Business and company names are regulated to make sure that misleading names, which may imply unwarranted status or authority, cannot be used. The legislation also places restrictions on the registration of ‘sensitive’ words and names that are the ‘same as’ existing names. These mechanisms are felt by many to be lacking in transparency and it […]
The AA has become the latest high-street company to be granted an ABS licence by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) after launching a joint venture with Bristol-based Lyons Davidson. The new service, AA Law, is expected to kick off on 1 December and will see the company intially taking on personal injury claims and litigation […]
Young barristers are “thrown in at the deep end” when directly advising the public because of woefully inadequate training that has created acute dangers around vulnerable clients, the Bar Council’s annual conference heard at the weekend. The criticisms come only months after bar leaders significantly modified access rules. Until recently, barristers had to be a […]
Offshore firm Collas Crill is relocating two lawyers to London, creating its second office outside the Channel Islands. Consultant Edward Stone and senior associate Susan O’Leary will move to the City in December, joining a small business development team already present in London. Stone specialises in funds and trusts work, while O’Leary advises on funds, […]
Clifford Chance has scooped a key advisory role for the Co-op Bank on its restructuring after Allen & Overy (A&O) found itself conflicted out due to a longstanding role as adviser to majority owner, the Co-operative Group. A&O played a key role in the bank’s £1.5bn restructuring plan announced in June 2013, acting for the […]
The Alternative Investment Fund Managers Directive (AIFMD) was transposed into national law through the Alternative Investment Fund Managers Regulations 2013 and the Financial Conduct Authority’s associated rules and took effect on 22 July 2013. The directive aims to introduce a harmonised regulatory framework across the EU for EU-established managers of alternative investment funds. In particular, the directive […]
Walker Morris and the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) have developed a partnership to help APSE support its members in driving forward initiatives related to the renewables and energy agenda. The partnership is intended to help create growth, skills and jobs and to help address fuel poverty. As part of the partnership, the Walker Morris renewables, energy and resources […]
Walker Morris is regularly asked about the formalities of executing documents. The following are 10 of the most frequently asked questions. Firstly, which documents must be executed as a deed? A deed must be used in the following: transfers of real estate; leases of real estate (subject to some exceptions, e.g. leases for a term […]
In overturning a fine imposed by the Information Commissioner against the Scottish Borders Council, the UK’s First-tier Tribunal (Information Rights) ruled that the breach in question was insufficiently serious to warrant a financial penalty. This begs the question: how serious does a breach need to be before a fine will be imposed? The council had […]
By Gwendoline Davies Dealing with disputes and litigation can be fraught with difficulty and risk. Litigation lawyers are therefore well practised in approaching their clients’ cases with the care, skill and competence they deserve. As several recent cases have demonstrated, it is equally important to ensure that solicitors do not take their eye off the […]
Shanghai-headquartered AllBright has become the latest Chinese firm to expand into Hong Kong. AllBright has obtained regulatory approval from the Law Society of Hong Kong for its long-planned Hong Kong launch, which will be the firm’s first location outside of mainland China. Its Hong Kong office is set to open on 15 November and will […]
No5 Chambers barrister Laura Davidson has recently returned from working in Rwanda as a consultant for the Ministry of Health. While there, Davidson undertook a situational analysis of the country’s mental health system, thereafter carrying out a consultation with key stakeholders. She then drafted the country’s first Mental Health Law and advised the government on […]