Börse/LSE tie-up raises regulatory concerns
As Europe’s two largest financial market operators, the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and Deutsche Börse, begin their third attempt at a tie-up, concerns have been raised over antitrust issues.
Does populism have a price?
HFN’s Alan Sacks highlights the economic inequality issue.
Despite the obvious successes of the Israeli business sector – driven by Israel’s extraordinary achievements in the technology arena – there are clearly systemic problems in the economy. There are few who begrudge the sudden wealth of hi-tech entrepreneurs who secure an ‘exit’ for their technology and knowhow. The situation changes though when the disparity between rich and poor is highlighted, and when large sections of the public feel that a limited group of individuals is growing rich at their expense.
Comment: Stefan Stern – Just remember, GCs, Enron thought it was all perfectly legal
Earlier this year the 67th annual oil and gas conference was held by the Center for American and International Law in Houston. Lucky delegates got to hear from a special guest speaker – CFO magazine’s chief financial officer of the year, 2000. The speaker displayed the trophy he had received for his work, and then held up another item – a red prison ID card. Continue reading “Comment: Stefan Stern – Just remember, GCs, Enron thought it was all perfectly legal”
‘A wrong turning’: Lord Chief Justice makes proposals to shift cases away from arbitration
English law took ‘a wrong turning’ in favouring the use of international arbitration to resolve commercial disputes, the lord chief justice of England and Wales said in a lecture earlier this month.
Half a million documents later: SFO drops forex investigation due to lack of evidence
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has dropped its investigation into allegations of rigging in the foreign exchange (forex) market after it found insufficient evidence to prosecute.
Guest post: The case for legal advice privilege is not as strong as the profession wants it to be
Lord Neuberger (pictured), in a recent short speech, provides some interesting insights in to the problematic world of legal advice privilege (LAP), but he does so with one eye closed. Let me explain.
Legal heavyweights including A&O, Travers Smith, KWM and Simmons leaders back anti-Brexit report
A 250-strong group of lawyers including leaders from Allen & Overy (A&O), King & Wood Mallesons (KWM), Simmons & Simmons and Travers Smith have joined the ‘Lawyers – In For Britain’ group lobbying for the UK to remain in the EU.
Bar Council releases guidelines for tackling sexual harassment after report highlights inappropriate behaviour
The Bar Council has released new guidelines for dealing with sexual harassment in a bid to help barristers handle mistreatment after a 2015 report highlighted instances of inappropriate behaviour experienced by some barristers.
City lawyers form pro-Brexit coalition led by 8 New Square QC
Lobby groups set up on both sides as questions loom large for the country’s legal framework
Debate among lawyers over Brexit stepped up last month as lawyers from chambers 8 New Square and Legal Business 100 firms Slaughter and May, CMS Cameron McKenna and Wedlake Bell formed a new pro-Brexit lobby.
Continue reading “City lawyers form pro-Brexit coalition led by 8 New Square QC”
From Chancery Lane to Waterloo – it’s time for the Law Society’s levy to go
There is a reason that the slogan ‘No taxation without representation’ has echoed through history. The rally cry of the American revolution demonstrates a basic truth that institutions and figures of authority hitting up constituencies for money without broadly representing their interests are in the long run asking for trouble.
On that yardstick, the Law Society has been asking for trouble for many years and it looks like it has finally got it as the Conservative government threatens to finish the job Labour started with the Legal Services Act and end the body’s ability to levy fees on the profession.
Continue reading “From Chancery Lane to Waterloo – it’s time for the Law Society’s levy to go”