22 April 1996

Flotations

Freshfields has been appointed to advise the Northern Rock Building Society which is to become a bank and is seeking a stock market float in spring 1997.

Flotations

Simmons & Simmons is acting for Railtrack in the company’s forthcoming flotation. Linklaters & Paines is representing the Department of Transport.

Flotations

Berwin Leighton advised joint sponsors UBS and Granville in connection with the flotation of FI Group. The UK-based supplier of computer services specialises in the management of application software for major companies. The Berwins team was led by corporate finance partner John Bennett

Thumbs up to nuisance ruling

Helen Sage reports Local government housing lawyers have welcomed the national publicity given to the eviction of nuisance neighbours from council accommodation in Manchester last week. Public sector housing solicitors hope the cases, in which Salford County Court ordered Manchester City Council to repossess the homes of a family and a teenage girl, will encourage […]

Litigation Disciplinary Tribunals 23/04/96

Roger Rees Keedy, 49, admitted 1979, practised as Roger Keedy & Co, Simmondley, Glossop, struck off and ordered to pay £5,071 costs. Allegations substantiated he wrongly drew and used client money, failed to maintain properly written accounts, wrongly retained money due to the Legal Aid Board, improperly retained money in breach of accounts rules. Keedy […]

In brief: Niche Midlands practices join forces

Nottingham firm Ashton Bond Gigg has merged with Alan Oliver & Co, based in nearby West Bridgford. The merged seven-partner practice, which specialises in commercial law, is known as Ashton Bond Gigg. Alan Oliver, from Alan Oliver & Co, joins the firm as a partner and will work in the litigation department. The West Bridgford […]

Irish students mount exam challenge

Students in the Republic of Ireland who want to become solicitors are rebelling against a new Law Society rule which will require them to take an entrance exam before being admitted to its courses. The case could prove a forerunner to a similar controversy in the UK, if president of the Law Society Martin Mears […]

In brief: Lyons Davidson lawyers make the grade

Bristol firm Lyons Davidson has appointed four new associates. Mark Savill, John Gore, Andrew Breckenridge, and Amanda Hibbard come from various departments within the practice and were “chosen for their outstanding commitment and achievement”. Savill completed his articles with the firm in 1992 and now specialises in licensing and commercial litigation. Gore, a chartered insurance […]

Brief

Rachel Browse, a trainee solicitor with Barnett Alexander Chart, has stormed her way through a Gladiators competition, beating her opponent by 22 points to three. Browse competed live in front of 8,000 people at Wembley arena on 14 April. “It was a great experience. I kicked arse,” she said. “It’s easy to sit on the […]

Top UK firms in partnership boom

The UK’s leading law firms are appointing large numbers of new partners reflecting a surge in business not seen since the end of 1991 Gulf War. One of the main factors driving the increase in partner numbers is the explosion of takeover activity in the City bringing in tens of millions of pounds in advisory […]

In brief: Council member demands end of SIF

A motion by veteran council member John Franks calling on the Law Society to explore the possibility of abolishing the Solicitors Indemnity Fund is to be put before this Thursday’s Law Society Council meeting. In a letter circulated to council members before the meeting, Franks argues that the Law Society should abolish the fund and […]

Blurring traditional divisions

With the division between pure banking work and commercial work becoming more blurred, barristers are gaining experience of a mixture of company, commercial, chancery and corporate litigation. And the boom in cases involving Lloyd’s has taken up a great deal of the commercial Bar’s resources as well as those of many of the courts. In […]