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Home Pinsents LLPs: �9m property charge and �25m incentive for London move by Rose Orlik 10 Feb 2012 at 4:25pm Pinsents Masons? incurred a one-off property charge of �9m in 2010-11, cutting profit available for discretionary division between partners from �63.3m to �54.3m according to limited liability partnership(LLP) accounts recently filed with Companies House. Orrick announces 2012 promotions, with two partners made up in the City by Suzi Ring 10 Feb 2012 at 3:14pm Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe has announced its 2012 partner promotions with two made up in the City. The US firm has promoted 16 lawyers to the partnership effective 1 January 2012, doubling the eight it made up last year. Irwin Mitchell LLPs highlight ABS shake-up as Squire Sanders top earner makes... by Rose Orlik 10 Feb 2012 at 3:05pm Irwin Mitchell LLP paid �5.8m of its profits into Irwin Mitchell Holdings, the company it set up as part of plans to restructure as an Alternative Business Structure (ABS), according to limited liability (LLP) accounts recently filed with Companies House. BT advisers get 12-month extension as panel review is put on hold by Sofia Lind 10 Feb 2012 at 12:00am BT has pushed back a long-awaited review of its global legal panel in a move that extends the terms of existing panel firms by 12 months. Advisers had been gearing up for BT?s first review under general counsel Dan Fitz, who replaced former group GC Anne Fletcher in April 2010; however, they were recently told the roster had been extended until March 2013. DLA-owned holding company LawVest gears up for ABS launch by Sofia Lind 10 Feb 2012 at 12:00am LawVest, the holding company part-owned by DLA Piper, is gearing up for a formal launch of its legal services operation later this month. The much-touted company, which was initially set up in May last year to take advantage of opportunities presented by the Legal Services Act, is now in ?very advanced pre-launch plans?, according to chief executive Karl Chapman (pictured). Norton Rose acts on �349m HSBC sale of Thai operation to local bank by Rose Orlik 10 Feb 2012 at 12:00am Norton Rose has taken the lead role for HSBC on the THB17.5bn (�349m) sale of its Thai banking and wealth management business to Thailand?s Bank of Ayudhya (BAY). Hong Kong corporate partner Richard Crosby led a six-strong team working out of Hong Kong and Bangkok, which included Bangkok corporate and finance partner Somboon Kitiyansub and Hong Kong-based corporate partner Phillip John, the head of the firm?s North Asia practice. Weil Gotshal secures key client payouts in MF Global case by Sofia Lind 10 Feb 2012 at 12:00am Weil Gotshal & Manges and KPMG have reached a groundbreaking agreement in the MF Global administration that will see money returned to clients without the need for a court order. Weil Gotshal is advising administrator KPMG on the high-profile insolvency proceedings, which kicked off late last year and are the first under the UK?s new ?special administration? regime set up last year to protect market stability in the wake of Lehman Brothers? 2008 collapse. White & Case and CC act on $250m LSE listing for Russian oil co by Sofia Lind 10 Feb 2012 at 12:00am Clifford Chance (CC) and White & Case have advised on Russian oil explorer RusPetro?s $250m (�159m) London listing in one of the first premium-level initial public offering (IPO) on the London Stock Exchange since July last year. The deal, which comes amid a tough period for equity capital markets (ECM) work, saw White & Case take the lead role for RusPetro, while CC advised the underwriting banks, which included Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Mirabaud Securities and Renaissance Capital. Eversheds hires three partners for City pensions group by Rose Orlik 10 Feb 2012 at 12:00am Eversheds has added three partners to its London pensions practice with the hire of two laterals from Squire Sanders and an of counsel from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. The Squire Sanders partner duo, Emma King and Sarah Franklin, both join from the firm?s Birmingham arm, where King headed up the local practice. Herbert Smith and Freehills lead on multimillion-dollar pharma sale by Suzi Ring 10 Feb 2012 at 12:00am Herbert Smith has taken a lead role opposite potential merger partner Freehills on the A$375m (�254m) sale of Australian pharma company Ascent Pharmahealth to US company Watson Pharmaceuticals. Herbert Smith advised the majority seller, Indian pharma company Strides Arcolab, a new client for the firm, with a team led by City corporate partner Alan Montgomery (pictured) alongside tax partner Isaac Zailer and intellectual property partner Joel Smith. Magic circle duo win roles on ?8bn loan agreement by Sofia Lind 10 Feb 2012 at 12:00am Allen & Overy (A&O) and Linklaters have won roles relating to German car part manufacturer Schaeffler?s new ?8bn (�6.6bn) credit agreement. A&O is advising the company on the loan as well as a ?2bn (�1.7bn) high-yield bond programme, which will be used to immediately repay part of the new bank facility. The firm?s team was led by lawyers in Frankfurt and Munich including banking and finance partners Thomas Neubaum, Walter Uebelhoer and Oliver Waldburg, equity capital markets partners Oliver Seiler and Gernot Wagner, corporate partner Alexander Veith and tax partner Heike Weber. Brave new world - the harsh realities of the open job market by Janet Gaymer 10 Feb 2012 at 12:00am Partners dusting off their CVs need to wake up to the harsh realities of the open job market, says Janet Gaymer Outside the citadel - are you ready for a career after law? by Friederike Heine 10 Feb 2012 at 12:00am Despite mounting pressure to retire early, partners still struggle to forge fulfilling careers outside the legal profession. Friederike Heine reports Legal Services Act sees law firm LBO first as PE house secures Parabis deal by Sofia Lind 10 Feb 2012 at 12:00am "Parabis is already a very successful company and all of the stakeholders have done well out of it. The primary motivation was not cash out but to grow the business. The only change will be that it has now got access to deep-pocket capital for investment..." The refashioned lawyer - why forward planning is vital for retiring partners by Marc Bartel 10 Feb 2012 at 12:00am Heidrick?s Marc Bartel on why forward planning is vital for retiring partners and their law firms	Law News from Times Online Law News from Times Online SocGen writes off Kerviel as a footnote in history 15 Jun 2010 