Estee Lauder sues Jo Malone March 12, 2026 Beauty giant Estee Lauder has launched legal action against perfumer Jo Willcox (nee Malone) over her new perfume brand with Zara. Estee Lauder bought Malone’s self-named perfume brand and naming rights in 1999 for ‘undisclosed millions’. She stayed on as creative director until 2006, when she left her eponymous perfume brand. After a five-year legal [...]
Closed shop? Not for long: How new laws are opening doors for trade unions March 12, 2026 The first wave of the Employment Rights Act hit the statute books last month, signalling a potential end to the decades-long decline of UK trade unions, but businesses are already feeling the turbulence, triggering a surge of work for City employment lawyers. The Employment Rights Act has caused turmoil in businesses, not just because of [...]
Odey described as a ‘sex pest’ by former hedge fund chief executive, court told March 10, 2026 Disgraced hedge fund manager Crispin Odey was called a “sex pest” and a “sociopath” by former Odey Asset Management chief executive, a court was told on Tuesday. Tim Pearey said in an interview with the Financial Conduct Authority: “I think he’s a sex pest I’m afraid… I think he’s got a real problem. “I think [...]
KKR-backed fintech takes £13m hit from motor finance scandal March 10, 2026 A UK fintech backed by investment giant KKR has posted a hefty loss after being forced to set aside cash for the brewing motor finance scandal. Oodle Finanical Services recorded a pre-tax loss of £38m for the financial year ending 30 June 2025, after the firm was forced to set aside a whopping £12.8m in [...]
Crispin Odey threatened to ‘shut down’ fund if board tried to oust him March 9, 2026 Crispin Odey threatened to “shut down” his eponymous hedge fund if he was dismissed by its board or it proceeded with investigations into his alleged misconduct against his wishes, a court will be told. Disgraced financier Odey faces the City watchdog at the High Court this week as he seeks to overturn a ruling that [...]
Crispin Odey set for high-stakes legal showdown with the FCA March 9, 2026 Millionaire fund manager Crispin Odey is set to face the City watchdogs for a three-week trial as he aims to challenge his £1.8m fine and ban from working in the financial services industry. After a series of historical sexual assault allegations that were made against Odey, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) slapped him with a hefty [...]
Four men arrested on suspicion of spying for Iran March 6, 2026 Four men have been arrested on the suspicion of spying for Iran on the Jewish community, the Metropolitan Police has said. The men were suspected of conducting surveillance of Jewish people in London. One Iranian national and three British-Iranian nationals were arrested in the early hours of Friday morning in Barnet and Watford. They were [...]
War in Iran sparks professional services remote work boom in Gulf March 5, 2026 Professional service giants have triggered emergency business continuity plans, shifting hundreds of staff to remote work across the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia amid deepening conflict in the Middle East. Since Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu’s surprise attack on Tehran in the early hours of Saturday morning, Iran has retaliated with strikes on major cities [...]
Men taking parental leave holds the key to women’s advancement at law firms March 5, 2026 In recent years, leading law firms have made concerted efforts to improve gender diversity in their ranks, but when it comes to real power, progress remains insufficient. Many of the top law firms have set targets for partnerships and leadership roles, aiming to fill at least 40 per cent of these positions with women by [...]
Labour MP’s partner among three arrested in China spy probe March 4, 2026 Three men, including a partner of a Labour MP, have been arrested on suspicion of spying for China. The Metropolitan Police revealed on Wednesday that the men, aged 39, 43 and 68, were arrested in London and Wales as part of a counter-terrorism policing investigation under the National Security Act. One of those arrested, David [...]