Childs set to take the reins at CC

Clifford Chance chief operating officer David Childs is set to be crowned managing partner of the world's biggest law firm after five other nominated candidates declined to stand against him last week.

Paris managing partner Yves Wehrli, the only other serious contender for the post, emailed partners on 2 February indicating his decision not to stand.

The candidates were nominated by other partners in secret. Only if the leading three names had decided to stand would their names be revealed to the partnership for a full election.

In an email sent to the partnership last Thursday (2 February), Childs said: "I would like to extend my personal thanks to all partners who nominated me. I'm conscious of the fact that I'm the only candidate to the post… [which] will not please all partners, because some of you wanted to see more than one name on the ballot paper."

Childs will now spend two weeks meeting partners for Q&A sessions, after which a formal vote will be taken.