Things have come to a pretty pass when you look to commercial news for some light relief from the terrifying political news that keeps bursting onto our screens with ever-more alarming headlines. However, as that is the situation in which we find ourselves, soothe your anxiety with this selection of relatively-stress-free business stories.

The justice secretary Michael Gove has abandoned a controversial new bidding scheme for legal aid contracts and suspended a further 8.75% fee cut for duty criminal solicitors who represent people suspected of crimes in police stations and magistrates courts.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has stated that solicitors will need to pay an increase of 7% on practising fees to finance a £10 million hike in its annual budget.

What are the implications of Hurricane Katrina for the insurance industry?

We know that it’s less than a week until the big training contract deadline of the year (31 July, in case you weren’t sure) and you’re probably furiously working away on the last few applications. To help, cast your eye over this week’s selection of business news.

More and more employees are being diagnosed with stress and are bringing claims against their employers. What steps should employers take to avoid being held legally liable for such claims?

A recent study has revealed that 37% of legal professionals worked on their days off last year, a figure predicted to rise to 50% in 2023.  

Global law firm DWF has published its annual UK gender pay gap report, including information on the impact of the firm’s initial public offering on its gender pay and bonus gaps.

This post recounts the tale of Goldilocks, a mischievous little girl who gets herself into trouble with a family of bears by breaking into their house. What some see as nothing more than a children’s story is actually an overview of the legal system.

The Ministry of Justice’s (MoJ) 2025 diversity of the judiciary report revealed that progress on improving diversity has been mixed. While findings showed that the number of judges from ethnic minority backgrounds gradually increased from 2015, the proportion of Black judges showed no improvement.

The widespread unavailability of legal aid is putting people’s human rights at risk, MPs have warned in report published by the justice select committee.

Criminal barristers are voting on whether to stage a one-day walk-out as their dispute with the Ministry of Justice over fees continues.

Independent law firm Farrer & Co LLP has revealed that 36 employees have now been trained as mental health first aiders and will be offering support to colleagues who have mental health concerns. 

It feels like we’ve been saying it a lot recently, but it really has been an unprecedented week in British history, with stories such as the fall of Thomas Cook (see below for more) almost immediately overshadowed by the Supreme Court’s ruling that Boris Johnson’s recent prorogation of Parliament is unlawful.

It’s a week in which the UK finally left the EU, fears about the deadly coronavirus spread across the globe and Donald Trump was acquitted in his impeachment trial.

Sam Townend KC, the new chair of the Bar Council, has called the “need for significant investment” in the criminal and family justice systems “urgent”. 

Social mobility advocates, a new group of barristers from across England and Wales, have joined the Bar Council’s award-winning social mobility campaign – #IAmTheBar.

National law firm Foot Anstey LLP has expanded it parental leave policy to include six months full parental leave to employees of all genders – “a vital step towards achieving greater equality in caregiving responsibilities”.

Beyond Compliance Limited and Clerksroom launched an anonymous survey last month, which aims to acquire details from prospective pupils regarding their experiences, and offer them the chance to share their thoughts on the training and qualifying processes at the Bar, as well as the current challenges surrounding pupillage.