Welcome to this year's second edition of the weekly 'Law Business' column brought to you by the SundayLawReview team. In the week when Lance Armstrong finally admitted to lying about using performance enhancing drugs and when the crime of insult was dropped from the statute books, we take a serious look at what happened in the business of law within UK as reported by online legal publications throughout last week.
The most interesting articles on developments, compliance, business and the study of law including articles cited within TheLawMap 'focus of the day':
- Family lawyers praise High Court for jailing husband. Scot Young imprisoned for contempt after failing to disclose finances - Solicitors Journal
- Analysis of UK Mergers & Acquisitions legal bills reveals a good performance by smaller firms and success fees on the rise. Full story - The Lawyer
- Small and mid-sized firms feel impact of ABSs but ‘real profit’ is on the up. Full story - Legal Futures
- Legal aid warning over contract allocation. Legal aid firms may go out of business as a result of the allocation of work for new civil legal aid contracts, representative groups have warned. Full story - Law Gazette
- Christians and working on Sundays: what the tribunal really said. Written rulings should be published when tribunals give judgments in order to properly inform public debate. Full story - Guardian Law
- Law Society of Scotland backs down over reforms to legal aid http://t.co/kE1DITnA
- All-time high for European patent filings | The Global Legal Post http://t.co/6wne3Vlf
- OFT attacks complexity of legal complaints process | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/pshILIXR
- Does competition law suit the NHS? | Law Gazette http://t.co/xdDj9mPI
- Lawyers can access unredacted records | Law Gazette http://t.co/pepLGtMS
- Betfair founder backs new ABS Brilliant Law | Law Gazette http://t.co/zpT2vwx5
- LSB backs call for simpler complaints regime | Law Gazette http://t.co/YWwChIub
- Law firm support staff get salary boost | The Global Legal Post http://t.co/sXBDCUGe
- Coulson J lays down law on negligent property valuations | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/iqzTwL7M
- Family lawyers praise High Court for jailing husband | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/ehqPn4jc
- SRA reveals plans for Compensation Fund review | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/F2p1Zjgm
- Brand lessons from Claridge’s | Law Gazette http://t.co/DDyhjb8C
- Society critical of employee shareholder contracts | Law Gazette http://t.co/gCwuktM5
- Law firms make gay-friendly top 100 | Law Gazette http://t.co/vtuO1YMk
- Compensation fund review to take two years | Law Gazette http://t.co/XtyLSRkh
- Betfair founder revealed as principal investor in new ABS | Legal Futures http://t.co/xeZHANem
- PI firms outperform all others and are keenest on ABSs, finds 'state of the nation' survey | Legal Futures http://t.co/koKCcXfW
- Salaries on the up for law firm support staff, research shows | The Lawyer http://t.co/8WegZhPm
- Law school struggles against pull of on-line courses | The Global Legal Post http://t.co/WJ9y0R5S
- Women taking bigger slice of US law firm equity | The Global Legal Post http://t.co/IC6XBJaN
- Training solicitors – a qualified success | Law Gazette http://t.co/yQ0ZnBxS
- Call for criminal sanctions against care home owners | Law Gazette http://t.co/Ej6lY8b1
- High street super-survey paints upbeat picture | Law Gazette http://t.co/Gi2sa5TW
- Rocket Lawyer buys legal crowd-sourcing site | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/P6fqX53f
- Remortgage specialists among new ABSs | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/2rsQ9c5U
- Law firms have gone new year crazy with promotions | The Global Legal Post http://t.co/xBZk6KJu
