Shell mulls offshoring its legal eagles to cut costs June 6, 2016 Shell is considering offshoring its legal centre in a bid to cut costs and improve efficiencies, it was revealed today. "We are operating in the reality of a 'lower for longer' oil price environment and to remain competitive, Shell is taking essential steps towards building a more sustainable and resilient company," said Donny Ching, Shell's legal director. "Shell's [...]
Film tax schemers hit with prison sentences worth more than 36 years July 3, 2016 An HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) investigation into a film tax scheme concluded late last week with a final set of sentences bring the total jail time for those involved to more than 36 years. The scheme, which HMRC states would have cheated the system of £2.2m had it gone ahead as planned, involved false claims of [...]
Let’s celebrate the incredible generosity of spirit that powers London’s businesses October 3, 2016 In my role as lord mayor, I lead business delegations to key international markets to strengthen commercial ties and promote Britain as one of the best places in which to invest and trade. I am always struck by the positive perception of the UK as not only a good place to do business, but also as a [...]
Gawker said to be exploring sale following Hulk Hogan lawsuit May 26, 2016 US news and gossip website Gawker Media is said to be exploring a sale after losing a court battle with wrestler Hulk Hogan. Gawker has reportedly hired investment bank Houlihan Lokey to explore options after it was ordered to pay out $140m (£95.6m) to Hogan. Read more: Media and entertainment execs want deals – and [...]
Why lawyers are in a tizzy over Article 50 July 12, 2016 Legal eagles have been making front page news after both solicitors and barristers have launched challenges to the way the government might take the UK out of the EU. Mishcon de Reya last week revealed that it was waiting in the wings to start a legal battle should the government trigger Article 50 without an appropriate Act of [...]
City Moves for 11 May 2016 | Who’s switching jobs May 11, 2016 RateSetter Marketplace lender RateSetter has announced the appointment of Cyrille Salle de Chou as chief risk officer. Cyrill joins from Lloyds Banking Group and brings extensive experience. He started his risk career at Capital One, where he became chief credit officer for Europe responsible for card and personal loan credit. In 2007, he joined Lloyds [...]
Accountant sentenced to eight years in jail for devising and promoting tax fraud schemes based on film industry loopholes December 20, 2015 A former Ernst & Young partner was sentenced to eight years in jail at the end of last week for his role in a tax fraud scheme. Terence Potter, working alongside independent financial advisor Neil Williams-Denton, devised and promoted fraudulent schemes, which were based on tax avoidance schemes that take advantage of legal loopholes relating to [...]
Pension changes mean it’s time to talk to your boss: Drop in the annual allowance will catch City workers out February 15, 2016 TIME is running out for higher earners to re-negotiate their pension packages before planned new changes to the tax system kick in this April. The amount people can save tax-free in a pension each year will drop, with special rules coming in for anyone earning over £150,000. Experts are advising city workers to check their [...]
City Moves for 8 December 2015 | Who’s switching jobs December 7, 2015 BAKER & MCKENZIE Global law firm Baker & McKenzie has appointed Andy Moody as a partner in London. He joins in early 2016 from Eversheds. Andy has acted on a wide range of commercial disputes, focusing on international arbitration. His experience is in the energy sector where he has advised on international upstream, downstream and [...]
UK pensions changes: Osborne prepares to raid retirement savings again by changing the tax system – and higher rate payers will lose out from the new single rate of relief January 19, 2016 Pension savers should brace themselves for another round of changes to the system, as George Osborne gears up to announce the biggest shake-up to pensions tax in a generation. The tiered system of tax relief which depends on a person’s income is expected to be abolished, and a single flat-rate introduced instead – a policy which [...]