Circular deluxe
Will Luxembourg become a European hub for Islamic finance? Chokri Bouzidi says new, clearer definitions will help
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Gateway to Africa
Politically stable, geographically well-positioned and with a robust legal system, Mauritius is the ideal stepping stone for African investment, say Craig Fulton and Anthony Whaley
UK financial climate triggers hedge fund advisory practice to launch in Switzerland
A London law firm that specialises in advising hedge funds has opened an office in Zurich amid the growing hostility from the City’s financial services sector towards UK tax rates.
Hogan-Lovells tie-up okayed by Poland
Hogan & Hartson and Lovells have passed a final regulatory hurdle in their bid to merge.
Ashurst targets India via Asia base
Ashurst’s India group head has said the firm is looking to Asia to promote its Indian presence after a ruling in the Bombay High Court effectively forced it to shut its New Delhi liaison office.
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Fasken signs White & Case South Africa mining head
White & Case has been left without a head for its metals and mining practice following the departure of Johannesburg executive partner Tanneke Heersche, who has joined Fasken Martineau as a partner.
Tulkinghorn: Snow mobile
There are many ways of trying to get rid of a legal hack. There’s the run-of-the-mill “I’m just going into a meeting”, which obviously can have a stalling effect, or the “I’m in the middle of lunch with an important client” delaying tactic.
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Magic circle firms’ prestige under threat as salaries at US rivals reach record levels
The magic circle may no longer be the obvious choice for the UK’s top students after a survey highlighted the massive earning potential for junior lawyers at US firms.
Super prime time
The economic downturn has provided opportunities for foreign investors to buy into the UK property market using offshore vehicles, say Mark Summers and Philip Beckerlegge
TLC for TCBs
After a tough few years for Jersey’s trust company businesses, the courts have adopted a softer approach for when a company is in trouble.
Isle of Man management
Amid accusations of supporting an unacceptably predatory tax system, the Isle of Man should be left to its own devices, argues Nick Verardi
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Trusts worthy
Questions over the fairness of trusts speak volumes about critics’ misreading of the difference between ’privacy’ and ’secrecy’. By David Harvey