Time to really get to grips with what firms are looking for from their future trainees – we published this feature recently, and among the long list of attributes, commercial awareness is pivotal. It is essential that you take an interest in the world around you and particularly the way in which the law and business sectors intersect. For this week’s selection of topical stories, read on.

When the US intelligence community is reportedly withholding information from its own commander in chief due to a belief that he and his circle are beholden to a hostile foreign intelligence service, and this is all happening against the backdrop of nuclear escalation in North Korea and the return to the great obsession of war hawks and neo-conservatives, confrontation with Iran, you know it’s time to sit up and engage with far more than just the latest business developments. However, the business world never stops moving even when more existential concerns push it off the front pages, and here is this week’s round-up of the big commercial stories. 

The BBC has a new chair, new measures to tackle migration have been released and they’re going to hit women the hardest, and one in five British councils are at risk of bankruptcy. Plus, do you have candles and battery-powered torches at home? If not, the deputy prime minister says it’s important that you stock up to prepare for possible emergencies. Read on for this week’s commercial news.  

In a week where nobody really knows what’s going on, calm your bemused Brexit brain by taking a look at our summary of some relevant commercial news stories from this week.

If you want to succeed in the environs of fast-paced commercial law, you need to be adaptable.

This week saw a peak rise in inflation in the UK, adding pressure on Rishi Sunak’s new government over the cost-of-living crisis. Today, the Bank of England is expected to announce its highest rate rise in decades. This week’s round-up also touches on further economic news, trademark battles, the environment and, of course, football!

Klarna’s losses have doubled as more customers struggle to repay loans, while Nike is hiking prices amid tariff tensions. Meanwhile, Fortnite has made a dramatic return to the iPhone App Store after a year-long legal feud with Apple and WeightWatchers is pivoting to weight-loss injections following a major financial shake-up. Read on for a summary of this week’s commercial story picks!

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.

The pound fell as the UK reached its highest 10-year borrowing costs since 2008 and Meta is stopping the use of independent fact checkers in the US. Three new battery energy storage systems are set to be completed by 2028 in Scotland and retail brands have stopped using gig economy apps to hire freelance workers after criticism from unions. Read on to find out more!

A new prime minister, a new Formula 1 team, a new owner of Twitter and much more; it's been an eventful week with lots of information to digest. This commercial news round-up touches on British politics, technology, Kanye West controversy and other recent developments we felt were worthy of your radar. 

Changes to the Employment Rights Bill will cut costs for businesses by billions, according to a new impact report. Meanwhile, figures show that the UK construction industry is struggling, Labour MPs are calling for the prime minister to rethink changes to hospitality funding and Marks & Spencer experienced disappointing Christmas fashion sales as it continues to feel the fallout from last year’s cyberattack. 

A nuanced appreciation of the vast business world may be a bit much to hope for at this stage, but developing an interest in - and a broad understanding of - the commercial pressures and topics that will be a part of clients’ everyday lives is important.

This weekly round-up is designed to help you develop your commercial awareness by being informed about the issues affecting the world of law and business. Let’s get started.

In this LCN Says, we speak to Kieran Bennett and Isabella Aridas from Mayer Brown International LLP all about commercial awareness from a recruiter’s perspective. Read on for insights into how the firm assesses commercial awareness, Kieran and Isabella’s tips for aspiring lawyers and the trainee’s role in business development at the firm.

Application season is upon us and part of your preparation should be developing your commercial awareness – namely, an interest in the business world and how the issues that affect clients will also affect and shape the advice that you, as their lawyer, will give. There’s also every chance you’ll be asked to comment on something topical in an interview, so best to be prepared! For a selection of this week’s most interesting commercial news stories, read on:

As the UK awaits Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s update in today’s daily briefing on whether there will be any changes to the social distancing measures currently in place, here’s a short round-up of how the outbreak continues to affect the business and legal worlds, among other news.   

The adventures of Cuthbert the Caterpillar and the backlash following the European Super League announcement are just two of the big commercial news stories this week. But how can you analyse these stories with a commercial mindset? Remember, there are various techniques (eg, PESTLE), which will help you on your way – read the summaries of this week’s news story picks below.

With more Brexit-related stories than you can shake a stick at this week, our commercial round-up aims to keep you apprised of the business stories that you should be keeping an eye on. Why? Well, first because you just should have a general interest in big UK and world news, and second, because you will be more informed when it comes to interviews and general interactions with potential employers.

The UK economy continued to grow over the second quarter of 2024 and train strikes may end soon as Aslef and the Department for Transport reach a pay deal. Meanwhile, unemployment decreases despite wage growth slowing, and A-level students receive the best results since 2010. Read on to find out more.

The government has announced an increase in the minimum wage and WH Smith faces an inquiry following an accounting error. Meanwhile, Heathrow’s plan for a third runway has been chosen over a rival proposal from Arora Group, and Warner Music Group is set to collaborate with AI music company Suno, a firm it sued just a year ago.