By: Maria Ward-Brennan

Professional Services Editor Maria Ward-Brennan is the Professional Services Editor at City AM, focused on law, Big Four, and other management and accounting consulting firms. She was previously a litigation reporter at The Lawyer. Contact her via email at maria.ward-brennan@cityam.com or X (Twitter) @MariaW_B.

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Exclusive: Fallout at Garrick Club over legal advice from Lord Pannick on admitting women

April 12, 2024

There has been weeks of backfire against the club after it was revealed all of the legal professionals - including judges - who were members of the London’s men-only club.
Former Deloitte lawyer cleared by disciplinary tribunal

April 12, 2024

Following the conclusion of the case, the Tribunal found that the allegations against him were not proven.
Crunch time: Cérélia forced to sell Jus-Rol after court dismisses appeal

April 12, 2024

French pastry maker Cérélia has been ordered to sell frozen pastry Jus-Rol after losing an appeal against the competition watchdog. US based food company General Mills, which owns Jus-Rol, announced in November 2021 that it agreed to sell its European dough businesses to Cérélia. With an annual turnover of €800m (£682m), Cérélia brands include Croustipate, [...]
R&Q Insurance expects large ‘adverse development’ on loss reserves

April 12, 2024

It announced in October that it had entered into a conditional agreement to sell Accredited, its programme management business, to private equity investment manager Onex Corporation.
Blackrock fails appeal to cut tax bill on £10.8bn Barclays deal

April 11, 2024

The Blackrock Group has lost an appeal to reclaim tax from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on its 2009 $13.5bn (£10.8bn) acquisition of Barclays Global Investors. The asset manager’s structure Blackrock Holdco 5, LLC was used to acquire the North American investment management business of Barclays Global Investors from Barclays Bank in December 2009. At [...]
Here’s how much Michelle Donelan’s defamatory letter cost UK taxpayers

April 11, 2024

The science and technology secretary settled a libel case after she falsely accused two academics of “sharing extremist views” and one of supporting Hamas.
Vietnamese woman sentenced to death for £10bn white collar crime

April 11, 2024

Truong My Lan (67), the founder of Van Thinh Phat Group, a real estate development group, was arrested in 2022 for her role in a £10bn financial fraud, the country's biggest on record.
Top UK law firms borrowing more as lawyers struggle to get clients to cough up

April 11, 2024

The total debt at the UK’s top 50 law firms has hit £5.4bn, as the tougher economy sees firms struggle getting clients to pay their bills. According to data shared exclusively with City A.M. by accountancy firm Lubbock Fine, the total debt has hit £5.4bn, up by £177m in the past year. The data is [...]
Plans to stop NDA abuse provide clarity but aren’t radical, lawyers say

April 10, 2024

Non-disclosure agreement (NDA) clauses that aim to stop victims reporting crimes to the police are “likely already unenforceable” under “current laws”, lawyers have said.
HMRC roasted by ‘mega’ marshmallows after Tax Tribunal dismisses appeal

April 10, 2024

A London-based wholesaler of American sweets and treats, Innovative Bites, appealed after the HMRC decided that 'mega marshmallows' was confectionery and ought to have been standard rated.

Satisfaction: Mick Jagger prevails in bid to block Battersea tower

David Beckham becomes Britain’s first billionaire sportsman

Bentley Bentayga Speed: The maddest, baddest SUV you can buy

By: Maria Ward-Brennan

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