- External investment on legal sector menu | The Global Legal Post http://t.co/HmYMZde9
- Six more firms win ABS status | Law Gazette http://t.co/vtxzXYT4
- Barrister’s discrimination claims rejected | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/BFeq1AAE
- Small and mid-sized firms feel impact of ABSs but 'real profit' is on the up | Legal Futures http://t.co/Cx0CtUGe
- Leading insurance law firm targets non-legal services after receiving ABS licence | Legal Futures http://t.co/CVjvGQsV
- London firms lead 'living wage' scheme | The Global Legal Post http://t.co/M15nBcKB
- One in five firms likely to seek external investment | Law Gazette http://t.co/8sLCXkxO
- LETR report delayed | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/iKcKfIxf
- The Definitive Way To Decide Whether You Should Become A Barrister Or A Solicitor http://t.co/kEGrVfDo
- Human rights barristers await European ruling in joined religious liberty cases | The Lawyer http://t.co/tUCnLDCu
- Questions over future of SFO; £1.3m Tchenguiz legal costs add to SFO’s woes | The Lawyer http://t.co/Fn4Wb3Gb
- Midlands firms go their own way; Law firms keep region’s proud tradition of ingenuity alive | The Lawyer http://t.co/qK7e18ei
- Resource-rich home territory remains a focus for Canadian firms - growing client globalisation is pulling | The Lawyer http://t.co/6K4m5VFE
- Difficulty securing financing has slowed corporate activity in Germany | The Lawyer http://t.co/OroXi77h
- 2012's punishing economic conditions pushed many companies into administration; a look at the big UK cases | The Lawyer http://t.co/VCR0W9Hy
- EHCR can give a much-needed boost to freedom of belief in the workplace by offering some fresh thinking | The Lawyer http://t.co/0fAwdXEF
- Employee ownership is all fine and dandy until the time comes to sell up, when things can get complicated | The Lawyer http://t.co/KuqOGyV1
- Rumble of litigation expected but finding evidence to back up claims may be harder than finding shale gas | The Lawyer http://t.co/X7TKOAnj
- Hong Kong cracking down on sponsors will do little to restore it to a leading role in the IPO market | The Lawyer http://t.co/xwXfwGYW
- Appetite for a challenge has led to the creation of two industry legal bodies for pharmaceutical sector | The Lawyer http://t.co/Hc3luIiP
- In-depth analysis of UK M&A legal bills reveals a good performance by smaller firms | The Lawyer http://t.co/g6jDsONG
- All eyes on the Irish | Law Gazette http://t.co/VY0w2Mvw
- JLD chair claims trainees need more protection | Law Gazette http://t.co/oau4VBKv
- Legal aid warning over contract allocation | Law Gazette http://t.co/0l9yBVpj
- Legal apprenticeships no threat, says CILEx | Law Gazette http://t.co/GI6PiqDi
- Development on town and village greens | Law Gazette http://t.co/HNcgP3pU
- Law Society backs targets to boost senior female lawyer ranks | Legalweek http://t.co/hCT1eHdT
- Education and training review delayed again | Law Gazette http://t.co/dF6u1YIf
- Law leads the way over living wage | Law Gazette http://t.co/FRYNEnci
- Solicitors have ‘little to fear’ from Barco | Law Gazette http://t.co/PWQdjLJu
- Ombudsman prepares for ABSs after Parliament approves rule changes | Legal Futures http://t.co/1h8s1Hcf
- Over 300 ABS applications waiting in the wings, says SRA | Legal Futures http://t.co/AnoaoxZX
- LeO’s new regime begins on February 1 | Solicitors Journal http://t.co/dbQ0WOol
- Judge orders barrister to donate £10 to charity after mobile breaks silence in court http://t.co/edDtqHBM
Articles of the week:
The UK and international articles of the week are pieces selected by @TheLawMap tweeting team based on recommendations from friends and followers of LawNewsIndex.com daily law news blog.
