Government bans services exports to Russia – but UK lawyers excluded May 4, 2022 Ministers have announced a ban on services exports to Russia, including management consulting, accounting and public relations but excluding legal professions. In the latest tranche of sanctions from foreign secretary Liz Truss, Russian businesses will no longer be able to do businesses with UK professional services firms. Many businesses have already cut connections with the [...]
Swiss blockchain developer sues Meta over infinity logo trademark dispute May 4, 2022 A Swiss blockchain developer has filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Facebook owner Meta, over claims the tech giant’s infinity logo bares too many similarities to its own infinity insignia. Swiss non-profit Dfinity filed a lawsuit in a California court, after claiming it would be “severely harmed” by being linked in any way to Meta’s [...]
UK watchdog launches probe into tiny accountancy firm King & King over Sanjeev Gupta audits May 4, 2022 The UK’s accounting watchdog has launched an investigation into four audits carried out by little-known accountancy firm King & King, of firms linked to embattled steel magnate Sanjeev Gupta. The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) said it would be probing King & King’s audits of financial results posted by four of separate companies linked to Sanjeev [...]
KPMG to double size of UK legal practice as part of ‘once-in-a-generation’ growth strategy May 4, 2022 Big Four accountancy firm KPMG is set to double the size of its UK legal practice over the next three years, as it pushes forwards with plans for its “once-in-a-generation” growth strategy. The plan is set to see KPMG hire 220 new lawyers – including 45 new partners and directors – by the end [...]
PwC extends summer working hours policy following success of pilot scheme last year May 4, 2022 Big Four accountancy firm PwC has said it is extending its “summer working hours” programme to June, following the success of the pilot scheme last year. The firm said it will let staff to leave at lunchtime on Fridays for the months of June, July and August of this year. The plan comes after PwC [...]
Direct Line takes financial hit from watchdog’s new ‘price walking’ ban May 4, 2022 Insurance company Direct Line has said its Q1 performance was “broadly in line with expectations,” after the FCA’s new pricing practice reforms hit its bottom line. The Bromley based firm said its overall premiums were 2.4 per cent lower in Q1 2022 than in the first quarter of last year, as revenues dropped across its [...]
Londoner accused of using Covid bounce back loans to fund Isis May 3, 2022 Thousands of pounds worth of taxpayer backed Covid loans have allegedly been used to fund terrorist activities abroad.
‘I made the decision that I would face prison’ – jailed solicitor Sophie Khan tells all in exclusive interview with City PM May 3, 2022 At the start of this year, human rights lawyer Sophie Khan was jailed, after refusing to hand over documents to the independent watchdog that regulates solicitors. A High Court judge sentenced the solicitor to six months in prison, for refusing to comply with two separate court orders calling on her to give over clients’ files. [...]
Ex-Irwin Mitchell lawyer jailed for researching defendant while serving on jury May 3, 2022 An ex-Irwin Mitchell solicitor has been jailed for causing the collapse of an historic child abuse trial after she admitted researching the defendant online whilst serving on the jury. Veteran lawyer Caroline Elizabeth Mitchell was sentenced to two months in prison after pleading guilty to telling fellow jury members about research she had done online, [...]
Grant Thornton strikes deal to offer crypto-recovery services May 3, 2022 Accountancy firm Grant Thornton has joined forces with a trio of other firms with a view to offering crypto recovery services. The accountancy firm struck a deal with two London law firms and a New York investment manager, to help clients recover stolen crypto assets. The deal comes on the back of a sharp rise [...]
