As details of the laborious and confusing Brexit negotiations continue to seep out – today’s highlights alone include the possibility that UK will remain under EU judicial remit and warnings that an absence of EU workers will seriously damage the economy – there is much to consider about where we will be from an economic point of view when the split becomes final. For news on this, and more, read on.

The four-day weekend looms and while it’s hard to imagine doing anything much other than gorging on chocolate and hot cross buns, it’s also an opportunity to catch up on some light reading. 

CILEx Regulation is “delighted” to have launched its first-ever equality, diversity and inclusion strategy earlier this week, which aims to promote fair access for all in the legal services market and implement measurable targets for the next two years. 

New reports show that the employment tribunal backlog has risen alarmingly by approximately 28% over the past year, following the introduction of new workers’ rights in the Employment Rights Bill.

The Bar Standards Board is set to introduce an aptitude test which wannabe barristers must pass to gain admission to the BPTC.

Addleshaw Goddard saw double-digit growth for the financial year ending April 2024, with turnover growing by 12% on the previous year to £495.6 million.

Students aged 15-18 competed in the final of the 23rd annual Bar National Mock Trial Competition on Saturday 22 March at Cardiff Crown Court.

Partners and staff at Osborne Clarke will take an 11-month pay cut as the firm continues to weather the impact of covid-19.

Spring may have sprung, but that is no reason to neglect your commitment to self-improvement and progressing your legal career. This week’s selection is a real mixed-bag of commercial stories that should serve to pique your interest in the business world.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP has announced that its newly qualified solicitor pay will rise to £150,000, as the battle for legal talent in London continues. 

The House of Commons committee of Public Accounts has produced a damning report on the Ministry of Justice’s cuts to legal aid spending.

This week all eyes were on the "meeting of the century" (so described by North Korea’s official state newspaper), which was "tremendous" (so described by Trump). 

One of the few benefits of a summer holiday that feels more like late autumn is that you won’t be tempted to spend all day lying around in the sunshine. Instead, you could cast your eye over this week’s collection of business stories, all designed to help you work on your commercial awareness.

A survey of 100 self-employed Black barristers found that 61% of respondents felt their relationships with solicitors had been affected by their race “or were uncertain as to whether they had been”.

You may well be in the midst of a training contract application frenzy, but don’t panic; one of the best things you can do to help your chances (other than NOT submitting your applications at 11.45pm on 31 July) is hone your commercial awareness skills. Here are a few news stories that you should probably know a bit about.

While your immediate concerns may centre on defeating the Beast from the East (mostly by staying inside, cancelling plans and drinking warm beverages), don’t let the Siberian weather freeze your ambition. In fact, what better way to warm up than with the absorption of all the hottest business stories? For which, you need look no further.

Leading commercial set 20 Essex Street has become the first barristers’ chambers in the country to adopt Rare’s contextual recruitment system (CRS), an approach to assessing applicants that is designed to be fairer to candidates from diverse and less-privileged backgrounds.

A jittery start to the week on the world’s stock markets saw share prices plunging; this week’s round-up discusses both this and other key business news.

Higher and degree apprenticeships have been found to be critical for skills supply, according to data released on apprenticeship trends earlier this week. This comes amid concerns that reduced funding for level 7 apprenticeships could harm growth. 

Sadiq Khan has kicked off Thursday with predictions that centre on a “lost decade” of lower employment and reduced investment that would result from a hard Brexit. Specifically, a study commissioned by the mayor estimates the loss of half a million UK jobs and nearly £50 billion in investment by 2030. For more big business news, try these on for size.