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We want to establish this society because we recognise the challenges students face when pursuing a career in commercial law, particularly the pressure to continually strengthen their CVs and demonstrate a genuine commitment to the profession. Students are frequently advised that commercial awareness is essential for securing vacation schemes and training contracts; however, translating this advice into tangible achievements can be difficult. 

While existing societies, such as the Law Society and Commercial Awareness Society, provide valuable opportunities to attend talks, participate in workshops and develop an understanding of business and current affairs, we believe there is an opportunity to bridge the gap between learning about commercial law and actively demonstrating engagement with it. Our society aims to address this gap by providing students with a platform to transform their interests into practical, demonstrable achievements. 

Through student-led workshops, members will engage with contemporary commercial developments before having the opportunity to produce original articles, legal analysis and commentary on the issues that interest them. Members will also be encouraged to design and lead their own workshops, enabling them to develop their presentation, leadership and communication skills alongside their commercial awareness.

A central feature of our proposal is our intended partnership with Global Writers Hub (GWH), a student-founded initiative established by a University of Exeter student that provides research support, workshops and editorial assistance. Through this collaboration, we aim to offer members the opportunity for guidance in developing and refining their written work to a publishable standard. Although GWH ordinarily operates on a fee-paying basis, our partnership will initially commence as a pro bono pilot arrangement, with the intention of introducing proportionate fees once the society has secured sufficient membership-fee funding. This approach will allow us to establish the initiative while ensuring that students can access editorial support during its initial stages.

We also intend to pursue publication opportunities through student and legal publications. We are in the early stages of exploring a partnership with The Gryphon, with the aim of establishing a dedicated section for members' work. Should this not be feasible, we will seek alternative publication arrangements, including submitting articles to suitable existing sections and exploring opportunities with legal newsletters. 

By facilitating these opportunities, we hope to give students a platform through which they can share their perspectives and demonstrate their ability to engage critically with commercial legal issues.

Ultimately, we want members to leave the society with something tangible: a published article, original legal analysis, shadowing or experience organising and delivering a presentation, with a certificate of recognition and engagement provided by our society to add onto their LinkedIn!

These achievements provide concrete examples that students can discuss in applications and interviews, demonstrating initiative, analytical ability, commercial awareness and sustained commitment to commercial law. Our intention is not to replace existing societies, but to complement their work by offering a practical pathway through which students can turn their interests into meaningful, demonstrable experience.