Slaughter and May and Ashurst are leading for embattled contractor Interserve, which has revealed that it is seeking a recovery plan amid fears of a Carillion-style collapse. The rescue plan, which aims to scale back its £500m debt pile, will see the Reading-based outsourcer convert much of its debt into new shares, potentially handing control of the […]
A Chicago corporate partner is to take the reins of Kirkland & Ellis, as the US firm preps for chairman Jeff Hammes’ leadership handover in February 2020. Private equity specialist Jon Ballis will step into the shoes of Hammes in two years time, bringing his 10-year tenure as chairman to an end. Ballis’ practice focuses on leveraged […]
The latest reaction as Theresa May fights to get her Brexit deal through Parliament.
Two years on from the collapse of KWM’s UK arm, The Lawyer has tracked down the trainees who were working for the firm at the time to see what became of them.
The University of Law has announced plans to open a tenth campus, in Nottingham. Based at One Royal Standard Place, it will open to students next September. It will offer the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) – at least until those courses are phased out with the introduction of the new […]
The Solicitors Regulation Authority rarely makes for gripping reading, but this week was an exception, as The Lawyer also reported on mid-market mergers and expansive insurance players.
Ince & Co’s London head is to leave the firm after the completion of its merger with Gordon Dadds, just over a year after he was appointed to the leadership role. Formerly Ince’s director of HR, Andrew Jameson will leave the firm following its tie-up with AIM-listed Gordon Dadds. It is understood that the newly-merged […]
Ashurst, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and K&L Gates are advising on the £608m hostile takeover offer of British oil and gas company Faroe Petroleum by a Norwegian rival. At the end of November, Norwegian company DNO ASA swooped in amid the slide in the price of oil to announce its firm intention to make an offer for Faroe Petroleum, […]
With the end of its lease approaching, Morrison & Foerster (MoFo) has signed up for several floors of The Scalpel building, one of the City’s latest developments. MoFo will fill a 36,500-sq ft of space spread between levels 22 and 25 of the new building as part of a 15-year contract. It is expected to […]
White & Case has revealed its male equity partners are paid 35 per cent more than their female counterparts, as it once again becomes the first US firm in London to announce its gender pay gap data. This is the third firm to reveal its second set of gender pay figures months ahead of the deadline in […]
From today, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is requiring firms that offer certain private client-related services to disclose information on their fees.
Hill Dickinson has posted a solid return to form in its half year results for 2018/19, generating £43.6m in turnover which was roughly 5.3 per cent over its £41.4m budget. The firm’s sale of its non-marine insurance business cast a large shadow last year, causing whole year revenues to dip below the £100m mark, though […]
Slaughter and May, Burges Salmon and Foot Anstey have advised in the world’s first football stadium battery at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, which will power the whole ground from kick-off to full time. Tucked in the basement of the stadium, the battery storage system (BSS), follows three years of development between Arsenal, developer Pivot Power and investment company […]
Macfarlanes and DLA Piper are acting in the sale of a £55m building in the heart of Soho’s filmland. 141 Wardour Street, which stands on the corner of Wardour Street and Broadwick Street and is fully let to the Moving Picture Company, has been sold to commercial property investment manager Orchard Street. Macfarlanes has advised […]
Travers Smith and Cooley have led on the acquisition of San Francisco-based advertising firm Mightyhive by Sir Martin Sorrell’s S4 Capital, in a $150m deal that will consolidate the position of analytics and algorithms at the heart of the digital marketing business. The Lawyer has learned that S4 Capital was advised by a team from Travers Smith […]
Following allegations of inappropriate behaviour against its founder, fashion brand Ted Baker has brought in a City litigation heavyweight to lead an investigation into the matter. The retailer has turned to Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) for advice during an independent external investigation into the behaviour of Ray Kelvin. The firm will report into a committee comprised […]
The latest development in a long-running battle between PrivatBank and its former owners, a High Court judgment has ruled that a freezing order secured by Hogan Lovells for the bank was nearly $1.5bn more than it should have been. The Honourable Mr Justice Fancourt decided that the freezing order obtained by PrivatBank in 2017 against […]
A High Court judicial review against food delivery company Deliveroo was dismissed today in a widely publicised battle over collective bargaining rights. The Honourable Mr Justice Supperstone sided with Deliveroo’s lawyers; Lewis Silkin partner Colin Leckey instructed 11KBW’s Chris Jeans QC and Tom Cross. Deliveroo is a regular client of Lewis Silkin’s, especially after the […]
Weil Gotshal is leaving Prague. The firm’s Czech office will continue life under a different name, and as an independent law firm, with current managing partner and influential Czech figure Karel Muzikar running the show. Why care about Weil’s machinations in a far away country of people of whom lawyers know little? Because it’s part of […]
There was a significant team move this week as 10 real estate lawyers from CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang defected to Fladgate. This represents the biggest team departure from CMS since its three-way merger. In many ways, it’s not a surprising development. With Nabarro, CMS and Olswang all having strong real estate groups, not all of them could […]
Well, Travers Smith proved us wrong, sort of. In The Speed Read two weeks ago we cynically noted that plenty of firms had female candidates for senior or managing partner but few ever ended up electing them. Travers has bucked the trend, however, by handing the senior partner role to long-time head of tax Kathleen […]
One of Blackstone Chambers’ longest serving members will appear before a hearing later this week after allegations of sexual harassment led an inquiry to recommend his suspension from the House of Lords until 2022. Lord Lester of Herne Hill QC will attend a hearing at the House on Thursday (15 November), which will rule on whether […]
Clifford Chance global head of litigation & dispute resolution Matthew Newick has pledged to leverage data held within the disputes group in a diversity push to increase its use of the female Bar and unearth “hidden gems”. In a push to follow through on one of his earliest pledges after taking over from predecessor Jeremy […]
Freshfields’ Sarah Falk will take up a new role as a High Court judge today, alongside A&O’s Ed Murray.
