The controversial action by Deacons against White & Case and two of its former partners finally started in the Hong Kong High Court last Wednesday (6 August).
As revealed by The Lawyer (8 July 2002), White & Case became embroiled in the battle after it poached a highly-rated insolvency team from Deacons’ Hong Kong office. Deacons alleges that the US firm’s approach to the four partners breached a confidentiality and non-solicitation clause from a 1999 merger agreement between the firms.
White & Case is vigorously defending the action.
Deacons also claims that former partners Mark Fairburn and Edward Cairns breached their fiduciary duties.
The case was due to start on 2 June, but was delayed after White & Case unsuccessfully claimed bias against the original judge, who had revealed a connection with a Deacons partner 10 years ago (The Lawyer, 14 July).
As The Lawyer was going to press, Deacons chief information officer was being cross-examined. The trial continues.
Dickson Minto to open books with shock LLP
Highly secretive private equity boutique Dickson Minto is set to become a limited-liability partnership (LLP) in a move that will surprise many City lawyers because of the financial transparency required for the conversion.In order to satisfy regulatory requirements, the firm will first be split into two parallel partnerships in England and Scotland.The details have yet […]