Watchstone Group files defence as war of words with S&G over Quindell continues

Posted on | News review |
Watchstone Group files defence as war of words with S&G over Quindell continues

The ongoing Slater and Gordon (S&G) saga shows no sign of abating, as the Watchstone Group (formerly Quindell) in October denied fraudulently misrepresenting itself over the sale of its professional services arm to the beleaguered law firm. The £637m buyout in May 2015 proved to be the beginning of a downward spiral for S&G as, …

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Litigators warn of impact on clients as ENRC wins right to appeal controversial privilege decision

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Litigators warn of impact on clients as ENRC wins right to appeal controversial privilege decision

Legal professional privilege (LPP) was thrown a lifeline last month, when mining giant Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation (ENRC) was granted the right to appeal against a controversial order to disclose documents in a Serious Fraud Office (SFO) investigation. ENRC has been the subject of a long-running investigation by the SFO relating to alleged fraud, bribery …

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Disputes eye: How the talent flow demonstrates the Bar’s strength

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Speaking to Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer disputes veteran Jon Lawrence this summer on his decision to join Brick Court Chambers, he said he was not ready for the golf course just yet. But there has been a wave of Freshfields heavyweights of Lawrence’s vintage who have made a similar move, notably former managing partner Ian Terry, …

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Client profile: Mark Maurice-Jones, Nestlé

Posted on | In-House |
Client profile: Mark Maurice-Jones, Nestlé

Unusually for the current UK and Ireland general counsel (GC) of Swiss multinational and famed KitKat creator Nestlé, Mark Maurice-Jones’ career started in teaching. Armed with a chemical engineering degree from the University of Cambridge that he was unsure how to utilise, Maurice-Jones opted for a year-and-a-half-long stint in Hong Kong teaching maths, physics and …

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Keeping home fires burning – DLA Piper chief Picón to join Latham & Watkins in Spain

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Keeping home fires burning – DLA Piper chief Picón to join Latham & Watkins in Spain

Moving to the highest-grossing firm in the world from one that used to hold that position, DLA Piper senior partner and global co-chair Juan Picón has left for Latham & Watkins less than two years into his term to spend more time in his native Spain. He will take over the role of Latham’s managing …

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International round-up: Europe focus for new offices and key hires while Clydes US deal hits buffers

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In a busy week for international practices, DWF has made a breakthrough on the continent, opening its first Italy office in Milan with a 16-lawyer team including four partners. The latest launch for the ever-expanding firm comes just a few weeks after announcing a launch in Australia. Three of the Milan partners, corporate finance specialist …

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ULaw continues fightback to bring in high-profile former chief of arch rival BPP

Posted on | Blogs |
ULaw continues fightback to bring in high-profile former chief of arch rival BPP

In about as big a talent move as possible between the UK’s two dominant legal training providers, BPP’s former chief executive Peter Crisp has joined the University of Law (ULaw) as pro vice chancellor. Crisp, who spent 20 years at BPP University Law School first as a tutor and later chief executive, will assume his new …

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HSF launches in Milan with hire of Simmons Italian disputes head

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Strengthening its considerable European disputes offering, Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) will open in Milan with the hire of Simmons & Simmons’ Italian disputes and IP head Laura Orlando. The firm is seeking to take advantage of the European pharmaceutical patent litigation market, second only in the world to the US in terms of size. The …

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