Dentons‘ Hong Kong office has hired a five-strong team from Bird & Bird to expand its litigation practice. The team joining Dentons is led by partner Richard Keady, who headed Birth & Bird’s international dispute resolution group in Asia Pacific, and consists of partner Robert Rhoda and three associates. Keady has spent the past 18 […]
I feel like a tranquillised hippo. My limbs weigh two tonnes and my brain’s too heavy for my head. It’s November and I have 3,000lb-ungulate jet lag, so I must be at MIPIM Asia. For readers who only know MIPIM Cannes, MIPIM Asia is Cannes’ more refined Hong Kongese cousin. Each year about 900 property […]
With Britain’s exit from the European Union scheduled for four months to the day away, Clifford Chance’s refocus on Continental Europe has continued with its third leadership change of 2018. The firm has appointed new co-managing partners for its Amsterdam office. Global head of innovation and business change Bas Boris Visser and Amsterdam head of financial […]
Simmons & Simmons is the latest international firm to move out of Hong Kong’s central business district in a bid to achieve significant financial savings, as it has taken on a new lease in the island’s new business hub in Quarry Bay. Simmons & Simmons’ Hong Kong office, which is currently located in Admiralty, will […]
Weil Gotshal & Manges is set to close its Prague office at the end of the year, The Lawyer can reveal, nearly 12 months after shutting its doors in Budapest.
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has been subject to a second raid by German prosecutors in just over a year, as part of an ongoing investigation into tax deals involving financial institutions. A large number of banks are being investigated in Germany over “cum-ex” deals, or alleged tax-driven share transactions. “Cum-ex” trading was prohibited in Germany in 2012, with […]
Technological advances are, at best, patchy in this part of the world, but some practices have plans to make up the ground
The countries are set to become major players on the world stage, with big investments on the horizon. But there are hurdles to overcome.
An unstable Middle East has led several international firms to downsize, creating opportunities for local leaders
Orrick partner Matthew Williams is to join Fieldfisher, where he will co-head the firm’s energy and natural resources practice. Williams spent over three years at Orrick, where he co-headed the firm’s energy practice in Europe. He was previously a partner at Hogan Lovells, which he joined in 2011 following an in-house counsel stint at National […]
Penningtons Manches’ professional regulation team has moved over to Bates Wells (formerly Bates Wells Braithwaite) in a move that sees four lawyers switch over to the City firm. The team is led by partner Nicole Curtis, who was called to the Bar in 1992. She joined Penningtons in 2003 and became a partner in 2010, […]
Ropes & Gray partners Partha Pal and Carol Hopper are to join Greenberg Traurig’s London office, The Lawyer can reveal, where they will join the firm’s real estate team. Pal spent three years at Ropes after a short stint at Chadbourne & Parke and sixteen years in the London, New York and Singapore offices of […]
White & Case has continued its hiring spree in the City, this time calling in Taylor Wessing’s financial services regulatory head Jonathan Rogers. This is the first US firm Rogers has worked at, having spent 10 years at Taylor Wessing, and seven years as an associate at Hogan Lovells before that. His practice specialises in […]
Squire Patton Boggs‘ former London managing partner is to leave the firm, months after it was revealed that the firm’s global head would be relocating from the US to the City. Litigator Robert Weekes stepped down from his leadership role in April, as Squires’ global managing partner Stephen Mahon relocated to London to take over. […]
A team of 10 real estate lawyers from CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang are defecting to City outfit Fladgate in one of the biggest team moves out of the firm since its merger. It was revealed last month that ex-Olswang partners Simon Kanter and Alan Karsberg were to join Fladgate, though it has now emerged […]
Shearman & Sterling’s entire Hong Kong capital markets team is moving to PRC rival Fangda Partners’ Hong Kong office in the most significant coup yet by a Chinese firm to scale up in the financial hub. The Lawyer can confirm that the entire Hong Kong capital markets practice at Shearman led by partners Colin Law and […]
Clifford Chance infrastructure M&A star Amy Mahon is joining Simpson Thacher & Bartlett’s City office in yet another departure from the magic circle firm’s private equity group. Mahon’s exit follows that of Brendan Moylan to Latham & Watkins earlier this year, along with Allen & Overy infrastructure finance partner Conrad Andersen. After Moylan, Mahon was […]
Mishcon de Reya’s head of white collar crime and investigations Alison Levitt QC is moving out of private practice for a new role in the Bar. Levitt will resume her full-time practice as a Silk, having founded Mishcon’s white collar group in 2014 when she joined from the Office of Public Prosecutions. She will join the […]