at 3:08pm The rogue trader who cost Soci�t� G�n�rale almost ?5 billion was dismissed as an historical footnote today by executives seeking to draw a line under France?s biggest financial scandal. Witnesses ?lied to hide Prince?s involvement,? court told 15 Jun 2010 at 1:00am Witnesses in the Chelsea Barracks case ?concocted an untrue story? to cover up the involvement of the Prince of Wales and the Emir of Qatar in the cancellation of an �81 million modernist housing project, the High Court was told yesterday. Lord Saville ? an outstanding legal mind defined by Bloody Sunday inquiry 14 Jun 2010 at 7:50pm It is an irony of the Bloody Sunday inquiry that the most expensive and long judicial investigation in history was chaired by a judge chosen for his efficiency. Thousands detained unlawfully in police stop-and-search blunder 11 Jun 2010 at 1:01am Home Secretary's anger, Crime Central Barristers turn brokers as credit crunch hits divorce 10 Jun 2010 at 4:06pm The wife of the celebrity chef Marco Pierre White was due to enter the divorce courts on her own next week, without lawyers, to battle for a share of her husband?s estimated �50 million wealth. But publicity in The Times about her case has prompted a potential rescuer ? in the unlikely shape of a criminal set of barristers? chambers. Hague court sentences Bosnian Serbs to life for Srebrenica genocide 10 Jun 2010 at 1:48pm Two Bosnian Serbs were today convicted of genocide and sentenced to life imprisonment for their role in the massacre of 8,000 Muslims in Srebrenica in 1995. Oil spill brings BP trouble from all corners 10 Jun 2010 at 1:01am Down in the Gulf of Mexico, BP is not just fighting to contain the massive oil leak from the explosion on the drilling rig Deepwater Horizon. It is also trying to absorb a build-up in litigation that is threatening to come ashore and overwhelm the courts ? possibly on both sides of the Atlantic. Lawyer of the Week: Amjad Malik 10 Jun 2010 at 1:01am Amjad Malik, a solicitor-advocate at the Rochdale firm Amjad Malik Solicitors, acted pro bono for three Pakistani students in a deportation appeal hearing at a Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) in London and won the appeal against deportation in the case of Shoaib Khan. Michael Jackson bodyguard in libel trial challenge 10 Jun 2010 at 1:01am A controversial decision that a high-profile libel trial must go ahead without a jury is to be challenged in the Court of Appeal today. Rogue trader: ?I acted like a complete idiot? 9 Jun 2010 at 12:11pm The rogue trader who lost his bank almost ?164.5 billion told a French court that he had acted in a "completely idiotic" way when he staked tens of billions of euros on the stock market. President of the Supreme Court defends terror rulings 9 Jun 2010 at 1:01am The judge who heads Britain?s top court last night defended the Human Rights Act and recent rulings by courts that terrorist suspects cannot be sent home to their own countries. The Academies Bill - a simple idea, complex problems 8 Jun 2010 at 1:00am Academies are a hybrid: independent schools funded by central government. Those that exist ? about 200 ? were created because of population growth, parental demand or closure of a failing school. An open letter to Ken Clarke, the Lord Chancellor 8 Jun 2010 at 12:54am Congratulations on taking on responsibility for civil litigation. Rogue trader prepares for court battle 7 Jun 2010 at 2:40pm He earned worldwide notoriety as the rogue trader who lost ?4.9 billion (�4 billion) and his name became a by-word in his native France for the excesses of global capitalism. Business Doctor 6 Jun 2010 at 1:01am PENALTIES FOR LATE TAX PAYMENT
LSC announcements The latest news and updates. Immigration Advisory Service announce their decision to go into administration by Legal Services Commission 11 Jul 2011 at 1:00am LSC to secure alternative provision as soon as possible Statement on Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill by Legal Services Commission 21 Jun 2011 at 1:00am LSC relaunches Provider Reference Groups by Legal Services Commission 17 Jun 2011 at 1:00am New PRG meetings to be held in summer Community Legal Advice and LSC websites ? latest news by Legal Services Commission 23 Mar 2011 at 12:00am Update on the web convergence programme New home for LSC websites by Legal Services Commission 10 Nov 2010 at 12:00am LSC working with MoJ to move all our web content to the Justice and Directgov websites Update on the outcome of the Law Society's Judicial Review by Legal Services Commission 15 Oct 2010 at 1:00am Written judgment received Public Bodies Bill ? LSC?s future status by Legal Services Commission 14 Oct 2010 at 1:00am LSC included in October 14 Written Ministerial Statement on Public Bodies Review Programme Chair thanks outgoing commissioners by Legal Services Commission 9 Jun 2010 at 1:00am Praise for hard work and dedication New minister visits Citizens' Advice Bureau by Legal Services Commission 9 Jun 2010 at 1:00am Legal aid minister Jonathan Djanogly meets staff and clients at Wandsworth CAB Help us to help you better by Legal Services Commission 29 Apr 2010 at 1:00am We want to know what you think about our service Award of Crown Court representation orders for either way cases in early adop... by Legal Services Commission 13 Jan 2010 at 12:00am Defendants refused legal aid on the grounds of means before 11 January in early adopter magistrates? courts may need to make new applications. New contractor for Defence Solicitor Call Centre by Legal Services Commission 6 Jan 2010 at 12:00am We have appointed a new contractor to run the Defence Solicitor Call Centre (DSCC) service. Crown Court Means Testing ? new guidance now available by Legal Services Commission 6 Jan 2010 at 12:00am New guidance has been published ahead of Crown Court Means Testing (CCMT) starting on 11 January 2010. Immigration tender deadlines by Legal Services Commission 6 Jan 2010 at 12:00am Tenders to deliver immigration and asylum advice must be submitted by 28 January 2010. Tenders for 2010 standard crime contract by Legal Services Commission 10 Dec 2009 at 12:00am Applications invited for new contract that will run from July 2010	World Legal News - JURIST JURIST's weblog of legal news and resources worth thinking about, by Professor Bernard Hibbitts and law students at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. UN concerned over prosecution of Spain judge Garzon 11 Feb 2012 at 3:54pm [JURIST] The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) [official website] on Friday expressed its concern