Need to know

• Big changes in housing policy could mean more work for small firms: more property deals, planning disputes, and new opportunities.

• Commercial awareness isn’t just about knowing policy—it’s about spotting how changes affect your clients and firm.

Welcome to TSL’s Weekly Edge, whether you’re aiming for a regional or high-street practice, or just want to get a feel for how law works in the real world beyond textbooks, you’re in the right place. 

No corporate jargon, no massive deals, just real useful information designed to give you that extra edge in your legal journey.

Wilson’s Weekly Wisdom

You’ll often hear about Magic Circle firms or international giants like Apple and Spotify, along with the high-profile cases and it’s easy to feel overshadowed by the glamour of these stories. 

However, the reality is that only a small proportion of lawyers work on such cases. The majority of solicitors are based in high street firms, dealing with everyday legal matters for individuals and small businesses. These cases are no less valuable or engaging.

I saw a LinkedIn post recently which asked whether it's better to work at a big law firm or a high street practice. One thing that stood out to me was: just because someone works at a top-tier firm doesn't automatically make them a top-tier lawyer. 

Despite this, there's still a strong emphasis at university on aiming for big commercial firms, but that’s not the only path. Based on my own experience, I’d encourage you not to limit yourself. Explore mid-tier and high street firms in your area and you might find, as I did, that they’re the perfect fit.

Spotlight Article

The General Election & Small Firms: Why Law is Watching Housing Policies
Labour’s pledges on planning reform and affordable housing could reshape the work coming through the doors of high street firms.

What’s happening?

Labour says it’ll overhaul planning laws, fast-track housing developments, and back first-time buyers. It’s big talk — but if even part of it lands, we’ll likely see:

• More conveyancing work in regional markets

• Legal disputes over planning decisions, compulsory purchase, and land use

• A shift in landlord-tenant dynamics, especially in buy-to-let hotspots

Why it matters to mid-tier and high street firms

Housing touches everything from wills, family law to small business premises, even immigration cases. If housing policies change, the ripple hits local clients first.

Your firm might suddenly see more property transactions, lease negotiations, or disputes with local councils. That means opportunity, pressure... and potential revenue.

Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO)

When a public body forces the sale of private land for a project (e.g. housing or infrastructure), even if the owner doesn’t want to sell.

Think: “Sorry mate, your shed’s now part of a motorway.”