This blog centres around ‘Gillick competency’ – the standard that children must meet in order to be able to make decisions about their health and medical treatment.

How does commercial awareness apply to work within the private client sector?

The future of the UK high street is under fresh pressure as Santander prepares to shut dozens more branches, while the government warns that AI-driven disruption will reshape the jobs market. In London, driverless taxis could arrive sooner than expected as Waymo accelerates plans for a full robotaxi rollout and, across the Atlantic, soaring AI energy demands are fuelling a record global boom in gas-fired power, raising major climate concerns. Read on for LCN’s picks of this week’s top commercial stories!

Macfarlanes has become the third firm to adopt a "CV-blind" policy to combat unconscious bias and elitism in its recruitment.

The thought of returning to education five years ago was off the table, I was terrified of being considered a mature student at the age of 22.

Grant Shapps has been appointed as the new defence secretary following Ben Wallace’s resignation, the date for Donald Trump’s trial has been set and there may still be hope for value retailer Wilko. Plus, what effect have this summer’s sporting protests had long term? All this and more in this week’s commercial news round-up.   

A new report shows that two-thirds of junior lawyers want the right to refuse work for ethical reasons. However, the research, which was led by Dana Denis-Smith and published by Obelisk Support, found that this right is currently provided at only 18% of the respondents’ workplaces.

As usual it’s been a busy week in the commercial world – from interest rate updates in the UK and across the pond in the US, to X in Brazil and a lawsuit filed against the game dubbed as ‘Pokémon with guns’. As we head into the autumn term, this is your time to read our round-up, reflect on the commercial and legal impact of the stories and go off and do your own research on anything that you find particularly interesting. Enjoy!

Hear from a law graduate as they share their experiences of preparing for the SQE with BARBRI.

Is copyright law stifling creativity in the music sector?

Bridging the Bar’s (BTB) 2024/25 Academy is set to begin in September, with the aim of increasing diversity at the Bar by preparing 100 aspiring barristers from non-traditional backgrounds for pupillage applications.

The Bar Standards Board has launched its consultation paper on the future training of barristers, and has invited all those with a view on the matter to express their views by 23 December.