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What are your options if you fail the SQE?
Understand your resit options, what to do next, and how to improve your chances in future attempts or alternative career paths.
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Latest episodes
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Bottlenecked at the Strait of Hormuz and the cost to global trade
Global trade is shaken as Middle East conflict disrupts key energy routes. Businesses face rising costs, contract risks, and urgent questions about the future of energy.
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Health data under the microscope: Protecting your permanent records
Data protection is now a high-stakes legal challenge, where innovation and regulation constantly collide. Lawyers help tech and life sciences clients navigate complex rules while protecting sensitive data in a rapidly evolving world.
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A major power shift for UK landlords
The Renters’ Rights Act marks a seismic shift in housing law, leaving landlords and investors in a more uncertain, court-driven system. With Section 21 gone, the private rental sector faces urgent questions over stability, returns, and its future.
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Why regulators want more than just #ad
Influencer marketing thrives on authenticity, but where’s the line between content and ads? This episode explores disclosure rules, legal risks, and who’s responsible when transparency slips.
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The addiction economy and a new era for online safety
The UK is reshaping online safety rules, rejecting a social media ban for under-16s while granting new powers to regulate platforms. The changes raise questions about how tech companies manage harmful content, user engagement, and legal risk. In this episode, we explore the evolving legal framework governing online platforms and digital safety.
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Power surge in the high stakes world of battery project finance
A deep dive into how high-stakes project finance, legal strategy, and risk management are powering the UK’s battery storage boom and keeping billion-pound energy projects on track.
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"This case study builder made the approach towards commercial awareness less overwhelming."
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Who is paying the price in the student finance debate?
Who really bears the cost of England’s student loan system? This debate unpacks whether it’s graduates, taxpayers, or universities paying the price—and why the rules of student finance are unlike any other debt.
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The legal mechanics behind age verification and children’s privacy
Pressure is mounting on platforms to verify users’ ages as governments tighten rules around children’s online safety. With Hogan Lovells, we explore what effective age verification looks like, the privacy risks it can create, and what businesses should consider before building a platform.
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Data use after Brexit: the new rules businesses cannot ignore
How is the UK reshaping data protection after Brexit? We discuss the Data Use and Access Act 2025 and what it means for businesses, AI, and the lawyers advising them.
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The milk label crackdown
Oatly’s legal battle with Dairy UK has forced it to drop “oat milk” branding and rethink its trademark strategy. We unpack what the ruling means for consumer clarity, industry competition, and the real cost of rebranding in regulated food markets.
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Smart glasses, silent recording: when wearables cross the legal line
Discreet recording through smart glasses is raising new privacy concerns as videos filmed without consent spread rapidly online. The trend highlights growing legal tensions around public filming, platform responsibility, and the role of UK data protection law when personal rights are infringed.
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Clients and Counsel: inside the real dynamics of legal relationships with BCLP and Aviva Investors
In part two of this series, we explore how firms are chosen, how real partnerships are built, and what drives long-term loyalty. From panels and pitches to everyday behaviours, discover why tailored thinking, honest dialogue and cultural alignment turn legal suppliers into trusted advisors.
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The making of a BCLP partner: commercial growth behind the scenes
This feature looks behind the scenes at how aspiring lawyers build commercial awareness from day one — from early client exposure to understanding how work is won, relationships are built and the firm grows.
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When AI goes too far: Grok, X, and the UK crackdown
X is under UK scrutiny after its AI tool Grok was used to generate indecent images of real people, including children. The case highlights the clash between fast-moving AI, platform responsibility, and the limits of regulation when harm spreads at scale.
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Bid war for Warner Bros: when more money is not the better deal
A higher price doesn’t always mean a better deal. When Warner Bros rejected Paramount’s $108bn bid in favour of a lower offer from Netflix, the decision came down to risk, certainty, and long-term value, not headline numbers.
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Clear for takeoff? Heathrow’s contested third runway
Heathrow says it’s ready to break ground on a £21bn third runway, promising more routes, more passengers and a bigger global hub within a decade. Airlines aren’t so sure. With regulators watching closely, costs rising and climate targets looming, the battle over who pays and who decides has only just taken off.
