Sofia Lind

June 11, 2012 | International Edition

Allen & Overy (A&O) has asked a number of Hong Kong partners to leave as the firm cuts back its local partnership by around 20%. The magic circle firm confirmed that it has asked four partners to leave, with the group understood to include partners from both transactional and disputes teams, while one further real estate partner has left the firm to set up his own practice.

By Sofia Lind

3 minute read

June 08, 2012 | International Edition

White & Case London projects partner Tom Winsor has been put forward for the role of Chief Inspector of Constabulary for England and Wales, a move which would see him become the first-ever civilian in the post. As the preferred candidate, he will appear before the House of Commons Select Committee on Home Affairs next week. The proposed appointment will require sign-off from the Prime Minister and the Queen.

By Sofia Lind

3 minute read

June 07, 2012 | International Edition

The number of international law firms in London open to a UK merger has almost doubled over the past year, according to new research which highlights the sustained attraction of English law for firms with global ambitions. Legal Week's annual survey of international law firms in London has seen the number of firms that would consider a UK merger rise from seven to 13, of which three – K&L Gates, Bryan Cave and Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr – said they would 'definitely' consider the option.

By Sofia Lind

4 minute read

June 07, 2012 | International Edition

A quartet of UK firms have scored roles on a deal that has seen the HMV Group sell off London's famous Hammersmith Apollo venue, with the transaction also enabling the retailer to extend its £220m bank facility. The £32m sale has seen Simmons & Simmons take the lead role for longstanding client HMV, while Hogan Lovells acted for the buyers of the Apollo - a joint venture company owned by US-based Anschutz Entertainment Group and German company CTS Eventim.

By Sofia Lind

3 minute read

June 06, 2012 | International Edition

CMS Cameron McKenna has confirmed a marginal turnover increase of 1% for 2011-12, alongside a 4% rise across the CMS network as a whole. The international network, which includes City-based Camerons, saw total turnover rise 4% to reach €797.5m (£692m), up from last year's figure of €767.9m (£659m).

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

May 31, 2012 | International Edition

The Co-operative has laid down the gauntlet to QualitySolicitors in the battle to dominate the UK retail legal market with the announcement last week (24 May) that it will create 3,000 new legal jobs at a range of new bases across the UK.

By Sofia Lind

3 minute read

May 31, 2012 | International Edition

Baker & McKenzie has advised Banque Saudi Fransi (BSF) on a $2bn (£1.3bn) deal which marks the first-ever London-listed sukuk programme by a Saudi bank.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read

May 30, 2012 | International Edition

Former Hogan Lovells litigation partner Christopher Grierson has been sentenced to three years in prison for defrauding the firm of £1.3m in false travel expenses. Grierson, who pleaded guilty in March this year after being charged by the City of London Police with four counts of false accounting, was today (30 May) handed sentences relating to four counts of fraud - one of 15 months, two of 36 months and one of 12 months, to run concurrently. He is expected to serve a total of 18 months in prison.

By Sofia Lind

4 minute read

May 24, 2012 | International Edition

"It was clear it would have some impact on some trainees but the evidence pointed towards that there would be an increase in the number of available traineeships. It is important to promote diversity in the legal market, but setting a minimum wage is not the solution..."

By Sofia Lind

6 minute read

May 24, 2012 | International Edition

Slaughter and May, Linklaters and Simmons & Simmons have become the latest firms to win roles on the billion-pound bidding battle for Cove Energy. Slaughters is advising Thailand's PTT Exploration and Production (PTTEP), which has topped an earlier bid from Royal Dutch Shell with a new £1.2bn offer. Cove's directors have unanimously recommended that its shareholders accept the latest bid.

By Sofia Lind

2 minute read