Former Balfour Beatty general counsel Jonathan Lagan has landed in the top legal role at Aldermore Bank. Lagan joins the FTSE 250 bank after a short spell at the construction giant. At Aldermore, Lagan will be responsible for all legal issues and risk including leading the legal and company secretarial teams, and will work with […]
Sainsbury’s is kickstarting a review of its £10m-a-year legal panel and is likely to axe the number of external firms it uses. “We’ve got an insanely competitive retail market at the moment and a lot of retailers are under a lot of pressure – and we’re no different,” said legal services director Nick Grant. “It’s […]
“The coronavirus is a Black Swan event that pressure-tests everything,” says Sainsbury’s legal services director Nick Grant. “It’s been a pretty intensive two weeks.” The week before lockdown, Sainsbury’s and the rest of the supermarket sector provided the backdrop to a social-behaviour test case as thousands of customers stockpiled essential items, disrupting everyday logistics and […]
The former general counsel of retailer Superdry had landed a new role at betting company William Hill. Simon Callander, who had been at Superdry for just over two years and departed the company in early 2020, started at William Hill on the 16 March. Upon his departure from Superdry, Ruth Daniels joined the retailer as […]
World Athletics, the international governing body for the sport, is seeking a new general counsel. The role will be based in Monaco, where World Athletics (WA) has staff of over 90, representing 21 nationalities. Lord Sebastian Coe, a former track and field athlete, was reelected as its president last year, having first taken on the mantle […]
Addleshaw Goddard has signed up to an O-shaped lawyer pilot, aimed at instilling the next generation of lawyers with skills that go beyond legal. Director of AG Consulting Greg Bott is running the six-month O-shaped lawyer pilot alongside Network Rail general counsel Dan Kayne, who conceived the initiative in early 2019 and has since invited […]
As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to evolve, Cyprus authorities adopted different measures in order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) and to strengthen the economy. The measures affected, among others banking and other institutions active in the banking sector.
The profound impact of the measures being taken across the globe to contain the spread of the Coronavirus COVID-19 is creating a number of issues for companies. The Luxembourg Government declared a state of emergency on 18 March 2020 for a period of three months in accordance with article 32, paragraph 4, of the Constitution […]
This article is part of the Prison law during the coronavirus pandemic series. Rule 20(1) of the Prison Rules 1999 provides that: ‘The governor must work in partnership with local health care providers to secure the provision to prisoners of access to the same quality and range of services as the general public receives from […]
Law no. 19/2020 on granting days off to parents for monitoring their children in case of the temporary closure of schools (“Law no. 19/2020”) provides that one of the parents is entitled to days off from work in the event that schools are closed due to: a) unfavourable meteorological conditions or b) other extreme situations, […]
General Communiqué No. 518 on the Tax Procedure Law (Law No. 213) (“Communiqué”) was published in the Official Gazette on March 24, 2020 with number 31078 (Reiterated). In the Communiqué, a statement was made regarding the taxpayers who were directly affected by the CoronaVirus outbreak (COVID-19). The Communiqué presents a number of new measures taken […]
The rapid global spread of COVID-19 has unprecedentedly affected international travel and mobility. In an effort to curb the proliferation of the virus, the U.S. President has issued Presidential Proclamations implementing travel bans.
As of 1 April, 2020 the Bermuda Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) will no longer issue hardcopies of any BCAA Certificates, Approvals or other documents it issues with a hand-written signature or an embossed ink stamp.
The COVID-19 pandemic will likely continue for some time. To help your business adjust to these uncertain times, each day this week we are posting on what to keep in mind concerning your business’s commercial contracts.
