Claire Ruckin

June 17, 2010 | International Edition

A number of national practices have announced their financial results for 2009-10, as the firms ranked just outside of the top 50 attempt to break into the UK's leading band of law firms. Weightmans and HBJ Gately Wareing have both posted increases in revenues for the year, with the former announcing an 8.1% rise in turnover to £56.2m while the latter saw fee income increase by 5.3% to £49.6m, up from £47.1m the previous year.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

June 17, 2010 | International Edition

Herbert Smith's new senior partner Jonathan Scott has launched a wide-ranging review to determine the leading City law firm's strategy and key priorities. The UK top 10 firm's executive committee met last month at a two-day retreat to discuss the main elements of the review, with the future of Herbert Smith's international practice emerging as a key theme.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

June 16, 2010 | International Edition

Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy is set to bolster its City arm with the hire of DLA Piper asset finance partner James Cameron. Cameron handed in his notice to DLA Piper earlier this week in a move which will see the national firm lose one of its most notable finance partners. Milbank has for some time been looking to add to its City capabilities in project, leveraged and structured finance by recruiting someone with asset finance experience.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

June 16, 2010 | International Edition

DLA Piper is to defend itself for a second time against a high-profile disability discrimination claim after a ruling this week from the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT). In a judgment handed down yesterday (15 June), EAT president Mr Justice Underhill sent the claim to be heard again in an employment tribunal later this year.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

June 16, 2010 | International Edition

Linklaters and Dickson Minto are among a raft of firms to have won roles on the £1.6bn merger of F&C Commercial Property Trust (FCPT) and the UK Commercial Property Trust (UKCPT). The deal, which was agreed last week (9 June) and is due to close by August, will create the sixth-largest UK-listed property company, with a market capitalisation of approximately £1.6bn.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

June 16, 2010 | International Edition

Interesting, challenging, tough - words everyone working in the private sector has become used to over the last two years. But its now the turn of lawyers covering the public sector to dig up the austerity-related euphemisms as the new coalition Government pushes on with its plans to reel in the UK's yawning budget deficit. As Paul Gilbert, chief executive of consultant LBC Wise Counsel, comments: "The private sector and big corporates have been through high-profile redundancies and cuts - now it is the public sector's time to see the squeeze."

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

June 10, 2010 | International Edition

The Ministry of Justice has denied that the implementation of the Legal Services Act (LSA) is to be delayed after Business Secretary Vince Cable launched a review of excessive regulation. Cable launched the Reducing Regulation Committee earlier this month (2 June), with the intention to review the Labour administration's pipeline of reforms and curb 'excessive regulation'. The body, which will be chaired by Cable, was termed by the Government as a 'Star Chamber" charged with reducing regulation.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

June 09, 2010 | International Edition

Kobre & Kim has become the first US firm in London to convert to Legal Disciplinary Partnership (LDP) status in England and Wales. The New York-based trial specialist converted to LDP status after gaining approval from the Solicitors Regulation Authority last Thursday (3 June) in a move that will allow its UK lawyers and barristers to begin practising English law as partners in the firm.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

June 09, 2010 | International Edition

Former McDermott Will & Emery partner Michael McFall has been found not guilty in the insider trading case brought against him by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). McFall was acquitted in Southwark Crown Court on 3 June after a unanimous verdict was delivered by an 11-member jury in just an hour and a half.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

June 09, 2010 | International Edition

Linklaters is gearing up to fight a £3.5m court battle in the autumn against five defendants over issues relating to the maintenance of its City HQ. Following a recent ruling (21 May), the magic circle law firm's original claim against construction and civil engineering company Sir Robert McAlpine and its holding company will now include a total of three additional parties.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read