Identify a current commercial issue which has attracted your attention recently.
A. Describe your biggest achievement and/or most demanding position of responsibility you have held to date; what did you learn from this? (150 words)
This year I have successfully set up a ‘[University] [Sport] Club’, which was unsuccessfully attempted for over fifty years. I participated in a number of meetings with the [university] Sports Committee to explain the benefits of [Sport] and to mitigate their deeply entrenched concerns regarding the nature of the sport. Finally the committee agreed to open an on-campus [Sport] club. This experience has taught me that perseverance always wins and that it is also important to go out of your way to achieve the result you desire. For instance, before approaching the committee I gained a large number of petitions and brought a diverse range of individuals to the meeting to show that amateur [Sport] has a very large appeal.
B. In your opinion, what makes an international legal practice successful? Identify how your personal qualities would contribute to such success. (300 words)
It is important to have a strong commercial background as it is crucial in understanding a client’s needs and delivering an appropriate solution to their problem. Having worked for [company name] I developed a strong commercial background in the fields of conveyancing, investment decisions, portfolio management, and strategic decision making just to name a few.
An international legal practice should possess lawyers who are entrepreneurial and have good leadership skills so as to be able to manage their caseloads effectively and produce effective solutions to client problems. I am the founder member and president of ‘[University] [Sport] Society’ and am currently managing seven executive members and overseeing the overall operation of the society. These skills would not only translate into my ability to effectively manage my caseload but also my ability to present innovative and effective solutions to clients. In my capacity as a student-staff liaison committee member I have developed my communication skills at both a student and a more senior level. This skill would allow me to successfully communicate with clients and solicitors on two different but nonetheless professional levels.
An international legal practice should be flexible and have an ability to form and maintain effective client relationships to ensure transparency and integrity. My ability to switch between [language], [language] and English languages highlights my flexibility which could prove to be invaluable when dealing with a diverse range of both national and international calibre clients as well as being an excellent team player within the firm. Being a member of the [language] Speaking, [language] Speaking and Romanian Speaking societies I have become accustomed to interacting with a diverse range of individuals coming from different backgrounds. I feel that this interaction has equipped me with the relevant skills to communicate and form excellent relationships with clients.
C. Identify a current commercial issue which has attracted your attention recently. Why do you consider it to be significant? Who are the key stakeholders in this situation and what are the implications for those concerned? (400 words)
Recently I have been attracted by the potential merger of British Airways (BA) with Spanish airline Iberia and the recent judgment where the judge has granted BA an injunction to prevent a strike by the BA cabin crew.
British Airways and Spanish airline Iberia say they have reached a preliminary agreement for a merger expected to be completed in late [year]. The merger, which must be approved by the European Commission, would create the world's third biggest airline. The merger will create a strong European airline well able to compete in the 21st Century. This is will generate increased cost-efficiencies and profitability of a new merger thus making potential investment and shares more attractive. However, the merger would inevitably have repercussions on other competitors in the airline sector and competition issues will most undoubtedly arise, especially regarding the market shares of a new merger and abuse of a dominant position. For instance the prospect of the merger has already generated discontent amongst BA’s and Iberia’s competitors as Virgin Atlantic has raised concerns about the new company’s market share.
Recently, BA was granted an injunction against a planned 12-day strike by cabin crew. This means that BA will not incur any losses as a result of the planned strike and will be able to compete with other airlines without any disruption to its operation. However, the refusal to grant UNITE the union immunity from the strike raises a number of fundamental questions regarding UK’s protection of Human Rights under section 11 of the European Convention of Human Rights (ECvHR) through section 3 of the Human Rights Act 1998. The current balloting procedure is so ambiguous and restrictive that immunity from strike action is extremely difficult to obtain. The recent case of ‘Metrobus’ has confirmed this. Following a number of cases at the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) that have recognised a right to strike under section 11 of the ECvHR, UK is likely to be found in breach of the section 11 of the ECvHR which would thus have implications for the Parliament as it would have to amend the current legislation. Whereas for firms like BA it could mean that they could see less protection from the judiciary provided in terms if the number of injunctions granted.
