Property lawyers should prepare for 2008-style crash, regulator says October 24, 2022 Property law firms should ready themselves for a “significant fall” in work as a result of a downturn in the UK’s real estate sector, the industry regulator has said. The Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), which regulates conveyancers and property solicitors, said firms should prepare for a reversal of the past decade’s boom as economic [...]
MPs call for crackdown on advisors enabling tax avoidance schemes October 24, 2022 A group of cross-party MPs have called on the UK government to begin cracking down on the accountants and financial advisors that facilitate tax avoidance schemes. In a new report, the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on anti-corruption and responsible tax called for the UK’s tax system to be overhauled, to boost growth, increase tax revenues, [...]
Britannia Hotels sues Aviva for £6.25m over Aberdeen fire losses October 23, 2022 Britannia Hotels has filed a £6.25m lawsuit against its insurer, Aviva, over claims it is owed millions as a result of the London insurance firm’s refusal to pay out on a claim for losses caused by a fire at its Aberdeen hotel. The hotel group has filed a High Court lawsuit against Britain’s largest insurer [...]
Womble Bond Dickinson and BDB Pitmans in talks to create £430m firm October 23, 2022 Transatlantic law giant Womble Bond Dickinson is in early stage talks to merge with British firm BDB Pitmans. The two law firms are in early discussions for a potential merger, with a view to seizing the opportunities offered by complementary practice areas and a wider geographical footprint, BDB Pitmans confirmed. If completed, the merger would [...]
Criminal barristers vote to end strike, but warns justice system ‘remains chronically underfunded’ October 10, 2022 Criminal barristers in England and Wales have voted to end their strike action over pay today after the government tabled a 15 per cent pay rise.
Litigation funders warn EU regulation could hinder class-action lawsuits October 6, 2022 UK litigation funders have hit out at EU plans to regulate the sector in arguing the bloc’s proposals to cap fees could prevent class action lawsuits going forwards. The EU’s proposal is clear the litigation funding sector has the potential to support access to justice and help ensure public cases are brought to court, [...]
Bolt to face court battle over drivers’ employment rights October 6, 2022 Ride-hailing app Bolt is set to face a class action lawsuit calling for it to class its drivers as workers rather than self-employed contractors. Law firm Leigh Day has filed a claim against Bolt on behalf of more than 1,600 of its drivers in calling on the Estonian tech company to give its drivers holiday [...]
City lawyer avoids jail after telling client to ‘burn’ evidence in Ocado case October 5, 2022 A City lawyer, who instructed his client to “burn” chat logs to prevent them from being handed over to Ocado, has avoided going to prison after being handed a substantial fine. Ex-Jones Day partner Raymond McKeeve told an IT manager at a company founded by Ocado co-founder Jonathan Faiman, Today Development Partners (TDP), to “burn” [...]
Directors only owe duty to creditors on real risk of insolvency, UK’s Supreme Court rules October 5, 2022 The UK’s Supreme Court has dismissed a claim calling for the law to be changed to force company directors to start taking creditors into account at the first risk of insolvency. The Supreme Court ruling reaffirms the current position in law, in stating company directors are only required to begin prioritising creditors if it is [...]
Goodwin to move staff from Hong Kong to set up in shop in Singapore October 4, 2022 Goodwin Procter has become the latest law firm to set up in Singapore, after outlining plans to relocate staff from Hong Kong. The Boston founded law firm’s new Singapore offices will become its second location in Asia, after Goodwin opened its Hong Kong office in 2008. The launch is set to see two Goodwin partners, [...]