Claire Ruckin

May 19, 2010 | International Edition

"Those responsible for conducting criminal prosecutions within the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) have in this instance been guilty of incompetence on a monumental scale." The words expressed by defence counsel Ben Emmerson QC, albeit quickly retracted, give some indication of the sentiments in the legal community in reaction to the OFT's decision to drop its much-touted criminal trial against four present and past British Airways (BA) executives last week.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

May 17, 2010 | International Edition

The full line-up of the new coalition government's justice team has been announced, with four ministers appointed into the Ministry of Justice. Nick Herbert, the Conservative MP for Arundel and South Downs, has been appointed as a Minister of State for Justice in a role that will see him divide his time between the Ministry of Justice and the Home Office.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

May 13, 2010 | International Edition

Harbour Litigation Funding has raised a fund of £60m to invest in UK commercial litigation cases. The fund - which has been raised from investors including family offices, private wealth managers and high-net worth individuals - will go towards a minimum of 25 cases with a claim value of at least £3m.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

May 13, 2010 | International Edition

Pannone clinical negligence head Emma Holt is set to take over as the firm's new managing partner, suceeding current incumbent Steven Grant. Holt was named as the Manchester-based firm's next managing partner following an uncontested election. She will take up her new role on 1 January 2011 when Grant's term comes to an end.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

May 12, 2010 | International Edition

A substantial number of the UK's leading law firms are set to post falling revenues for 2009-10, but partners are remaining upbeat after a year that has turned out better than many had predicted. Early indications of the 2009-10 financial results for the UK top 50 suggest that a majority of firms will see revenues remain flat or marginally down on 2008-09 in the aftermath of the recession.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

May 12, 2010 | International Edition

Osborne Clarke (OC) has revamped its practice model, cutting back on the number of areas it focuses on and creating a new list of core clients. The firm is aiming for a 'sector-first' approach, halving the number of areas it concentrates on in a bid to target more high-value instructions.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

May 12, 2010 | International Edition

Pinsent Masons has advised on the acquisition of production company HandMade, the owner of rights to films including Life Of Brian, Withnail & I and Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels. A Pinsents team led by corporate partner Sean Page advised special purpose vehicle Almorah Services on the £2.3m buyout, with the deal set close later this month.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

May 12, 2010 | International Edition

Kenneth Clarke has been appointed Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice as incoming prime minister David Cameron forms his first cabinet. Details are emerging of the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition Government, with key cabinet posts confirmed so far including Clarke as the UK's new Justice Secretary, replacing the outgoing Labour minister Jack Straw.

By Claire Ruckin

12 minute read

May 12, 2010 | International Edition

Specialist claimant firm Leigh Day & Co has billed £105m in fees for its work on the class action brought against oil company Trafigura, in one of the highest-ever costs claims for a single litigation case. The bill, which was served in December, was disclosed at the Royal Costs of Justice on Monday (10 May) in front of senior cost judge Chief Master Hurst and Mr Justice MacDuff.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

May 11, 2010 | International Edition

Linklaters has received a setback in its $55m (£37m) court battle with Levicom after the telecoms company successfully appealed an earlier ruling which saw the magic circle firm escape a multimillion-dollar payout for alleged negligence. The judgment, which was handed down in the Court of Appeal this morning (11 May) by Lord Justice Jacob, Lord Justice Lloyd and Lord Justice Stanley Burnton, will see the level of damages due to Levicom reassessed, with Linklaters now potentially liable for a multimillion-dollar settlement.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read