• December 12, 2007 |

    Online special: Negligence claims could spell the end for a large law firm, say top lawyers

    Partners warn that litigation risks for law firms are mounting in the global marketplace in the wake of a spate of negligence claims, but firms have beefed up their risk management procedures. Michelle Madsen reports on the latest Big Question survey

    1 minute read

  • December 10, 2007 |

    Norton Rose seals Saudi tie-up in Gulf push

    Norton Rose has secured an alliance with Saudi Arabian practice Abdulaziz Al-Assaf in a move set to boost the top 10 City law firm's profile in the Middle East. The deal with Riyadh-based Abdulaziz, which has 15 lawyers, hands Norton Rose a presence in a third Middle Eastern jurisdiction alongside existing bases in Dubai and Bahrain. The deal goes live on 1 January, 2008, with Norton Rose having previously acted alongside the Saudi outfit on a number of occasions.

    1 minute read

  • December 7, 2007 |

    City rivals do battle on 3's £250m mobile claim

    A clutch of City firms have landed roles advising on 3 Mobile's £250m claim against four rival mobile phone operators, in one of the largest competition actions to hit the UK courts. Barlow Lyde & Gilbert is advising 3 on its claim against rival operators O2, Vodafone and Orange, respectively advised by Ashurst, Herbert Smith and Field Fisher Waterhouse.

    1 minute read

  • December 6, 2007 |

    UK Firm of the Year

    Winner: Travers Smith

    1 minute read

  • December 5, 2007 |

    Editor's Comment: Onwards not upwards

    However upbeat partners were feeling last week at the firm's 125-year anniversary celebration, the reality is it has been an awkward year for Herbert Smith. After all, 2007 ends with its international strategy no further on than before, while several benchmark rivals have outgunned it. Likewise, the slow process of modernising its partnership culture is moving, but painstakingly.

    1 minute read

  • December 5, 2007 |

    Deloitte research: firms' growth dips during Q2 but still manages 17% rise

    The UK's top 25 law firms saw their revenue growth slow considerably in the second quarter of the year, according to research by Deloitte.

    1 minute read

  • December 5, 2007 |

    Herbert Smith only top firm to hold market share in plc client rankings

    Herbert Smith has enjoyed a strong quarter in Hemscott's latest rankings of advisers to listed clients, finishing as the only top firm to improve its market share.

    1 minute read

  • December 5, 2007 |

    Ashurst and CC pierce property gloom on E2bn Santander sale and leaseback

    Ashurst and Clifford Chance (CC) have taken the lead roles on one of the biggest European property deals in recent months - the A2bn (£1.4bn) sale and leaseback of 1,152 branches of Spain's Banco Santander.

    1 minute read

  • December 5, 2007 |

    Commentary: Five-year revival in property set to run out of steam

    Ashurst and Clifford Chance's (CC's) roles on a A2bn (£1.4bn) real estate deal (see right) would be decent instructions in the property sector in any circumstances, but with the market looking far from rosy, it is a very handy deal for any firm to have in its back pocket.

    1 minute read

  • December 5, 2007 | International Edition

    Olswang finance push lures Sidley partner

    Olswang has hired Sidley Austin partner Steve Clark, as the top 30 City firm looks to give more prominence to its finance practice. Clark, who specialises in acquisition and real estate finance, joined Olswang as a partner from Sidley's City arm earlier this week.

    1 minute read