Suzi Ring

November 24, 2011 | International Edition

Australia's Mallesons Stephen Jaques and Chinese giant King & Wood have moved a step closer to a merger, with Mallesons' partners yesterday (23 November) approving the tie-up. The approval, which comes as King & Wood partners are expected to vote on the merger this week, paves the way for the firms to combine as King & Wood Mallesons early next year.

By Suzi Ring

4 minute read

November 23, 2011 | International Edition

Herbert Smith and Linklaters are advising on a €6.5bn (£5.6bn) project to build a high-speed rail link to connect the holy cities of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia. Herbert Smith is advising the Saudi-Spanish consortium selected to build the rail link, with Madrid corporate partners Alberto Frasquet and Miguel Riano at the helm.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

November 23, 2011 | International Edition

Herbert Smith's international strategy has been thrown into question after its European alliance partners Gleiss Lutz and Stibbe opted against pursuing a merger with the top 10 City law firm. Partners at Germany's Gleiss and Benelux firm Stibbe decided against entering into formal merger talks with Herbert Smith last weekend (19-20 November), ending hopes at the UK firm of a three-way union.

By Suzi Ring

5 minute read

November 23, 2011 | International Edition

Australia's Mallesons Stephen Jaques and Chinese giant King & Wood could rebrand as King & Wood Mallesons early next year if partners this week approve a ground-breaking tie-up between the two firms. Partners at Mallesons are voting on the deal today (23 November), with King & Wood understood to be making a decision tomorrow (24 November).

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read

November 22, 2011 | International Edition

Charles Russell's former managing partner James Holder (pictured) has taken up a new role as chairman of UK business and legal process outsourcing company Global BPO. Holder, who stepped down as managing partner at Charles Russell in May this year, joined the outsourcer last month with a remit to help expand its client base and improve market perception of outsourcing.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

November 22, 2011 | International Edition

Herbert Smith has suffered a huge strategic setback, with partners at European alliance partners Gleiss Lutz and Stibbe voting against a proposed merger between the three firms. The top 10 City firm's plans for a three-way merger came to an end over the weekend (19-20 November) when partners at Gleiss and Stibbe voted against continuing discussions.

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read

November 21, 2011 | International Edition

Herbert Smith has hired a new global chief operating officer (COO) as incumbent John Mullins prepares to retire at the end of the financial year. David Robinson joined the firm earlier this month, having most recently served as COO of private equity firm Vision Capital. He previously spent 20 years as a partner at Ernst & Young including a period as the accountancy firm's COO for Northern Europe, the Middle East, India and Africa.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

November 21, 2011 | International Edition

More paid part-time judicial roles will be made available to allow for flexibility with family commitments and increase the number of women in the judiciary, according to new proposals laid out by Justice Secretary Ken Clarke. The proposal is one of a number of measures outlined by Clarke today (21 November) to increase diversity within the judiciary in a bid to provide better access to judicial careers. If granted, the move would see an increase in the number of part-time judges in the High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. Currently, flexible-working arrangements are rare and generally not seen above the level of district judge.

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read

November 21, 2011 | International Edition

Herbert Smith has been instructed to carry out a review of top journalists' email accounts at Sky News to ensure that there is no evidence of corrupt practices at the company. The top 10 firm has been instructed by Sky News parent company BSkyB to carry out the review, with City dispute resolution partner Nusrat Zar leading the team for Herbert Smith.

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read

November 21, 2011 | International Edition

Mallesons Stephen Jaques and Chinese giant King & Wood are set to vote on a potential tie-up this week as groundbreaking talks between the two firms continue. Mallesons partners will vote on the deal on Wednesday (23 November), with partners at King & Wood also expected to vote on the union this week.

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read