Suzi Ring

April 06, 2011 | International Edition

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is rolling out unconscious bias training to its partners firmwide in a bid to increase diversity within its ranks. The training, which was first piloted with corporate partners last autumn, is intended to alert partners to bias that could affect decisions regarding recruitment, promotion and attitudes to others at the firm.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

April 04, 2011 | International Edition

Holman Fenwick Willan has announced its annual partner promotions, with the firm adding nine lawyers to its partnership - including six in the City. The promotions, which came into effect on 1 April 2011, saw the firm's London office gain the bulk of new partners, with a further one apiece added to its Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore outfits.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

April 01, 2011 | International Edition

Macfarlanes has announced its annual partner promotions, with the firm making up four to its partnership. The promotions, which take effect from 1 May, sees Jatinder Bains made up in banking and finance, Matthew McCahearty promoted in litigation, Hayley Robinson made up in employment and Malcolm Walton in competition.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

March 31, 2011 | International Edition

The Supreme Court has ruled that expert witnesses are longer immune from being sued for negligence in a landmark decision that will see longstanding legislation overturned. The ruling means that experts providing advice on cases are now liable if their advice is deemed negligent, removing the immunity from suit for breach of duty.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

March 30, 2011 | International Edition

Ince & Co is set to convert to a limited liability partnership (LLP) on 1 May, becoming one of the last firms in the UK top 50 to do so. The move, which comes a decade after firms were first permitted to limit their liability, will see seven of Ince's nine offices included in the LLP. Hong Kong and Paris will be excluded for the time being.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

March 30, 2011 | International Edition

Seven of the UK's 20 largest law firms by revenue are planning to review the financial assistance they offer to future trainees in the wake of planned hikes in university tuition fees. Clifford Chance, Linklaters, Herbert Smith, Hogan Lovells, Eversheds, Addleshaw Goddard and Bird & Bird are all set to review the financial support packages they offer law students over the coming months.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

March 30, 2011 | International Edition

Businesses have just three months to ensure they comply with the Bribery Act, after Justice Secretary Ken Clarke today (30 March) announced that the UK's updated anti-corruption laws will come into force on 1 July. The new guidelines issued earlier today confirm that a business can be held liable if a senior person within the organisation commits a bribery offence. Organisations may also be liable for failing to prevent bribery conducted on their behalf, but only if the person committing the crime performs services connected with the business - this means companies are unlikely to face action because of the actions of suppliers.

By Suzi Ring

7 minute read

March 29, 2011 | International Edition

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is to overhaul 'no win, no fee' conditional fee arrangements (CFAs) in a bid to reduce high payouts to lawyers and prevent unnecessary litigation making it to courts in England and Wales. Measures announced by Justice Secretary Ken Clarke will see the abolition of the recoverability of success fees and associated costs in 'no win, no fee' CFAs, with claimants to pay their lawyers' success fees instead.

By Suzi Ring

7 minute read

March 29, 2011 | International Edition

Italian independent NCTM has overhauled its management structure, replacing its co-managing partner positions with a new five-partner executive committee. Former managing partners Vittorio Noseda and Piermauro Carabellese have been appointed to the committee to look after international relations and communication, and administration, finance and information technology respectively.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read

March 28, 2011 | International Edition

Cuatrecasas Goncalves Pereira has announced its annual promotions, with 10 lawyers made up to the firm's partnership following last week's partners' conference. The promotions, which are spread across five of the firm's offices, mark a decrease on last year's total of 18. The bulk of the new partners are based in the firm's Madrid office, with Esther de Felix, Olga Garcia and Pedro Campana in the litigation practice and Jose Luis Rodriguez in commercial.

By Suzi Ring

2 minute read