ZipLaw Briefing

About ZipLaw Briefing

Your weekly cheat code for vacation schemes and training contract interviews. Liv and Ludo break down the stories shaping the legal market — from global macro trends to the deals law firms are actually working on. New episodes every week, from ZipLaw. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

ZipLaw

Category

business · education · news

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

9 Mar 2026

Latest episode

9 Jun 2026

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   9 Jun 2026

   Can Trump revive his blocked Tariffs?

   Trump's tariff machine got knocked down by the Supreme Court and this week he tried to rebuild the whole thing in five days. We break down the legal mechanics behind Section 301, why stretching it across 60 countries at once is legally untested, and how a single trade shift creates billable work across regulatory, employment, disputes, supply chain and M&A teams all at once. If you want a story that touches every practice group, this is it. Then we head out to the Strait of Hormuz (again) for a $48 million insurance fight over a supertanker seized by Iran's Revolutionary Guard. The twist? The insurers aren't disputing the seizure. They're refusing to pay because the owners didn't show up to a court hearing. It's a brilliant case study in war risk insurance, the sue and labour duty, constructive total loss and how US sanctions can freeze a payout even when cover applies. 📰 News roundup this week is a parade of enormous numbers: 🚀 Anthropic files for an IPO that could value it at around $1 trillion, while SpaceX floats at $1.8 trillion and Alphabet plans $85 billion in fresh shares 🔍 The CMA orders Google to let publishers opt out of AI-generated search summaries and model training, a real shift for media and copyright law 📉 Broadcom drops 14% after beating consensus but missing the dream, a neat lesson in market expectations ⚽ The FCA warns Premier League clubs over unauthorised crypto sponsors, flagging legal liability, money laundering risk and reputational damage 💻 Nvidia unveils a processor to run AI models on your laptop, signalling a push beyond data centres into the consumer market 🇨🇳 DeepSeek nears a $7.4 billion fundraise backed by Tencent, proof the AI money race isn't purely American The ZipLaw Briefing is the weekly podcast for aspiring solicitors who want to stand out in vacation scheme and training contract interviews. Each week, Ludo and Livvi break down the biggest stories in law, business and the global economy, and explain exactly how to use them to demonstrate commercial awareness. New episodes every week. 📲 Follow ZipLaw on Instagram and TikTok for daily commercial awareness content, and check out ziplaw.uk for Playbooks. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and hit follow wherever you get your podcasts. 📚 Preparing for the SQE? Check out zipsqe.com for SQE1 question banks, SQE2 mock assessments with AI-powered feedback, flashcards and everything you need to pass first time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   2 Jun 2026

   Why did Anthropic get $65 billion? Sullivan & Cromwell lead on UMG Deal

   The ZipLaw Briefing returns with the week’s biggest commercial and legal stories, decoded for training contract and vacation scheme applications. 🤖 Anthropic’s $65 billion AI funding round. The company behind Claude has raised one of the largest private funding rounds in history, valuing the business at $900 billion and putting it ahead of OpenAI. We unpack the circular financing concerns, why chipmakers like Micron, Samsung and SK Hynix are investing in their own customer, and how a $36 billion private credit deal involving Apollo and Blackstone could reshape AI infrastructure finance. Essential listening if you want to understand how AI creates corporate, finance, regulatory and disputes work. 🛢️ Question of the Week: Why are oil prices falling? We answer a listener question on falling oil prices and explain why law students should care. We trace the story from the Strait of Hormuz through energy supply, inflation, interest rates, shipping contracts, force majeure clauses, war risk insurance and sanctions. We also explain how to turn a commodity price story into a strong commercial awareness answer in applications and interviews. 🤝 Deal of the Week: Universal Music Group rejects Pershing Square’s $65 billion takeover proposal. Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square made an unsolicited approach for one of the world’s most valuable music companies, but UMG said no. We break down why streaming has turned music rights into a serious investment asset class, how public M&A works before a formal offer is even made, and why this deal matters for M&A, IP, corporate governance, competition and capital markets teams. We also look at the law firms involved, including Paul Weiss, De Brauw, Sullivan & Cromwell, White & Case and Stibbe. 📰 News roundup: BP’s chairman exit, SpaceX’s redesigned Starship test, Uber’s approach for Delivery Hero, the AI-driven memory chip boom, and Ocado’s new online grocery deal with Asda. — Want to get a TC this year? Head to www.ziplaw.uk and unlock unlimited access to the ZipTracker, featuring 350+ cases and deals, plus Firm Playbooks, application insights, and successful training contract applications with expert feedback. Preparing for the SQE? Visit ZipSQE.com for 2,000+ MCQs, 40+ SQE2 mocks with AI feedback, flashcards, flowcharts, notes and revision schedules. Free plan available. Follow @ziplaw on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn for daily commercial awareness and SQE content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   20 May 2026

