By Michael Rainey The public procurement rules are changing, and the government is keen to implement these changes as soon as it can. The following update highlights some of the key points for bidders and procurers to note as they get ready for the changes, considers the remaining steps in the implementation process and explores […]
Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has brought the number of real estate partners in its Madrid office to three with the addition of Javier Ortega de la Peña from DAC Beachcroft (DACB). The hire follows earlier moves to bulk up in Europe with the addition of SJ Berwin’s German real estate head, Hans Kessler, who joined […]
Slaughter and May has taken a lead role in advising Premier Foods on the sale of a 51 per cent stake in British bread business Hovis to Gores Group. Weil Gotshal & Manges advised US private equity firm Gores Group on the £30m deal. For Slaughter and May it will be a welcome return for the institutional […]
After being raided by US firm Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy for former Asia Pacific capital markets head James Grandolfo, Allen & Overy (A&O) has sent London bigwig Jim Wickenden to Hong Kong to take control of the group. The magic circle firm has been under attack in Hong Kong in recent years. Linklaters hired […]
The FBI has turned to investment management firm Bridgewater Associates for general counsel hire James Baker. Baker, who joined Bridgewater as associate general counsel two years ago, succeeds outgoing GC Andrew Weissmann. The agency’s top legal job became available in October, when Weissmann left to become a senior fellow at New York University School of Law. […]
A significant social issue of recent times is the lack of housing in the UK, and particularly the fact that an insufficient number of new homes are being built to meet the needs of the growing population. Estimates suggest that 200,000 to 250,000 houses need to be built each year in order to match population […]
Making a claim for adverse possession is a method by which an ‘unlawful’ occupier can acquire legal title to the land, by ‘displacing’ the paper owner. Adverse possession can be relied upon by squatters residing in a property or making use of a piece of land for the requisite length of time. The case of Robert Smart […]
Restrictive covenants continue to provide significant concern, difficulty and delay for developers. In the recent case of 89 Holland Park (Management) Ltd and others v Hicks (Holland Park), the court was asked to consider the enforceability and extent of two restrictive covenants preventing specific activities in respect of development. Holland Park concerned two adjoining plots of […]
This year is heralded to be an ‘exciting year for commercial property’. An improving economic outlook has seen activity in the construction industry steadily increasing, culminating in eight months of growth to the end of 2013. Furthermore, this growth is not solely confined to housing and infrastructure projects; it also includes commercial building work, which is rising […]
An opinion issued in connection with the bankruptcy cases of Lyondell Chemical Company and its affiliates may have significant implications for shareholders who receive payments in connection with a leveraged buyout (LBO) when the underlying company subsequently files for bankruptcy. Earlier this month, Judge Robert Gerber of the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District […]
Richard Moulton, head of private equity at Eversheds, has commented on predictions that the increase in European initial public offerings (IPOs) is set to accelerate. Moulton said: ‘The equity capital markets are open again, with some high-profile businesses coming to market. However, actual volumes of IPOs are not yet “surging” and many in possible floats in […]
Matthew Gough, partner and head of consumer law at Eversheds, has commented on the UK Consumer Rights Bill beginning its parliamentary passage. He believes that more businesses need to familiarise themselves with upcoming changes. The intention of the bill is to reform and consolidate the vast majority of UK consumer law, including provisions relating to the supply […]