers are refusing to take on new defence work in protest at the crisis in the justice system created by the government’s cuts and reforms, the latest being changes to the Advocates Graduated Fee Scheme.