The Financial Law Panel (FLP) this week dismissed concern that a proposed European directive will open the floodgates to legal action designed to thwart hostile takeover bids. An EU Green Paper on takeovers suggests all member states have a similar takeover code and a designated agency to oversee bid battles. The objective is to harmonise […]
Firms are becoming more open about earnings, with 20 of this year’s Top 100 firms divulging gross fee income. This year, 40 firms supplied details of turnover increase. Of those responding, Birmingham firm Wragge & Co and London and Oxford firm Manches & Co both top the turnover table, claiming a 25 per cent hike […]
Busking where no one is annoyed by the busker De Cristofaro v British Transport Police (1996). DC (Pill LJ and Newman J) 23/4/96. Summary: Buskers may be prosecuted for playing for reward in a London Underground station even if their performance does not annoy any member of the public. Appeal by busker in the London […]
Anthony Michael Bertin, 44, admitted 1976, practised in partnership as Bertin Ware & Associates, Folkestone, Kent, reprimanded and ordered to pay £797 costs. Allegations substantiated he failed to comply with direction of Solicitors Complaints Bureau. Arthur Giles Irving Wontner, 60, admitted 1969, practised as Wontner & Sons, London WC2, fined £2,000 and ordered to pay […]
The EU should not water down the powers of the European Court of Justice, according to the Bar Council’s international relations committee. The committee and the Bar European Group have made a joint submission to the ongoing Intergovernmental Conference, arguing that no amendments should be made to the EU’s constitution which could erode the rule […]
A Picasso, a Henry Moore, and a series of legal scenes by the French turn-of-the-century artist Jean-Louis Forain, are among works owned by the late Lord Goodman which are coming up for auction soon. Lord Goodman’s collection of 60 paintings, prints and drawings goes under the hammer at Bonhams auctioneers on 26 June. The leading […]
Southampton firm Gore Wood has merged with Blake Lapthorn’s commercial property department to create a 16 lawyer-strong unit capable of dealing with every type of property matter outside London. The unit will be based at Blake Lapthorn’s new purpose-built office, Harbour Court, which is situated on the M27 near Portsmouth. Pictured (l-r) are Steven Henshaw, […]
Dibb Lupton Broomhead has shed its private client department, paving the way for partners to establish a new Yorkshire firm focusing exclusively on private client work. Wrigleys opened offices in Leeds and Sheffield this month, where it will handle trusts, charities, tax planning, estates and heritage property. The firm was founded by Dibbs partners Matthew […]
Harrogate health care practice Leonard Oates has been swallowed up by one of Leeds’ largest commercial law firms, Walker Morris. Leonard Oates’ six partners all moved to Walker Morris, effectively marking the end of the firm. Andrew Oates, ex-Leonard Oates partner, said the firm’s partners saw a need for a broader support network to fully […]
The Law Society of Ireland has angrily rejected claims that irresponsible advertising by solicitors has lead to rocketing insurance cover for hospital consultants. The Irish Hospital Consultants’ Association blames “ambulance-chasing solicitors” for the average cost of cover jumping from £800 to £30,000 per annum over the past 10 years. “Ambulance-chasing solicitors, using billboard publicity campaigns, […]
The BBC has restructured its legal division in a bid to increase overall efficiency. The move is accompanied by the creation of a new intellectual property department designed to protect the BBC brand name. Legal adviser Gareth Roscoe now heads a legal division with five departments: programme legal advice, litigation, statutory and commercial legal affairs, […]
A TAKEOVER and forthcoming acquisition means Stockport firm Gorvin Kenyon can call itself the largest practice operating solely in Stockport. The firm completed a takeover of Bell Hough & Hamnett last month and is now acquiring Stockport firm O’Neill & Co. It now has five partners and two consultants. Ian Cook, a partner at Bell […]