Blogs Archives

Tension and infighting as barristers resign from BSB panel over quality assurance scheme

Tensions surrounding the regulation of the various limbs of the legal profession are at an all-time high as this week…

Trial begins in the SFO’s first prosecution under the UK Bribery Act

The Serious Fraud Office’s (SFO’s) long-awaited first prosecution under the UK Bribery Act began yesterday (23 September), as four men from…

Herbert Smith Freehills to have a new CEO next year as Bell and Willis step down

David Stevenson

David Willis and Gavin Bell, joint chief executive officers at Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF), have announced today (24 September) that…

Surprise and strong words as a nine-partner Hogan Lovells team quits for MoFo’s German launch

Sarah Downey

While Hogan Lovells has had its integration challenges since the three-year Anglo/American union that created it, the firm’s well-regarded German practice…

Texan draw: Dentons opens in Houston as shale gas draws players in

Legal Business

Partly thanks to the shale gas energy phenomenon Texas has become one of the most attractive markets in the US…

The Bar: Littleton Chambers QC heads to Kobre & Kim as Ince & Co partner joins Stone Chambers

Sarah Downey

The increased fluidity between the various limbs of the legal profession has been in evidence over the past few days…

SJ Berwin to collect on unpaid legal fees from Qatari sheikh

David Stevenson

Middle-Eastern high-net-worth individuals are probably the last clients you would expect to be forced to chase for money but SJ…

Ashurst gears up for new chairman election as Oz merger vote is brought forward

Jaishree Kalia

As Ashurst nears a crucial vote on full integration with Australian partner Blake Dawson – now known as Ashurst Australia…

Legal aid cuts blamed by Tooks Chambers as set announces its dissolution

Sarah Downey

Leading civil liberties and human rights set Tooks Chambers has announced today (23 Sept) that it is to wind up its…

Moving in-house: Broker AKJ brings in former LSE-lawyer as first general counsel

Legal Business

The trend of companies increasingly enhancing their teams to include sophisticated and growing in-house legal departments shows little sign of…

Further PI shake up appears imminent as Pannone votes on Slater & Gordon part acquisition

David Stevenson

Acquisitive Slater & Gordon looks set to acquire the personal injury practice of Manchester-based Pannone as sources close to the…

SRA reviews firm finances amid ‘perfect storm’ while KPMG reveals cost of Cobbetts collapse

Sarah Downey

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has begun an evaluation of financial data gathered from 2,000 law firms after warning earlier…

Outsourcing giant Capita unveils plans to enter legal market as first ABS posts healthy financial results

Sarah Downey

Outsourcing giant Capita is to re-enter the UK legal market, having reached a conditional agreement to acquire Optima Legal Services,…

Sorry the hardest word as Bar Council apologises for getting its sums wrong

Jaishree Kalia

In an embarrassing setback The Bar Council has apologised for incorrect figures submitted to the Ministry of Justice in support…

Close to the wire: Freshfields and Herbert Smith settle £142m London Underground negligence claim

Legal Business

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Herbert Smith Freehills have reached an eleventh hour settlement of the £142m professional negligence claim brought…

Asia-Pacific: DLA moves to strengthen Australia offering with double corporate partner hire

Legal Business

DLA Piper has considerably strengthened its corporate practice in Australia with the appointment of two partners from leading local firms,…

Barclays £5.8bn rights issue sees Clifford Chance, Sullivan & Cromwell and Freshfields in the lead

Legal Business

Barclays has begun the biggest capital raising by a UK bank since 2009 under which Clifford Chance (CC), Sullivan & Cromwell and Freshfields…

Recruitment drive for Cadwalader in London reaps double Mayer Brown hire

Jaishree Kalia

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft’s efforts to rebuild its London finance team were today rewarded with the hire of two leading Mayer Brown…

European tax boost for Shearman as it becomes BFs with Tremonti

Legal Business

Shearman & Sterling has boosted it European tax offering by entering into a ‘best friends’ cooperation agreement with tier one Italian…

No such thing as a free lunch – first judgment clarifies termination of third party litigation fund

Caroline Hill

Third party litigation funders look set to adopt a similar position to insurers in driving the litigation agenda after a…