THE FIRST eastern European law practice to set up in London opened last week, promising to compete with UK firms based in Moscow. Laptev & Partners, of Tyumen, Western Siberia, says it is probably the largest law firm in the former Soviet Union. It has 10 partners and 110 staff, an office in Madrid, and […]
The Law Commission is never likely to underestimate the power of the popular press again. Twice now it has seen its work lambasted in the huffing columns of the Daily Mail. First on its Domestic Violence Bill and now over its Bill on mental incapacity. It is uncomfortable enough for any organisation to find itself […]
The first-class carriages on Eurostar trains are fast becoming travelling offices for the UK’s top corporate and commercial lawyers. And on an average working day, the £220 seats are likely to hold several City lawyers. This trend illustrates three facets of travel and the law. First, lawyers no longer have the luxury of enjoying the […]
Lewis Silkin has gained a property consultant from Lovell White Durrant. David Shankland was a partner at Lovells for 23 years and for much of that time he headed its property sector. Shankland said: “I relish this opportunity to continue and expand my property law practice at such a dynamic and client-focused firm as Lewis […]
Piper v Milton Keynes Health Authority – QBD 22 January 199Claimant: Sydney Piper, 43, widower of Claire Piper, suing on behalf of himself and seven-year-old daughter and four-year-old son Incident: Alleged medical negligence Injury: Mrs Piper, 31 at time of death, referred by GP to general surgeon after she complained of stomach pains; 1986 report […]
The ability of John Edge to find about 12,500 signatures to support his Conveyancing Fee Initiative, when the Law Society’s paper Adapting To The Future received only a poor response, has surprised many in the profession. But there should be no surprise at the difference between these results; Edge’s letter took five minutes to read, […]
As The Lawyer was going to press the High Court announced a decision in favour of law firm Donn & Co, which had judicially reviewed the Legal Aid Board for awarding the legal aid contract to claim compensation for Gulf War veterans solely to two other firms; Dawbarns and Geoffrey Stevens & Co. A board […]
THE FIRST non-lawyer to be appointed to the top job at a big City law firm will take the helm of Simmons & Simmons in January next year. Alan Morris, the firm’s finance director, was elected by the Simmons & Simmons partnership after the election was widened for the first time to include directors rather […]
The Pensions Act, perhaps Robert Maxwell’s most enduring legacy, received Royal Assent on 19 July 1995. It is designed to put pensions on a more secure, equal and sustainable footing for the coming century but how will it affect the providers of financial services in the future? The first part of the Act is concerned […]
A recent High Court move which could have blocked a number of solicitor’s negligence actions has failed. In a case closely followed by a number of firms with pending negligence actions and also by the Solicitors Indemnity Fund, the High Court refused an application to throw out part of a negligence action as frivolous, vexatious […]
Chicago-based Mayer, Brown & Platt is the latest US firm to bolster derivatives in its seven-partner London office with two senior appointments. The move will strengthen the international firm’s role in work between London and the US, the two most important markets for derivatives. US lawyer Richard Cole, partner in charge of the London office, […]
The Lappel Bank of Kent’s Medway estuary is back before the courts. It was previously the subject of a ‘jobs v wildlife’ battle over the effect extending the port of Sheerness would have on local wildlife. But this time the litigation, which is in the Official Referee’s Court, is over alleged non-payment of fees for […]