over the trial of Spanish Judge Baltasar Garzon [BBC profile], which involve his investigations of acts that occurred during the Spanish Civil War. Spokesperson for the OHCHR, Rupert Colville, indicated that judges should not be criminally charged for investigations [UN report] performed within the scope of their judicial duties. Colville stated, "judges should not be subject to criminal prosecution for doing... Former Croatia interior minister pleads not guity to war crimes charges 10 Feb 2012 at 9:30pm [JURIST] Former Croatian military commander and senior interior minister Tomislav Mercep [official profile, in Croatian] pleaded not guilty Friday for war crimes committed against Serbians during the 1990s conflict in the Balkans. The Municipal Court in Zagreb charged that he was aware of atrocities against civilians [JURIST report] but prevented other officials from mitigating damages against them. Mercep has also been charged with with ordering detentions, torture and executions of Serbian civilians. Mercep was arrested [JURIST report] in December 2010.... Rights group urges South Sudan to prosecute those responsible for ethnic viol... 10 Feb 2012 at 7:47pm [JURIST] Human Rights Watch [official website] Director Daniel Bekele [HRW profile] on Friday urged South Sudan to investigate [HRW report] attacks made on Murle villages in December and prosecute those responsible. In this organized attack [UN News Centre report], thousands of armed Lou Nuer villagers invaded the Murle villages, robbing and burning houses and killing thousands of people. South Sudan's government has claimed repeatedly that it will investigate [South Sudan government news reports] the attacks and punish those who are... UN rights office calls for ICC trial for Syria officials 10 Feb 2012 at 7:06pm [JURIST] The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) [official website] Friday reiterated its call for international action to protect civilians in Syria [JURIST news archive], calling for Syrian officials suspected of crimes against humanity to be tried before the International Criminal Court (ICC) [official website]. High Commissioner Navi Pillay [official profile] is now scheduled to address the UN General Assembly [UN News Centre report] on Monday regarding the latest humanitarian developments in Syria, where the ongoing... Uganda to drop death penalty from bill criminalizing homosexuality 10 Feb 2012 at 5:00pm [JURIST] Ugandan MP David Bahati announced on Friday that clauses mandating the death penalty for "aggravated homosexuality" would be dropped from the controversial bill that would criminalize homosexuality. The bill was reintroduced [JURIST report] to the Parliament of Uganda [official website] on Tuesday in its original form, but Bahati stated that there were plans to remove certain provisions. Bahati said in 2010 that the purpose of the bill was to prevent foreigners from corrupting Ugandan children [YouTube video] by giving... UN rights office expresses concern over deaths in South America prisons 10 Feb 2012 at 4:35pm [JURIST] Amerigo Incalcaterra, the regional representative for South America [official website, Spanish] from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) [official website], expressed concern [press release, Spanish] Tuesday over the violence in prisons in South America after the death of at least three prisoners in Uruguay, two in Argentina, two in Venezuela and one in Chile over the last few days. The OHCHR sets out guidelines for the treatment of prisoners through General Comment No. 9... UN welcomes new Libya electoral law 10 Feb 2012 at 3:18pm [JURIST] The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) [official website] on Thursday welcomed the new electoral law [press release, PDF] adopted by the National Transitional Council (NTC) [official website, in Arabic; JURIST news archive]. The draft of the electoral law was finalized on Wednesday after the earlier version [text, PDF; JURIST report] was revised to address criticisms of the public. The new law sets out procedures for the upcoming election to choose a national assembly. After elected, its responsibility will... Iraq conducted 65 executions since start of 2012: HRW 9 Feb 2012 at 6:35pm [JURIST] Iraq [JURIST news archive] has executed 65 people [press release] so far this year, Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] reported Thursday. HRW said those executed were convicted of various crimes and counted a total of 51 in January and 14 in February. HRW also called for a moratorium on all future executions, and called for "an overhaul of [Iraq's] flawed criminal justice system." In its statement, HRW also said:Human Rights Watch is particularly concerned that Iraqi courts admit... Haiti rule of law has made significant progress: UN expert 9 Feb 2012 at 6:01pm [JURIST] The implementation of the rule of law in Haiti is making significant progress [press release], UN Independent Expert Michel Forst said Wednesday. Forst focused on improvements such as the establishment of judicial offices, the adoption of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights [text, PDF] and the recent conviction of eight police officers [JURIST report] in a post-earthquake shooting. He said he was disappointed in the recent decision by Haiti's Investigative Magistrate Carves Jean that former president... Maldives issues arrest warrant for ex-president 9 Feb 2012 at 5:17pm [JURIST] Former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed said Thursday he would remain in the country [BBC video] and try to regain his office after reports indicated that a warrant has been issued for his arrest. The specific charges are unclear [BBC report], but Nasheed maintains that the warrant is politically motivated. Nasheed, who resigned on Tuesday [press release; JURIST report], has said that he was forced out of office in a coup. Nasheed told reporters Thursday that he would remain for...
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How much are legal fees for employment tribunal action?
I'm going to be getting some legal advice about a potential tribunal claim I have and obviously I'll ask for quotes, but I would like to get some idea of costs so I know I'm being quoted in the right ball park. How much approximately have others had to pay for: - initial fees for a solicitor to be your representative on the ET1 form - solicitor fees when settling out of court and not going all the way to tribunal - total fees if you ended up going all the way to tribunal Many thanks. Thanks - but I need details for the UK.

