Mud sticks to Burford amid intense row but dispute funders’ rise looks assured

Posted on | News review |
Mud sticks to Burford amid intense row but dispute funders’ rise looks assured

‘Throw enough mud at a wall, and some of it will stick,’ the proverb says. But since US investor Muddy Waters published a scathing attack on third-party litigation funder Burford Capital on 7 August, the muck-slinging has not stopped. The charges in the 25-page report were devastating. Having labelled Burford a ‘poor business masquerading as …

Continue reading “Mud sticks to Burford amid intense row but dispute funders’ rise looks assured”

Deloitte launches pioneering post-grad training contract as education shake-up looms

Posted on | Blogs |
Deloitte launches pioneering post-grad training contract as education shake-up looms

Big Four giant Deloitte has teamed up with the University of Law (ULaw) to launch a work-based training contract for graduates to harness the incoming regime to replace traditional solicitor training routes. Hailed as a pioneering move, the three-year course will be targeted at graduates, phasing out the need for the Legal Practice Course (LPC), …

Continue reading “Deloitte launches pioneering post-grad training contract as education shake-up looms”

Vannin Capital ends flotation plans after acquisition by private equity house Fortress

Posted on | Blogs |
Vannin Capital ends flotation plans after acquisition by private equity house Fortress

High-profile litigation funder Vannin Capital has been acquired by private equity house Fortress almost a year after shelving its planned initial public offering (IPO) due to market volatility. The buyout sees Fortress acquire 100% of the equity in Vannin from existing shareholders, including majority owner Bramden investments, with private equity backing now preferred over a …

Continue reading “Vannin Capital ends flotation plans after acquisition by private equity house Fortress”

New Law leader Axiom abandons IPO for Permira private equity sale

Posted on | Blogs |
New Law leader Axiom abandons IPO for Permira private equity sale

New Law pioneer Axiom has ditched long-trailed plans for an initial public offering (IPO) after securing a ‘significant investment’ from private equity house Permira. The undisclosed investment makes Permira the company’s majority owner and calls time on Axiom’s much-hyped public offering, which many considered a bellwether for the fast-growing alternative legal services market.

HSF and Mishcon enlisted as legal battle over suspension of Parliament intensifies

Posted on | Blogs |
HSF and Mishcon enlisted as legal battle over suspension of Parliament intensifies

Sir John Major (pictured) has instructed litigation heavyweight Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) as the former Prime Minister looks to join investment manager Gina Miller in a legal challenge against the suspension of Parliament. HSF disputes partner Andrew Lidbetter has been enlisted to instruct The Rt Hon Lord Edward Garnier QC and Tom Cleaver of Blackstone Chambers, …

Continue reading “HSF and Mishcon enlisted as legal battle over suspension of Parliament intensifies”

‘Satisfied’ Baker McKenzie adds $200m to top line but market volatility slows growth to a crawl

Posted on | Blogs |
‘Satisfied’ Baker McKenzie adds $200m to top line but market volatility slows growth to a crawl

Baker McKenzie grew revenue to $2.92bn while partner profits hit $1.48m as uncertainty made for a more subdued year at the firm. In constant currency terms revenue grew 4.4% but edged up only 1.2% in dollar terms, and partner profits grew 3% to $1.48m as net income increased 2% to $1bn. The results are markedly …

Continue reading “‘Satisfied’ Baker McKenzie adds $200m to top line but market volatility slows growth to a crawl”

Controversy surrounds Burford as executive is accused of trading documents for sex tape

Posted on | Blogs |
Controversy surrounds Burford as executive is accused of trading documents for sex tape

An executive at under-fire Burford Capital has been accused of unlawfully exchanging confidential documents for a sex tape in a lawsuit filed at the High Court in London, adding another battle for the litigation funder. In the lawsuit, the company’s co-head of its global corporate intelligence, asset tracing and enforcement business, Daniel Hall, is alleged …

Continue reading “Controversy surrounds Burford as executive is accused of trading documents for sex tape”

Burford names new CFO and governance shake-up amid activist investor row

Posted on | Blogs |
Burford names new CFO and governance shake-up amid activist investor row

Litigation funder Burford Capital has appointed a new CFO and begun a search for two new independent directors to its board as its protracted and increasingly public row with US investor Muddy Waters rages on. Burford confirmed today (15 August) that Jim Kilman will become the company’s new CFO, replacing Elizabeth O’Connell, who is married …

Continue reading “Burford names new CFO and governance shake-up amid activist investor row”

Scottish judge fast-tracks legal challenge to stop a forced no-deal Brexit

Posted on | Blogs |
Scottish judge fast-tracks legal challenge to stop a forced no-deal Brexit

A judge at the Court of Session in Edinburgh has fast-tracked a legal challenge to prevent Prime Minister Boris Johnson from proroguing Parliament to force through a no-deal Brexit, following a petition from over 70 MPs and peers. As a result, Lord Doherty ruled that an urgent hearing of the case should be conducted on …

Continue reading “Scottish judge fast-tracks legal challenge to stop a forced no-deal Brexit”