‘Commercial awareness’ needn’t be a frightening phrase that law firms throw around to bamboozle you. It’s broadly about understanding that lawyer advise clients who operate in the business world – plus a law firm is a business too.

Chambers have been issued new guidance by the Bar Council in a move to ensure that any sexual harassment complaints are dealt with properly.

The Bar Council, Inns of Court and the Institute of Barristers’ Clerks have together launched an online portal aimed at supporting barristers in terms of wellbeing and mental health. 

Law Training Centre has announced its new Access to Law Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) Scholarship, which will provide an initial 50 learners from all backgrounds with targeted support.

In September, many students start their new venture into university to study all kinds of different subjects. Preparation before starting a course can help you hit the ground running. I don't just mean buying stationary (although that can most definitely help motivation) but also preparing for the course itself.

Legal education provider BARBRI has collaborated with Hall & Stott Publishing on a series of law textbooks for UK law students.

Solicitors have recently reported a rise in legal battles over incapacity as dementia cases rise. Disputes centre around inheritance and “who should actually have control of someone who hasn’t got capacity”. 

Two leading City firms have delayed partner promotions due to pandemic pressures.

Ashurst has delayed partner promotions until later this year due to “continuing market uncertainty”. 

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The planned Solicitors Qualifying Exam stage one skills assessment will be changed or abandoned after the results of a pilot showed that it disadvantaged BAME candidates.

Funding cuts to legal aid and free legal advice centres, along with the introduction of court and tribunal fees have reduced less affluent people’s ability to access legal representation and put a huge strain on pro bono clinics, a report by LawWorks has revealed.

Insurance specialist Horwich Farrelly has become one of the first UK law firms to appoint mental health ‘first aiders’ for the promotion of good mental health at work. 

A well-established set in Lincoln’s Inn, Hardwicke Chambers, is set to change its name to Gatehouse Chambers because the “history did not sit comfortably with our values”, said Brie Stevens-Hoare QC, joint head of chambers.

UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson LLP has announced a new pro bono strategy, in partnership with LawWorks, as part of the firm’s “active commitment to pro bono work”. 

We’ll keep it short this week as many of you are completing vacation scheme or pupillage applications. Commercial awareness is a key attribute that you must demonstrate in your applications as recruiters want to see that you have a knowledge of what is going on in the business industry, and how key issues might affect the law and the businesses that operate within it.

Wigs have been worn by the legal profession in court since the late 17th Century as barristers were viewed as being part of the middle-class society.