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Wills and changes to ownership of property?
My wife has written a Will in which her Solicitor has changed the ownership of the house from a Joint Tenancy to a Tenants in Common without my agreement, Is this legal?

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Contesting grounds of divorce?
My husband is applying for divorce on the grounds of adultery... However, this is NOT the reason our marriage came to an end and I made it clear our marriage was over before entering into another relationship. Therefore I want to contest the application on the grounds but I DO want to get divorced.. Is this possible? Has anyone contested the grounds and still got the divorce processed? NB- I applied for divorce on grounds of unreasonable behaviour but my husband had submitted his application first so my solicitor advised there can only be one divorce so to wait for his submission... Lutenant - I will happily name my man myself, I am not ashamed of my new relationship. I now have my life back. Like I said I made it clear our marriage was over before entering another relationship (which has been more than 7 months) You have no idea what I went through with my husband so keep your nasty tongue inside your arrogant head.

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totally messed up situation i need help?
I have everything a fantastic job and a nice home. im 25 married with 2 children. here's the but my husband is lazy smokes cannabis and gets drunk with his friends all the time to the point where he can't get out of bed until lunch time. I separated from him 2 months ago but i could not move out because we have a pub and if one goes the other goes id loose my house my job, i'd loose everything so we remained living together. here's the sticky bit i met someone else he's 43 has his own company and just got out of a 17 year relationship everyone knows now my husband didn't take the news too well obviously but he knew he couldn't stop me because of the way he's treated me over the last couple of years. any who my parents took it even worse. My dad has not slept for 2 days and has just been roaming the streets looking to kill the new BF and my mum has gone on sick from work and is having a mental breakdown over it. They've both told me if i don't stop they will disown me and get a solicitor for my husband to get custody of the kids even though they know he's a useless layabout that puts a hell of allot of stress on me and ignores our kids. why the overreaction? well my mum told me today its because she left my dad nearly 20 years ago and the other man left her as soon as he got what he wanted so she feels she made a huge mistake and will regret it forever and she's not going to let me do the same. I feel they want to punish me for their past mistakes i'm going to break up with him tonight but it will leave me and him devastated. What should i do? please help

