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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Court pauses civil case against WealthTek so FCA can prioritise criminal probe

March 4, 2024

Civil litigation against financial adviser Wealthtek and John Dance was ‘stayed’ by the High Court in order for the regulator to prioritise criminal investigation. The regulator took action against WealthTek last April in order to “protect consumers following the identification of serious regulatory and operational issues”. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) order the firm to [...]
Regulator hits KPMG and partner with near £2m in sanctions over M&C Saatchi scandal

March 4, 2024

The accountancy regulator has fined KPMG and a partner over its audit of advertising agency M&C Saatchi. Back in 2019, the Big Four firm resigned as the ad giant’s auditor amid an accounting scandal which saw the company set aside £6.4m after it had spotted an error in its accounts. The business had also overstated [...]
Ministry of Justice set to introduce new law on litigation funding

March 4, 2024

The Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary Alex Chalk is set to introduce a new law to make it easier for the public to secure financial backing when launching claims against big businesses. The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) unveiled its plans on Monday that a new law will be introduced to address the issue of litigation [...]
Here are the new powers for Companies House that come into force today

March 4, 2024

The first set of powers from the Economic Crime Bill is set to come into force on Monday, as changes to Companies House come into play.
A&O Shearman elects leadership team effective in May once merger completes

March 1, 2024

Magic Circle firm Allen & Overy (A&O) has elected its senior partner and managing partner that will take over post-merger of A&O Shearman
Court told that Matt Hancock’s tweet did not name Andrew Bridgen in ongoing libel battle

March 1, 2024

Andrew Bridgen’s claim of libel from a tweet issued by Matt Hancock “fails to set out” any evidence that the tweet was about him, a court was told. The expelled former Tory MP Andrew Bridgen launched legal action against the ex-health minister and current independent MP, Matt Hancock last year. Bridgen had the whip removed [...]
Court rules that Gove’s decision on Marks and Spencer planning permission was ‘unlawful’

March 1, 2024

The retail giant took the Secretary of State for levelling up, Michael Gove MP, to court over his decision to refuse planning permission for the construction of its flagship building on Oxford Street.
MPs in legal row today: Matt Hancock seeks to strike out Andrew Bridgen’s libel claim

March 1, 2024

The expelled former Tory MP Andrew Bridgen is set to face off the ex-health minister Matt Hancock MP at the High Court today over his libel claim. The legal battle between two independent MPs that have both had the Tory whip suspended from them, started over a tweet Hancock sent on X back in January [...]
Aircraft leasing firm Avation sees profits cut in half

March 1, 2024

The company posted it unaudited results for the six months ended 31 December 2023, which saw revenue and other income at $46.3m (£36.6m), down from the $55.7m (£44m) it reported for 2022.
Mishcon de Reya kicks off probe for potential group shareholder claim against Drax

February 29, 2024

The firm has partners Richard Leedham, Andrew Short and associate Tiffany Morgan on the investigation.

Abolish stamp duty on shares to reverse London’s IPO slump, say top fintechs

All Hundred owners expected to explore bids for Big Bash cricket franchises

Are Peugeot’s 208, 2008 and 3008 good enough for the city?

By: Maria Ward-Brennan

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