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  • March 21, 2013 |

    Halliwells liquidator continues talks with ex-partners over reverse premium

    Halliwells' liquidator BDO is continuing to negotiate a deal with the defunct firm's former equity partners which could see the group forced to repay some of the controversial 'reverse premium' property payout they received. Legal Week has been provided with some details regarding the proposed settlement, but has chosen not to disclose them due to a confidentiality agreement surrounding the mediation. Mediation between BDO and 32 former equity partners of the collapsed firm has been ongoing for almost a year as the liquidator seeks to recoup some or all of the £21m payout which was shared between the equity partners in 2007.

    1 minute read

  • March 18, 2013 |

    Firms team up for new effort to tackle lack of diversity on career track

    Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF), Hogan Lovells and Eversheds are among a line-up of eight City firms spearheading a new initiative to promote diversity and multiculturalism for all legal sector employees. NOTICED, which will be launched at the Law Society this Wednesday (20 March), will feature a series of events at which legal professionals from all backgrounds can network, debate diversity issues and share good practice, in an effort to make the legal industry more accessible and boost cultural awareness.

    1 minute read

  • March 14, 2013 |

    Addleshaws eyes flexi-work push as low-cost base grows with new hires

    Addleshaw Goddard is looking to ramp up the use of flexible working by its lawyers following a six-month consultation with staff on how the firm can work more efficiently. The firm is set to pilot the flexi-working scheme within its employment practice, as it looks to accommodate the changing needs of staff and keep hold of talented lawyers unsatisfied with the standard working week.

    1 minute read

  • March 14, 2013 |

    Nabarro raises default partner retirement age

    Nabarro has raised its default partner retirement age from 60 to 62 and brought in a provision allowing partners to continue working beyond this limit if they desire. The move comes after the firm began a review of its retirement policy in the wake of legislative changes in 2011 to phase out default retirement ages for UK employees. Nabarro partners reaching the new retirement age will be able to continue working at the firm, subject to board approval.

    1 minute read

  • March 8, 2013 |

    Access to the legal profession: a student's perspective

    The practice of law is undoubtedly changing. The profession is now much more diverse and accessible than it was 50 years ago. However entering the law is still notoriously difficult, with barriers at every stage of the process; from funding studies, to past performance, to gaining the much coveted training contract.

    1 minute read

  • March 7, 2013 | International Edition

    Betting on in-house – can corporate moves into legal services win credibility?

    "At a time when in-house advisers are under growing pressure to demonstrate their worth to the wider business, why not try to leverage skills already housed within the department to make a profit from external clients or make new inroads where they know they have a ready made client base to serve?"

    1 minute read

  • March 7, 2013 |

    Betting on in-house – can corporate moves into legal services win credibility?

    "At a time when in-house advisers are under growing pressure to demonstrate their worth to the wider business, why not try to leverage skills already housed within the department to make a profit from external clients or make new inroads where they know they have a ready made client base to serve?"

    1 minute read

  • March 7, 2013 |

    Paper trail – are paperless trials the way forward for UK courts?

    Billed as the biggest trial in the British courts in terms of value, the case brought in 2011 by Boris Berezovsky against fellow Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich was always going to attract plenty of interest. With accusations of blackmail, breach of trust and breach of contract, as well as a damages claim of £3.8bn, the scene was set for high drama. The ensuing litigation proved to be a first on a number of counts, not least for being the first case to be heard at the High Court's commercial arm, the Rolls Building.

    1 minute read

  • March 7, 2013 |

    Pinsents adds partner duo with KPMG and Competition Commission hires

    Pinsent Masons has strengthened its EU and competition practice with the hire of ex-Simmons & Simmons partner and Postcomm legal director Jenny Block. Block will join Pinsents' London office on 19 March as a partner following a spell working as a legal adviser at the Competition Commission. Her arrival at Pinsents will bring the number of partners in the EU and competition practice to five.

    1 minute read

  • March 6, 2013 |

    Addleshaws and Nabarro call off talks over near-£300m merger deal

    Addleshaw Goddard and Nabarro have confirmed that the two firms held merger talks, with preliminary discussions ending at the start of February. The failed talks, which were first reported by Legal Business earlier today (6 March), could have created a combined firm with revenues of more than £280m, putting it just outside the top 10 UK firms by revenue.

    1 minute read