- Employee rights: what to expect if your company calls in the administrators | Philip Landau - Guardian Law
- Human rights claims against undercover police to be heard in secret | Simon McKay - UK Human Rights Blog
News from the Law Firms:
Friday 18th January
- DLA UK managing partner heads Down Under for new Australia role http://t.co/MNIPGHFt
- BLP, LG act as Schroders lists property trust on Alternative Investment Market http://t.co/kSdv1DE1
- Skadden, CC among legal line-up on BlackRock's Credit Suisse purchase http://t.co/sAYgOXP4
- Pinsent Masons and Linklaters advise on £321m M25 upgrade project http://t.co/JlOXH7kH
- Ladbrokes bets on change with major panel review and end to hourly billing http://t.co/MKtig0FZ
- Slaughters moves to merit-based pay to reward exceptional associates http://t.co/GEC9TQO6
- Yorkshire Water appoints new legal head as proposed BLP deal sinks http://t.co/4FgpfVfi
- Line-up of law firms win places on long-awaited Government super-panel http://t.co/vSKcrp7Z
- Legal firm Axiom to create up to 40 jobs in Belfast http://t.co/i2FIqVN8
- France's Arago signs association to expand into Dubai http://t.co/G7M2OxVX
- Weil's City capital markets head defects to Paul Hastings' UK arm http://t.co/hEbIZHUD
- Freshfields names new real estate chief as group absorbs part of closing leisure practice http://t.co/WCxv2s3T
- Norton Rose Fulbright to protect UK business against further Middle East downturn http://t.co/vUNe6DOF
- DWF to merge with professional indemnity firm Fishburns http://t.co/lMFf4qml
- Veale Wasbrough Vizards and Hewitsons call off merger talks http://t.co/zb75dzUe
- DWF acquires Fishburns as its hunt for a second Scotland merger continues http://t.co/IC0gvFOZ
- US firm Bracewell & Giuliani boosts London base with Simmons and Herbert Smith hires - Legalweek http://t.co/3Uyt4uEb
- Australia's Gadens launches in Singapore with CC hire http://t.co/lB7YCsuD
- K&L Gates overlooks London base in 47-strong global partnership round http://t.co/mrfy4Dhs
- Irwin Mitchell seals hire of 14-strong DLA Manchester real estate team http://t.co/36wbv8bp
- Farrers announces job cuts with up to 12 roles set to go http://t.co/T2JeHxf9
- Bakers ups chargeable hours target for London associates http://t.co/RxDdtwom
- SNR Denton accounts reveal UK headcount drop of 10% in 2011-12 http://t.co/Ra0P4XiM
- Linklaters takes capital markets crown http://t.co/1U0aCyXV
- Simmons leads law firms in equality ranking http://t.co/IbUgfXGc
- Farrers begins redundancy talks with up to 12 jobs at risk http://t.co/Vyyefv2Q
- Ex-Fried Frank staffer accused of stealing $376,000 worth of ink http://t.co/0FYyAwKZ
- MoFo wins instruction from creditors on HMV administration http://t.co/ZKsYdh0k
- CMS takes latest administration role as Blockbuster UK calls in Deloitte http://t.co/gqnKYwDP
- Watson Farley to set up Bangkok-based German desk with Ashurst hire http://t.co/d7iJvgY5
- SNR Denton headcount drop leads to profit rise in tough year http://t.co/lc0D9nh2
- CMS posts lowest retention rate since autumn 2010 http://t.co/jc0F9qa6
- Half of partners think they're underpaid, BDO study finds http://t.co/pjwvGZoj
- Portugal's Miranda enters the Democratic Republic of Congo http://t.co/Hk1d88hb
- Addleshaws' highest earner pocketed £600k in last financial year http://t.co/oJPv7Xub
- Post-merger Dentons to put off integrating profit pools for indefinite period http://t.co/X1oZO77r
- Wragges' LLPs reveal decrease in top-earner's pay packet http://t.co/j7qRCG75
- Clifford Chance makes first Aussie lateral hire since 2011 launch http://t.co/Zrh3hmx6
- Clydes took £23m loan to fund post-merger office move http://t.co/hv1kffcE
