Despite a dearth of good juniors there are a number who stand up to scrutiny, says Linda Tsang Juniors for chancery work are inevitably centred in the traditional chancery sets as well as the straight commercial sets which are known for doing what may be called the crossover work. But as one solicitor said: “To […]
Wilde Sapte is believed to be close to tying up a merger with Arthur Andersen. If the merger goes ahead it would represent the largest single leap by any firm of accountants into the legal market. Although Wilde Sapte was denying a merger when The Lawyer went to press, speculation was mounting in the City […]
As the SIF shortfall reaches new depths, Emile Woolf asks what lawyers can learn from the experience of accountants. Emile Woolf is chairman of the personal injury requirements committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales and head of litigation and insurance services at Kingston Smith, chartered accountants. All the major professions […]
Westminster general practice Radcliffes is planning to bolster its corporate finance market as part of strategic shake-up designed to raise its profile. Lateral hires, or even the enticement of an entire corporate finance unit to the firm, are part of the new strategy, being spearheaded by partner Richard Price, who has taken up the new […]
TWO partners at a North Kent firm stand accused of systematically stealing more than £925,000-worth of client money over a four-year period. Partners Geoffrey Hufton, a former deputy North Kent coroner, and Robert Hammond, both partners at Tonbridge firm Skingley & Co, pleaded not guilty at Knightsbridge Crown Court last week to the thefts. Hufton […]
A TEAM of three immigration barristers upped stumps and left their chambers for another set on the day they were offered new tenancies. The three Victoria Quinn, Matthew Sowerby and Sam Themis moved to Verulam Chambers, headed by Michael Edwards QC, from Field Court Chambers earlier this month. At Verulam Chambers, a general commercial and […]
The decision against the Evening Standard’s spoof, “Alan Clark’s Diary” is not a blow to humour and free speech, says Clark’s solicitor, Sinead Martin. Sinead Martin is a solicitor at Denton Hall. In an important case for all authors and publishers, author and diarist Alan Clark MP, obtained an injunction against Associated Newspapers, the publishers […]
The landmark Court of Appeal tobacco judgment marks a “watershed” for freedom of speech, as well as paving the way for a multi-party action against two tobacco companies, say lawyers. In Thursday’s judgment, the Master of the Rolls Lord Woolf, Lord Justice Aldous and Lord Justice Chadwick ruled conditional fee agreements could not amount to […]
Shoosmiths & Harrison has broken new legal ground by joining with Barclays Mortgages to pilot a new conveyancing service for home buyers. For months, title insurers and solicitors’ organisations such as Solicitors Property Centres have been trying to get lending institutions to enter joint ventures. But Shoosmiths appears to have beaten them by being the […]
Four out of five female law students believe that they will face discrimination on joining the legal profession, according to the results of a survey conducted by the group Young Women Lawyers. The survey, carried out at last November’s Graduate Law Fair, has uncovered widespread fears among female would-be lawyers. The group questioned 240 delegates […]
US firm LeBoeuf Lamb Greene & MacRae is working on plans to open an office in Brazil. James Johnson, head of the firm’s London office, said: “It’s very early days. We haven’t opened an office nor are we at the point of opening.” But he added that Brazil was one of a number of locations […]
The Association of Women Barristers is considering challenging the way the Attorney General, John Morris QC, appoints Treasury Counsel in the courts. Such a move would echo solicitor Jane Coker’s sex discrimination claim against the Lord Chancellor’s Department over Lord Irvine’s appointment of Garry Hart as an adviser.