Claire Ruckin

January 28, 2010 | International Edition

Herbert Smith has bolstered its financial regulatory practice with the hire of Lloyds Banking Group's head of group regulatory. Jenny Stainsby is set to join the top 10 City firm as a partner in the financial services regulatory (FSR) and bank litigation teams in May. She will work closely with the firm's FSR head Martin Hopper and disputes head Sonya Leydecker.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

January 27, 2010 | International Edition

Barclays' in-house litigation team is tightening its relationships with the Bar, with the bank asking select chambers for flexible billing arrangements and value-added services. The banking giant is calling on chambers to take on work using alternative billing arrangements such as conditional fee agreements (CFAs) and fixed fees, as well as providing additional services such as secondees and dedicated client teams in return for more work.

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

January 27, 2010 | International Edition

Halliwells is set to lose its last equity partner in London, with outgoing City corporate recovery head David Grant turning to Herbert Smith for advice relating to a potential dispute with the firm over exit terms. The news comes as it emerges that Halliwells is seeking a multimillion-pound loan in order to pay its January 2010 tax bill.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

January 27, 2010 | International Edition

Herbert Smith has secured a major court victory for BSkyB which could see the broadcaster receive more than £200m in damages from IT supplier Electronic Data Systems (EDS). The long-awaited judgment, handed down by Mr Justice Ramsey in the Technology and Construction Court yesterday (26 January), found that EDS made false and negligent misrepresentations and was in breach of contract regarding a customer relationship management system it undertook to design and build.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

January 25, 2010 | International Edition

Russell Jones & Walker is set to take on the Milton Keynes office of Gorvins Solicitors, as well as part of the firm's matrimonial practice. Gorvins senior partner George Marriott, who also heads up the firm's regulatory practice and Milton Keynes office, will join Russell Jones & Walker next month (1 February) in a move that will see the whole office transfer to the national firm.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

January 25, 2010 | International Edition

Wragge & Co is set to launch in Paris after hiring a 10-partner team from its French referral firm Lefevre Pelletier & Associes (LPA). The new practice is expected to open later this year, subject to approval by the Paris Bar, and will be headed up by joint managing partners Pierre Appremont - a tax specialist - and Simon Lowe, who previously managed the referral relationship from the LPA side.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

January 22, 2010 | International Edition

Beachcroft asked its members to contribute £5m in capital during the last financial year, the firm's limited liability partnership (LLP) filings have revealed. The UK top 25 firm asked members for a substantial capital increase of £5m in 2008-09, compared to only £658,000 the previous year, according to its 2008-09 account filings with Companies House.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

January 22, 2010 | International Edition

Stewarts Law is advising Hull City FC on its claim against former chairman Paul Duffen for misuse of the club's expenses and improper payments to football agents. It is understood that Stewarts fraud specialists Andrew Shaw and Clive Zietman have been instructed on behalf of Hull City, with the claim filed in the High Court last week (15 January).

By Claire Ruckin

3 minute read

January 21, 2010 | International Edition

Harbour Litigation Fund has strengthened its ranks with the appointment of Mr Justice Gavin Lightman. Lightman, a retired High Court Judge, joined the third party litigation funder at the beginning of the year (1 January) as chairman of its investments committee, as part of a recruitment drive from the funder to bring in 'heavy hitters' from the UK legal profession.

By Claire Ruckin

2 minute read

January 20, 2010 | International Edition

DLA Piper has announced its 2010 promotions, with 41 lawyers joining the firm's partnership around the world. The firm's City office received the largest share of the UK promotions, with three new partners made up in London. In total, nine partners have been promoted in the UK, with Leeds and Manchester gaining two new partners apiece, while Liverpool and Edinburgh each gain one new partner.

By Claire Ruckin

4 minute read