   Reed Smith leads on Take-Private Deal | SpaceX $1.75tn IPO, Estée Lauder v Jo Malone, UK Mortgage Rates

   The ZipLaw Briefing returns with the week's biggest commercial and legal stories, decoded for training contract and vacation scheme applications. 🤝 Deal of the Week: Reed Smith and Osborne Clarke on the Essensys take-private. Founder Mark Furness is buying back his own AIM-listed company for £11.3m, 85% below its 2019 float price. We break down the squeeze-out mechanics under the Takeover Code, the AIM delisting process, and what this signals about small-cap public M&A. Essential listening if you're applying to Reed Smith or Osborne Clarke. 🚀 Story 1: SpaceX's $1.75 trillion IPO. Elon Musk's plan to take SpaceX public would be the biggest listing in history, with dual class shares, mandatory arbitration, and a pay package that vests on building a Mars colony. We cover the governance backlash, the Wall Street firms likely to be instructed (Skadden, Sullivan & Cromwell, Davis Polk, Latham, Simpson Thacher, Cravath, Wachtell), and why this matters for London. 🏠 Story 2: Why mortgage rates jumped without a central bank moving. UK two-year fixes rose 1.1 points in eight weeks. We trace the Strait of Hormuz shock through banking, structured finance, real estate, housebuilder M&A, competition law, FCA Consumer Duty, and disputes work. ⚖️ Case of the Week: Estée Lauder v Jo Malone and Inditex. Jo Malone says she "can't stop being a person." We unpack the section 11 own-name defence, the 1999 sale agreement, and why this case will reshape how IP and corporate M&A teams draft restrictive covenants on founder-led brand acquisitions. 📰 News roundup: Saudi Aramco's profit surge, US inflation at 3.8% and Kevin Warsh's Fed debut, UniCredit's hostile bid for Commerzbank, and Amazon Now's 30-minute delivery rollout. — For more commercial awareness, head to ZipLaw.uk for ZipTracker (350+ cases and deals), Firm Playbooks, application insights, and successful training contract applications with expert feedback. Preparing for the SQE? Visit ZipSQE.com for 2,000+ MCQs, 40+ SQE2 mocks with AI feedback, flashcards, flowcharts, and revision schedules. Free plan available. Follow @ziplaw on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn for daily commercial awareness and SQE content. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

4. 

   29 Apr 2026

   White & Case advises on eBay's $1.2bn Depop Deal and Iran's Pistachio Crisis

   In this episode of ZipLaw Briefing, we break down four major stories shaping commercial law right now — with the legal angles you need for vacation scheme and training contract interviews. First, Meta is cutting 8,000 jobs — not because it's struggling, but to fund a $135 billion AI infrastructure bet. We explore Mark Zuckerberg's vision for "personal superintelligence," the reported plan to track employee keystrokes to train AI models, and why this one story spans employment law, data protection, GDPR, construction, energy, IP, banking and finance, and competition law. Then we look at how the war in Iran has broken the global pistachio market. Prices are at their highest since 2018, Iranian exports have dropped 30 per cent, and the Strait of Hormuz blockade is forcing exporters to reroute through Turkey and overland to China. We cover the legal implications across sanctions, force majeure, shipping and insurance law, and commodity market competition — all triggered by the viral Dubai chocolate TikTok trend. Our Deal of the Week features White & Case advising on the CMA's pre-notification review of eBay's planned $1.2 billion acquisition of Depop from Etsy. We explain how the CMA pre-notification process works, why eBay is buying a Gen Z audience it can't build organically, and the competition concerns around combining the UK's second largest online marketplace with one of its biggest fashion resale platforms. Case of the Week covers Estée Lauder successfully blocking a "Cristiano Ronaldo Origins" trademark at the UK Intellectual Property Office. We break down the difference between likelihood of confusion and unfair advantage, why celebrity branding doesn't insulate you from IP challenges, and how the UKIPO used real-world consumer behaviour around celebrity brand collaborations to reach its decision. Plus in our news roundup: Tim Cook stepping down as Apple CEO, $166 billion in unlawful US tariff refunds, airline profit forecasts hit by the Iran conflict, and Trump's executive order to fast-track psychedelic drug approvals. ZipLaw Briefing is the commercial awareness podcast for aspiring lawyers. New episodes weekly. Head to ziplaw.uk for weekly briefings, law firm playbooks, deal and case breakdowns, and practical interview preparation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

5. 

   21 Apr 2026

   Will this AI end the World?

