A VERDICT is expected this week in the trial of barrister Bernard Cunningham and six accountants after what the Inland Revenue says is its longest-ever tax fraud trial. The six-month trial involves an alleged tax loss of u1.3 million and is expected to have cost more than u2 million. The defendants have been variously charged […]
Sheffield and Hull have become important legal centres for specialised firms. London-based firm Nabarro Nathanson operates an office in Hull specialising in shipping, while its office in Doncaster contains the majority of British Coal’s ex-legal team. The firm’s northern base has a reputation nationally for local government work (partner David Abram is based there and […]
Swindon and Newbury firm Townsends has been appointed to advise Italian contractors Castelli Girola on a u24 million road contract for the Scottish office. Townsends’ construction litigation partner John Birch says the contract involves the conversion of the A74 to a motorway between Eaglesfield and a point near Lockerbie.
FEES for the UK lawyers acting for the Maxwell administration – mainly Norton Rose and Herbert Smith – have come to $12 million, so far. US lawyers’ fees, largely for Millbank Tweed, were $10 million. The figures were revealed as the second report was issued to Maxwell Communication Corporation (MCC) creditors, by administrators Price Waterhouse. […]
Lord Justice Scott, heading the inquiry into the alleged sale of arms to Iraq, has been named as the new vice-chancellor. He takes over on 1 October from Sir Donald Nicholls who has been appointed a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary.
Docklands residents are awaiting judgement from Judge Richard Harvey QC on whether they can proceed with a damages claim for television interference allegedly caused by the Canary Wharf development. Judge Harvey is expected to hand down his judgement during the holiday period. The Court will decide whether the English legal system can protect an individual’s […]
In the emotionally charged world of child abduction cases it is vital that the parties have as full an appreciation as possible of the working of the jurisdiction in which they are involved. That need, is stressed by David Sterrett of Margaret Bennett’s specialist family law practice based in London. They must be aware that […]
Carol Mulcahy A frequently expressed concern of litigators is the shortage of judges and the time it takes to get a case heard. Despite recent improvements in the lists, what is also frustrating is the delay experienced in obtaining an appointment for an interlocutory application before a Queen’s Bench Master. A carefully formuIated “offensive” strategy […]
Simon Rogers reports MAINSTREAM IT supplier IBM has recently launched a new on-line information service. The new product, ‘Tel-Me’, is being aimed at lawyers and other business professionals. Developed by Wirral-based company Phonelink, it provides general low-cost information on-line either via modem or ISDN It is presently on trial at one of the top five […]
SOLE practitioner barrister Elikkos Georghiades has issued a writ against Labour MP barrister Gerald Bermingham accusing him of slander. The writ, issued earlier this year, claims “damages for slander contained in a statement to the members of the chambers of Ivor Richards QC at 11 South Square, published on or about 28 March 1991 by […]
US FIRM Bryan Cave is to open offices in Hong Kong and Beijing in a bid to break into the Far East. The firm has also announced the election of Walter Metcalfe as the firm’s new chairman and Mark Hillis as managing partner. The appointments are effective immediately. Partners Peabody Hutton and Michael Morgan will […]
BRITAIN’S first black chambers, 9 Stone Buildings, has been evicted over rent arrears. Head of the 14-barrister chambers Yosefaly Serugo-Lugo launched a last-minute appeal for u38,000 to save the chambers from summary eviction, but the building was repossessed on Friday lunchtime. The landlord, Lincoln’s Inn under-treasurer Captain Malcolm Carver, says he will now seek to […]