Gerard Starkey

March 06, 2013 | International Edition

Scots firm Semple Fraser is set to go into administration after being hit hard by the downturn and a drop-off in work in its key areas of corporate, property and construction. The firm today (6 March) confirmed it has filed notice of intention to appoint an administrator, with administration described as "the only option."

By Gerard Starkey

3 minute read

March 06, 2013 | International Edition

Baker & McKenzie has held talks with respected United Arab Emirates firm Habib Al Mulla & Company over a possible combination. The law firm, which has offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, was founded in 1984 by executive chairman Habib Al Mulla.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

March 04, 2013 | International Edition

The High Court has thrown out a challenge to the new fixed costs structure for personal injury claims, after the Government pushed through reforms which are set to have a significant impact on the earnings of law firms handling employers' liability, public liability and motor claims. The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and the Motor Accident Solicitors Society (MASS) contested a decision made by the Ministry of Justice to significantly reduce the fees recoverable by lawyers for cases managed through the road traffic accident (RTA) Portal, the online system via which low value personal injury claims are processed.

By Gerard Starkey

3 minute read

March 01, 2013 | International Edition

None of the Cobbetts' partners joining DWF as part of last month's pre-pack deal will hold equity in DWF for at least 12 months, Legal Week can reveal. Around 70 partners, including managing partner Nick Carr and senior partner Stephen Benson have made the move to DWF after the firm agreed to purchase Cobbetts' debts and work in progress (WIP) for a guaranteed £3.8m

By Gerard Starkey

4 minute read

February 28, 2013 | International Edition

Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton are among a clutch of firms to have advised on the Indian Government's $2.14bn (£1.4bn) sale of a stake in NTPC, one of the country's largest state-owned power companies. The sale amounted to 9.5% of the company and follows a succession of similar deals by the Government as it attempts to raise around $6bn (£4bn) to reduce its budget deficit.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

February 28, 2013 | International Edition

Fixed-fee legal venture Riverview Law is planning to double its headcount over the next 12 months, as the new-look legal services business eyes up moves into emerging markets after a successful first year in operation. Riverview, which handles volume fixed-fee work through Riverview Solicitors and Riverview Chambers, launched 12 months ago with the backing of DLA Piper, which has a 21% share in Riverview's parent company, LawVest.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

February 28, 2013 | International Edition

Dundas & Wilson has overhauled the way partners pay capital into the firm, bringing in a new two-tier system that sees all partners put in total capital contributions of either £230,000 or £130,000. The new structure, which the firm began implementing last year, sees new partners pay in the lower level of capital in one payment while the bulk of partners contribute the larger amount.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

February 28, 2013 | International Edition

Slaughter and May has been instructed by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) to defend it against claims totalling as much as £300m resulting from its failed investigation into businessmen and brothers Robert and Vincent Tchenguiz. The SFO today (28 February) confirmed the appointment of the magic circle firm, which comes after the collapse of the long-running investigation into the brothers for suspected impropriety in relation to the 2008 failure of Icelandic bank Kaupthing.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

February 27, 2013 | International Edition

Dundas & Wilson is to see the departure of two more partners, with restructuring head Claire Massie and real estate partner Shane Toal handing in their notice to join Pinsent Masons and Osborne Clarke respectively. Glasgow-based Massie, who is top ranked by Chambers, leaves Dundas after nearly 20 years with the firm. She was promoted to partner in 2007 and went on the head the firm's debt, recoveries and restructuring practice. She will move to Pinsents in the coming months where she will split her time between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read

February 26, 2013 | International Edition

Dundas & Wilson, Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) and Addleshaw Goddard have all been reappointed to Standard Life Investments' real estate legal panel. The appointment will see the trio cover real estate work including construction, planning and litigation for Standard Life for a three-year period running from 1 January this year.

By Gerard Starkey

2 minute read