Claire Ruckin

August 03, 2010 | International Edition

Banking group Investec has kicked off an adviser review in an effort to standardise relationships across its legal roster and cut back the number of law firms it uses. The review, which is being led by head of legal and compliance Richard Brearley, covers three of the bank's four business units - private banking, capital markets and property investment, with investment banking unaffected.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

August 02, 2010 | International Edition

Charles Russell has pulled out of clinical negligence work in the wake of number of partner departures. The decision comes after the UK top 50 firm's Guilford clinical negligence head Amanda Stevens left the firm last month (5 July) to join Irwin Mitchell as a partner in its London office. Earlier this year joint clinical negligence chiefs Grainne Barton and Richard Vallance also both quit the firm, moving to Penningtons and Field Fisher Waterhouse respectively.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

July 28, 2010 | International Edition

No5 Chambers has elected Paul Bleasdale QC as its new head of chambers following the death of Ralph Lewis QC. Bleasdale was voted in by a members' vote after Lewis passed away earlier this month following a battle with cancer. Lewis, who specialised in catastrophic injury claims, clinical and professional negligence as well as motor racing accidents, was called to the Bar in 1978 and took silk in 1999. He was an elected Bar Council member between 1999 and 2002 and became head of No5 Chambers in 2007.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

July 26, 2010 | International Edition

The Government is set to consult on the introduction of contingency fees in UK litigation alongside other key recommendations proposed by Lord Justice Jackson to reform civil litigation costs. Parliamentary under secretary of state for justice Jonathan Djanogly announced today (26 July) that the Ministry of Justice will consult on recommendations published in January in Jackson's high-profile report 'Review of Civil Litigation Costs'. The consultation will launch in the autumn and will seek views on whether lawyers should be permitted to enter into damages-based agreements (DBAs) or 'contingency fees' in litigation. If introduced, lawyers will be allowed for the first time to take a slice of their client's damages, after Jackson acknowledged that the "arguments in favour of contingency fees... outweigh the arguments against".

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

July 26, 2010 | International Edition

Shoosmiths has launched a corporate practice in Manchester with the hire of Halliwells partner Mark Dawson. Dawson has joined Shoosmiths' Manchester office with immediate effect alongside two associates, Karen Procter and Alex Laver. The hires come as part of Shoosmiths' plan to go full service in the region. Dawson joined Halliwells as an associate from DLA Piper's Leeds office in 2004 and was promoted to partner in 2008 in the northwest private equity team. He specialises in corporate finance focusing on private equity investment, debt refinancing and M&A.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

July 15, 2010 | International Edition

Slaughter and May and Hammonds have taken lead roles advising Travis Perkins on its £558m acquisition of BSS Group. The magic circle firm advised the building merchants as a new client on the cash and share acquisition of plumbing and heating company BSS Group.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

July 14, 2010 | International Edition

LG has staged a turnaround in this year's financial results, posting an increase in both turnover and profits per equity partner (PEP). Turnover at the London law firm saw a respectable increase of 7.7% to £64.9m compared to £60.3m in 2008-09 financial year.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

July 14, 2010 | International Edition

DWF has stormed into the top 50 after significant UK expansion saw it achieve a 17% hike in turnover during 2009-10. The firm's revenue hit £71.5m over the last financial year, a 17% increase on its 2008-09 turnover of £61.1m. The firmwas also among the fastest-growing by profits per equity partner (PEP) with a 56.3% increase, from £213,000 to £333,000.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

July 14, 2010 | International Edition

Corporate associates at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer will be able to work from home or job-share if the firm chooses to adopt an alternative working scheme set to be rolled out this autumn. The magic circle firm is set to trial a new scheme which viable alternative working options for associates. Initially, the system - which is being led by corporate head Mark Rawlinson - will be limited to the firm's London corporate practice but may be rolled out more widely if it proves successful.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

July 14, 2010 | International Edition

National and regional firms have produced the most movement in the top 50 this year, with a number of practices seeing sizable fluctuations in revenue and profits. The big five national firms - DLA Piper, Eversheds, Pinsent Masons, Addleshaw Goddard and Hammonds - remained static on their 2008-09 positions in the rankings after experiencing slight declines in turnover.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read