   Anthropic's new AI model Mythos has found thousands of cybersecurity vulnerabilities across global financial infrastructure and the people who run the world's banking system are seriously rattled. We break down what happened at the IMF spring meetings, why European banks have been locked out of the tool, and what it all means for tech transactions, financial regulation and disputes work. Then we look at the EU's plan to overhaul its merger rules for the first time in two decades, moving beyond the consumer welfare standard to weigh innovation, resilience and global competitiveness, and why the blocked Siemens-Alstom deal is still driving the debate. Deal of the week is a clean public-to-private on AIM with Charterhouse Capital taking Animalcare private for 235 million pounds, a great example of schemes of arrangement, irrevocable undertakings and equity rollovers, with A&O Shearman and Squire Patton Boggs advising. Case of the week is an Ocado patent win at the European Patent Office on inventive step, and why it matters for a company whose entire business model depends on licensing its warehouse robotics technology. Plus five in the news roundup including the IMF slashing global growth forecasts, Ticketmaster's antitrust loss, Amazon's $11.6 billion satellite play, Trump moving to replace Jerome Powell and Meta building an AI clone of Zuckerberg. The ZipLaw Briefing is the weekly podcast for aspiring solicitors who want to stand out in vacation scheme and training contract interviews. Each week, Ludo and Livvi break down the biggest stories in law, business and the global economy, and explain exactly how to use them to demonstrate commercial awareness. New episodes every week. Follow ZipLaw on Instagram and TikTok for daily commercial awareness content, and check out ziplaw.co.uk for Playbooks, SQE prep and more. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and hit follow wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

6. 

   14 Apr 2026

   Are Airlines running out of Fuel?

   In this episode, we break down a looming jet fuel crisis hitting European aviation, with airports warning supplies could run dry within weeks. We explain how disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is driving prices to double, and why this is triggering legal work across energy and commodities contracts, force majeure disputes, EU passenger compensation claims, insurance coverage, and potential airline restructurings. We then turn to OpenAI pausing its flagship UK data centre project, and unpack what is really going on beneath the headlines. This is not just about energy costs. It is about regulatory uncertainty, particularly around UK copyright law and whether AI companies can train on protected content. A perfect example of how IP law, government policy, and foreign investment collide, and why firms advising on TMT, data, and public law are right in the middle of it. Our deal of the week looks at Bill Ackman’s €55 billion move for Universal Music Group, using a SPAC-style vehicle to shift the company’s listing from Amsterdam to New York. We explain the strategy behind the deal, from unlocking US investor demand to restructuring capital through debt and share cancellations. On the legal side, Pershing Square is being advised by Sullivan & Cromwell, White & Case, and Stibbe, making this a great one to reference in interviews. For our case of the week, we dive into the £3 billion collective action against Apple over iCloud storage, which has now been certified by the Competition Appeal Tribunal. We break down how collective actions work in the UK, why litigation funding is central to these claims, and what Apple’s defence looks like. Which is represented by Willkie Farr & Gallagher, while Apple is being advised by Covington, with leading competition barristers involved. We finish with five stories you should have on your radar, including failed US Iran talks, the surge of Chinese EVs in the UK market, UniCredit’s stalled takeover of Commerzbank, shifting US employment trends, and OpenAI’s vision for how AI could reshape tax systems. If you want to stand out in interviews, this is exactly the kind of joined-up thinking law firms are looking for. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

7. 

   31 Mar 2026

   Anthropic beats the Pentagon, Freshfields, Covington lead on $6.7bn deal

   Anthropic takes the US government to court — and wins. A food crisis nobody's talking about. Merck drops $6.7bn on a drug that isn't even approved yet. And a landmark jury verdict that just cracked open Big Tech's legal shield. In this episode of the ZipLaw Briefing, Ludo and Liv break down the stories that matter most for law students, vacation scheme applicants, and training contract candidates and explain exactly why they matter for your applications and interviews. This week: 🤖 Anthropic vs the Pentagon — First Amendment retaliation, national security designations, and what it means for AI governance 🌾 The global food crisis — why the Strait of Hormuz is threatening fertiliser supply, and why this beats the oil story for interview impact 💊 Merck acquires Terns Pharmaceuticals ($6.7bn) — pharma M&A, orphan drug status, tender offers, and advice from Freshfields, Covington & Burling, and Gibson Dunn ⚖️ Meta & Google found liable for teen mental health harm — product liability, Section 230, punitive damages, and what this verdict changes 📰 Roundup: NASA scraps its space station, Danone buys Huel, OpenAI walks away from Disney, Australia-EU free trade, Elon Musk's chip factories, and Arm's first ever chip Whether you're prepping for a law firm interview, drafting a vacation scheme application, or just want to understand the legal stories shaping the world — this is your weekly briefing. 🎓 ZipLaw helps UK law students build commercial awareness and land top law firm training contracts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

8. 

