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Brexit: a risky business?

09 September 2016 / Frank Maher
Issue: 7713 / Categories: Features , Brexit
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What does Brexit mean for law firm risk, asks Frank Maher

Already there are press reports that some leading law firms are battening down the hatches in anticipation of either a full recession, or at least a downturn in activity in particular sectors such as real estate, following the UK’s referendum decision on 23 June 2016 to leave the European Union.

The risks to business and the wider economy have been widely explored in the press, and law firms can expect, to some extent, to follow the fortunes of their clients, but what are the professional liability risks which law firms may face? As we enter uncharted waters, this article attempts to explore some preliminary thoughts on where those risks may lie.

Cream of the crop

Many of the lawyers advising on Brexit issues will be among the cream of the profession and will doubtless have a thorough grounding in the area of law in which they practise. Errors of law were an infrequent source of claims in the past, but this is

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Freeths—Ruth Clare

Freeths—Ruth Clare

National real estate team bolstered by partner hire in Manchester

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Farrer & Co—Claire Gordon

Partner appointed head of family team

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

mfg Solicitors—Neil Harrison

Firm strengthens agriculture and rural affairs team with partner return

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A Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) ruling has reopened debate on the availability of ‘user damages’ in competition claims. Writing in NLJ this week, Edward Nyman of Hausfeld explains how the CAT allowed Dr Liza Lovdahl Gormsen’s alternative damages case against Meta to proceed, rejecting arguments that such damages are barred in competition law
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