Europe

EU Court: This Bud’s for Anheuser

A European court ruled today that Anheuser-Busch may use Budweiser and Bud brand names on merchandise such as T-shirts and barbecue sauce. Reuters reports that Czech brewer Budejovicky Budvar lost its bid to prevent its competitor from registering the trademarks for products other than beer before the Court of First…

Jun 12, 2007 2:51 PM CDT

Smoking Ban End of Plush Cigar Bar Era in Posh London Clubs

It’s the end of an era – in fact, the end of a more than 100-year-old tradition – in posh London clubs where members have been free to smoke Cuban cigars in leather chairs in plush surroundings. Due to new no-smoking legislation, clubs are either going to have to ban…

Jun 8, 2007 8:26 PM CDT

Report: CIA Ran Secret Prisons in Europe

The Central Intelligence Agency reportedly ran secret prisons in Poland and Romania from 2003 to 2005, with the collaboration of U.S. allies, in violation of European human rights treaties. However, officials in all of the countries involved said the claim of secret prisons used to interrogate al-Quaida suspects is untrue…

Jun 8, 2007 5:17 PM CDT

Lawyer, Big Four Partners Charged in Tax Fraud Scheme

A former lawyer for the Internal Revenue Service is among four past and present partners of Ernst & Young charged today in an alleged tax fraud scheme intended to benefit wealthy clients and earn big fees. Robert Coplan, 54, a Texas lawyer who once worked for the IRS Legislation and…

May 30, 2007 8:26 PM CDT

Pakistan Crisis: Lawyers Strike; Court Aide Shot

A worsening crisis in Pakistan over the country’s judicial independence reportedly included a nationwide strike by the legal community and general strikes that shut down major cities on Monday. Following violence over the weekend that each side blamed on the other, 2,500 lawyers rallied in Lahore against the government of…

May 14, 2007 4:19 PM CDT

UK Firms See Big Revenue Hikes

Some London firms are reporting big jumps in revenue. Ashurst reports an increase of 28 percent and SJ Berwin an increase of 23 percent, according to American Lawyer. Both firms likely benefited from a boom in mergers and acquisitions work.

May 11, 2007 1:02 PM CDT

High Court: Irish Teen has Right to UK Abortion

An Irish court has ruled that a pregnant 17-year-old who is in the care of the government has the right to travel to England for a legal abortion, as some 7,000 of Irish women do annually. Abortion is illegal in Ireland, except to save the life of the mother. Social…

May 10, 2007 12:16 AM CDT

Four More Arrests in London Subway Bombing

British police have arrested four people in connection with 2005 subway bombings that killed 52 people. Police believe the suspects committed, prepared or instigated acts of terrorism, the Associated Press reports. Police were searching seven homes or apartments as part of the investigation. In March, police arrested three people in…

May 9, 2007 2:05 PM CDT

‘Gazumping’ Loophole Ups British Legal Fees

A quirk in English property law, combined with a super-hot housing market caused by a shortage of homes for sale in London, is costing would-be purchasers of homes there extra attorney fees. Because British law only makes real estate contracts final once they are actually exchanged, buyers are on the…

May 8, 2007 10:40 PM CDT

Holtzman: Axing AG Would Put Bush on Hot Seat

In all the arguing over whether U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales should be asked to resign, several important facts seem to have been forgotten, a former member of Congress says. If Gonzales goes, his replacement would have to be confirmed by the Senate, and the last thing the White House…

May 7, 2007 10:05 PM CDT

London Firms Raise Associate Pay

Many London associates are getting pay hikes of around 15 percent. New pay will rise to $130,000 at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, and to $128,000 at Linklaters and at Herbert Smith, according to the American Lawyer. They are following the lead of Allen & Overy and Clifford Chance, which announced pay…

May 7, 2007 12:44 PM CDT

BP Chief Resigns Amid Escort Scandal

The chief of BP has announced his resignation after acknowledging he made false statements to a British court about how he first met a male companion. John Browne made the abrupt announcement yesterday, after losing his court battle to prevent a London tabloid to prevent disclosure of the relationship, the…

May 2, 2007 1:52 PM CDT

Plotters’ Links Prompt Calls for Investigation

Details that have emerged from the trial of five men convicted of plotting to bomb British targets are prompting calls for further investigation. Evidence kept secret during the British trial showed a link between the plotters and four suicide bombers who attacked the London subway system, killing 56 people. Authorities…

May 1, 2007 2:49 PM CDT

Five Convicted in British Bombing Plots

In Britain’s longest terror trial, a jury has convicted five men of conspiring to bomb London targets, including a nightclub, shopping mall and power plants. Two others were cleared of conspiracy charges. Details of the trial that had been kept secret showed a link between the plotters and four suicide…

Apr 30, 2007 3:32 PM CDT

Pay Goes Up for Some London Associates

Pay is going up for new lawyers at some London law firms. Starting pay will be $130,000 a year at Allen & Overy and $127,000 at Clifford Chance, according to the American Lawyer. Other top firms are likely to make similar announcements in coming weeks.

Apr 30, 2007 12:02 PM CDT