It is not often that in-house lawyers summon their external advisers to an evening of Afrobeat, but Associated Newspapers group legal director Harvey Kass did precisely that earlier this month. An evening out at the National Theatre’s production of Fela!, preceded by a backstage tour, was a social highlight of an unusual two-day conference dreamt […]
In the age of austerity the Government has set out an agenda based on localism for the real estate and planning sectors. By Simon Ricketts and Matthew Mainstone On 20 October Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne presented the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), the primary aim of which is to reduce the UK budget […]
Blighted Bulgaria is freeing up its bar rules for international firms, while the government has promised to clamp down on corruption. James Swift looks at whether things really are looking up International firms have come not to expect a warm welcome when they open offices in Central and Eastern Europe. Local bar associations in the […]
MTV Networks International general counsel Roger James has the dream job for a lifelong music lover. There are not many jobs where you can combine a love of music with a career in law, and Roger James has arguably the most coveted – senior vice-president and general counsel at MTV Networks International (MTVNI). It is […]
The Law Society’s relevance has never been under more scrutiny while what many perceive as its rival, the SRA, is setting out its stall for regulatory dominance. Who holds the whip hand? Two Thames cruise boats plied their way from Central London eastwards to the Docklands on a crisp morning at the beginning of […]
Banking star in shock return to previous site of thwarted partner ambitions. By Gavriel Hollander They say you should never go back, but Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer banking partner Chris Howard’s unexpected move back to his old stamping ground of Linklaters is proof that perhaps ’they’ are not always right. Last week’s news sent shockwaves through […]
Debevoise & Plimpton and Olswang have secured the key mandates on the sale of BBC Worldwide’s 50 per cent interest in its global TV joint venture (JV), incorporating the channels Animal Planet and Liv, to Discovery Communications. The transaction comes alongside a co-production arrangement between the broadcasters. The relationship has produced series such as Life, […]
Pinsent Masons has advised longstanding client Halfords on the refinancing of its £300m credit facility. Pinsent Masons has advised longstanding client Halfords on the refinancing of its £300m credit facility. London banking and finance partner Martin Bishop advised the automotive, leisure and cycling retailer, with assistance from senior associate Suggen Dosanjh. Investec provided debt advisory services to Halfords. Financing was provided […]
Ashurst has landed its first buyout mandate for new client Nordic Capital since being appointed to the private equity house’s panel earlier this year. Latham & Watkins and Travers Smith were the other firms involved on the £450m acquisition of Britax Childcare from Carlyle Group. Ashurst global corporate chief Stephen Lloyd led an Anglo-German team […]
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has instructed Allen & Overy (A&O) to intervene in a bid to overturn a Court of Appeal (CoA) ruling that found the selection process for appointing arbitrators in commercial disputes breached UK equality laws. In June the CoA handed down its ruling in the Jivraj v Hashwani dispute, ruling […]
Wall Street titan Davis Polk & Wardwell ruffled a few British feathers last week when it launched a twin raid on the magic circle and the cream of the UK’s student talent. In both moves the blue-blood firm confirmed its liking not only for Hong Kong, but also for Anglo-Saxon institutions. First, the news broke […]
Burford staying local, but as Matt Byrne reports, London might not be a million miles away Last week a company that describes itself as “the world’s largest dispute financier” raised $175m (£110m) on AIM. The placing of 100 million shares at 110p per share by Burford Capital follows the company’s October 2009 IPO on the […]