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Redefinition of the guaranteed minimum prices for electricity production plants up to 1MW powered by renewables sources

The Italian Electricity and Gas Authority (AEEG) issued on 31 October 2013 the new consultation document No. 486/2013/R/efr1 containing guidelines and proposals for the redefinition of the guaranteed minimum prices for electricity production plants up to 1MW powered by renewables sources. The guaranteed minimum prices were introduced by AEEG with resolution No. 34/05 with the […]

Firm Briefings

Commercial Court clarifies the position on follow settlement clauses for retrocessionaires

On 6 November 2013, the Commercial Court handed down its judgment in Tokio Marine Europe Insurance Ltd v Novae Corporate Underwriting Ltd [2013] EWHC 3362 (Comm). Mr Justice Hamblen held that the defendant retrocessionaire had agreed to follow the insurer’s settlements in respect of the underlying claims provided that those claims arguably fell within the […]

Firm Briefings

Amendments to the electricity and gas limited merits review regime

The South Australian parliament has passed amendments to the National Electricity Law (NEL) and the National Gas Law (NGL) to give effect to the policy position of the Standing Council on Energy and Resources (SCER) in relation to the limited merits review regime. While in the course of consulting with stakeholders the SCER explored radical reforms […]

Firm Briefings

Partnerships under pressure: part one

By Niall Murphy The Revenue has announced a number of measures — and, for the arrangements covered by this article, has already implemented the measure — to crack down on what it perceives as the use of partnerships for tax avoidance purposes. In all cases, they counteract what have been reasonably standard and long-term planning measures. […]

Firm Briefings

Professional director’s duties in BVI companies

Professional directorship services are par for the course in the administration of companies incorporated in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). As an adjunct to registered office and agent services, fiduciary services providers frequently offer directorship services. These ‘directors’ are invariably corporate directors permissible under the BVI Business Companies Act… If you are registered and logged […]

Time for Europe’s independent firms to shine

A couple of weeks ago a group of senior in-house and private practice lawyers gathered around a table at Trowers & Hamlins in London and talked Europe. The group were in the final stages of judging The Lawyer’s European Awards 2014. After sifting through the entries and engaging in some serious debate about their merits, […]

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Yorkshire firm Chadwick Lawrence sells PI book to Slater & Gordon

Chadwick Lawrence has become the latest outfit to sell off its personal injury (PI) book, with the firm offloading the business to Slater & Gordon. The regional firm, which has offices in Huddersfield, Wakefield, Leeds and Halifax, said that sale of its PI and clinical negligence business would enable it to accelerate growth. The firm […]

Minter Ellison chief to step down

Australian firm Minter Ellison will initiate the search for a new chief executive partner, after incumbent John Weber announced he is to step down in June next year. Weber took on the top role in January 2009, succeeding outgoing chief Guy Templeton who left the firm. The firm’s board has engaged recruiters Egon Zehnder to […]

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CoA could trigger professional negligence wave with ‘plebgate’ ruling, lawyers warn

Litigators could see a rush of professional negligence claims against the sector following the Court of Appeal decision to penalise those that fail to comply with court directions, leading lawyers have warned. The CoA decision to limit the legal spend in Andrew Mitchell MP’s defamation case against The Sun because his legal team failed to […]

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WFW managing partner Greville stands down

Watson Farley Williams’ Michael Greville has resigned from his role as managing partner after 12 years. Greville will step down in mid-January and return to a fee-earning position focusing on the shipping, oil and gas, and energy sectors. Partners were alerted of his decision before the firm’s recent partner conference. An election for Greville’s replacement […]

News

Slater & Gordon seals £33m acquisition of Pannone consumer business

Market reforms introduced via the Legal Services Act and litigation cost controls implemented in April are forcing consolidation of the sector at a faster rate than ever before. Slater & Gordon, the first publicly-listed firm in Australia, today told the Australian Securities Exchange it would acquire Pannone’s consumer business for £33m. That will give Irwin […]

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Blake Lapthorn, Boyes Turner and Morgan Cole explore three-way merger

Blake Lapthorn, Boyes Turner and Morgan Cole are in talks over a three-way merger which would create a new top 40 UK firm with revenues closing in on £100m. The merger would create a firm with offices across the Midlands, south of England and Wales, employing over 450 lawyers. The news, confirmed by Morgan Cole […]

Issues