Suzi Ring

May 18, 2011 | International Edition

Herbert Smith and Allen & Overy (A&O) are both considering offering training contracts to legal assistants employed at their Belfast nearshoring ventures. Herbert Smith is looking at whether it should offer training contracts to some or all of the 10 legal assistants it employs in Belfast to provide lower-cost support to the litigation practice. The firm is yet to make a decision on whether or not it will introduce the route to qualification in Northern Ireland.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

May 18, 2011 | International Edition

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert has overhauled its associate career structure and introduced a new merit-based pay system for lawyers in the UK. The firm has divided its associate rank into three tiers – associate, senior associate and legal director – as well as introducing a new counsel rank for a handful of senior lawyers outside the partnership. The intention is for lawyers, who until now have been known only as associates, to progress through all tiers except counsel before becoming partners.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

May 18, 2011 | International Edition

Intellectual property (IP) and copyright laws in the UK should be overhauled and brought into line with today's digital era, according to recommendations in the Hargreaves Report published today (18 May). The report, complied by Professor Ian Hargreaves of Cardiff University, outlines 10 proposals intended to update the UK's outdated laws and promote innovation, with the report suggesting that modernised IP systems could add up to £7.9bn to the UK's economy.

By Suzi Ring

7 minute read

May 18, 2011 | International Edition

Former Barlow Lyde & Gilbert chief executive Clint Evans is joining Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC) to lead the firm's business development department. Evans is set to join RPC next month as director of brand and talent, a role that will see him working alongside HR director Sally Andrews and knowledge management director Andrew Woolfson, with responsibility for leading the business development team.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

May 17, 2011 | International Edition

Matrix and Doughty Street Chambers are among a raft of law firms and barristers' sets to have acted on the high-profile phone-hacking dispute between Sienna Miller and the News of the World (NoW). Matrix Chambers' Hugh Tomlinson QC, David Sherborne of 5RB and media partner Mark Thomson from Atkins Thomson have advised Miller on her case, with the latest development in the 'Hackgate' saga seeing the actress last week (13 May) awarded £100,000 in damages.

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read

May 17, 2011 | International Edition

Linklaters has appointed new co-managing partners for its US practice, as incumbents Larry Byrne and Nick Rees step down. Conrado Tenaglia and Jeff Norton have been appointed as of 1 May for a four-year term. Norton, who will continue in his role as US banking co-head alongside his new responsibilities, has been at Linklaters since 2005 when he joined from US outfit O'Melveny & Myers. Meanwhile, Tenaglia relocated to the New York office earlier this year from his role as co-managing partner for Linklaters in Spain. He was previously based in the firm's US office from 2001 to 2003 before moving to Madrid.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

May 17, 2011 | International Edition

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has unveiled plans to promote the UK's courts and legal services to overseas companies. An Action Plan published today (16 May) by the MoJ and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) outlines plans to promote the UK's commercial arbitration, mediation and court services globally.

By Suzi Ring

3 minute read

May 16, 2011 | International Edition

Proceedings in the UK Supreme Court can now be watched live over the internet in an effort to make the court more transparent and accessible. A live stream of the court's hearings and judgments went live today (16 May) on Sky News and can be accessed via the court's website. The Supreme Court is already exempt from the prohibition on the filming of court proceedings in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but until now footage has only been used in a limited amount of news coverage and a number of documentaries.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

May 16, 2011 | International Edition

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert has announced a 17% increase in revenues and a 35% jump in profits for the 2010-11 financial year. Profits at the firm rose to £22.7m from £16.8m in 2009-10, while revenues grew by 17% to £94.5m from last year's figure of £80.8m. The results mark a notable turnaround from 2009-10, when turnover fell 6.2%. Profits per equity partner increased by around 3% last year to reach £300,000.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

May 13, 2011 | International Edition

The Football Association (FA) has appointed James Dingemans QC of 3 Hare Court to investigate allegations of misconduct by FIFA officials surrounding England's 2018 failed World Cup bid. Dingemans was appointed on Thursday (12 May) to review claims made by former FA chairman Lord Triesman to a Parliamentary select committee this week relating to allegations that four FIFA officials had sought "bribes" to back England's bid.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read