Prosecutors could be forced to meet victims before making a charging verdict December 9, 2021 Prosecutors could be required to meet victims of crime before deciding whether a suspect should be charged, following government plans for a “Victims ‘ Law”. The proposals, published today, will mean “victims of crime will be better heard, served and protected,” according to the Ministry of Justice. Another proposal could see criminals paying more towards [...]
KPMG reports $32bn global revenue as Big Four record strongest performance since Enron December 9, 2021 KPMG has reported a ten per cent rise in annual global revenues, up to $32.1bn, as advisory services have boomed during the pandemic. The combined results of the Big Four consulting firms – Deloitte, EY, KPMG and PwC – are the strongest since the Enron scandal which resulted in the collapse of Arther Andersen, according [...]
DWF reaps rewards of business streamlining, as it eyes Middle Eastern expansion December 9, 2021 Legal group DWF has enjoyed a financial uplift after streamlining the business last year, as it looks to expand in the Middle East. Revenue inched 3.8 per cent higher to £203.5m in the six months to 31 October, while operating profit swung from an £8.9m loss in the same period last year to £13.6m. Net [...]
Omicron hit to economy: New Covid restrictions may cost businesses £4bn in December December 9, 2021 The UK economy should brace itself for a £4 bn a month hit and see taxpayers foot the bill for more emergency support as new Covid restrictions to clamp down on the spread of the Omicron variant come into force, a think tank has warned. The right-wing Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA) said Plan B [...]
Biggest UK law firms pocket almost £30bn revenue as sector grows December 9, 2021 Revenue of the 100 biggest UK law firms grew by four per cent to £28.8bn in 2021, according to a new report by a professional body for financial and professional services. The news comes as City law firms battle it out in a bidding war for junior lawyers. Last week ‘silver circle’ law firm Herbert [...]
Visa rolls out crypto advisory service for banks and retailers December 8, 2021 Visa has today launched a global crypto advisory service for banks and merchants, as digital currencies gain traction. The world’s largest payment processor will educate financial institutions, which are keen to attract and retain customers, about cryptocurrencies as demand for such services has rocketed. Their new offering is also aimed at merchants exploring non-fungible tokens, [...]
Exclusive: Deal-making to surge due to ‘perfect storm of returning optimism, loosening restrictions and undervalued firms’ December 7, 2021 The market for mergers, acquisitions and other deals has, in the past two years, weathered periods of quiet during lockdowns and periods of boom as the economy reopened and optimism returned. This high demand looks set to continue well into 2022 with a new survey indicating that 90 per cent of dealmakers expect stronger activity [...]
Army of virtual lawyers in UK growing rapidly as pandemic launches new era of hybrid working December 6, 2021 There has been a 38 per cent rise in the number of lawyers at ‘virtual’ law firms in the past year as the pandemic leads to a dramatic shift towards hybrid and flexible working arrangements, There are now 1,875 lawyers working for ‘virtual’ law firms, up from 1,355 a year earlier. This increase is even [...]
Forced Covid quarantine in hotel breaches human rights, argues returning London couple as they launch legal challenge December 6, 2021 Coronavirus hotel quarantine is a “fundamental breach of human rights”, according to a London couple returning from South Africa. Today, Owen Hancock, 35, and Emily Mennie, 30, were due to enter hotel quarantine on their return from a break in South Africa. They say they were left stranded when the country was added to the [...]
D-Day for Priti Patel and Boris Johnson as High Court will rule today on Home Secretary bullying claims December 6, 2021 Scrutiny of Boris Johnson’s decision to back Priti Patel following accusations of bullying will reach its climax today as the High Court in London will rule on the matter later today. The FDA union brought a judicial review over the Prime Minister deciding last year to go against the findings of his then adviser on [...]