Claire Ruckin

June 22, 2010 | International Edition

Bevan Brittan and Bond Pearce are the latest firms just outside the UK top 50 to announce their 2009-10 results. Bond Pearce has seen a modest 2% dip in turnover to £47m compared to £47.5m during the 2008-09 financial year. Meanwhile, the firm expects profits per equity partner (PEP) to increase by approximately 10%.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

June 22, 2010 | International Edition

Slaughter and May and Norton Rose have taken lead roles on the potential £2.75bn takeover of AXA's UK life assurance business by Resolution. Slaughters is advising Resolution, the owner of life insurance firm Friends Provident, on its bid for AXA's UK life and savings operations which, if confirmed, will be funded in part by a pre-emptive £2bn rights issue by Resolution.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

June 22, 2010 | International Edition

What does Olswang want to be? Chief executive David Stewart puts it clearly: "A leading and distinctive full service firm across the sectors of technology, media and real estate and a dominant player not just in the UK but internationally as well." The firm has already largely delivered on the first part of the equation, building a strong brand and genuinely distinctive practice focused on some attractive industries. But the latter part the formula - international reach - will be a far taller order for a firm that until recently avoided expansion beyond the UK.

By Claire Ruckin

4 minute read

June 22, 2010 | International Edition

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer chief executive Ted Burke and financial institutions group head Will Lawes will go head to head for the senior partner position as the firm gears up to elect new management later this year. Burke and Lawes have emerged as the only two candidates to confirm their intention to stand for senior partner after the firm last week confirmed its shortlist of candidates.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

June 22, 2010 | International Edition

Former Mishcon de Reya property partner Kevin Steele has been charged by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) with conspiring to fraudulently obtain a e22m (£18.4m) loan. Steele and his former client, property developer Michael Shephard, were charged and released on conditional bail last week. They are due to appear before Southwark Crown Court later this summer (12 August) to face charges of conspiring to commit fraud and conspiracy to use false documents.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

June 18, 2010 | International Edition

LG has posted a 64% increase in profits per equity partner (PEP) in a dramatic financial turnaround for the UK top 50 firm. Profits at the firm rose sharply from last year's figure of £281,000 to a new high of £460,000, after falling by 35% in 2008-09. The firm's PEP figure is now higher than it was during the boom year of 2007-08 when it stood at £430,000.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

June 18, 2010 | International Edition

Former Mishcon de Reya property partner Kevin Steele has been charged by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) with conspiring to fraudulently obtain a €22m (£18.4m) loan. Steele and his former client, property developer Michael Shephard, were charged and released on conditional bail yesterday. They are due to appear before Southwark Crown Court later this summer (12 August) to face charges of conspiring to commit fraud and conspiracy to use false documents.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

June 18, 2010 | International Edition

Dickinson Dees is set to pull out of family law with the departure of its 16-strong family team. Partner Margaret Simpson, the head of the northeast firm's family practice, and barrister Ian Kennerley are launching a new boutique called Silk Family Law which is set to be open for business in the autumn.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

June 18, 2010 | International Edition

Eversheds has instructed Accenture to review its systems and process in a move which could lead to a new round of redundancies at the firm. The UK top 10 firm brought in the consultancy at the beginning of the year to look at ways to streamline and improve back office finance and HR systems. Accenture will present a number of options to Eversheds' management over the summer, with a decision set to be made later this year.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

June 17, 2010 | International Edition

Slaughter and May and Norton Rose have taken lead roles on the potential £2.75bn takeover of AXA's UK life assurance business by Resolution. Slaughters is advising Resolution, the owner of life insurance giant Friends Provident, on its bid for AXA's UK life and savings operations which, if it confirmed, will be funded in part by a pre-emptive £2bn rights issue by Resolution.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read