- Slaughters ditches associate lockstep in favour of merit-based system http://t.co/oe1S1HyJ
- CMS Cameron McKenna places 40 jobs at risk in review of UK business http://t.co/CstJqfhB
- Linklaters takes lead legal role as HMV enters administration http://t.co/fcu0qStt
- Addleshaws makes Trowers hires for new Middle East launch in Oman http://t.co/6epW7V07
- City misses out as K&L Gates makes up 47 partners across its network http://t.co/cMRAGq4i
- KPMG continues hiring spree with addition of Garrigues tax specialist http://t.co/yFcRkiX5
- Irwin Mitchell confirms hire of DLA Piper real estate quartet http://t.co/xceRyrx1
- Simmons leads as law firms improve position in Stonewall rankings http://t.co/iLWJIqNl
- Houston's Bracewell & Giuliani raids Simmons to kickstart London practice http://t.co/VNLdlyob
- SJ Berwin leads for Asia fund manager on $647m debut closing http://t.co/H6tRYyyW
- Nabarro LLPs show £486k top pay figure and £750k pension recovery plan http://t.co/jacSwukL
- Freshfields strengthens Hong Kong corporate with Orrick hire http://t.co/7gKdmWJI
- Barclays panel firms get extra year as bank moves to three-year cycle http://t.co/JDhvfRVo
- Bakers leads UPS-TNT deal challenge as €5.2bn takeover collapses http://t.co/apqt93pk
- Siemens cuts UK panel to just three firms as OC, Eversheds win roles http://t.co/N3siXxvi
- US firm Sullivan & Worcester is opening a London office http://t.co/D99jGtyC
- Nixon Peabody favours US in first promo round since Paris closure news http://t.co/jL82b6Vi
- Veale Wasbrough takes on school employment specialist in education push http://t.co/4uAtElXD
- Eversheds scoops up Salans' Shanghai employment team http://t.co/kyAc5u2S
- Siemens hands UK panel spots to firm trio as roster cut http://t.co/HJJjl9iU
- Weil Gotshal maintains 100 per cent Spring retention http://t.co/gBTY27FM
- City sackings hit five-year high, reveals Pinsent Masons http://t.co/SwMELt5v
- Victory for Dingemans and Aughton Ainsworth in ECHR religion case http://t.co/HBGTj4FY
- Ashurst appoints new EU competition partner in Italy http://t.co/y6IBIlR6
- Linklaters takes dual role as HMV enters administration http://t.co/6ryu27uS
- CMS launches redundancy consultation with 40 jobs at risk http://t.co/iMGIKHEO Trowers hits out at exiting partners as Addleshaws launches in Oman http://t.co/T0FMOspL
- EMW, Morgan Cole and Shoosmiths install Cambridge software group's MBO http://t.co/YRFe41i4
- Bonelli and White & Case scoop lead roles on €2.5bn Generali deal http://t.co/OXk5hZRT
- Pinsents boosts litigation team in London and Paris http://t.co/6ljU3TSX
- Howard Kennedy launches affordable housing practice ahead of FSI merger http://t.co/xWdG0iuk
- Barclays panel delayed as bank moves away from biennial reviews http://t.co/p1JUiLoM
- The Lawyer Business: Brian Henderson, COO Baker & McKenzie http://t.co/LWeanqd9
- Bonelli and White & Case scoop lead roles on €2.5bn Generali deal http://t.co/dfbARPoo
- Conditional-fee deal to gift Dickson Minto £1m bonus on Barr-Britvic merger http://t.co/6Ls3isQp
- Mason Hayes rejigs London leadership as incumbent moves to Oz http://t.co/VNsk7TNI
We would like to thank all the publications cited in this week's column. Please notify via @TheLawMap Twitter handle of any errors or omissions.
TheLawMap Publications at a glance:
LawNewsIndex.com - Daily Law News Archive
SundayLawReview.com - Weekly Law Business News Blog
Law Specials - A compendium of articles on Justice & Society
Wig - Daily Newspaper Focusing on Law & Society
MetaLawIndex - Informal Blog chronicling behind the scene events at LawNewsIndex & Twitter
