SRA admits to A&O Weinstein probe as MPs turn up the heat on regulator for ‘cosy’ interview with City giant

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SRA admits to A&O Weinstein probe as MPs turn up the heat on regulator for ‘cosy’ interview with City giant

City heavyweight Allen & Overy (A&O) is under investigation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) for its conduct in the Weinstein saga, the regulator’s chief executive has admitted to a Parliamentary committee.

The investigation into the firm’s handling of the non-disclosure agreement (NDA), drafted by A&O employment partner Mark Mansell for Hollywood film producer Harvey Weinstein, came to light today (25 April) as the Women and Equalities committee questioned SRA boss Paul Philip during an evidence session. Continue reading “SRA admits to A&O Weinstein probe as MPs turn up the heat on regulator for ‘cosy’ interview with City giant”

‘A morally-lacking agreement on every level’ – A&O squirms as Parliamentary committee turns up pressure on NDAs

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‘A morally-lacking agreement on every level’ – A&O squirms as Parliamentary committee turns up pressure on NDAs

Some awkward headlines are inevitable for Allen & Overy (A&O) thanks to its role in the Weinstein saga after one partner was questioned before a Parliamentary committee investigating the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) in harassment cases.

Mark Mansell, the employment partner who was part of the A&O team that drafted the NDA for film producer Harvey Weinstein, was questioned today (28 March) during a hearing by the Women and Equalities Committee for its inquiry into harassment in workplaces.

Continue reading “‘A morally-lacking agreement on every level’ – A&O squirms as Parliamentary committee turns up pressure on NDAs”

Higher learning

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Higher learning

1998 seems like a lifetime ago, where e-commerce was a fantasy for ordinary people just discovering the internet. Yet 1998 was year zero for the European Union’s Data Protection Directive – the basis for legislation protecting personal data across member states today.

But over the past two decades, digitalisation has detonated a data explosion, giving rise to data mining on a level of sophistication and scale that was unthinkable at the time the directive was conceived. In keeping with the spirit of our globalised age, data, like everything else, is ‘big’ – and so are the threats.

Continue reading “Higher learning”

‘Embarrassed’ Mishcon partner ‘condemns’ Presidents Club conduct as SDT suspends assault solicitor – more to come for the profession?

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‘Embarrassed’ Mishcon partner ‘condemns’ Presidents Club conduct as SDT suspends assault solicitor – more to come for the profession?

Law may have a reputation as a relatively staid career but it was inevitable that the profession would be drawn into the widening debate about the treatment of women sparked by last year’s reports of harassment in the film industry.

Following the latest controversy to grip business, Mishcon de Reya today (25 January) issued a statement of contrition after it emerged that one of its partners attended the controversial City charity dinner at the centre of a Financial Times report alleging harassment. Continue reading “‘Embarrassed’ Mishcon partner ‘condemns’ Presidents Club conduct as SDT suspends assault solicitor – more to come for the profession?”

Former City solicitor Gauke becomes fourth Justice Secretary in two years amid latest Cabinet reshuffle

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Former City solicitor Gauke becomes fourth Justice Secretary in two years amid latest Cabinet reshuffle

In a stunning blow to traditionalists, the latest government reshuffle has seen a lawyer appointed as the UK’s new Justice Secretary, with minister David Gauke transferring from Work and Pensions to take over from David Lidington.

Lidington lasted all of six months as Lord Chancellor, having been last year drafted in to replace the gaffe-prone Elizabeth Truss before this week being transferred to the Cabinet Office. The appointment of the former City solicitor Gauke makes him the fourth Justice Secretary since Michael Gove stepped down ahead of the 2016 Brexit referendum campaign and the sixth in eight years under two Conservative-led administrations. Continue reading “Former City solicitor Gauke becomes fourth Justice Secretary in two years amid latest Cabinet reshuffle”

‘Meagre and inadequate’: Hammond’s Budget sees £600m stripped from Ministry of Justice

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While yesterday’s (22 November) lukewarm autumn Budget saw fresh cash boosts handed out to the NHS and Ministry of Defence (MoD), chancellor Phillip Hammond’s financial forecasts revealed a £600m reduction in Ministry of Justice (MoJ) spending by 2019/20.

Hammond’s plans show that the budget for the MoJ for the 2017/18 financial year stands at £6.6bn, but that figure slips to £6.2bn for 2018/19 and then £6bn for 2019/20. The £600m reduction in funding represents a 9% drop. Continue reading “‘Meagre and inadequate’: Hammond’s Budget sees £600m stripped from Ministry of Justice”

‘Selling the crown jewels’ – Gateley partners in £10m share sale

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‘Selling the crown jewels’ – Gateley partners in £10m share sale

Following Gateley’s landmark listing in 2015 where partners pocketed a combined £25m, some senior partners have taken home almost £500,000 each after a stake in the top 50 UK law firm was sold for nearly £10m in October.

Documents at the London Stock Exchange (LSE) show a sale of 6.21% of the firm’s equity due to a ‘strong demand from new institutional shareholders’.

Continue reading “‘Selling the crown jewels’ – Gateley partners in £10m share sale”

Litigators warn of impact on clients as ENRC wins right to appeal controversial privilege decision

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Litigators warn of impact on clients as ENRC wins right to appeal controversial privilege decision

Legal professional privilege (LPP) was thrown a lifeline last month, when mining giant Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC) was granted the right to appeal against a controversial order to disclose documents in a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation.

ENRC has been the subject of a long-running investigation by the SFO relating to alleged fraud, bribery and corruption. In May, the High Court ruled that certain documents prepared by ENRC in relation to the probe were not covered by LPP and therefore had to be disclosed. Continue reading “Litigators warn of impact on clients as ENRC wins right to appeal controversial privilege decision”

Nick of time – controversial judge Smith retires ending conduct investigations

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Mr Justice Peter Smith, the controversial judge at the centre of two investigations by the Judicial Conduct and Investigations Office (JCIO), has retired. The move brings to an end all investigations and was announced just before he was set to be the subject of a disciplinary panel hearing today (30 October) and tomorrow (31 October).

Smith had been the subject of an investigation launched in 2015 by the JCIO that centred on his behaviour in a trial involving British Airways (BA), where he had to recuse himself after getting into a dispute with the airline over his lost luggage. Continue reading “Nick of time – controversial judge Smith retires ending conduct investigations”

Beauty parade in the offing as Government announces launch of £650m ‘legal services marketplace’

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Beauty parade in the offing as Government announces launch of £650m ‘legal services marketplace’

Part of an ongoing and concerted effort to manage the public purse for legal advice, the Government has announced plans to set up a £650m marketplace for the public sector to procure legal services.

Central government, devolved administrations and public bodies would procure legal advice through the marketplace, according to a pre-tender notice published by the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) this week. Continue reading “Beauty parade in the offing as Government announces launch of £650m ‘legal services marketplace’”