Exclusive: Third of law firms consider going public in search of funds for expansion November 30, 2021 Around a third of law firms are contemplating listing on the stock market in the next year to fund growth plans, according to new research shared exclusively with City A.M. The findings underpin a growing trend among law firms to explore alternative financing models beyond traditional partnerships. Gateley was the first law firm to float [...]
Clyde & Co eyes up merger with law firm BLM November 26, 2021 Clyde & Co is reportedly in discussions with its smaller rival BLM about a merger between the two law firms, according to reports. The talks between the firms are still in the initial stages, according to Rollonfriday, a British legal news website, which first reported the development. With a turnover at Clyde of almost £640m [...]
Lawyers being bullied by ‘cold and cruel’ judges still a thing: ‘Judge-itis is a modern day hangover’ November 26, 2021 Many lawyers are still being bullied by judges, according to a retired senior magistrate. Nigel Lithman QC dedicates a section in his upcoming book to so-called “judge-itis”, the nickname in the legal profession for advocates who are bullied by members of the bench. While not prevalent or an “epidemic”, Lithman – who retired in August [...]
City barristers to hit the screen in new Channel 4 legal documentary November 26, 2021 Barristers from 25 Bedford Row will star in a new show with “unprecedented access” to legal lives. In a four-part documentary, tentatively named The Defenders, a group of barristers from one of the UK’s top criminal defence chambers will be followed around on their daily lives. The Defenders will show how the barristers work through [...]
Google commits to play ball with CMA over anti-competitive ‘Sandbox’ November 26, 2021 Google has improved its commitments to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over its ‘Privacy Sandbox’ amid concerns that changes by the tech titan could reduce competition in the digital advertising market. The competition watchdog launched an investigation into alleged anti-competitive behaviour by Google at the start of the year, following proposed changes to its [...]
Competition Law likely to have a place in sport long into the future November 26, 2021 Although historically associated more with corporate CEOs in smoke-filled rooms than the world of sport, competition law has certainly hit the back pages in 2021. The ever-increasing commercialisation of sport means that this crossover is only likely to continue and, in the case of football, could soon ultimately decide the future. European Super League While [...]
Macfarlanes newly qualified lawyers to earn £100k in second boost to salaries this year November 25, 2021 Law firm Macfarlanes has increased base salaries for its newly qualified lawyers to £100,000, up 11 per cent, according to reports. The silver circle firm already boosted wages earlier this summer, and admitted that the raises, which followed an early review of salaries, were an “unusual step,” according to Legal Cheek, which first reported the [...]
UCL edges out Harvard in global law school rankings November 25, 2021 University College London (UCL) has trumped Harvard in this year’s rankings of the top law schools in the world. UCL came sixth in the 2022 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings for law schools, just ahead of Harvard, the prestigious US university. It marks the second consecutive time the UCL law school, whose alumni [...]
LV= members face £43m bill in controversial Bain deal November 25, 2021 Members of mutual insurer Liverpool Victoria (LV=) will be slapped with a £43m bill to cover the costs of the controversial £530m takeover bid by a US private equity firm, according to reports. Despite calls last week from Business secretary Kwasi Kwarteng for transparency from the insurer about how much bankers, lawyers and lobbyists stand [...]
Regulator calls out ‘poor’ board succession planning at FTSE 350 companies November 25, 2021 The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) have called out listed companies for “poor reporting” on succession planning, board appointments and diversity, in a review of corporate governance reporting. The FRC said companies provided “minimal information” to show how diversity and inclusion policies and objectives link to their business strategy. The regulator said that while lots of companies [...]