The Commercial Litigation Summit 2017
Disputes eye: How the talent flow demonstrates the Bar’s strength
Speaking to Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer disputes veteran Jon Lawrence this summer on his decision to join Brick Court Chambers, he said he was not ready for the golf course just yet.
But there has been a wave of Freshfields heavyweights of Lawrence’s vintage who have made a similar move, notably former managing partner Ian Terry, who went to One Essex Court and Raj Parker, who went to Matrix Chambers in 2016. Continue reading “Disputes eye: How the talent flow demonstrates the Bar’s strength”
Under the sword
Tom Baker assesses attempts to revive the flagging Serious Fraud Agency amid a fractious political debate
It is fair to say that David Green QC took over the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) in 2012 at what was, even for the frequently beleaguered agency, a low ebb. The good news is the consensus among hardened white-collar crime specialists is that the veteran silk has had considerable success turning around a body derided as toothless and operationally slack. The bad news is that the biggest remaining sceptic of the SFO happens to be the prime minister, with Theresa May having gone into this year’s general election with the pledge to disband the agency, rolling it into her own creation, the National Crime Agency (NCA). Continue reading “Under the sword”
The cutting edge
During Apple’s earnings conference call in May, chief executive Tim Cook discussed the company’s long-running and bitter dispute with Qualcomm, a company that manufactures internal components for the iPhone.
‘Qualcomm is trying to charge Apple a percentage of the total iPhone value. They do some great work around standard-essential patents, but Qualcomm’s component is only one small part of the iPhone. We don’t think that’s right, so we’re taking a principled stand on it and we strongly believe we’re in the right. I am sure they think they’re in the right, and that’s what courts are for.’
Continue reading “The cutting edge”
Shorter trial scheme undergoes first full test as court allows BP appeal in $70m claim
The first case brought to trial under the London courts’ ongoing shorter trial pilot scheme has concluded on 27 July, when the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of BP in a $70m breach of warranty and misrepresentation dispute.
The High Court started the pilot scheme for shorter trials in September 2015, for cases in the commercial, technology and construction courts, the chancery division and the mercantile courts, all located in London’s Rolls Building. Continue reading “Shorter trial scheme undergoes first full test as court allows BP appeal in $70m claim”
Quinn Emanuel breaks tradition as merger talks with DC disputes leader Williams & Connolly begin
US litigation powerhouse Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan has entered into merger discussions with Washington DC disputes shop Williams & Connolly, Legal Business can reveal.
Negotiations between the two began in the past month. The tie-up would mark Quinn’s first full-scale merger with the aim of complementing its existing white-collar and product liability practices, as well as its general contentious coverage in the DC area. Continue reading “Quinn Emanuel breaks tradition as merger talks with DC disputes leader Williams & Connolly begin”
UK’s top court gains first female president as progressive’s darling Hale to lead the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has gained its first female head with Lady Hale today (21 July) confirmed as its new president alongside three new appointments to the UK’s top court.
The appointment, replacing the outgoing Lord Neuberger, will be welcomed by diversity campaigners and the profession’s liberal wing with the outspoken Hale often regarded as the court’s most progressive judge. Continue reading “UK’s top court gains first female president as progressive’s darling Hale to lead the Supreme Court”
‘GCs are becoming much more discerning’: CPS special crime head Vamos to join Peters & Peters
Disputes and business crime boutique Peters & Peters has today (19 July) announced that the former head of special crime at the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Nick Vamos, will become a partner at the firm.
Vamos, a qualified barrister, will join the firm as a partner on 4 September. He has significant criminal law experience, specialising in international criminal investigations, corporate manslaughter cases and political and police corruption. Continue reading “‘GCs are becoming much more discerning’: CPS special crime head Vamos to join Peters & Peters”
Ashurst loses second Paris team this year as four partners quit for Gibson Dunn
In a second blow to Ashurst’s Paris office this year, the firm last month lost a four-partner team to Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, led by litigation and restructuring partner Jean-Pierre Farges.
Tasked with launching a new French litigation and finance practice at the US firm in Paris, Farges is joined by fellow disputes partners Pierre-Emmanuel Fender and Eric Bouffard, corporate partner Bertrand Delaunay and finance counsel Amanda Bevan, who will be made up to partner in the move.
Continue reading “Ashurst loses second Paris team this year as four partners quit for Gibson Dunn”