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Price traps exposed: inside the DMCC’s fight for fair online shopping with Lewis Silkin
The DMCC 2024 gives the Competition and Markets Authority new powers to crack down on drip pricing, fake reviews and subscription traps. But how aggressively will these rules be enforced, and what does this mean for online businesses and their customer journeys?
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Patent pending: how Trump’s tariff tests global pharma
A proposed 100% tariff on patented medicines could reshape global pharma. Donald Trump says it will boost US manufacturing, but will it disrupt supply chains, raise drug prices, and threaten innovation and access to medicines worldwide?
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The quiet giants of the digital age: How lawyers are powering the digital backbone
Data centres are fast becoming critical infrastructure, powering everything from cloud storage to AI. As demand surges, who funds and builds them, and how do lawyers balance power, land, finance and risk to keep the digital world running?
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Compliance crunch: insurers caught between growth and trust
UK insurance rules are set for their biggest shake-up since 2008. As the Prudential Regulation Authority and Financial Conduct Authority push for growth and faster approvals, can insurers expand without putting trust and consumer protection at risk?
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From forecourt to socket: how Britain gets EVs on the road
EVs are moving into the mainstream as the UK prepares to phase out petrol and diesel cars. But can charging networks and the power grid keep pace, and how should lawyers help clients navigate shifting incentives, infrastructure gaps and fast-moving tech?
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TikTok’s tug-of-war: data, trade, politics and power
A proposed deal to shift TikTok’s US operations under American control has turned data governance into a geopolitical flashpoint. When trade policy, national security and tech collide, who really holds the power, and where do lawyers fit in?
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The cost of a signature: The fallout from Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys
A single High Court ruling has sent shockwaves through litigation teams. Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys redraws the line between supporting and conducting litigation. But who is really authorised to act, and what does this mean for delegation, costs, and compliance?
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Power, liability and culture: Brabners shines the spotlight on sexual harassment law
From the BBC to viral workplace scandals, harassment claims are exposing the legal risks behind reputation and culture. Where do tribunals draw the line, and how can employers protect themselves when misconduct goes public?
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Stage fright for Ticketmaster: the legal stakes behind sold-out shows
Ticketmaster and Live Nation are under fire from the Federal Trade Commission over claims of price inflation and market abuse. Could this legal battle reshape live events, and what role are lawyers playing behind the scenes?
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Hiring under pressure: The reform that could rewrite recruitment
Proposed reforms could bring unfair dismissal rights from day one, reshaping how employers hire and fire. How would a statutory probation period change recruitment decisions, and are tribunals and businesses ready for the pressure this reform could bring?
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Behind the firewalls: The legal risks behind the Online Safety Act
The Online Safety Act is forcing platforms to rethink how they’re built and run, with tough new compliance duties and serious penalties. As Ofcom takes on enforcement, can tech companies comply without undermining privacy, and how will lawyers manage the risk?
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Price tags and policy shifts: Adidas’s legal response to US tariffs
After new US tariffs pushed costs up, Adidas has warned of higher prices and market fallout. When trade policy shifts overnight, how do tariffs reshape supply chains, and how can lawyers protect businesses when global rules suddenly change?
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Biscuit boom: Pladis’ £68m recipe for UK growth
Pladis is investing £68m to modernise UK factories through automation and greener production. But beyond biscuits, how do projects like this balance growth, ESG duties and risk, and what role do lawyers play when technology and policy are shifting fast?
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Whose line is it anyway? AI’s copyright conundrum
AI is rewriting the rules of copyright, blurring the line between human and machine creation. When algorithms learn from existing IP, who really owns the output, and how can lawyers manage risk without stifling innovation?
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Insolvency in retreat: the numbers behind England and Wales’ surprise drop
Insolvencies in England and Wales have fallen unexpectedly, with new figures from the Insolvency Service showing a sharp year-on-year drop. Is this a sign of real resilience, or just trouble postponed, and what should lawyers be warning clients about next?
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Reputation on the ropes: When brands face public backlash
In the age of viral outrage, brand trust can unravel in hours. When backlash hits, how should businesses respond, and when should lawyers step in to protect reputation before crisis turns into catastrophe?
