09/04/2012
FSA calls for clampdown on sales commissions
The UK's financial watchdog is calling for a clampdown on commissions paid for selling insurance, loans and bank accounts.
Legal, Regulation & Compliance
09/03/2012
Links set to recruit senior contentious regulatory partner from Herbert Smith
His hire represents a significant boost for Linklaters, which to date has not built up as significant a contentious regulatory capability as many of its rivals.
09/03/2012
Lefèvre Pelletier boosts China practice with TransAsia hire
French firm Lefèvre Pelletier & Associés has added its third partner to its Chinese team, bringing on board corporate partner Emmanuel Meril.
09/03/2012
Tribunal backs FSA bans over £20m unauthorised Sipp transfer
Directors found not fit for purpose after inappropriate client money transfers.
09/03/2012
Phoenix IT Group fesses up to 'accounting irregularities'
The listed IT services group revealed in a statement to the London Stock Exchange this morning that it has named PwC and Nabarro LLP to "carry out independent forensic investigations".
09/03/2012
Tax agreements key to the future - confidence despite a difficult environment - SBA
Although the current situation for banks is characterised by falling margins, a large number of regulatory projects and constant pressure from abroad, Switzerland can continue to be a leading financial centre.
09/03/2012
PwC overtakes KPMG as Britain’s biggest auditor
Together, the big four account for over 98 per cent of profits represented by the Morningstar rankings.
09/03/2012
BLP continues top-end corporate push with Norton Rose partner hire
He has acted on a number of major UK corporate deals over the last year, including advising US-based investor ValueAct Capital on its joint bid with CVC Capital partners for FTSE 250 tech company Misys in March 2012.
09/02/2012
Italy's most powerful banker to face board questions over FonSa
Board members will meet on Sept. 5 to discuss the judicial probe and get an update on the Unipol-Fondiaria tie-up.
08/30/2012
FSA publishes guide to financial advice charges
Under the changes, from the start of 2013, financial advisers will have to agree a fee with their clients.
08/30/2012
Short Selling Regulation Update: Market Maker & Primary Dealer Exemption Notification Procedure
The SSR becomes applicable from 1 November 2012, but allows participants to notify securities regulators of their intention to use the exemption from 1 September 2012.
08/30/2012
Uncovered: Trial of the oligarchs
For the romantic Mr Berezovsky, this case at the commercial court here in London was about betrayal - a father and son relationship soured, a beautiful business partnership severed.
08/29/2012
Russell Collins and Boston Consulting Group Appointed to Support Barclays Review
Russell Collins has agreed to undertake the deputy role, acting as the Executive Leader of the Review.
08/29/2012
DLA Piper bulks up in France with Paris corporate merger
The merger, which will take effect on 1 October, will see DLA's lawyer headcount in the French capital rise to more than 30 partners and 40 further lawyers.
08/28/2012
Athens Closes in on Wealthy Tax Evaders
Modelled on Switzerland's agreements with Germany, Great Britain and Austria, the deal is aimed at the billions of euros Athens estimates that wealthy Greeks have parked in the Alpine country to avoid taxes back home.
08/28/2012
Swap mis-selling staff offered pay worth more than £200,000 a year
Banks are offering recruits up to £900 a day to work on interest rate swap mis-selling claims.
08/28/2012
Baker & McKenzie Retains Global Top Spot With Record Revenues
Baker’s profit per partner fell 9 percent to a three-year low of $1.09 million, however, with the firm’s profit margin dropping 4 percentage points to 34 percent.
08/28/2012
Barclays Said to Face Possible U.K. SFO Probe Over Qatar Fees
The Serious Fraud Office, which prosecutes bribery and white collar crime, may inform the London-based bank about its decision on a probe this week, according to the people, who declined to be identified because the discussions are private.
08/27/2012
DLA Piper set for Paris expansion with local merger
The firm is understood to be in advanced discussions with Frieh Bouhenic, a 26-lawyer boutique established in January last year by ex-Linklaters rainmaker Michel Frieh and Pierre-Alain Bouhenic, formerly of Weil Gotshal & Manges.
08/27/2012
France To Clamp Down On 'Unfair' ISF Tax Breaks
France’s solidarity tax imposed on wealth currently serves to generate in the region of EUR4bn a year for the state.