Suzi Ring

June 01, 2011 | International Edition

The University of Oxford has emerged as the top-ranked university law faculty according to a major study of student perceptions carried out by Legal Week's research arm, with the institution ranked 'excellent' by significantly more of its students than its nearest rival, the University of Cambridge. Legal Week Intelligence's 2011 Law Student Report, which surveyed more than 3,700 law students at leading UK universities and Graduate Diploma in Law course providers, found 78% of Oxford students rated its teaching as 'excellent', with Cambridge University placing second, with 69.5%.

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read

June 01, 2011 | International Edition

Clyde & Co has introduced a new policy that will see UK fee earners allowed to include up to 50 hours of pro bono work in their billable hours targets. The new policy, which came into effect last month, means lawyers will be able to count some pro bono work as chargeable hours for the purpose of performance-related bonus targets.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

June 01, 2011 | International Edition

Mishcon de Reya and Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) have announced soaring turnover and profits for the 2010-11 financial year, as the first wave of UK law firms to post their results continue to unveil strong growth. Mishcons has seen turnover jump 30% to £61.5m, up from £47.5m in 2009-10, while profits per equity partner (PEP) also leapt by a similar percentage, growing from £450,000 to at least £575,000, with the final audited figure yet to be confirmed.

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read

June 01, 2011 | International Edition

Herbert Smith's Paris litigation team has been hit by a three-partner walkout, with the trio's forthcoming departure to Allen & Overy (A&O) marking the latest in a string of exits from the City firm's French arm over the last 18 months. Herbert Smith's recently appointed head of disputes for Continental Europe, the Middle East and Africa (CEMEA), Denis Chemla, is set to join A&O alongside arbitration partner Michael Young and litigation partner Erwan Poisson.

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read

June 01, 2011 | International Edition

LG's real estate team has tightened links with two key clients, winning a sole advisory appointment for pension fund PAT and a first-time mandate from hotel group Malmaison. The firm was named as sole real estate adviser to PAT, the trustee responsible for insurance group Pearl's pension scheme, last month after a pitching process carried out by PAT's fund manager DTZ Investment Management. LG head of real estate Richard Miles is leading the relationship.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

June 01, 2011 | International Edition

Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) has hired the former chairman of the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) Chris Bolt as a consultant for its competition, EU and trade group. Bolt, who joined the firm last month, has spent the last twenty years managing and shaping regulatory issues in the transport and utility sectors, most recently as the public-private partnership arbiter for the London Underground.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

June 01, 2011 | International Edition

Herbert Smith has recruited its first US-qualified investigations partner with the hire of Goodwin Procter's Kyle Wombolt in Hong Kong. Wombolt joined Herbert Smith's Hong Kong dispute resolution practice as a partner last month from US firm Goodwin's local office.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

June 01, 2011 | International Edition

Kennedys has merged with its Dublin associate office O'Hare O'Connor Walshe, as the firm also gears up to develop closer ties with its Chilean associate firm. The Irish merger went live today (1 June), with O'Hare now trading under the name Kennedys Ireland.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

May 31, 2011 | International Edition

Macfarlanes has boosted its structured finance practice with the hire of Clifford Chance (CC) partner Rachel Kelly.Kelly is set to join the firm next week from the City banking and finance practice at CC and will be the first partner in Macfarlanes' London structured finance team.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

May 31, 2011 | International Edition

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert, Hill Dickinson and Gateley could be held liable for £500,000 in client money shortfalls relating to the Halliwells collapse, according to a letter sent out by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) last month. The SRA wrote to the three firms on 21 April warning them to pay the money or face investigation. The shortfall includes £305,000 in unpaid client money with an additional £272,000 in interest added to the base amount.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read