Jeremy Hodges

March 30, 2010 | International Edition

Herbert Smith and Linklaters have advised on the proposed demerger of the UK's largest shopping mall owner, Liberty International. The real estate investment trust (REIT) will be spun into two separate listed companies: one focusing on central London commercial property and the other on UK shopping centres.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

March 29, 2010 | International Edition

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has secured a lead role on China's Zhejiang Geely Holding's $1.8bn (£1.2bn) acquisition of Volvo from Ford Motor Company. The deal, which marks the first time a Chinese company has taken over a leading foreign carmaker, will give the loss-making Volvo brand an opportunity to turn its fortunes around.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

March 26, 2010 | International Edition

Mayer Brown and Baker & McKenzie have taken the lead roles on the sale of the National Lottery operator Camelot for just under £400m. The board of Camelot has agreed to sell the company to one of Canada's largest pension funds, Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTTP), in favour of a rival bid from buyout giant CVC.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

March 25, 2010 | International Edition

Greenberg Traurig Maher (GTM) has significantly boosted its City restructuring practice with a double partner hire from Kirkland & Ellis. Jason Salman and Paul Atherton are set to join the US firm's London base along with one associate in the coming weeks, taking partner count to 19, less than 12 months after the firm's City launch.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

March 24, 2010 | International Edition

Justice Secretary Jack Straw has announced a series of measures aimed at reforming UK libel laws and preventing so-called 'libel tourism'. Planned reforms announced yesterday (23 March) and put forward by the Ministry of Justice's (MoJ) Libel Working Group include a measure intended to discourage foreign claimants from using English courts to make libel claims against non-EU publications that can be accessed in the UK.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

March 24, 2010 | International Edition

Magic circle duo Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Linklaters have won lead roles on Promethean World's £400m initial public offering (IPO). Interactive learning technology company Promethean, which makes high-tech whiteboards, handheld learning systems and electronic equipment for the classroom, priced at £2 per share, giving it a market capitalisation of £400m.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

March 24, 2010 | International Edition

Stephenson Harwood has reappointed longstanding senior partner Andrew Sutch for a shortened third term. Sutch, who stood uncontested for the role, has opted for a two-year term, having already served eight years in the post. He was initially appointed for five years in 2002, before being re-elected for a second three-year term.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

March 24, 2010 | International Edition

The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has approved new regulations for the Qualified Lawyers Transfer Scheme (QLTS) that could see the scheme expanded to a host of new jurisdictions including China and Japan. The proposed changes, which will come into effect in September if approved by the Legal Services Board, are intended to better regulate internationally-qualified lawyers seeking admission in England and Wales.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

March 24, 2010 | International Edition

Linklaters is expanding a client relationship review programme that will see the magic circle firm use former partners to gauge how well the firm is managing its dealings with clients. The programme is set to be extended across Linklaters' entire client base after early trials saw the firm conduct research with small groups of core clients.

By Jeremy Hodges

2 minute read

March 23, 2010 | International Edition

Earlier this month Ashurst partners sat down to a presentation from management. The message was clear - the firm had come a long way over the last two decades, a brutally tough two years was now behind it and the partnership is the right size and shape for the future - one that will see the firm positioned among a band of leading international law firms. And, however you look at it, Ashurst has travelled a huge distance in the last 20 years. In 1990 turnover stood at just £29m, profits per equity partner (PEP) at £308,000 and the partnership itself at only 38, so its transformation - without the aid of a substantive merger - into a top 10 City practice is unquestionably impressive.

By Jeremy Hodges

20 minute read