A round up of stories from the UK and around the world

8 Gray's Inn Square closes its doors
Patrick Soares' 8 Gray's Inn Square chambers will close for business on 21 December. Soares and Patrick Way, both respected tax practitioners, will join Gray's Inn Tax Chambers on 17 December. Three other 8 Gray's Inn tenants – Barry McCutcheon, Chris Whitehouse and Emma Chamberlain – will move to 5 Stone Buildings. Barrister Ian Ferrier will join Pump Court Tax Chambers later this year. Brendan Malkin
Druces & Attlee merges with Stephen Kingsley
Druces & Attlee has merged with niche City property firm Stephen Kingsley. Founding partner Stephen Kingsley will become a partner at the City firm today (3 December). As a sole practitioner, Kingsley has carved out a reputation as an established property lawyer. Kathryn Hobbs
A&O hires Norton Rose lawyer as consultant
Allen & Overy has appointed a new regulatory consultant to its financial regulatory team. Glenda Davies joins from Norton Rose. Her experience includes working as a director of regulatory policy at the Securities and Futures Authority and working at the London Investment Banking Association. Julia Cahill
Robert Muckle scoops Pinsent Curtis solicitor
Robert Muckle has recruited Pinsent Curtis Biddle lawyer Paul Jonson (left). Jonson joins the North East firm as a partner and head of its commercial dispute resolution unit. Robert Muckle had a gap to fill following the departure of Roddy Gordon, its former litigation and construction head. Kathryn Hobbs
Standard Chartered appoints legal head
Standard Chartered Bank has promoted David Brimacombe to the role of head of group legal. Already a senior in-house lawyer at the emerging markets bank, Brimacombe will head the 10-lawyer UK team. The rejig comes as part of a wholesale review of the bank's approach to legal support. Brimacombe will report to Kate Nealon, group head of legal and compliance.
Crutes senior partner wins Foil presidency
Crutes senior partner Tim Wallis has become president of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers (Foil). He has succeeded Foil's previous president, Andrew Parker, who is a partner at Beachcroft Wansbroughs. Wallis was formerly a member of the Civil Justice Council and the Law Society's Civil Litigation Committee.
Dentons under pressure over Equitable dealings
Denton Wilde Sapte has been asked to offer an explanation as to its conduct in dealing with Equitable Life. Herbert Smith has undertaken a thorough examination of Equitable's advisers and directors in the run-up to its enforced rejection of new business. The letters have been sent out in response to that investigation. Equitable has threatened legal action against parties found to have contributed to its troubles.
Clarifications
Sir William Jaffray has written to The Lawyer regarding an article that ran under the headline 'Blom-Cooper picked for Lloyd's Litigation' (19 November) to say that the announcement is premature. Jaffray says that Sir Louis Blom-Cooper QC has been approached, as have a number of other eminent silks. However, a decision has not yet been reached.
Following an article entitled 'DLA hires aviation partner from niche rival' (26 November), Beaumont and Son has asked us to clarify that Vincent Coppinger was not a partner. Beaumont also does non-contentious aviation work including commercial leasing. Finally, Mark Franklin did not work at Beaumont.