Africa special report: Bringing a vast continent together
Despite cultural and geographic obstacles, African firms are joining forces to make the most of new opportunities
Costcutter GC Rob Bennett on a big year for small stores
What have the past 12 months been like for Rob Bennett, GC at Costcutter Supermarket Group?
In court this week: Royal Mail, LIBOR and cars
A former Royal Mail postman is bringing his employment claim to the Supreme Court this week, in a case that featured in The Lawyer’s Top 15 Appeals 2021. Ike Efobi, is a black Nigerian and a citizen of the Republic of Ireland. From August 2013, he was employed by Royal Mail as a postman in […]
HFW promotes four City lawyers to partnership
HFW has promoted six associates to its partnership, including four in its City office. The promotions will be coming into effect at the start of the financial year, on 1 April. They are spread across three offices, including London, Kuwait and Sydney, and span four of the firm’s industry groups. The four London partners include […]
Addleshaws prevails for HS2 in procurement spat
The High Court has ruled in favour of Addleshaw Goddard and HS2 in a dispute over the procurement process of a construction contract. Bechtel, instructing Hogan Lovells, alleged that HS2 accepted an abnormally low bid when it awarded a contract to BBVS joint venture and sought £100m in damages. BBVS is a joint venture between […]
The five biggest moves at the Bar in February
After a quiet January, chambers have accelerated their recruitment drives for 2021. Last month, several barristers moved chambers, including a shift away from private practice to the Bar for one barrister. Here are the five biggest moves in February: Daniel Kalderimis (Call: 1999 New Zealand), Twenty Essex In February, Twenty Essex hired Andrew Ayres QC […]
Refinitiv facing libel claim over “terror” categorisation
Financial data provider Refinitiv is facing a libel claim in London, which is being brought by a Turkish gas executive. Mehmet Baltaci, who is the founder and chairman of Akfel Commodities, is accusing the data provider of categorising him in its database as someone who is involved in terrorist activities. In documents seen by The […]
DAC Beachcroft accelerates advocacy growth with over 20 new recruits
DAC Beachcroft is targeting further growth in its recently-established advocacy service, after the firm hired two barristers from DWF in January 2021. At the start of the year, DACB set up an in-house advocacy unit, hiring Jonathan Robinshaw and Sahar Farooqi as partners in DACB’s claims solutions group, tasked with overseeing the new advocacy unit. […]
Tribunal dismisses claims against Twenty Essex QC
Twenty Essex silk Stephen Atherton QC has been cleared of claims brought against him by the Bar Standards Board (BSB), including accusations that he misled the court during a 2011 case. Following Monday’s hearing, that contained submissions from counsel for both the BSB and Atherton, the Bar’s disciplinary tribunal has since ruled that Atherton did […]
DWF shutters three offices in Australia
DWF has closed three offices in Australia, with 85 members of staff and 14 principal lawyers leaving the firm. The firm’s offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Newcastle will close, while the Brisbane office and its connected services operations in Sydney and Melbourne remain operational. Damien van Brunschot will continue to lead DWF’s business Down Under […]
Newcastle United fails to dismiss Blackstone QC from arbitration panel
Newcastle United (NUFC) has been unsuccessful in its bid to have Blackstone’s Michael Beloff QC dismissed as an arbitrator in the club’s dispute with the Premier League. NUFC, which is owned by Mike Ashley, is currently engaged in arbitration proceedings with the Premier League over the failed takeover of the club. The club brought the […]
Barrister of the week: One Essex Court’s Kenneth MacLean QC
Alongside a stellar cast list including barristers from Brick Court, 3VB and Fountain Court, One Essex Court’s Kenneth MacLean QC (Call: 1985 Silk 2002) obtained a positive judgment for his client Alexander Yaroslavsky in a dispute that has been rumbling on since 2016. The case was brought by oil giant PSJC Tatneft, against four Ukrainian […]