Legal news

Chinese law firms face up in court

Three Chinese law firms are on course to square up to each other in a Beijing court after one is accused of besmirching the reputation of the others.

• LAW FIR MERGERS

  

  CMS Cameron makes Scottish tie-up with Dundas & Wilson

  The world's tenth largest law firm, CMS Cameron McKenna, has extended its reach in Scotland by acquiring Edinburgh- and Glasgow-based Dundas & Wilson.

• LAW FIRM EXPANSION

  

  Seyfarth Shaw opens two offices in Australia

  Six months after it announced its intention to go to Australia, Chicago-based law firm has opened up in Sydney and Melbourne.

• MEDIATION

  

  US hi-tech divorce firm plans expansion to UK

  Wevorce - the west coast 'mediation-enabling technology company' - is planning to expand from its 10 US offices to the UK.

• LAWYERS IN COURT

  

  Leading US real estate lawyer admits perjury

  Leonard Grunstein, formerly of international firm Troutman Sanders, is to be sentenced in February for perjury in the third degree after pleading guilty to the crime.

Editor's picks

HUMAN RIGHTS

Chinese lawyers stage hunger strike

Fifteen Chinese lawyers have begun a hunger strike in protest at not being able to meet with a Christian pastor who has been arrested and detained on charges of 'obstructing official business'.

TAX CHANGES

UK law firms could be hit by new tax rules

Law firms could be disadvantaged by provisions which take effect in April to clamp down on payments made to partners which could be seen as the 'disguised salary' of employees.

ACCESS TO JUSTICE

Ontario lawyers plead for Legal Aid help

The Criminal Law Association and Ontario Legal Aid have combined forces to call for Legal Aid changes from both the federal and local governments.

TAX DISPUTES

Bengal braced for falling tax revenue after big business challenge

The Indian state of West Bengal is braced to see a fall in tax revenue this year after Tata Steel, Cadbury and other multinationals challenged one of its tax laws.

Blogs

EMPLOYMENT LAW

Christmas crackers at the Xmas party

Mistletoe and wine are often the precursors to a less than happy Christmas aftermath for employers, says employment lawyer Philip Henson.

FORUM SHOPPING

The importance of jurisdiction in international divorce

Forum shopping is key to a good international divorce with Scotland being a case in point, says Catherine Thomas.

Barometer

SURVEY

Has your firm recently considered merging as a way of combating the effects of continuing harsh economic conditions?

Leading law firm partners answer the big questions

SURVEY

Are there more women at your in-house legal department in senior positions than in other areas of your company?

Global general counsel answer our big question

Business sector round up

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Herbert Smith names Asia litigation head

Tokyo-based Peter Godwin has been named as the new head of disputes in Asia by Herbert Smith Freehills.

TELECOMS

Unified license set to impact managed services in India

The unified license has revamped the regulatory framework governing the provision of telecom services in India. But will it provide the clarity it so desperately requires, asks Rahul Matthan of Trilegal?