City law firms repay furlough cash following strong business during pandemic October 14, 2020 Several large British law firms have handed back government furlough cash after seeing stronger-than-expected business during the pandemic. Square Mile-based firms Norton Rose Fulbright, Osborne Clarke and Herbert Smith Freehills have all paid back wage subsidies handed out by the chancellor, following strong demand for their legal services during the coronavirus crisis. Chancellor Rishi Sunak [...]
City Moves for 15 April 2019 – Who’s switching jobs at Herbert Smith Freehills, Trussle and Osborne Clarke? April 15, 2019 Today's City Moves includes Herbert Smith Freehills, Trussle and Osborne Clarke. Herbert Smith Freehills Herbert Smith Freehills partner Chris Bushell has been elected as the new vice-president of The London Solicitors Litigation Association (LSLA). Chris, who is also the organisation’s membership secretary, is a former member of the Junior LSLA Committee and has been actively [...]
Ted Baker appoints law firm Herbert Smith Freehills to probe hugging claims December 6, 2018 Fashion chain Ted Baker said this morning it has appointed law firm Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) to investigate claims of forced hugging by its boss Ray Kelvin. The Ftse 250 chain’s shares have been battered since the news emerged that the fashion retailer has launched an internal investigation into harassment claims. In a trading update [...]
City law firms enjoy bumper year for revenues October 22, 2020 London’s legal market has solidified its position as one of the City’s most resilient sectors after a year of strong financials and high pay packets. Despite the double whammy of Brexit and pandemic uncertainty, UK and US firms have managed to secure some of the most remunerative work and solidify London as a leading global [...]
Property giant Capco snaps up 26 per cent stake in rival Shaftesbury in £436m deal June 1, 2020 UK property manager Capco has acquired a 26 per cent stake in London-focused property firm Shaftesbury for £436m. Capco has bought the stake from a trust set up by Hong Kong tycoon Samuel Tak Lee for 540p per share, representing a discount of 13.9 per cent to the closing Shaftesbury share price on 29 May. [...]
Businesses should be wary of class action lawsuits as groundbreaking Shell decision has global reach February 22, 2021 Class action lawsuits are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, and a combination of the coronavirus, Brexit and previous claimant-favourable outcomes will mean UK companies see more action against them in the coming years. Britain is part of something of a third wave of class action lawsuit popularity. The practice of collective claims started in [...]
Half of top law firms had less than one month’s cash pre-coronavirus crisis May 4, 2020 More than half of the UK’s top law firms have insufficient cash on their balance sheets to cover one month’s operating expenses, according to new research. Analysis of the limited liability partnerships (LLP) accounts of 40 law firms with a combined revenue in excess of £15bn by litigation funder Augusta Ventures found 55 per cent [...]
Hammerson sells seven retail parks to Orion for £400m February 21, 2020 Hammerson has sold seven retail parks to Orion’s European real estate fund for £400m, the largest sale of its kind in the UK for a decade. The parks are dotted around the country in places such as Didcot, Falkirk, Rugby and Telford. The deal, which is expected to raise proceeds of £395m, takes the total [...]
New rules force pension funds to consider environmental and social factors October 1, 2019 Pension funds are now required to consider environmental and social factors when making investment decisions, under rules introduced today as part of the government’s bid to tackle climate change. New rules which have come into force this morning mean all defined-contribution schemes with more than 100 members will have to set out how they are [...]
Law and accountancy firm coronavirus partner promotions: a poisoned chalice? April 22, 2020 Law and accountancy firms have promoted swathes of new partners in recent days with many firms hailing the strong rounds as a signal of confidence in the future. But with new partners typically required to stump up £50,000 to £100,000 to join partnerships, it is a potentially risky step up for the individual during the [...]