To reduce the impact of the barrister strikes, Justice Secretary Dominic Raab plans to challenge barristers’ complete ownership over crown court trials.

Why commercial awareness? Why not! Start here with our carefully selected compilation of thought-provoking and conversation-starting business news.

As of 1 July, the Solicitors Regulation Authority has put into force some changes to its education and training regulations.

Irwin Mitchell's most recent intake of trainees has been drawn into two of the firm's social responsibility initiatives as part of their induction.

For the second year running, Shoosmiths has grabbed the top spot in the Black Solicitors Network's annual diversity league table.

The unthinkable happened this week; KFC ran out of chicken! With the doors of most of its branches firmly shut, thousands of disgruntled consumers had to take their fried poultry habits elsewhere. 

Ministry of Justice findings have revealed that court backlogs reached a record high of 74,651 cases at the end of 2024, with an 11% increase in backlogs between December 2023 and 2024 alone.

As we lurch into July, the pressing matter of training contract applications may be foremost in your minds. It is worth considering that part of making a convincing application – and more importantly, being a convincing candidate at interview – is the development of your commercial awareness. To help, you need look no further than this selection of recent business news stories.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has announced that it will reconsider the scope of its proposed training reforms, which could have seen the traditional training contract - or “period of workplace training” - abolished.

A majority of the public would support a ban on long-term unpaid internships and measures to stop internships being given out informally, such as to the children of employees, a study by the Social Mobility Commission suggests. 

With Brexit talks now firmly underway, and a pact between the government and the DUP in place, the business of analysing what it all means for the United Kingdom’s future is everywhere. Continue to keep an eye on the big political and business news in advance of your interviews, as you’ll likely need to have an opinion on what’s been going on. For a sample of the biggest news from the past week, read on.

With the excesses of Easter behind you, it’s time to really commit to the task ahead: developing your commercial awareness and thus significantly improving your chances on the recruitment frontline. Start here with this week’s curated group of topical news stories.

The big news today, gripping the City and beyond, is the Bank of England announcement that it is raising interest rates from 0.25% to 0.5% - the first rise since 2007, it reverses the emergency rate cuts that were implemented following the EU referendum. For other business stories of note, read on.

For the first time, juries will be allowed to hear cases remotely in England and Wales due to the rising backlog of trials. 

As well as postponing pay rises and bonuses, City firm Norton Rose Fulbright has asked staff to agree to a reduced work week and lower salaries in a bid to “safeguard jobs as far as possible”.

The Legal Action Group has established a commission to examine the consequences of cuts to the legal aid budget and suggest solutions to ensure access to justice for all members of the public.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority has been urged to revaluate its conclusions of a review it made of the in-house sector, with the regulator being criticised for “understating” the severity and risks faced by general counsel.