• Get Everything You Need to Secure a Training Contract
    Now half the price. Join TCLA Premium for £30/month and get step-by-step application support, daily commercial awareness practice, and 700+ successful examples of past applications and interview experiences. Plus so much more.
    Join Premium →
  • Ace Your Vacation Scheme Applications with Reed Smith
    10 Nov 2025 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)
    Join Reed Smith for this practical session on how to write a strong vacation scheme application ahead of key deadlines. Understand what recruiters look for and how to get past the application review stage.
    Register on Zoom →
  • Write Winning Vacation Scheme Applications with Osborne Clarke
    11 Nov 2025 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm (UK) Zoom (registration required)
    Hear from Recruitment Advisor Patrick Fermin Ryan at Osborne Clarke on how to write a successful vacation scheme application. Gain expert advice on what makes applications stand out and how to approach yours with confidence.
    Register on Zoom →

What is Corporate/Commercial Law?

PPE

New Member
Jan 9, 2020
1
0
Hi Guys,

I have been monitoring the site from afar for a few weeks (seems extremely friendly and helpful) and I was looking for some advice from you guys.

A little background; I am a second year PPE student and a lot of my friends are law students who are securing VS/TC at big law firms. I am quite intrigued by a career in law and was hoping someone could provide me with a bit of knowledge as to what commercial/corporate law is and what work the lawyers in this field do?

If any of the future trainees or vac schemers can give me a bit of background and provide me with some advice as to what said career entails I would be hugely grateful.

From what I have gathered it seems to be a hugely over-subscribed area of law and one which is extremely competitive to break into. I am hoping to try my luck for a few firms next year and I am wanting to use my time to understand what a career as a commercial lawyer entails.

Just a quick addition; (Many apologies as this probably sounds quite stupid so excuse my ignorance, are corporate law and commercial law the same thing or is one slightly different?)

Thanks guys!!
 

Andrew M

Legendary Member
Forum Winner
Jan 7, 2020
516
2,029
Well "commercial law" covers everything relating to commerce, business, sales, trade etc. A commercial law firm will usually specialise in numerous sectors or practice areas within that very wide umbrella.

Corporate law as a practice area relates to corporate matters such as shareholders, mergers and acquisitions, restructuring etc.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Frank and Holly

About Us

The Corporate Law Academy (TCLA) was founded in 2018 because we wanted to improve the legal journey. We wanted more transparency and better training. We wanted to form a community of aspiring lawyers who care about becoming the best version of themselves.

Newsletter

Discover the most relevant business news, access our law firm analysis, and receive our best advice for aspiring lawyers.