The Cayman Islands Government’s total lockdown of the Islands and its earlier order shutting down bars and restaurants (save for takeaway or delivery), shops selling non-essential goods, gyms, spas and the cinema will have a profound impact for many local businesses. Whilst the UK and other governments are currently reviewing emergency legislation to deal with […]
This overview of the impact of the coronavirus on submissions, deadlines and meetings with competition authorities in CEE will be regularly updated…
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) says that it stands ready to take any steps necessary to ensure customers are protected and markets continue to function well. It has published a range of information for firms dealing with the fallout from the coronavirus crisis. See the main webpage for links to additional resources, including FCA information […]
On 28 March, the UK Government announced a series of new measures to ease the unprecedented strain which coronavirus is placing on businesses across the country. Part of the package announced is that the wrongful trading provisions of the Insolvency Act 1986 will be suspended retrospectively from 1 March 2020. The Government has said that […]
Alexis Alexander always wanted to be in a general counsel role, even though she did not know it when she began her legal career at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. Her two secondments while at the magic circle firm helped her realise that being part of the in-house team at a company was where she’d be able […]
Vodafone’s head of litigation Alex Woods discusses cost-cutting, keeping panel firms in check and opportunities to raise revenue
The FSCS’s James Darbyshire uses his panel to secure value-for-money solutions for those wronged by financial institutions
Mobile operator O2 (Telefónica UK) announced its plans for an Open Radio Access Network (OpenRAN) in January, working towards greater standardisation in the functionality of mobile networks for the telecom giant. While the wider team focuses on the launch of O2’s OpenRAN network, its litigation arm – led by Sophie Service – will be focused […]
In a moment of frustration, Katherine Bellau decided she would be part of transforming the culture at Moneysupermarket Group.
These are uncertain times at Electricity North West, but GC Richard Somerville is on familiar territory
U and I Group (U+I) has completed its latest panel, sticking with five City firms after a new relationship-based review process. Hogan Lovells, CMS, Clyde & Co, Gowling WLG and Osborne Clarke have all retained their places on the FTSE 250 property regeneration group’s panel. U+I completed its first legal panel in 2017 following its […]
UK challenger bank OakNorth has set out its list of preferred advisers, including Jones Day, Reed Smith and Stephenson Harwood. The effort has identified ten firms that will regularly assist the startup with its growth trajectory and expansion projects. They include: Reed Smith; Addleshaw Goddard; Clyde & Co; Stephenson Harwood; Jones Day; Gunnercooke; Forsters; Simons […]
Ladbrokes Coral owner GVC Holdings has put in place its first legal panel including Addleshaw Goddard, Mishcon de Reya and Slaughter and May among 11 firms. The panel, which went live in March, also features magic circle firms Clifford Chance and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Addleshaw Goddard, Charles Russell Speechlys, Clyde & Co, Gowling WLG, Reed […]
Electrical retailer Dixons Carphone has appointed 14 firms to its panel, bringing on board four new ones to its roster. Bristows, DWF, RPC and Carson MacDowell are the four new firms that join the likes of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Addleshaw Goddard and DLA Piper after a tender process that started in November. The other firms […]
Osborne Clarke has lost its place on Scottish and Southern Energy’s (SSE) renewed panel, as five new firms have been added to the provider’s roster of legal advisers. Addleshaw Goddard, CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Gillespie Macandrew are the firms that have kept their place on the panel, while the new firms that have […]
Ocado has concluded a review of its main legal advisers, with firms including DWF and Slaughter and May making it onto the retailer’s roster. The review comes as the online retail company has decided not to appoint a formal panel. At the same time, the effort follows the striking, in February 2019, of a £750m-worth […]
Eleven GCs and legal counsel take part in a roundtable to discuss the future of the retail industry and how best to support businesses as they deal with the changing landscape
Ten GCs and legal counsel at a roundtable hosted by The Lawyer and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner discuss technology, alternative providers and what the future holds for in-house teams
Fourteen GCs and senior counsel at a roundtable hosted by The Lawyer and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner discuss how the latest trends create challenges and opportunities for firms
How can you reshape an in-house team in the image you want it to be? This was just one of the issues up for debate at The Lawyer’s latest roundtable with BCLP.
At a dinner in the shadow of London’s Tower Bridge, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner (BCLP) hosted a group of legal heads to discuss the topic of reinventing themselves and their teams in a technology-driven world. Responses were varied and the attendees came from enormously diverse business models, though the prevailing mood was one of necessary and […]
Connected, flexible and with an encouraging collaborative working feel, Osborne Clarke’s refurbished offices are already improving productivity.
