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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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.
Plant grant: UK businesses to benefit from UBS £10k Chelsea Flower Show boost

April 10, 2024

In the Great Pavilion of this year's show will be RHS x UBS A Day on the nursery: insights into life as a grower will showcase the hard work and skill of nursery growers. This will highlight four nurseries who specialise in edibles and wildflowers.
US regulator slaps KPMG’s Dutch arm with record-breaking fine over exam cheating

April 10, 2024

The penalty is the largest fine the PCAOB has ever imposed. The regulator also singled out former head of assurance, Marc Hogeboom, stating that he directly and substantially contributed to the violations.
BBC faces £100k libel trial by Tory donor over Pandora Papers Panorama

April 10, 2024

Mohamed Amersi, who has been reported to have donated over £500,000 to the Conservative Party since 2016, brought the legal action against the BBC.

Exclusive: Insurance giant advises clients to avoid Red Sea after tanker struck

Commonwealth Games: How ‘Commy G Lite’ is opportunity for smaller brands

Volkswagen California 2026 review: plenty of room at the Hotel California

By: Maria Ward-Brennan

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