Next week's news
The Queens Speech. Queen Elizabeth, whose family have had a few legal problems of their own in the past few years, will outline the Governments plans for the legal profession. Lawyers can expect a annus horribilis.
Judge attacks 'unnecessary' over-use of expert witnesses
A top judge has lashed out at the increasing practice of pushing the cost of court action by calling experts in to give unnecessary evidence. The attack came from Mr Justice Dyson, head of the High Court’s Technology and Construction Court, which deals with contract disputes – primarily from the building and construction industry. At […]
In brief: Ex-Vallance Lickfold partners fined £5,000
Three partners at London firm Vallance Lickfold have been found guilty of using client money and failing to pay counsel fees by a Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal in London. Andrew Cameron, now a solicitor at London’s Swepstone Walsh, and Alan Herd and Neil MacDonald were fined u5,000 and ordered to pay costs of u9,609.
UK firms in Singapore shift tactic to weather Asian crisis
UK City firms in Singapore are adopting divergent strategies in response to the Asian downturn which continues to eat into profits. Linklaters is trying to sub-let half of its office space at 9 Raffles Place, after a reassessment of its boom-time expansion plans. Meanwhile City rivals Freshfields and Lovell White Durrant are expanding. Tony Grundy, […]
Police probe City firms' links to organised crime
Gowling advises Cairngorm Capital on acquisition of MJ Wilson Group
International law firm Gowling WLG has advised client Cairngorm Capital Partners LLP (Cairngorm Capital) on the acquisition of M J Wilson Group Limited (MJ Wilson), the leading independent UK distributor of process instrumentation and control products. The transaction was led by Corporate, Finance and Tax partner Ian Piggin, Jade MacDonald and Stephen Bowman with support […]
Tikit enhances UK sales team
To deal with growing client demand Tikit expands its sales team with the appointment of former IT Lab employee Craig Dootson. Craig has vast experience of the IT industry having worked across multiple areas including licensing, thin client technology, cloud hosting and Office 365.
Cedarlake acquires majority share of BMF
Cedarlake Private Equity Fund I, advised by Rantum Capital, has acquired from Argos Soditic Funds the majority of BMF Group AG, the world’s third-largest ropeway manufacturer with more than 320 employees in Switzerland. Vischer advised Cedarlake and Rantum. The team led by partner Dr. Robert Bernet comprised Dr. Peter Kühn, Sebastian Flückiger, Ruben Masar, Aron […]
Pensions in 30 Podcasts, episode 27: Termination of employment and pension losses
By Ian Chapman-Curry Key Points Calculating pension loss can be complex, especially where the employee was in a defined benefit pension scheme. The Employment Tribunal service published a 2003 guidance note which suggested two methods for approximating pension loss without the need for actuarial advice, but this guidance has now been withdrawn. During April and […]
Ogier in Luxembourg advises Echo Energy on £20m bond issue
Ogier has provided Luxembourg advice to Echo Energy plc (Echo Energy) on the raising of £20m through an issue of bonds listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange Euro MTF Market. Echo Energy plc is a London listed Latin American focused mid-cap oil and gas company pursuing a high value piped onshore gas strategy across South […]
Next week's news
The Queens Speech. Queen Elizabeth, whose family have had a few legal problems of their own in the past few years, will outline the Governments plans for the legal profession. Lawyers can expect a annus horribilis.
Judge attacks 'unnecessary' over-use of expert witnesses
A top judge has lashed out at the increasing practice of pushing the cost of court action by calling experts in to give unnecessary evidence. The attack came from Mr Justice Dyson, head of the High Court’s Technology and Construction Court, which deals with contract disputes – primarily from the building and construction industry. At […]
In brief: Ex-Vallance Lickfold partners fined £5,000
Three partners at London firm Vallance Lickfold have been found guilty of using client money and failing to pay counsel fees by a Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal in London. Andrew Cameron, now a solicitor at London’s Swepstone Walsh, and Alan Herd and Neil MacDonald were fined u5,000 and ordered to pay costs of u9,609.
UK firms in Singapore shift tactic to weather Asian crisis
UK City firms in Singapore are adopting divergent strategies in response to the Asian downturn which continues to eat into profits. Linklaters is trying to sub-let half of its office space at 9 Raffles Place, after a reassessment of its boom-time expansion plans. Meanwhile City rivals Freshfields and Lovell White Durrant are expanding. Tony Grundy, […]
How to brief an expert witness expertly
Steve Caine is a senior associate with Buchler Philips Lindquist Avey, forensic and investigative accountants. The independence of the expert is the key to success in the courtroom, and good solicitors know it is their responsibility as much as the expert’s to maintain the expert’s proper role. Steve Caine outlines how best to brief an […]
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Gender pay gap: the legal profession’s full results
With gender pay gap reporting now complete, where does your firm sit in the grand scheme of things? The full results are in the interactive table below.
Homes England ramps up panel advisers in latest review
Homes England (formerly known as the Homes and Communities Agency) has completed its panel review, adding five firms to its £30m roster. A total of thirteen firms have been appointed the Government housing investment authority’s panel, with firms allocated into two lots. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, Eversheds Sutherland and Pinsent Masons, which have been on the panel […]
Barclays launches legal tech incubator with magic circle backing
Barclays is launching a legal technology incubator programme in collaboration with law firms including Allen & Overy (A&O), Clifford Chance, Clyde & Co and Simmons & Simmons, as well as PwC, The Law Society and Legal Geek. Participants of the programme will get access to a hundred-seat co-working space, mentoring, and workshops. Barclays general counsel […]
Shearman set to follow US rivals with South Korea launch
Shearman & Sterling is edging towards a launch in South Korea with plans to open in Seoul by the end of the year, The Lawyer understands. The US firm is understood to be awaiting regulatory approval to launch in the region, which could take up to several months. The office would be the third to […]
Addleshaws hunts for formal associations in new Middle East strategy
Addleshaw Goddard has kickstarted a new three-year strategy for its Middle Eastern arm, aiming to have 70 staff across the region as well as breaking into Saudi Arabia. Led by its head of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Andrew Greaves, the firm will now look to build out of its three existing offices having launched in […]
Eversheds Sutherland Asia TMT head joins K&L Gates
Eversheds Sutherland‘s Asia head of technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) has left the firm’s Hong Kong office for K&L Gates. Nigel Stamp is joining the US firm as a partner after nearly seven years at Eversheds. He previously headed Morrison & Foerster’s China TMT practice, which he joined in 2006 from Clifford Chance. At K&L […]