   24 Mar 2026

   Central Banks Hit Pause, Mayer Brown leads on Paper Deal

   Central banks have frozen interest rates as Middle East tensions send energy prices soaring. We break down why rate cuts are off the table and what that means for law firms. Then we look at OpenAI's proposed $10 billion joint venture with private equity giants Bain Capital, TPG and Advent, and why AI distribution is becoming just as important as innovation. Our case of the week is a brilliant trademark dispute where both Clarks and Trek Bicycle breached their own coexistence agreement and both paid the price. Plus we dissect a classic PE carve-out deal with Coveris and Mayer Brown, and round up the week's biggest stories including Nvidia's trillion-dollar prediction, Tencent's agentic AI push, and a drone company IPO that's up over 1,000%. The ZipLaw Briefing is the weekly podcast for aspiring solicitors who want to stand out in vacation scheme and training contract interviews. Each week, Ludo and Livvi break down the biggest stories in law, business and the global economy, and explain exactly how to use them to demonstrate commercial awareness. New episodes every week. Follow ZipLaw on Instagram and TikTok for daily commercial awareness content, and check out ziplaw.co.uk for Playbooks, SQE prep and more. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review and hit follow wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

9. 

   17 Mar 2026

   Fintech, Fragrance and a Billion-Dollar Deal

   Episode 2 – Revolut’s Banking Licence, the Global Oil Shock, and Estée Lauder v Jo Malone In this week’s episode of The ZipLaw Briefing, Liv and Ludo break down some of the biggest business and legal stories shaping the week — and explain what they mean for aspiring lawyers. First, they discuss Revolut finally securing a full UK banking licence after a four-year regulatory process. What does this mean for the future of fintech, and how does regulation shape competition between challenger banks and traditional institutions? Next, they unpack the global oil shock triggered by disruption in the Strait of Hormuz and the International Energy Agency’s record 400 million barrel emergency release. The conversation explores how energy crises ripple through global markets — from inflation and aviation to sanctions, shipping law and energy regulation. This week’s Case of the Week looks at Estée Lauder v Jo Malone, a High Court dispute raising fascinating questions about contracts, trademarks and whether companies can stop founders from using their own names in business. The Deal of the Week covers Savills’ $1.1bn acquisition of Eastdil, one of the largest transactions in the company’s history, and what the deal structure reveals about how major acquisitions are financed. Finally, the episode wraps up with a rapid roundup of key stories lawyers should have on their radar — including EU plans to ban AI “nudification” tools, the economic fallout from rising energy prices, China’s surging exports, and a legal clash between AI startup Anthropic and the US government. The ZipLaw Briefing breaks down the week’s biggest stories in business, law and geopolitics — helping aspiring lawyers build the commercial awareness they need for training contracts, interviews and beyond. New episodes every week. 0:05 - Intro 1:54 - Story 1: Revolut UK Banking License 8:15 - Story 2: Global Oil Shock & Energy Markets 16:09 - Case of the Week: Estee Lauder v Jo Malone 22:12 - Deal of the Week: Savills Acquires Eastdil 28:23 - News Roundup 31:49 - Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

10. 

    9 Mar 2026

    Oil Shock, Hollywood’s $110bn Merger

    Welcome to the very first episode of The ZipLaw Briefing! Each week, we break down the biggest business and legal stories shaping the global economy — and explain why they matter for law firms and aspiring lawyers. In this episode we discuss: The Iran War and the global oil shock How disruption in the Strait of Hormuz is pushing oil prices higher and raising the risk of renewed inflation. Hollywood’s $110 billion mega-merger Paramount Skydance’s proposed acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery and the competition scrutiny it may face from regulators in the US, UK and Europe. Visa & Mastercard competition litigation A major collective claim in the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal where merchants — represented by firms including Stephenson Harwood, Scott + Scott and Harcus Parker — are challenging interchange fees charged by the payment networks. Telegraph Media Group sale Axel Springer’s £575 million acquisition of the Telegraph and the political sensitivities around media ownership in the UK. Quick-fire legal headlines Including AI competition in government contracts, tech sector layoffs linked to automation, and a major restructuring involving BrewDog. If you’re interested in commercial awareness, business news and how global events translate into legal work, this podcast is for you. 0:00 - Intro & Episode Overview 0:28 - Welcome & About the Podcast 2:05 - Introducing the Hosts 3:27 - Iran Oil Crisis & Energy Markets 9:18 - Hollywood Merger: Paramount & Warner Bros Discovery 14:42 - Deals & Cases of the Week (Segment Intro) 15:00 - Visa & MasterCard Interchange Fees Case 19:44 - The Telegraph Sale to Axel Springer 22:48 - Quick Fire Headlines Roundup 25:40 - Closing & Thank You Website: www.ziplaw.uk Instagram: @ziplawnews Email: ludo@ziplaw.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Contact ZipLaw Briefing

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.