Financings
Ashurst Morris Crisp acted for Herring Baker Harris Group in relation to its reverse takeover of Lambert Smith Hampton and the placing of over 3 million new shares at 95p each.
In brief: Lovells litigator becomes senior partner
Andrew Walker, 51, takes the helm as senior partner of international firm Lovell White Durrant this week. The first litigator to be made senior partner of the firm, Walker is expected to be “a strong champion of the firm’s international practice, including its cross-border work”. Currently a senior partner in the practice’s commercial litigation practice, […]
Look to the future or fail, urges Hayes
Outgoing Law Society secretary general John Hayes has warned that the current turmoil in the profession “is not revolution but the possible emergence of a flat earth law society”. In a lecture organised by the European Policy Forum last Thursday, Hayes admonished hostility to beneficial developments in the profession with a veiled attack on president […]
Scots take flak over hostile complaints culture
Scottish Legal Services Ombudsman Garry Watson has expressed concern at solicitors’ hostility or overly casual attitude when told the Law Society of Scotland is investigating a complaint against them. In his annual report to Scotland’s Secretary of State, Watson says most solicitors were anxious to resolve problems as quickly as possible, but some became aggressive […]
In brief: Rights of establishment in EU move closer
European lawyers are one step closer to achieving a right of permanent establishment under home title in other EU countries. The draft EU Rights of Establishment Directive was passed by the European Parliament’s legal affairs committee in Brussels last week. However, it still has to be approved by the Council of Ministers and pass another […]
Chancery Lane acts to woo back members
The Council of the Law Society has passed a comprehensive series of measures in a bid to ensure the society is more responsive to members. The measures, which come at a time of acknowledged grassroots unrest, are part of a bid to make the society more accountable. In the words of council member David Thomas, […]
Lawyers shy of IT
Lawyers are lagging behind other professionals in using IT, according to a recent survey carried out by Toshiba. The results revealed that lawyers prefer to work from the office and are hesitant about using mobile communication. Only 15 per cent use a notebook computer for remote access to work. And 26 per cent prefer a […]
Law practices reap benefit of property market boom
Many medium-sized London law firms are expanding so quickly that they are scouring the City for new office space. According to Jonathan Solomon, commercial property partner at Norton Rose, medium-sized practices are looking to move into new and bigger offices to cope with burgeoning workloads. “In recent weeks, I have had enquiries from four firms […]
Engineering expert goes to Scottish Power
Scottish Power has appointed James Stanley to the new post of legal director with responsibility for the provision of legal, commercial and associated services within the electricity generating group. Stanley, 41, was previously a director of John Brown, the UK’s largest engineering and construction group, whose power systems division is an important employer in Clydebank. […]
Litigation Personal Injury 30/04/96
Coram v Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Health Authority – QBD 16 April 1996 Claimant: Darren Coram, 9 Incident: Medical negligence Injuries: Oxygen starvation at birth; cerebral palsy; asymmetrical spastic quadriplegia; blind; severely mentally retarded Award: £1 million (agreed damages) Judge: Mr Justice Tucker Plaintiff’s solicitors: The Betesh Partnership (Manchester) Wilkinson v Dyke – QBD […]
Law Soc and Labour clash over delays
The Law Society went into battle against the Labour Party last week over proposals from Shadow Home Secretary Jack Straw which aim to penalise lawyers for time-wasting before cases come to trial. Straw called for lawyers to be disallowed costs if cases take too long to prepare. He was launching a campaign to cut the […]
Eversheds Birmingham turns its back on matrimonial work
The Birmingham office of Eversheds has closed down its matrimonial department. Two practitioners will go to Coldfield firm Benussi & Co while other members will work in other departments at the firm. Adrian Bland, deputy managing partner, said the move forms part of a three-year management plan: “We are pushing very hard on a number […]