The bar appears to be on the brink of a boom period, despite leading litigators warning that the anticipated litigation tsunami has failed to materialise. As the recession squeezes firms’ financials, the first chambers to post their results are showing a trend for strong growth. Quadrant Chambers has reported the largest jump in turnover, with […]
Outer Temple Chambers is looking to expand its presence in the Middle East by opening in Saudi Arabia. The country is planning to open a series of economic cities aimed at attracting outside investment. One aim is to build an arbitration centre to emulate the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC). Outer Temple business development director […]
The Guardian’s allegations that the News of the World had illegally tapped the phones of possibly thousands of public figures was met with wry amusement by those who battle for claimants against media defendants. Those who follow such matters will recall the speech given by Daily Mail editor Paul Dacre to the Society of Editors […]
Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has continued with its strategy of bulking up its tax practice by picking former Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer director Alan Sinyor to join its strategic tax team. Sinyor will head the VAT practice at BLP and will focus on contentious and non-contentious VAT and indirect tax work. A BLP spokesperson said: “We’re […]
Bristol-based St John’s Chambers has appointed Outer Temple’s business development director Derek Jenkins as chief executive. It follows the exit of former chief executive Vincent Denham, who left in June to join Fareham-headquartered Coffin Mew (The Lawyer, 16 June). Jenkins, who has been with Outer Temple for 29 years, is widely considered a bar stalwart […]
UK firm adopts cautious approach to pinpoint the right US laterals. By Julia Berris Ted Burke Cracking the US litigation market has long been a challenge for the magic circle. Even the most ambitious and capable of UK firms have found competing with US heavyweights on their home turf troubling. But Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer does not seem intimidated. […]
The Levicom v Linklaters case sets a precedent that clients cannot point the finger at their lawyers just because they don’t like the outcome of a case. By Fergal Cathie and Natalia Lyttleton The recent decision of the Commercial Court in Levicom v Linklaters (2009) is a warning to claimants who contend that, with the […]
Barlow Lyde & Gilbert has posted a 6.4 per cent rise in turnover from £81.7m to £86.9m at the 2008-09 year-end. The litigation practice brought in the largest proportion of fees at £69.8m, 9.6 per cent above last year’s £63.7m. The corporate practice contributed £8.25m, while property was up marginally on the previous year, contributing […]
Linklaters has again turned to its magic circle rivals for a key German hire, snaring a leading restructuring partner from Clifford Chance’s Frankfurt office. Kolja von Bismarck Kolja von Bismarck, who has had a leading role advising General Motors on the restructuring of its European business, will join Linklaters’ Frankfurt office as a partner. In […]
In 1876 the Appellate Jurisdiction Act created the judicial function of the House of Lords, the highest court in England and Wales. At the end of the month the Law Lords will pack up their judicial robes and wigs for the summer break, but they will have heard their last case in the House of […]
Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe and Slaughter and May are advising as talks continue between Centrica and North Sea gas producer Venture Production. British Gas owner Centrica increased its stake in Venture to 29.9 per cent on Monday after Venture rejected a 845p-a-share hostile takeover bid. Cetrica is reported to be considering a £1.1bn bid for the rest […]
Slaughter and May looks set to advise long-standing client British Airways (BA) on an anticipated £500m rights issue. News of the rights issue has come before what is expected to be a stormy AGM tomorrow and analysts believe that it is the company’s best way to reduce gearing and plug its £1.4bn pension deficit. Reports […]