‘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.

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. 

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.

Most LPC programmes are delivered in two stages.

Magic circle firm Linklaters has revealed plans to move graduate recruitment online this autumn subject to the UK’s lockdown restrictions.

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.

Law Students for Climate Accountability (LSCA) has released its 2025 Climate Change Scorecard, a report that grades 100 prestigious law firms from A to F based on their involvement in fossil fuel-related activities over the past five years. 

Crime barristers have threatened to walk out and leave the criminal courts in chaos in protest at a new legal aid payments scheme, with many barristers feeling overwhelmed and at “breaking point”.

Multinational law firm DWF will adopt the Solicitors Qualifying Exam from January 2022 and launch the firm’s new graduate entry-level apprenticeship programme in partnership with BPP University Law School.

The majority of practising solicitors are women, but men still occupy a disproportionate number of positions at partner level, according to the Law Society’s latest annual statistics report.

Shoosmiths, Linklaters LLP and Weightmans LLP have each published record-breaking financial results for the 2023/24 financial year, with Shoosmiths’ revenue surpassing the £200-million mark for the first time. 

Home Secretary Amber Rudd is in contempt of court after ignoring the orders of successive judges not to deport an asylum seeker to Afghanistan, where he faced being killed by the Taliban.  

The Law Society of England and Wales has announced its new AI strategy, which is based on three pillars: innovation, impact and integrity. 

City law firm Dentons becomes one of six law firms to achieve Menopause Friendly Accreditation across its offices in the UK, Ireland and the Middle East. 

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.