The Legal 500

200 GRAY'S INN ROAD, LONDON, WC1X 8HF, ENGLAND

What we say about the firm's legal practice in London

Corporate and commercial

Within Commercial contracts,

Morrison & Foerster (UK) LLP’s track record in technology outsourcing makes it a regular fixture on transactions that require detailed understanding of technical matters, as reflected in its client base of leading technology companies such as NTT Data, and financial institutions such as Moody’s. Led by Alistair Maughan, the team continues to advise HMRC on a range of IT and sourcing matters, including the project to renegotiate its end-to-end IT outsourcing. David Skinner left the firm at the end of 2010, to establish outsourcing boutique Radiant Law.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms)

Within IT and telecoms, tier 5

At Latham & Watkins LLP, the ‘fantasticLuke Grubb advised BSkyB on various technology procurement transactions, including data centre outsourcing. The ‘professional, knowledgeable’ team, led by London practice head Andrew Moyle, is also advising Lloyds Banking Group. Gail Crawford advised ABN AMRO on IT separation issues. Other clients include international corporates Guthy-Renker, MTS Telecommunications and Symantec. Martin Cotterill is also recommended. Alex Hamilton joined Radiant Law.

Within Overview,

In IT and telecoms, Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP and Powell Gilbert LLP were strengthened by high-profile lateral hires. Clients’ focus on the cost of legal advice has brought work to specialist boutiques, notably Technology Law Alliance, Preiskel & Co LLP, Waterfront Solicitors and Radiant Law, recently established by partners from Latham & Watkins LLP and Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP.


Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to
  • COUNCIL TAX

    In Harrow LBC v Ayiku [2012] EWHC 1200 (Admin) Sales J held that the word “or” in the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992, art 3 Class N, had a disjunctive meaning, therefore it was sufficient for the non-British spouse of a foreign student to satisfy one or other of the two conditions, namely being prevented from taking paid employment or being prevented from claiming benefits, in order to qualify as a “relevant person” who was exempted from liability to pay council tax.
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  • QUEEN’S SPEECH

    Bills already introduced pursuant to the Queen’s Speech on 9 May 2012 include Local Government Finance Bill and Electoral Registration and Administration Bill, both accompanied by Explanatory Notes, which in each case address ECHR compatibility.
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  • Standards

    In R (Calver) v Adjudication Panel for Wales [2012] EWHC 1172 (Admin) Mr Calver was a member of Manorbier Community Council who successfully challenged the decision of the Panel to dismiss his appeal against a decision by Prembrokeshire County Council Standards Committee censuring him for a number of comments or blogs posted by him on a website he owned and controlled.
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  • A justified retrospective

    Clive Sheldon - QC debates the pros & cons of retrospective tax legislation
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  • Public Sector Equality Duty (“PSED”)

    In R (Greenwich Community Law Centre) v Greenwich LBC [2012] EWCA Civ 496 the Court of Appeal held that the Council had had “due regard to the PSED when making changes to its funding of community legal advice services”. At para 30 Elias LJ said:
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  • Public Sector Equality Duty

    Surrey County Council conducted a review of its Library Service. This culminated in a Report to the Council’s Cabinet. The Recommendations in the Report included that there should be consultation about a community-partnership approach at selected Libraries.
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  • Judicial Review

    The Judgment of Lindblom J in The Manydown Co Ltd v Basingstoke and Deane BC [2012] EWHC 977 (Admin) repays attention. The Claimant sought to challenge by judicial review 2 decisions of the Council: (1) the Council’s refusal to reconsider its position on the development of a site that it owns (and is the subject matter of a Joint Development Partnership Agreement with the Claimant); and (2) a decision of the Council’s Cabinet approving a selection of sites for development which did not include this site.
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  • The Health and Social Care Act 2012: impact on adult social services

    After its torrid passage through Parliament, the Health and Social Care Bill received Royal Assent on 27 March 2012. The Act deals principally with healthcare reform, but it also contains some amendments to the legislative framework for social care. It will come into force on a day yet to be appointed by the Secretary of State.
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  • Immigration update May 2012

    In this issue:
  • Premium service for tier 2 and 5 sponsors to be launched

    A premium service for sponsors will be launched by the UKBA on 6 April 2012. The service is designed specifically for companies that sponsor international employees under tier 2 and 5 of the points based system and aims to provide them with enhanced support.