Suzi Ring

September 06, 2011 | International Edition

Former News International legal director Jon Chapman has said that Rupert Murdoch "didn't have his facts right" when he alleged that Harbottle & Lewis made a "major mistake" in an investigation into phone-hacking at the media mogul's newspaper business. Chapman, who was speaking today (6 September) at a hearing before the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, went on to say that Murdoch was "wrong" to blame Harbottle for not concluding there was evidence of widespread phone-hacking at News International.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

September 06, 2011 | International Edition

Wragge & Co has launched a branch in Dubai, marking the UK top 30 law firm's entry into the largest legal market in the Middle East. The office opened today (6 September) under the firm's existing joint venture with local lawyer Mohamed Al Mehairi - Wragge & Co Legal Consultants - which was set up in December last year when the firm launched in Abu Dhabi.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

September 06, 2011 | International Edition

Wragge & Co has launched a branch in Dubai, marking the UK top 30 law firm's entry into the largest legal market in the Middle East. The office opened today (6 September) under the firm's existing joint venture with local lawyer Mohamed Al Mehairi - Wragge & Co Legal Consultants - which was set up in December last year when the firm launched in Abu Dhabi.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

September 05, 2011 | International Edition

The Law Society has written to the Leveson phone-hacking inquiry to express concern over fresh allegations that lawyers acting for hacking victims have been targeted by private investigators. Chancery Lane has responded to a report in Saturday's Independent, which alleged that media lawyers Charlotte Harris of Mishcon de Reya, Mark Lewis of Taylor Hampton Solicitors and Atkins Thomson's Mark Thomson have been targeted for surveillance by private investigators working for News International.

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read

September 05, 2011 | International Edition

Travers Smith has extended the amount of time partners must serve on salaried status before being elevated to the full equity rank. The firm has increased the amount of time fixed-share partners will spend in the role before joining the equity from three years to four. The decision has taken effect from the current financial year, with Travers' latest partner promotions placed on the four-year track, while the time spent by those already on the fixed-share ladder will remain unchanged.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

September 05, 2011 | International Edition

Ince & Co has bulked up its City professional liability practice with the hire of insurance and reinsurance partner Nilam Sharma from Crowell & Moring. Sharma joined Ince last week (1 September) from the London arm of the US firm Crowell, where she was also a partner.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

September 01, 2011 | International Edition

An administrative court clerk is set to become the first person to be prosecuted under the Bribery Act 2010 over allegations that he accepted a bribe to influence criminal proceedings. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has decided to prosecute Munir Yakub Patel under Section 2 of the Act for requesting and receiving a bribe intending to improperly perform his functions, marking the first case since new UK bribery laws came into effect this summer.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

August 31, 2011 | International Edition

Christie's has hired the BBC's group general counsel and secretary Nicholas Eldred as its new legal chief following the departure of former GC Nick Deeming earlier this year. Eldred is set to join the auction house in the coming months after a decade as legal head at the BBC, where he was responsible for legal, business and governance advice across all aspects of the broadcaster's affairs, in the UK and internationally.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

August 31, 2011 | International Edition

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom have lined up to advise on a $3.2bn (£1.96bn) Arctic exploration deal between oil giants ExxonMobil and Rosneft. Freshfields advised Russian state oil company Rosneft on the deal, with Moscow corporate partner Sergei Diyachenko and City corporate partner Frank Miller leading.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

August 31, 2011 | International Edition

Linklaters has grown its Paris arm with the hire of capital markets partner Patrice Doat from Gide Loyrette Nouel, marking the first lateral hire for the office in four years. Doat is set to join the firm with three associates on 1 September. He has been at the French outfit since 1994 and a partner since 2004.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read