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Understanding public markets in flux with BCLP: Listings fade as bids multiply
London’s IPO market is fading as takeovers and private deals surge, forcing companies to rethink where, and how, they grow. What’s driving this shift, and can regulatory reform revive public listings?
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Digital backbone: unpacking the data centre explosion with Clyde & Co
Data centres are now classed as critical national infrastructure, drawing intense legal and commercial scrutiny. What makes these contracts resilient, and how do lawyers balance power, security and sustainability when downtime isn’t an option?
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Green foundations: BCLP on the ESG overhaul of real estate
Buildings account for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, putting real estate at the centre of ESG reform. How are green leases, energy rules and due diligence reshaping property deals, and could one clause make or break the next transaction?
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The future of buy-now-pay-later schemes
Buy-now-pay-later is set for a regulatory overhaul as the Financial Conduct Authority moves to police a £13bn market. What will tougher affordability checks mean for lenders, retailers and consumers, and can 0% credit survive tighter rules?
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Follow for fallout: influencer deals and the legal risks
Influencer marketing is now central to brand strategy, with platforms like TikTok driving reach and revenue. But when reputations wobble or partnerships end, who bears the risk, and how can contracts protect both brands and creators when things go wrong?
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Data compliance meets commercial risk
Data compliance now sits at the heart of commercial risk, as global rules collide with fast-moving tech. With regimes like the EU’s GDPR and California’s CCPA, how can businesses protect trust and value, and how do lawyers keep control as data and AI evolve?
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War, sanctions, stock shocks: lawyering in volatile times
Global events are reshaping legal practice in real time. This episode explores how lawyers help clients navigate conflict, sanctions, and sudden regulatory change, offering aspiring lawyers insight into commercial law at the intersection of politics and business.
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Hype-speed ahead? Or is Tesla heading for a crash landing?
Tesla once defined the future of electric vehicles, but sales are now falling across key European markets even as the wider EV industry grows. Chinese competitors like BYD are gaining ground, while Elon Musk’s increasingly polarising public stance may be affecting consumer perception. In this episode, we explore what happens when a market leader stumbles and the legal, reputational and competitive issues that follow.
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From start-up to sale: Hailey Bieber's $1bn Rhode exit
Rhode, Hailey Bieber’s skincare brand, is being acquired by cosmetics giant e.l.f. Beauty for up to $1 billion just three years after launching. The deal highlights how legal strategy shapes a startup’s journey, from brand creation and intellectual property protection to structuring a major acquisition. In this episode, we explore what makes a brand attractive to buyers and the legal work behind successful founder exits.
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Caveat hackers: The proposed Cyber Security and Resilience Bill
The UK government is preparing to overhaul cyber laws with the proposed Cyber Security and Resilience Bill, aiming to strengthen how businesses defend against growing digital threats. Prompted by recent high-profile attacks, the reforms could impose stricter security and reporting obligations across key sectors. In this episode, we explore what the Bill means for businesses and the lawyers advising them on cyber risk and compliance.
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Animations assemble: Disney and Universal sue AI firm Midjourney
Disney and Universal are suing AI company Midjourney, alleging its image generator reproduces iconic characters without permission. The case raises a major legal question: is AI output creative transformation or blatant copyright infringement? In this episode, we explore what the dispute means for intellectual property law, generative AI, and the future of businesses built on protected brands.
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Relationship reset: examining the new UK–EU agreement
Nearly a decade after Brexit, the UK and EU are resetting their relationship through a new strategic partnership aimed at easing trade and cooperation. The agreement could reshape rules across sectors from food to energy, with significant implications for business compliance and cross-border contracts. In this episode, we explore what the deal means for companies and the lawyers advising them.
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The name game: the legal play behind stadium sponsorship deals
Everton’s decision to name its new stadium after law firm Hill Dickinson highlights the complex commercial deals behind modern sports sponsorships. Naming rights agreements involve major financial commitments, brand exposure, and carefully negotiated contractual protections. In this episode, we explore how lawyers structure these high-value partnerships and manage the risks on both sides.
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Rising rates, tighter budgets: navigating 2025’s wage and tax hikes
The UK’s 2025 increases to the National Minimum Wage and employer National Insurance are raising costs for businesses across the economy. Beyond payroll, the changes are triggering contract reviews, restructuring decisions, and new compliance risks. In this episode, we explore how lawyers help businesses navigate wage law, tax pressures, and workforce strategy.