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Could society function without solicitors?
I just thought I would start a little debate as I am very interested in what you all think. I had this conversation with my husband the other week and we came up with some very interesting points. So it would be great to hear your honest and unfettered thoughts. Thanks

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did solicitors have a lower social standing then barristers in britain's past?
also did barristers typically come from more upper class families and backgrounds solicitors? I ask because thinking back over various historical films and television shows I've watched this tended to be the way it's depicted

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How would you set a website up with terms and conditions?
If i want set a website up and i want to put terms and conditions on it how would i go about doing it would i need a solicitor or could i write them myself.

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Can solicitor accept a proceeding summons on my behalf without having my instruction?

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How do I leave my house to my boyfriend when I die?
I want to leave my live-in boyfriend of 3 years my house when I die, but for him to have no entitlement if we split up. He only pays a nominal amout of rent, where as I pay the entire mortgage and purchased the house on my own years before we got together. Do I have to make a complete will or does my solicitor just add a note to the deeds of my house?

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What are the one off costs involved in buying a house (UK)?
Hi, Me and my boyfriend will hopefully be buying a house this year. Aside from the mortgage deposit, what are the other costs likely to be. I know all the costs would vary, but if we could get some kind of idea for the solicitors fee's/stamp duty/surveys and any other costs that we would have to pay. We are first time buyers and hoping for a house valued at 150k. Thanks for your help.

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