Ogier eyes Hong Kong
Offshore firm Ogier will transfer some of its Guernsey and Jersey lawyers to the firm’s Hong Kong office to create a Channel Islands practice in Asia ‘in response to increased client demand’.
Group calls for libel redress
Claimant libel lawyers have formed Lawyers for Media Standards, a new group which aims to influence the debate on libel reform by emphasising the rights to obtain redress of those damaged by the media.
LAPG seeks top lawyer
The Legal Aid Practitioners Group is seeking nominations for its Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards. For nomination forms, go to www.lapg.co.uk/legalaidlawyer.cfm.
Chinese firms in trade push
The Law Society has invited 10 Chinese law firms to attend an inward trade mission to the UK in March, with networking available for solicitors seeking to establish Chinese links. See lawsociety.org.uk/international.
Co-op chooses Parabis
The Co-operative Insurance has selected Parabis Ltd to handle all of its third-party bodily injury claims and litigation worth less than £15,000. Higher value claims will still be dealt with in-house.
Alleged rape ‘admissible’
Complaints of an alleged rape have become admissible as evidence in court regardless of how long it took for the complaint to be made, under provisions in the Coroners and Justice Act which came into force this week.
£8m victim support drive
The government has announced details of the £8m National Victims Service, which will begin by providing practical and emotional support to murder and manslaughter victims from March.
Nally reappointed at JAC
Former Law Society president Edward Nally has been reappointed to the Judicial Appointments Commission for a year.
Pinsents aims high
National firm Pinsent Masons advises more AIM clients than any other law firm, with 55 in total, according to the latest rankings from investment adviser Hemscott. City firm LG advises 51, national firm DLA Piper 44, City and national firm Eversheds 42, and City firm Memery Crystal 41.
Lawyer’s £19m bias claim
A former associate in the Brussels office of US firm Howrey has filed a $30m (£19m) race discrimination lawsuit against the firm. Kamisha Menns is being advised by US firm Sanford Wittels & Heisler. A Howrey spokeswoman said: ‘Personnel issues are always confidential and we will have no comment on this particular matter.’
Stake in legal outsourcer
Investor and fund manager Intermediate Capital Group acquired a ‘significant’ but undisclosed minority stake in the £440m-valued legal services outsourcer CPA Global, advised by DLA Piper. CPA Global’s chief executive Peter Sewell said that corporate clients ‘are increasingly turning to outsourcing providers’.
SEGRO panel win
Listed property company SEGRO plc has appointed City firms Nabarro, SJ Berwin and Eversheds to its panel for property work.
