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  • December 9, 2009 |

    Herbert Smith and Ashurst set to roll out new pricing deals for clients

    Herbert Smith and Ashurst are set to overhaul their pricing arrangements with clients, with the firms planning to be more flexible and transparent. Herbert Smith is rolling out a menu of 14 pricing options across the firm in a bid to offer clients greater choice.

    1 minute read

  • December 9, 2009 |

    Partners reject case for diversity quotas

    City partners remain implacably opposed to using any form of quota to tackle diversity issues despite 20 years of initiatives making little progress in promoting at the senior levels in the legal profession. Eight out of 10 partners think there is little or no merit in any form of quota system to tackle diversity, arguing they could lead to 'reverse discrimination', according to the latest Legal Week Big Question survey.

    1 minute read

  • December 9, 2009 |

    Debt chaos signals the end of West's love affair with Dubai

    It was already looking somewhat strained, but now the West's love affair with the debt-fuelled desert oasis of Dubai has come to an abrupt halt. While the initial panic in response to the Dubai Government's decision two weeks ago to ask creditors for a debt standstill on the obligations of Dubai World has died down, there is no doubt the emirate's reputation as a business centre has taken a knock.

    1 minute read

  • December 8, 2009 |

    City trio take headline roles on biggest UK buyout of the year

    Allen & Overy (A&O), Travers Smith and Ashurst have all picked up roles on the biggest buyout in the UK for more than a year. Apax is set to purchase pharmaceutical support company Marken for a reported £975m from Intermediate Capital Group (ICG), with the deal expected to close in early 2010.

    1 minute read

  • December 8, 2009 |

    Ashurst seals HK boost with DLA team hire

    Ashurst is set to boost its Hong Kong office with the hire of a four-lawyer team from DLA Piper, including the head of its Asia financial regulatory practice. Structured finance partner Peter Kwon will join Ashurst in January along with three associates to launch a Hong Kong securities and structured finance practice.

    1 minute read

  • December 8, 2009 |

    Ashurst management board set for reshuffle

    Ashurst is set for a shake-up of its management board, with two of its members coming to the end of their terms. Litigation partner Ed Sparrow and energy, transport and infrastructure partner Logan Mair's three-year terms are due to end in January, although it is not yet known whether they will stand again.

    1 minute read

  • December 8, 2009 |

    RBS solidifies legal panel with 18 firms given three-year terms

    Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has finalised a review of its legal panel, with at least 18 law firms making the grade. The bank, which kicked off a review of its external advisers in the spring, is in the process of formalising the appointments, with firms waiting for written confirmation.

    1 minute read

  • December 4, 2009 |

    Ashurst and Cleary win lead roles on Rusal's $3bn Hong Kong listing

    Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and Ashurst have won roles on Rusal's planned $3bn (£2bn) flotation on the Hong Kong stock exchange. Cleary has landed the main role on the listing, fielding a team led by City-based partner Dan Braverman advising on US, English and French law. Ashurst corporate partner Andrew Edge is providing additional English law, while US firm Sidley Austin is advising on Hong Kong law, with a team led by Hong Kong-based capital markets partner Constance Choy.

    1 minute read

  • December 3, 2009 |

    Bromwich wins third term as Ashurst managing partner

    Ashurst's management board has appointed Simon Bromwich for a third term as managing partner. Bromwich's will start his third term at the helm of the top 10 City firm in January 2010 for a further three years. He was first appointed in 2004 after only four years as a partner at Ashurst, and subsequently reappointed in 2007.

    1 minute read

  • December 2, 2009 |

    Middle East lawyers remain calm despite Dubai crisis

    Middle East lawyers are moving to downplay fears over Dubai's future amid growing concerns regarding the Emirate's debts. A host of international law firms, including Clifford Chance (CC), Latham & Watkins and Allen & Overy (A&O), have already won roles advising on the restructuring of Dubai World, which last week caused global panic when it emerged it wanted to delay debt repayments.

    1 minute read