Issues

Freemasons. Satanic bunkum or quite charitable works

Freemasons have long been an easy target for people whose lives have failed to meet their expectations and who look to conspiracy theories to explain their failures. And until recently freemasons would not refute such claims. Chris Mullin, MP for Sunderland South, also subscribes to the theory and has invited members of the legal profession […]

In brief: Sports lawyer wins damages action

Sports lawyer Nick Trainer has been given “substantial” damages by The Sun for a story which suggested he had embarrassed England soccer coach Terry Venables. The article centred on the application by Trainer, Venables’ solicitor and a partner with John Bowden, Trainer & Co, to become an agent for soccer players. David Price, who acted […]

In brief: Mishcons trio heads to Goodman Derrick

Three lawyers have left prominent London firm Mishcon de Reya to join Goodman Derrick. Media and defamation solicitor Brian Hepworth moved over to the firm as a partner last week. He took with him Steven Shotnes as an associate and assistant Jason McCue. Hepworth’s clients include Central Television and Express Newspapers. Hepworth was named last […]

Slaughters tracks down charity's £6m

FIVE solicitors from Slaughter and May spearheaded an international investigation which traced nearly £6 million allegedly defrauded from the Salvation Army. Partner Richard Clark headed the London-based team which tracked the funds through 13 countries and also recovered £3 million in interest and costs. The operation involved 43 law firms worldwide, and in England 20 […]

In brief: University of Sheffield

The University of Sheffield wishes to point out in the HEFCE Quality Assessment Exercise it received an “excellent” rating for law, not “satisfactory” as printed in The Lawyer 24 October.

Financing

Biggart Baillie & Gifford advised Britannia Life in connection with changes in the corporate structure of Britannia Building Society

Singapore deal

The Singapore office of Norton Rose has acted in the establishment of a US$250 million investment fund jointly set up by the country’s government and two major European groups. The fund will invest in unlisted companies focusing on China, Indonesia and member nations of the Association of South East Asian Nations.

Bring on the subs

As many lawyers will be aware, employment trends have changed dramatically in the past couple of years; job security is no longer guaranteed and employers are increasingly recruiting staff on a contract basis. The flexibility which the short-term market offers is highly attractive to employers, enabling them to deal more effectively with unpredictable workloads and […]

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Freemasons. We have nothing to hide…

MASONIC lawyers have spoken publicly for the first time about the forthcoming investigation into their activities by the Commons’ Home Affairs Select Committee. Senior practitioners from all branches of the profession have told The Lawyer their reasons for becoming freemasons and dismissed suspicion that their organisation is a sinister secret society. Their comments provide an […]

Finers signs £50,000 deal with Axxia

Central London firm Finers has placed a £50,000 order with Axxia Systems. The order calls for an integrated IT system, comprising networked PCs, a Unix server from Digital Equipment and software to connect the firm’s fee earners to central information resources. At the core is Axxia’s Arista practice management system which includes Fee Earner Desktop, […]

Group tackles Law Society complaints

The Association of Legal Technology Suppliers (Alts) met last week to discuss accusations made by the Law Society against a number of its members. Alts chair John Meehan, of Management Support Systems, said: “The association has become stronger in the face of some of the Law Society’s accusations that suppliers are not doing their job […]

Freemasons. Satanic bunkum or quiet charitable works

It is six years since I wrote Inside The Brotherhood, yet I still receive half a dozen letters each month from people who believe their businesses and lives have been ruined by masonic conspiracy in the legal profession. I receive thick files about shady planning decisions, disputed inheritances, unfair dismissal claims, bank malpractice and all […]