Royal London general counsel Fergus Speight tasked his team with hanging the legal function operating model. Solicitor Peter McCusker led the way, and collaborated with procurement to reboot relationships with external firms
After joining insurance provider Simplyhealth in 2016, Jon Jansen-Alder, its general counsel and company secretary, embarked on a programme of transformation to align the legal team with the needs of the business
Southern Housing Group is one of the oldest and largest housing associations in the country. This case study examines how its legal team tackled a series of claims and established smooth and collaborative working
In-house lawyers at one infrastructure services company have responded to a new telecoms code by establishing direct relationships with barristers.
With a big-ticket office move potentially on the horizon, Baker McKenzie was keen to trial new ways of working
I. PAID LEAVE APPLICATIONS DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS The employer may give the employees paid leave in the event of compulsory reasons. Since the annual paid leave is considered within the employer’s right to management according to the provisions of the Labor Code, the approval of the employee is not a necessity. According to the […]
On March 16, 2020, Ontario’s provincial government announced that it will draft legislation that will protect workers and their families during the global COVID-19 outbreak. The proposed legislation would provide job protection for employees unable to work for a number of reasons. These reasons are as follows: The employee is under medical investigation, supervision or […]
The Government of Jersey has introduced a series of measures to help provide much-needed support to Island businesses during this challenging period. These include: £50 million in a new Jersey Disruption Loan Guarantee Scheme, to provide Government guaranteed bank lending and overdrafts to businesses; A Special Situations Fund to support larger businesses; Consideration to be […]
By Mark J. Forte At this time of great uncertainty, we hope it is useful to offer you an update on the operation of the BVI litigation market. The BVI Commercial Court has introduced proactive measures to ensure minimal interruption to its operations, whilst ensuring public health is not jeopardized. BVI has therefore moved to […]
Companies must find a delicate balance between prevention, the obligation to protect the health of their employees and the need to keep their business running.
The spread of COVID-19 and social distancing are nudging many employers to transition to full or close-to-full remote workforces at lightening speed. Technology is a necessary connector, especially in these times, and there are issues for organizations to consider for their tech contracts.
Commercial Dispute Resolution specialist, Senior Associate Kathryn Vickers, reports on Athena v Superdrug [1], the latest case to highlight the risks of doing business informally over e-mail, and offers good practice advice for businesses.
On top of the multiple challenges hitting retail and leisure landlords and occupiers arising from COVID-19, the news that Intu has had to write down the value of its shopping centre portfolio by nearly £2 billion came as further bad news. Intu owns multiple high-profile retail and leisure locations across the UK (including The Trafford […]
By James Lo In the office, you probably have all the technology you need at your fingertips. Now you’re out of the office, you might not be aware of the range of tools already available to help you get work done. So, we’ve come up with some top tips for how you can use HighQ […]
Practical advice from experts on what businesses need to know.
According to the European Foreign Trade and Payments Regulation, the European Commission can make the export of a product dependent on the submission of an export license in order to prevent or counteract a crisis situation due to a lack of essential goods. In the context of the corona crisis, a similar measure was adopted […]
By Andy Silverman As your contract portfolio grows, it can become more and more difficult to keep up with contract deadlines, understand which contracts are adding unnecessary risk to your business, or even know where all of your agreements are located. IBM suggests that Fortune 1000 companies manage an average of 20k to 40k contracts at […]
The COVID-19 pandemic will likely continue for some time. To help your business adjust to these uncertain times, each day this week we are posting on what to keep in mind concerning your business’s commercial contracts.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented pressures on cashflow for the business community and global stock markets have suffered significant falls over the last few days. Against this backdrop pension schemes (whether defined benefit or defined contribution) face their own challenges.
On Monday, we published an article setting out basic details of the new Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (the “Scheme”) announced by the Government on 20 March, under which businesses have been promised grants to cover the costs of 80% of salary (up to a maximum of £2,500 per person per month) for “furloughed workers” who are kept […]
The rapid spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) throughout the world and the impact of administrative measures to contain it represent a growing challenge for the management of companies. On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the existence of a pandemic. The main focus now is to guarantee the safety of workers and employees. However, […]