Mr Justice Peter Smith is set to face an investigation by the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office (JCIO) after his recent recusal from the high-profile litigation involving British Airways (BA).
Continue reading “Judicial watchdog investigates Justice Peter Smith after BA ‘lost luggage’ case”
I knew better and that only makes this worse. Recently, I needed a lawyer to review an agreement. There was some vague language that made me anxious. So I called an old friend who recommended one of the partners at his big firm. The partner gave me good advice, spotted an issue I hadn’t considered, re-drafted a couple clauses, and left me feeling reassured. The problem went away.
Continue reading “Guest post: Tales of an Unhappy Client – The Search for a Smarter Way to Bill”
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has laid out its timetable to overhaul rules for in-house lawyers in a response to the Legal Services Board’s (LSB) consultation on whether current rules are too restrictive.
Continue reading “SRA promises new in-house rules by April 2016 as LSB gathers thoughts on reform”
Following the recent blow of a nine-lawyer team walkout from Ashurst’s US offices, the Anglo-Australian firm has hired former managing director at UBS Securities Eric Bothwell to boost the firm’s New York-based collateralised loan obligation (CLO) practice.
Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) and Allen & Overy (A&O) have taken the lead roles on US private equity firm Lone Star’s £700m acquisition of Wembley Arena-owner Quintain Estates and Development.
In the latest development of the government’s ongoing push to reform the courts system, the Lord Chief Justice and the Master of the Rolls, as head of civil justice, this week asked Lord Justice Briggs to carry out an ‘urgent’ review of the structure of the civil justice courts, from the Court of Appeal to County Courts.
As the firm looks to grow its revenues in Asia-Pacific, Clifford Chance (CC) has expanded its Academy training programme with the launch of a new base in Singapore to service the region.
Continue reading “Clifford Chance looks to strengthen local ties as it opens Academy in Singapore”
Partner exits continue to mount in Trowers & Hamlins’ construction practice as City-based construction disputes partner Rob Horne moves on to join Simmons & Simmons.
Continue reading “City moves: Simmons builds construction team with Trowers’ disputes partner”
In a judgment published today (28 July) at the Senior Courts Costs Office, Addleshaw Goddard has won its case against the administrators of Boris Berezovsky estate over £12.6m in ‘hard earned’ fees.
Both Pinsent Masons and CMS Cameron McKenna have missed out on spots as nine firms were awarded places on the Scottish government’s legal services framework which is open to public sector bodies across Scotland.
Royal Mail’s general counsel (GC) Neil Harnby is due to leave his role by the end of this year, nearly two years after the postal services’ high profile and controversial initial public offering (IPO).
Continue reading “In-house: Royal Mail’s GC Harnby to leave role by end of the year”
A host of law firms have been awarded positions as Deutsche Bank’s go-to advisers with the lender having finalised its global legal panel after kicking the process off at the end of last year.
Continue reading “Raft of firms bag spots as Deutsche Bank finalises legal panel arrangements”
Cross-border teams from Sullivan & Cromwell and Latham & Watkins have landed the lead roles on the $40bn takeover of Allergan’s generic-making business by Teva that has seen the Israeli pharmaceutical powerhouse also abandon its bid for Mylan.
Continue reading “Teva’s $40bn generic-drug buy sees Latham & Watkins and Sullivan & Cromwell lead”
With the summer break fast approaching, there was a flurry in the lateral market among law firms last week as they looked to sign off key appointments. Pinsent Masons and Irwin Mitchell both turned to Charles Russell Speechlys (CRS) partners for strategic appointments while Gateley made two laterals.
Scottish firm Brodies has once again turned in a strong financial performance, reporting a double-digit growth in both revenue and profits per equity partner (PEP) in its audited accounts for the 2014/15 financial year.
Continue reading “Brodies’ rise continues with fifth year of revenue growth and profits up 14%”
As consolidation continued apace in the gambling sector following the merger of 888 Holdings and Bwin.party last week, Slaughter and May and Ashurst won key roles on Ladbrokes £2.3bn tie-up with bookmakers Gala Coral.
The Bar Council has published two reports into gender diversity at the Bar highlighting challenges facing female barristers and finding that on current trends gender parity in Queen’s Counsel (QCs) ranks will not be reached in ‘the foreseeable future’.
On the back of speedy internationalisation plans in recent months, private client firm Withers has posted an 8.7% increase in revenues to £134m from £123m for the 2014/15 financial year while Charles Russell Speechlys has recorded combined revenues of £135m in its first financials post-merger.
Jonathan Peddie, charged with handling Barclays’ raft of litigation and government investigations work in the aftermath of the financial crisis, has been hired by Baker & McKenzie in London as a partner.
Despite ongoing tensions from the profession over legal aid cuts and court reforms, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) continues to push its cost cutting agenda having yesterday (22 July) confirmed a fresh consultation on further court fee increases just months after raising certain civil court fees by 660%.
