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 edits the Beyond The Billable newsletter and column. She was previously a litigation reporter at The Lawyer. Contact her via email at maria.ward-brennan@cityam.com or on X @MariaW_B.

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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.
London-based accountancy firms BKL and Wilson Wright have merged

April 9, 2024

The firms, BLK and Wilson Wright, merged on 2 April and will have two bases in London: BKL’s office in North London and Wilson Wright’s office in Central London.
Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct locks horns with Premier League club Newcastle United over replica kits

April 9, 2024

The club has refused to supply Sports Direct - and its former owner Mike Ashley - with its upcoming replica kit, as it now has an exclusive retail arrangement with JD Sport.
Partnership crisis: Gen Z doesn’t want to follow the traditional legal career pathway

April 9, 2024

The poor work-life balance is putting the new generation of associates off partnership according to a new survey by LexisNexis.

Crystal Palace owner Blitzer part of £1bn mega stadium redevelopment

Crystal Palace owner Blitzer part of £1bn mega stadium redevelopment

Laphroaig turns to cocktails to drive growth

By: Maria Ward-Brennan

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