Claire Ruckin

April 14, 2010 | International Edition

Hammonds has moved to tighten up its US referral relationships, with Florida-based Holland & Knight emerging as the firm's key referral partner. Hammonds has taken the decision to increase the level of co-operation with the east coast US firm, which is now understood to be the firm's informal default referral partner following a recent influx of joint client instructions.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

April 14, 2010 | International Edition

Edwin Coe is being sued for breach of contract and negligence in a claim reportedly worth over £11m. The claim was filed in the High Court earlier this year (11 February) by former clients Valleymist and shareholder Clive Richard Davis, who claim that Edwin Coe failed to advise them adequately between 2003 and 2005 in relation to transactions involving shares of FirstCity Insurance Group (FCIG).

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

April 14, 2010 | International Edition

For years competition policy in the UK seemed to be a case of plenty of talk but little action. But the Office of Fair Trading's (OFT) move last month in fining Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) a hefty £28.6m for breaching competition law is the latest in a series of recent reminders that the years of hot air are finally translating into a more robust enforcement policy.

By Claire Ruckin

4 minute read

April 09, 2010 | International Edition

Travers Smith saw cash reserves drop by more than 40% during the last financial year, according to the firm's first limited liability partnership (LLP) accounts. During 2008-09 the UK top 50 firm saw cash at the bank and in hand drop to £9.6m, down from £16.3m in the previous financial year. Operating profits fell by 44% to £21.3m, while overall profit for the financial year stood at £22.2m.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

April 08, 2010 | International Edition

Penningtons Solicitors has become one of the first firms to promote a barrister to its partnership following recent regulatory changes by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) allowing barristers to act as law firm partners. Nicole Curtis, who was called to the Bar in 1992 and was a member of 1 Paper Buildings until joining Penningtons' professional regulation team in 2003, was promoted at the beginning of the month, taking the total number of partners at the firm to 51.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

April 08, 2010 | International Edition

Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward has completed an adviser review which has seen Nabarro lose its place on the organisation's legal panel. The agency has split its adviser roster in two, with Eversheds, Hammonds, Pinsent Masons, Cobbetts, Walker Morris and Addleshaw Goddard appointed to the main legal panel. The six firms were reappointed following a competitive tender process, with Nabarro the only former panel firm not to be reappointed.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

April 08, 2010 | International Edition

Scottish lawyers have marginally voted in favour of the introduction of alternative business structures (ABS) in Scotland. The referendum, which closed yesterday (7 April), saw 2,245 vote in favour of ABS - on the condition that appropriate regulation is put in place - while 2,221 voted against. In addition, 81% of the votes were in favour of the Law Society of Scotland (LSS) applying to become an approved regulator of ABS if introduced.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

April 01, 2010 | International Edition

Hammonds is to lose two senior partners, with Manchester head Jonathan Edwards and construction chief David Moss resigning from the firm. Both partners handed in their notice earlier this week (31 March), on one of only two days each year on which equity partners are able to resign from the firm.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

April 01, 2010 | International Edition

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) has charged seven people in relation to alleged insider dealing in the latest crackdown on market abuse by the City watchdog. The group faces charges on 13 counts of insider trading following a 21-month investigation which relates to dealing in shares of 12 companies, including Morgan Crucible, Misys, Reuters and Enodis, between 2006 and 2008. According to the FSA, activity during the two-year period involved alleged unlawful profits of around £2.5m.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

March 31, 2010 | International Edition

Addleshaw Goddard has overhauled its management structure with litigation partner Monica Burch taking over from senior partner Paul Lee at the helm after a contested election. Burch will take on the newly-created role of chairman of the board on 1 May for a three-year term when Paul Lee steps down as senior partner. Lee will remain as a partner in the corporate department.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read