LORD CHANCELLOR ACTED ‘UNLAWFULLY’ IN LEGAL AID CONSULTATION
Kingsley Napley and 11 KBW last month acted for the London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association and the Criminal Law Solicitors’ Association in their successful challenge against the Lord Chancellor’s failure to disclose the contents of two reports during the legal aid reforms consultation process. The Treasury Solicitor instructed Blackstone Chambers’ James Eadie QC and Fraser Campbell, and 4 New Square’s Richard O’Brien on the case.
FRESHFIELDS PICKS UP INVESTIGATION ROLE AFTER TESCO FINDS PROFIT ERROR
Tesco turned to Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Deloitte to investigate after the supermarket revealed it had overestimated profits by £250m in September. The investigation began after a whistleblower approached group general counsel (GC) Adrian Morris.
FORMER NATIONWIDE GC JOINS GUNNERCOOKE
Nationwide’s former group GC Liz Kelly has joined the expanding gunnercooke after leaving the building society at the end of the financial year. London and Manchester-based gunnercooke now comprises 60 partners.
BUCKLEYSANDLER LAUNCHES LITIGATION BOUTIQUE IN LONDON
US financial services boutique BuckleySandler launched its first international office in London in September in a move driven by globalising regulatory challenges. Partner James Parkinson is relocating from the Washington DC office to establish the branch.
STEPHENSON HARWOOD CLOSES GUANGZHOU OFFICE
Stephenson Harwood closed its Guangzhou office in September amid an ongoing review of its strategy in China. Launched in 1994, the team is now looking to establish itself as an independent PRC law firm.
HOGAN LOVELLS SWAPS PARTNERS WITH KIRKLAND & ELLIS IN ASIA
Hogan Lovells Hong Kong-based head of restructuring in Asia, partner Neil McDonald, left to join Kirkland & Ellis in September while corporate partner Steven Tran has gone the other way. McDonald is described as a leading individual in The Legal 500 and advises on all aspects of financial distress.
DLA PIPER HIRES FORMER MINTER ELLISON CHIEF TO HEAD AUSTRALIAN OUTFIT
DLA Piper has brought in John Weber to manage its Australian operations across its five office in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and Canberra. Weber was previously chief executive of Minter Ellison but left after five years in the role. He will join in November and take over from current managing partner Andrew Darwin in January 2015.
MILLS & REEVE MAKES FIRST STRATEGIC ALLIANCE
Mills & Reeve has entered into a formal strategic alliance with French Global 100 firm FIDAL, with which it has enjoyed a referral relationship since 2012. Over the last two years, more than 50 referrals have been made between the firms. The UK firm is now looking for similar arrangements in Italy, Germany and The Netherlands.