More reliable than Boris Johnson’s Brexit timetable, our weekly round-up of the commercial news stories you need to know about can help you to improve your commercial awareness and keep up to date with the business world. 

Now in its fourth year, the Legal Social Mobility Programme (LSMP) has increased its reach to 300 students from non-privileged backgrounds across seven towns and cities, broadening their access to the legal profession and developing their career aspirations.

Why are so many high street retail chains in distress and will company voluntary arrangements (CVAs) and administration filings help them?

What is the commercial impact of the European Union's new sanctions against Iran?

What is the impact of geopolitical events on commodity markets and how do commodity traders manage the impact of geopolitical events?

Why did the government scrap the OST?

First-year law students at City University London will learn about the reality of working in the legal profession through the introduction of a compulsory graduate market and employability module.

On 23 April London Metropolitan University welcomed a variety of representatives from the legal profession to the law school for its first ever "Get Into Law" day, designed to advise students on how to get ahead in the profession.

A recent survey of working hours reveals that trainees and junior lawyers at Kirkland & Ellis LLP work on average for more than 14-hours a day. This is the third year in a row the firm has sat at the top of the table for working hours.

The Law Society’s annual Diversity Access Scheme is about to open for submissions, this year including 10 awards offering financial assistance and mentoring, plus one new award for a law centre worker that guarantees a training contract.