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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UK legal market sees revenue hit record level

December 12, 2023

Revenue generated by legal activities in the UK hits its highest level in more than a decade, as the sector generated £43.7bn over 2022/23. In a new report by TheCityUK, much of the £43.7bn figure was generated by the top 100 UK law firms, who netted more than £33.7bn in 2022/23. This figure was up [...]
HMRC seeks more audit files from EY in property tycoon’s tax dispute

December 11, 2023

Counsel for HMRC asked the court this morning to see more of EY’s audit files in relation to the property tycoon’s tax affairs dispute. HMRC filed a claim to the High Court against the Big Four firm over allegations it misrepresented its client tax affairs to the HMRC. The client was the British property investor [...]
Here are the five partners on the ballot to be the next managing partner of A&O Shearman

December 11, 2023

Allen & Overy will host an election for the firm’s next senior partner and managing partner in February, for a new senior team to take over post-merger.
Lawyers warn regulator will want to send a strong message over non-financial misconduct

December 11, 2023

There has been an uptick in firms facing scrutiny over non-financial misconduct, say lawyers, and this won’t be slowing down anytime soon they have warned. James Alleyne, legal director at Kingsley Napley noted, “non-financial misconduct is clearly a priority for the FCA.” He added: “regulated firms are certainly more conscious than ever about staff behaviour [...]
PwC to challenge staff business trips in move to reach net zero target

December 9, 2023

PwC has introduced a programme that will challenge the type of travel staff will take for business trips, in a move to reduce its carbon footprint. According to the Financial Times, senior UK staff were informed that only people travelling on long-haul night flights or those flying for business-critical reasons would be allowed to sit [...]
Major UK mobile networks hit with £3bn competition class action

December 8, 2023

Four of the UK’s largest mobile network operators have been hit with a class action lawsuit, over allegations they used market dominance to overcharge customers. The class action was filed to the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) against Vodafone, EE, Three, and O2. The case alleges that the companies have been abusing their dominant positions in [...]
UK court grants injunction against Russian pipeline firm in $14bn lawsuit

December 7, 2023

Russian state-owned oil pipeline company Transneft has had its ability to move funds restricted after a UK court granted an injunction against the firm as part of a $14bn lawsuit.
Octopus Group enters legal services market after buying divorce business

December 7, 2023

Octopus Group has acquired a majority stake in a legal service business that focuses on helping customers navigate legal issues surrounding divorce. The group, which is the parent company to energy giant Octopus Energy, has dived into the legal services market by acquiring Amicable. Amicable was was founded in 2015 to serve as a legal [...]
Big Four: KPMG set to merge UK and Swiss businesses to chase down rivals

December 7, 2023

KPMG UK has begun exploratory discussions with its partners over a plan to merge its business with KPMG Switzerland.
Government faces court challenge after failing to hike legal aid fees

December 7, 2023

The UK government faces a High Court challenge next week over its failure to increase criminal barristers' legal aid fees despite agreeing to do so in September last year.

Starmer urges TNT Sports to air Champions League final for free

Enhanced Games sells drugs and true cost won’t be known for many years

Jinkx Monsoon’s Judy Garland musical proves drag is serious art

By: Maria Ward-Brennan

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