Partner agrees not to poach former clients

A LEGAL dispute between a pensions partner and her former firm was settled as it reached court last week when she gave an undertaking not to poach clients.

National firm Hammonds Suddard took action against former partner Anne Taylor after she joined the pensions department of Manchester firm Halliwell Landau.

Taylor, who worked in Hammonds' Manchester office, promised not to approach her former clients or disclose information which is confidential to the firm.

Noel Hutton, head of corporate at Hammonds, said Halli-wells had made similar undertakings. Both agreements run for the next 11 months.

Taylor was unavailable for comment, but Roger Lancaster, Halliwells senior partner, said: "Matters between Anne Taylor and Hammonds Suddard have been amicably settled, and we are happy she is with us."