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Garfield AI: the SRA’s green light for robot lawyering
The Solicitors Regulation Authority has authorised Garfield AI, the first AI-driven law firm to provide regulated legal services in the UK. The move signals a major shift in how legal services could be delivered, with AI handling much of the work under human oversight. In this episode, we explore what this means for the future of law firms, regulation, and client trust.
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Princes, payouts and class actions: unpacking legal settlements
High-profile legal disputes often end not with a courtroom verdict but with a negotiated settlement. From celebrities to major corporations, settlements can protect reputations, manage risk, and resolve disputes privately. In this episode, we explore how lawyers structure settlements and why parties often choose negotiation over trial.
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From GenAI to general counsel: how clients are driving law firm innovation
Clients are pushing law firms to adopt AI and deliver faster, more cost-efficient legal services. But integrating generative AI raises questions around confidentiality, compliance, and professional responsibility. In this episode, we explore how client demand is reshaping legal innovation and what it means for the future of law firms.
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Malware in aisle five: M&S cyber attack causes chaos
A cyber attack on Marks & Spencer has disrupted operations, shaken investor confidence, and raised serious concerns about customer data protection. Beyond the headlines, incidents like this trigger complex legal obligations around cyber security, reporting, and regulatory compliance. In this episode, we examine the legal fallout and what businesses can learn from a major cyber crisis.
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Google's ad-tech throne wobbles
Google is facing mounting legal pressure after a US ruling found its ad-tech practices breach competition law. With regulators in the US, UK, and EU circling, the case could reshape the future of digital advertising and Big Tech. In this episode, we explore the legal battle, potential remedies, and the role lawyers play in major antitrust disputes.
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A licence to thrill: inside Universal's £50bn UK theme park
Universal plans to build its first European theme park in Bedford, a £50bn project expected to transform the local economy. But behind the rides and attractions lies a complex web of planning approvals, IP licensing, and commercial agreements. In this episode, we explore the legal challenges behind delivering a mega entertainment development.
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Cuthbert on trial: how supermarket IP wars make for legal drama
Supermarket IP battles, from Aldi’s Cuthbert cake to Tesco’s branding disputes, show how brand protection can turn into headline-grabbing legal drama. Behind the memes lie serious questions about trademark rights, litigation strategy, and reputational risk. In this episode, we unpack how intellectual property disputes shape competition in the retail sector.
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Champagne super-probe: CMA investigates Ticketmaster over Oasis ticket sales
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority is investigating Ticketmaster over its pricing practices during Oasis ticket sales. Allegations of misleading “platinum” ticket pricing have sparked questions about transparency, consumer protection, and dynamic pricing algorithms. In this episode, we explore the legal scrutiny facing ticketing platforms and what it means for live events and consumers.
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Not so Forever 21: Is fast fashion losing its speed?
Fast fashion brand Forever 21 has filed for bankruptcy in the US, closing hundreds of stores after intense competition from online rivals. The collapse raises questions about restructuring, insolvency strategy, and the pressures facing traditional retailers. In this episode, we explore what happens when a global brand runs out of road and how lawyers navigate corporate distress.
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From zero (hours) to hero: the government bill shaking up employment law
The UK’s Employment Rights Bill could give zero-hours and agency workers stronger rights to request stable contracts. The reforms may force businesses to rethink workforce flexibility and employment practices. In this episode, we explore the legal changes and how lawyers help clients adapt to evolving employment law.
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Unpacking Man United's new £2bn stadium: glamour meets law
Manchester United’s proposed £2bn stadium could become the UK’s largest sporting arena and reshape the surrounding area. But behind the headlines lie complex issues around financing, planning approvals, and commercial agreements. In this episode, we explore the legal challenges and opportunities behind mega sports infrastructure projects.
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AI vs musicians: UK government caught offbeat?
The UK government’s proposed copyright reforms could allow AI developers to mine creative works unless creators opt out. Musicians and artists argue the move risks weakening intellectual property protections and fair compensation. In this episode, we explore the legal debate over AI training data and the future of creative rights.
