Legal news: Kuits; Gateley and more

MANCHESTER law firm Kuits Solicitors will play host to more than 60 lawyers from in excess of 25 firms across Europe as part of the 2015 TAGLaw European Regional Conference.

TAGLaw is a worldwide alliance of independent law firms with more than 150 member firms based in nearly 90 countries.

Kuits was selected to host the conference, which will take place between March 6 and 8.

Keynote speakers will include Tim Newns of MIDAS, Manchester’s inward investment agency.

Newns will be highlighting Manchester as a leading European business location and growing commercial hub, as well as an exciting place to do business.

He will be joined on the podium by Phil Jepson, the chairman of Jepson Holt and director of Totuus Consulting.

Jepson will discuss how the role of the law firm has evolved in recent years and the necessary changes firms, and the lawyers who work for them, are making as a result.

Delegates will also be taken on a variety of excursions to showcase Manchester’s history, achievements, and world-class leisure and hospitality scene.

Kuits’s executive partner Robert Levy, who also sits on the TAGLaw Advisory Board, said: “We cannot wait to showcase our city for the brave, bright and enterprising place that it is.

“As it continues to attract further attention from investors and innovators alike, we believe there could not be a better time for businesspeople from around Europe to visit and work with Manchester.”

::

LAW firm Gateley is launching a Surety Academy based at its Manchester office following demand from clients within the surety, insurance and construction sectors.
 
The service starts in March with the aim to promote legal knowledge of surety law within the growing marketplace.
 
The Academy will collaborate with the surety industry, to educate members and provide leadership through the delivery of knowledge-sharing events.

Events will take in Manchester, Leicester and London and will present an opportunity for delegates to discuss practical problems and scenarios with experienced professionals from Gateley who specialise in surety and can offer valuable commercial advice to attendees.

Karen Spencer, construction partner at Gateley’s Manchester office, said: “Uncertainty within the fiscal market has led to a spike in enquiries from those seeking to put security in place to protect their investments, by ensuring that construction projects are backed by performance bonds issued by third party financial institutions with appropriate ratings.”

::

A CORPORATE team from Addleshaw Goddard in Manchester  advised the shareholders of REN Skincare on a deal to sell the iconic natural cosmetics brand to international consumer products group Unilever.

Created in 2000 by Antony Buck and Robert Calcraft, London-based REN is now sold in 50 countries and has built a committed consumer base.

The range is sold predominantly in specialty stores and pharmacies.

The AG team who advised the shareholders was led by partner Paul Medlicott and included Tina Wong, Katie Simpson, Daniel Linton, Javeta McDonald, Cat Concannon, Justine Delroy, Clare Walker, Phil McDonnell and Victoria Davies.

Medlicott, said: “In advising the shareholders, we have been able to add value for our clients and draw on the wealth of experience that Addleshaw Goddard has in the retail and consumer sector – regularly advising household brands on all aspects of their legal requirements, from strategic acquisitions to loyalty programmes, and from brand management to store portfolio reviews.”

Close