Simon Petersen

July 20, 2011 | International Edition

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Jones Day and Norton Rose have advised on a €1bn (£882m) project to develop one of the largest liquid natural gas (LNG) terminals in Europe. Jones Day advised EDF on the deal, which saw the energy group sell minority shares in Dunkerque LNG to international oil and gas company Total Group and Belgian gas network operator Fluxys.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read

July 20, 2011 | International Edition

Addleshaw Goddard has emerged as the only top 10 national or regional law firm to see a decline in both revenue and profits in 2010-11 – a year when the group mirrored the marginal increases in profits and turnover seen across the top 50 as a whole.

By Simon Petersen

3 minute read

July 19, 2011 | International Edition

Irwin Mitchell, Hill Dickinson and Trowers & Hamlins have all confirmed their 2010-11 financial results, with Trowers posting drops in both revenues and profits. Hill Dickinson posted the best results of the three, with revenue rising 14.9% over the year from £87.1m to £100.1m, alongside a 8.8% hike in profits per equity partner (PEP), up from £250,000 to £272,000.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read

July 18, 2011 | International Edition

Harbottle & Lewis has issued a letter in response to allegations in the press that the firm made a mistake in its part in an internal investigation into phone-hacking at News International. In an open letter sent earlier today (18 July), Harbottle said that its ability to respond to the allegations made last week by News Corporation head Rupert Murdoch were constrained by factors including client confidentiality.

By Simon Petersen

4 minute read

July 18, 2011 | International Edition

Kingsley Napley criminal litigation head Stephen Parkinson has been appointed to advise Rebekah Brooks following the former News International chief executive's arrest this weekend. Brooks was released on bail last night, 12 hours after she was arrested by police investigating allegations of phone-hacking and illegal payments to police officers.

By Simon Petersen

4 minute read

July 15, 2011 | International Edition

Ashurst has entered into a best-friends arrangement with Mumbai firm Indian Law Partners (ILP). The non-exclusive tie-up will see the two firms refer work to each other on a preferential basis.ILP, which was created earlier this year by former DSK Legal partners Gopika Pant and Piyoosh Gupta, also houses one counsel and 10 associates.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read

July 15, 2011 | International Edition

The Law Society has cut the cost of practising certificate fees for solicitors and law firms by 23%.The decision, approved yesterday (14 July) by the Law Society Council, means the cost of individual practising certificates will drop from £428 to £328, with the fees paid by firms falling by an equivalent percentage.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read

July 13, 2011 | International Edition

DLA Piper has bolstered its City energy and infrastructure and project finance teams with the appointment of a former CMS Cameron McKenna partner and a lawyer from Ofgem. Former CMS partner Trevor Butcher, who left his previous firm at the end of April, is due to join DLA Piper in August.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read

July 13, 2011 | International Edition

Linklaters has launched an office in Abu Dhabi, with New York finance partner Paul Kruger among a number of partners relocating to the new arm. The office launch, first reported by Legal Week last month, marks Linklaters' 27th office worldwide.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read

July 13, 2011 | International Edition

DLA Piper is planning to overhaul its partnership structure, with the firm to consult with partners about options including a shift to an all-equity partnership. The firm plans to discuss overhauling the partnership in DLA Piper International, which includes offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, where it currently operates a three-tier partnership split between a band of equity partners and two tiers of fixed-share partners.

By Simon Petersen

2 minute read