Gerard Starkey

May 30, 2013 | International Edition

Eversheds has revamped its sector line-up with the introduction of four new key industry groups, as the firm continues to shake up its structure in response to major changes in the markets in which it operates. The overhaul, which comes after chief executive Bryan Hughes last summer set out the firm's new three-year strategy, has seen the creation of four new sectors – propcos; public sector; consumer; and diversified industrials – and has involved several management changes. City corporate partner Robin Johnson will lead the diversified industrial group, which has been formed by the combination of the former industrial engineering; aerospace, defence and security; chemicals; and automotive sectors. The group covers a list of major clients including BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Tyco and Volvo.

By Gerard Starkey

3 minute read

May 30, 2013 | International Edition

City lawyers have warned that London's status as an international litigation centre will come under threat should the Government push ahead with proposals to privatise the courts service. A report by The Times this week (28 May) suggested the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is considering putting court buildings and staff "in the hands of private companies" in a bid to save as much as £1bn a year, with funding generated in part by fees from wealthy litigants. Though the MoJ has denied suggestions of a "wholesale privatisation" of the courts, confirming only that it is looking at ways to make the system more effective and efficient, litigators have stressed that privatisation could harm London's international standing.

By Gerard Starkey

3 minute read

May 29, 2013 | International Edition

Manchester's JMW Solicitors has continued its recent growth with the acquisition of local property and litigation boutique Goodman Harvey. The deal, which will take effect on 1 June, will see the transfer of a six-strong team to JMW, while the firm has hired a further two fee earners to support the new additions. The deal is set to add around £1m to JMV's revenues.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

May 28, 2013 | International Edition

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has denied reports that it is considering a "wholesale privatisation" of the courts system as it weighs up propsals to cut costs and make the current system more efficient. A report in The Times today (28 May) suggests the MoJ is considering putting court buildings and staff "in the hands of private companies" in a bid to save as much as £1bn a year.

By Gerard Starkey

4 minute read

May 23, 2013 | International Edition

Irwin Mitchell is planning to buy up books of personal injury (PI) work from other law firms in response to the Government's overhaul of the low-value claims system and its impact on PI profit margins. The firm hopes to acquire business from firms that may find themselves squeezed out of the market by the reform, which includes plans to cut fixed fees for claims processed via the new Claims Portal – previously known as the Road Traffic Accident Portal – from £1,200 to £500. The overhaul comes as the Jackson litigation reforms introduced in April are also likely to reduce work flows.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

May 23, 2013 | International Edition

Nearly half of the UK's 50 largest law firms by revenue have announced job cuts over the past year, with the number of roles placed under threat of redundancy since May 2012 fast approaching the 1,500 mark.

By Gerard Starkey

3 minute read

May 23, 2013 | International Edition

Manchester's JMW Solicitors has posted a 13% increase in revenues, as the firm moves to shift its focus away from its traditional areas of strength in clinical negligence and personal injury (PI). The firm took in fee income of £15m for 2012-13, up from £13.2m last year, after seeing growth of 120% in family law and 57% in private client work over the year, while its clinical injury and PI practice also experienced a successful year.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

May 22, 2013 | International Edition

Bevan Brittan has placed three fee-earners and six support staff at risk of redundancy as law firms across the UK continue to streamline their businesses amid tough market conditions. The trio of associates are all based in Bevan Brittan's commercial and infrastructure department, while the six support roles are in the firm's human resources and finance teams.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

May 21, 2013 | International Edition

More than half of small businesses are handling their own legal matters amid widespread concerns about the value for money offered by law firms, according to a major Legal Services Board (LSB) research project. The report, compiled in partnership with pollsters YouGov, surveyed 9,703 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in England and Wales, with 52% of respondents stating that they handle legal problems without external help.

By Gerard Starkey

3 minute read

May 20, 2013 | International Edition

Bird & Bird has sealed a pre-let deal with Great Portland Estates (GPE) to move into new City premises at 12-14 New Fetter Lane from 2016. The firm has agreed a deal to lease all of the 12-storey office development, which covers a total of 142,500 sq ft - an increase of around 17% on the firm's current City capacity.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read