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Parking Fines, Contracts and Court Battles – The Business of Car Parks
Private parking fines may look routine, but they rest on complex contracts between drivers and operators. When signage, enforcement, or automated systems are challenged, disputes can quickly escalate into litigation. In this episode, we explore the legal framework behind private parking enforcement and the role lawyers play in keeping operators compliant and profitable.
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Apple's Backdoor Dilemma
The UK government is pushing Apple to create a backdoor into iCloud, igniting a global debate over encryption, privacy, and state surveillance powers. Apple’s response—removing its advanced data protection feature in the UK—raises major questions for tech companies operating across jurisdictions. In this episode, we explore the legal clash between national security, regulation, and digital trust.
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BAFTAs, Brands & Celebrities
Behind the glamour of the BAFTAs lies a web of sponsorship agreements, endorsement deals, and brand protection strategies. From sponsor logos to publicity rights, lawyers help structure contracts that safeguard both reputation and commercial value. In this episode, we explore the legal mechanics behind celebrity partnerships and major entertainment events.
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Heathrow’s Third Runway: Will Noise or Growth Win?
Heathrow’s proposed third runway promises economic growth but faces fierce debate over environmental impact and community disruption. Major infrastructure projects like this trigger complex planning approvals, financing arrangements, and potential legal challenges. In this episode, we explore the legal battleground behind one of the UK’s most controversial developments.
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Meta's Misinformation Gamble: Who's Checking Now?
Meta is ending third-party fact-checking in the US, shifting toward user-led moderation on its platforms. The move raises legal questions around platform responsibility, misinformation, and differing regulatory regimes across countries. In this episode, we explore the legal and reputational risks facing tech companies navigating global content rules.
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Vodafone & Three: Inside a £15bn Merger
Vodafone and Three are merging in a £15bn telecoms deal approved by the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority. The merger could reshape the UK mobile market while imposing new obligations to protect competition and smaller operators. In this episode, we explore the legal scrutiny, regulatory conditions, and commercial challenges behind a major telecoms merger.
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US vs TikTok: The Next Legal Battle?
The potential US ban of TikTok raises complex legal questions around national security, data protection, and global tech regulation. The outcome could disrupt influencer marketing, commercial partnerships, and cross-border digital business. In this episode, we explore the legal battle shaping the future of social media platforms.
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Snowfall Chaos: Contract Disputes or Acts of God?
Severe snowfall across the UK has disrupted travel, logistics, and supply chains, raising unexpected legal questions. When flights are cancelled or deliveries delayed, businesses must consider whether contracts have been breached or whether force majeure applies. In this episode, we explore how extreme weather can trigger complex commercial disputes.
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The BBC's investigation on the Diary of a CEO
The BBC has scrutinised the popular Diary of a CEO podcast over claims that some episodes spread misleading health advice. The controversy raises legal questions about platform responsibility, misinformation, and the limits of free speech. In this episode, we explore how reputational risk and potential regulation intersect in the growing podcast industry.
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Apple & Microsoft in the Dock
Apple and Microsoft are facing major class action lawsuits in the UK over alleged anti-competitive practices in app stores and cloud services. The cases could reshape how Big Tech prices digital products and interacts with customers. In this episode, we explore the legal strategies and risks behind large-scale tech litigation.
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Trump's Return: What it means for UK law firms
Donald Trump’s return to the White House could reshape global regulation, trade policy, and business strategy. For UK law firms and their clients, shifts in tariffs, international agreements, and technology policy may create new legal challenges. In this episode, we explore how political change in the US can ripple through global legal work.
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The battle over Britain's farms explained
Proposed inheritance tax changes have sparked protests from UK farmers worried about the future of family-run farms. The reforms could reshape how agricultural assets are taxed and passed between generations. In this episode, we explore the legal and economic implications behind the debate.
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Unpacking Ed Sheeran's IP dispute
Ed Sheeran has claimed his vocals were used without permission in a new Band Aid track, raising questions about consent and music rights. The dispute highlights how copyright, licensing agreements, and artist reputation intersect in the music industry. In this episode, we explore the legal issues behind high-profile intellectual property conflicts.
- New episodes coming soon.
