Founding firms in the Legal Sector Alliance including Allen & Overy and Lovells have pledged to take part in the symbolic ‘Earth Hour’ lights-out event on Saturday 27 March at 8.30pm, in which they will switch off their lights for an hour.

Competition consultationThe Competition Commission has launched a consultation on its market investigation guidelines. The deadline is 24 May.

Buncefield victoryCity firm Herbert Smith has won a Court of Appeal decision on behalf of US energy giant Chevron in the Buncefield explosion case, in a dispute with French energy giant Total over liability for the 2005 explosion. Total had appealed against a High Court decision that it, rather than Chevron, caused the explosion.

In-house power shiftA report by national firm Eversheds has claimed that recession has accelerated change in the legal sector by 10 years, with a shift in power in favour of in-house counsel.

Olswang appointmentsOlswang has elected Mark Devereux as senior partner and David Stewart as chief executive, leaving the managing partner seat vacant.

DLA denies discriminationNational firm DLA Piper defended itself against sexual discrimination claims brought by a former partner, Sarah Sweeney, in a six-day hearing at Liverpool employment tribunal which finished this week. The firm said it ‘strongly contests’ the allegations.

Electronic conveyancingThe Land Registry is consulting on proposals to create electronic transfers complete with electronic signatures, and to extend the use of electronic legal charges, making it possible to carry out the main conveyancing steps in the sale and purchase of a house electronically instead of using paper documents. The consultation runs until 25 June 2010 and the questionnaire can be downloaded from www.landregistry.gov.uk.

Psychiatric ward age limitNobody under the age of 18 may be admitted to an adult psychiatric ward from 1 April following the introduction of a new duty under the Mental Health Act.

Judith ManchesJudith Manches, wife of the late Sidney Manches, has died at the age of 93. The pair founded the London firm that bears their name in 1936 and became the first husband and wife to practise law in partnership together.

Use of interpretersThe Law Society has published a practice note on the use of language or sign language interpreters in criminal proceedings. It advises practitioners on the use of interpreters pre-trial in the police station and in court. Download the advice.