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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Consultancy sector activity predicted to have single-digit growth over 2024

January 22, 2024

Activity in the consultancy sector is set to have single-digit growth this year, according to figures by the Management Consultancies Association (MCA). The latest survey conducted by the MCA reveals that activity in the sector grew by 11 per cent in 2023. The survey expects it to drop to 9 per cent this year but [...]
Meet the City partner amongst the 95 appointed as King’s Counsel today

January 19, 2024

Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk MP announced the appointments of 95 new King’s Counsel today, which included one solicitor advocate from City law firm Withers.
Prince Harry drops libel cases against Mail on Sunday publisher

January 19, 2024

The Duke of Sussex has withdrawn his High Court libel claim against the publisher of the Mail on Sunday. He sued Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL) over a February 2022 article about his legal challenge against the Home Office following a decision to change his publicly funded security arrangements when visiting the UK. The duke’s lawyers [...]
No dipping out on tax as Walkers’ Sensations Poppadoms deemed ‘crisps’

January 19, 2024

Walkers’ Sensations Poppadoms ‘are similar to potato crisps’ and therefore are not eligible for the zero-rated VAT, rules Tax Tribunal. Walkers Snack Foods, the subsidiary of US food giant PepsiCo, appealed a decision by the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that certain products sold by the Walkers are taxable at the standard rate. Walkers contend [...]
Post Office scandal: Legal regulator warns it ‘will take action’ against unethical lawyers

January 19, 2024

The legal regulator has warned law firms and lawyers who worked for the Post Office will face ‘action’ if they are found to have ‘fallen short’ of the standards. The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) provided an update into its investigation today, explaining that it is currently scrutinising tens-of-thousands of pages of information and evidence. The [...]
SFO: Two former directors charged with fraud over £88m car lease scheme

January 19, 2024

Reginald Larry-Cole and Scott Martin were directors of Raedex Consortium, which included companies such as Buy2Let Cars and Paygo Cars.
Custodian Property on brink of £237m merger with Abrdn Property

January 19, 2024

Custodian Property Income REIT (CREI) is on the verge of a £237m merger with Abrdn Property Income Trust (API), creating a new trust holding £1bn in property. Both groups have recommended an all-share merger, combining their 200 different property assets together, but will still need to be voted on by shareholders. The CREI board and [...]
Lawyers: Pledge to protect litigation funding welcome – but devil’s in the detail

January 19, 2024

City lawyers have welcomed plans to change the laws around litigation funding, after a Supreme Court ruling raised major concerns about whether litigation funds can continue to back certain court cases.
UEFA fight to keep Stade de France group claims out of English court

January 18, 2024

UEFA, Europe’s football governing body is fighting to keep group claims over ‘chaos’ at the 2022 Champions League Final out of an English High Court. UEFA has filed an application to the High Court in Liverpool arguing that it would not be suitable for any court in England to hear these claims. This comes after [...]
“If in doubt, don’t say it”: Lawyers warning after Councillor’s disciplinary for mock-Irish accent

January 18, 2024

The 'banter' defence is unlikely to help when workplace jokes go too far, lawyers have warned, as more employees feel willing to complain

Do you own your voice? As AI voice tech booms, UK law needs an answer

AJ-Fury tickets in Cardiff on sale for £20,000

Wild Horse Nine review: Martin McDonagh plays the hits in crime caper

By: Maria Ward-Brennan

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