• May 13, 2008 |

    ...Legal Week Lunchbox: 13/05/08...

    The five most popular articles on legalweek.com today; plus the pick of the day's posts; Alex Novarese on Slaughters' global dilemma; and more

    1 minute read

  • May 12, 2008 |

    Slaughters' best friends – lots of necessity, not so much virtue

    There is an interesting piece from the always good–value Dominic Carman, writing in this month’s Legal Business, built around a meeting with…

    1 minute read

  • May 8, 2008 |

    UK trio become LLPs with only two top 10 firms yet to convert

    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, Macfarlanes and Hammonds have become the latest law firms to convert to limited liability partnership (LLP) status. All three firms converted with effect from 1 May, leaving just a handful of top City players to convert - with Slaughter and May and Simmons & Simmons now the only top 10 City firms not operating as LLPs.

    1 minute read

  • May 2, 2008 | International Edition

    Freshfields finalises Euro LLP conversion

    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has converted to limited liability partnership (LLP) status, with effect from yesterday (1 May). The move means Slaughter and May is now the only magic circle firm choosing not to operate as an LLP.

    1 minute read

  • May 2, 2008 |

    Freshfields finalises Euro LLP conversion

    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has converted to limited liability partnership (LLP) status, with effect from yesterday (1 May). The move means Slaughter and May is now the only magic circle firm choosing not to operate as an LLP.

    1 minute read

  • April 30, 2008 |

    The price is right

    Although just a snapshot of the way in which professionals approach the delicate issue of pricing legal work for clients, a recent survey of 260 transactions at a leading mid-market law firm revealed that 72% of quotes were under the final amount billed, by an average of 21%. An additional 12% was also written off before the client's bill was submitted.

    1 minute read

  • April 29, 2008 |

    A&O has best law firm website, finds poll

    Allen & Overy (A&O) is the law firm with the website most likely to win business, according to the findings of a new survey. The magic circle giant finished with the highest overall score in the Intendance Fast 50 annual survey ahead of Nabarro, Freeth Cartwright and Herbert Smith.

    1 minute read

  • April 24, 2008 |

    Firms to hold off on major pay hikes in wake of crunch

    Associates are in line for slim pay increases this year as top City firms try to avoid making the first move. Partners with City giants including Linklaters and Clifford Chance (CC) - normally early movers - told Legal Week they are not expecting to see significant increases this year, as they feel the impact of the credit crunch.

    1 minute read

  • April 24, 2008 |

    Bank of England turns to Freshfields as it eases crunch with £50bn debt scheme

    Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has underlined its close links with the Bank of England after taking lead advisory duties on the bank's £50bn liquidity support programme. Freshfields is advising the longstanding client on its plan to swap secured Government bonds for premium mortgage debts held by commercial banks in a bid to restore liquidity to the inter-bank debt markets.

    1 minute read

  • April 24, 2008 |

    OFT strikes blow in landmark overdraft fees case

    The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has scored a victory in the High Court against some of the City's top law firms regarding the fees charged by banks for unauthorised overdrafts. Mr Justice Andrew Smith ruled today (24 April) in favour of the OFT, which argued that the charges are subject to the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999.

    1 minute read