The controversial IPO of Russian state oil giant Rosneft faces its toughest legal challenge on Monday when an interim injunction application brought by Yukos will be heard. A High Court directions hearing today before Mr Justice Charles was adjourned to Monday, where Yukos will seek permission to delay Rosneft’s IPO while it brings a suit […]
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman is to close its Century City office, consolidating its Los Angeles operations into its downtown office. The firm will house all 90 LA lawyers into its downtown office by the end of July, in a move that bucks recent trends in the city. Century City is seen as a crucial location […]
Former Law Lord Lord Steyn will be the new chairman of the Takeover Panel’s appeal board when the current incumbent Sir Andrew Leggatt steps down in October. Steyn’s appointment was announced by Lord Justice Clarke, the Master of the Rolls, yesterday (13 July). Leggatt has held the position for five years. Steyn retired from 10 […]
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer’s Munich office has suffered another departure with the loss of tax partner Stephan Salzmann to boutique firm Mohren & Partner. Salzmann started at Mohren & Partner earlier this month, according to German website JUVE. He specialises in advising families on the organisation of their business interests. He was also part of the […]
Howard Kennedy and Brick Court Chambers’ silk Andrew Lydiard have won the negligence case brought against them by a Portuguese businessman. Antonio Anibale Andrade Baptista Lopes withdrew his claim of $77m (£41.7m) in the High Court this morning (13 July) and agreed to pay both Howard Kennedy and Lydiard costs on an indemnity basis. Lydiard […]
In an unprecedented move the Court of First Instance has overturned the European Commission’s decision to clear the merger between Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) and Sony Music. The surprise decision, which was announced this morning (13 July), is the first time a merger clearance by the Commission has been reversed by the Court of First […]
Lord Carter of Coles has predicted massive consolidation for law firms and “the end of the £1m-a-year criminal defence barrister” in his report on legal aid procurement, unveiled this morning (13 July). Speaking at a press conference to announce the report, Carter said its recommendations would reform the legal aid market and save £100m a […]
Newcastle-based firm Dickinson Dees has made up five lawyers to the partnership, its highest number of promotions in four years. Last year the firm made up two partners and brought in two laterals. In 2004-05 Dickinson Dees promoted four, while in 2003-04 the firm made up two partners. The latest round of promotions brings the […]
McGrigors is making a rare hire from the bar as 18 Red Lion Court silk Jonathan Fisher joins the firm’s tax litigation and regulatory team. Fisher will start work at McGrigors in September, initially as an employed barrister but later as a partner when he requalifies as a solicitor. He will advise on business crime […]
Birmingham set Three Fountain Court has collapsed, leaving nearly 50 barristers without chambers. Rent increases and stalling fee revenue led to a financial crisis for Three Fountain Court. The set specialises in criminal and family matters, deriving much of its fees from Legal Aid. Stephen Linehan, head of chambers at Three Fountain Court, said in […]
Hammonds has ousted DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary from its role as supermarket giant Tesco’s main employment law adviser. The firm’s Leeds employment head, Mark Shrives, led a national team of lawyers bidding for the work against DLA Piper and a number of other firms. Shrives described the appointment as “extremely exciting”, adding: “We were […]
Microsoft general counsel Brad Smith has stated his intention to appeal the European Commission’s €280m antitrust fine, and called for more clarity from the Commission. Microsoft believes that it has complied with the EC’s requirements and has been left in the dark about how it can comply. Smith told assembled journalists at a news conference: […]