In its biggest pre-listing lateral hire to date, DWF has brought in Clyde & Co partner and global co-head of reinsurance David Abbott. Abbott joined Clydes as part of the 2012 merger with Barlow Lyde & Gilbert having started work there in 1998. It is thought that he will not have to serve his full […]
Reed Smith is beefing up its Middle East practice with two new hires, only one month after its regional managing partner exited to open HFW’s fifth Middle Eastern office. Commercial disputes partner Mahmoud Awad will join the firm’s Dubai and Abu Dhabi offices from Hadef & Partners, while Waseem Khokhar will take on a role […]
Simmons & Simmons has recruited Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer partner James Grand to lead its practice focused on collateralised loan obligations (CLO). Grand has joined the structured finance and derivatives practice of the firm, having been promoted to partner at the magic circle firm in 2007. He joined Freshfields in 1995. His arrival follows Simmons’ expansion of […]
By Kirsty Black, Lucy Shepherd A landlord can defeat a lease renewal on development grounds only where it intends to carry out the works whether or not the tenant is in occupation. The Supreme Court has handed down its eagerly-awaited judgment in S Franses Ltd v The Cavendish Hotel (London) Ltd, the facts of which we covered in our […]
By Martin Thomas, Şenay Nihat, David Wigy The Supreme Court handed down judgment today in London Borough of Southwark and another v Transport for London [2018] UKSC 63 – finding that that there is no clear and consistent meaning of ‘highway’ in common law. Rather, the meaning of ‘highway’ depends on the context in which it is used, […]
By Alison Ricketts, Martyn Baudains Over the last ten years significant changes have been made to Guernsey’s laws of succession, the effects of which may be overlooked by some homeowners. Prior to 2008 if you were married with ‘legitimate’ children (children born during your marriage) and died without having made a will then your houses and land, […]
By Victoria Grogan, Simon Lofthouse, Fiona Lilleyman, Stephanie Button After a much-needed reform in the law, people in Jersey can now create Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) to record their decisions and intentions about their assets and care, so that if they lose mental capacity, their wishes will still be respected. Similar legislation has existed […]
By Karl Anders Housing Management & Litigation expert Karl Anders explains the Government’s call for evidence on the case for a dedicated Housing Court. Have your say by 22 January 2019. Call for Evidence: the case for a Housing Court The UK Government has publicised its commitment to ensuring that everyone, whether they rent or own their home, […]
By David Smedley, Andrew Rayment, Shakeel Dad The Government has set out its plans for the future status of EEA nationals and their family members after Brexit. Our business immigration team can assist you with any queries. The Government plans to require EEA migrants and their family members to apply for settled status under a new process. The […]
By Fraser Vandal The government yesterday released a Policy Paper setting out its position on the right of EU nationals to remain in the UK in the event of a no-deal Brexit. In light of the continued political uncertainty, this will no doubt be welcome news for those that currently employ a significant number of […]
By Angela Craven After reporting restrictions were lifted, it was confirmed that the Serious Fraud Office’s (SFO) high profile fraud and false accounting trial against two former Tesco executives had collapsed after a submission of no case to answer by the individuals’ legal teams at the end of the prosecution case. The former executives faced […]
Costs incurred in relation to the acquisition or disposal of a participation in a subsidiary are treated as non-deductible ‘acquisition or disposal costs’ under the Dutch participation exemption. In a decision published on 7 December 2018, the Dutch Supreme Court has provided rules on how and when to determine which costs will qualify as acquisition […]
By Marc Meyers, Jérôme Mullmaier, Maude Royer Private Equity provides a clear and comprehensive analysis of the key issues relating to private equity funds and deals in the key jurisdictions, providing an essential resource for legal counsel and investment professionals worldwide. The third edition is now expanded to cover more jurisdictions than before, including Luxembourg.
By John Hamer, Debbie Jackson, Richard Naish,Daniel O’Gorman The second edition of Capital Markets Update- The monthly briefing from the Corporate Group at Walker Morris rounding up the month’s developments within the equity capital markets and looking ahead to next month
By Katharine Marshall Letting out property in Jersey was once a strictly private affair between a landlord and a tenant but, for some tenants, this came at the risk of uncertainty, an uneven playing field and at worst exploitation. It is now more than five years since the first in a series of laws and regulations […]
