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08/07/2008
Teacher Stern today announced the elevation of James McVeigh to Partner with effect from August 01 2008.
" I am delighted to be able to make this announcement" said David Salisbury, Partner and Head of the Corporate and Commercial Department at the Firm adding "We seek to grow and develop talent inhouse and we have a good example of this in James. This is a well deserved promotion"
James will remain in the Corporate and Commercial Department reporting to David Salisbury. James qualified in 2001 and has an MA from Oxford.
Also see: To read James McVeigh's full biography click here.
30/06/2008
Colin Glass today joined Teacher Stern to lead the growing Private Client practice. "This is a new Partner level appointment and the seniority of the appointment highlights the commitment the Firm is putting into Private Client services" said Graham Shear "Our clients are demanding more and more from us in terms of service provision so we are delighted that Colin has joined our team here"
Colin joins from Sherrington's (now Brightstone Law llp) and he specialises in advising on inheritance tax matters, lifetime planning, trusts and all aspects of administration of estates. He also undertakes Office of the Public Guardian work including receiverships and powers of attorney.
Also see: Colin Glass - Partner, Private Client.
30/06/2008
Teacher Stern has its own budding City of London diarist in the shape of Dominic Kelleher. Dominic writes a "sidesway look" at life in and around a busy City law firm from the perspective of a trainee. Dominic explores his motives for going into the Law and wonders exactly how much fun his brother is having on the beaches of Brazil. Football, parties and working late all get a look! Read Dominic's Diary every week at the Law and More website. Click on the link below.
Also see: Dominic's Diary
16/06/2008
Teacher Stern were one of the headline sponsors for the United Jewish Israel Appeal (UJIA) Annual Sports Dinner and Quiz and Dinner. A massive £135,00 was raised at this very popular event to help children in need in the Galil region of Israel. The United Jewish Israel Appeal is the largest charity investing in young people and education operating in the UK. For more information on the valuable work of UJIA please click on the link below
Also see: http://www.ujia.org/who-we-are/
03/06/2008
Because you’re worth it (or something just like it)!
It used to be the case that, essentially, comparative adverts which were accurate and fair and that did no real damage should not be prohibited under trade marks law. However the Comparative Advertising Directive (“CAD”) (which has now been in force in the UK since April 2000) has complicated matters somewhat. We are currently waiting for the European Court to (hopefully) clarify the position regarding comparative advertising in the case of L’Oreal v Bellure. Bellure used certain L’Oreal trademarks to produce comparative tables to show which of their budget perfumes smell like which L’Oreal fragrance. L’Oreal alleged trademark infringement, and the response of the European Court could prove crucial in clarifying what is meant by “taking unfair advantage” of another’s trade mark and how far companies can go in using registered trademarks as a comparator to advertise their own product before they are considered to be infringing that trademark.
Another comparative advertising case referred to the European Court – O2 and Hutchison, has recently been the focus of an advocate general’s opinion. The scope of comparative advertising raises a very important issue indeed because it relates directly to the philosophy of how competitive the law allows industry in Europe to be. The initial indications following the opinion in O2 is that comparative advertising is set to become easier to carry out.
For the full article please click on the link below
Also see: /documents/Because you're worth it...(or something just like it!).PDF
21/05/2008
The Solicitors Journal reports that Sprinter Dwain Chambers is to launch a legal challenge against the British Olympic Association (BOA) to try and secure a place in the UK team for the Beijing Olympics. Chambers is the subject of a lifetime ban by the BOA for drugs offences. He returned to athletics in 2005 after a two year ban imposed by UK Athletics for taking the anabolic steroid THG.
In March this year he won a silver medal at the World Indoor Championships. Nick Collins, a partner at Ford & Warren in Leeds, issued a statement on behalf of Chambers, confirming that
he had embarked on legal proceedings. We can confirm that Dwain Chambers will be taking proceedings to secure his eligibility / participation in the Olympic and national trials in Birmingham from 11-13 July, Collins said that it is understood that Chambers is yet to be formally refused a place in the trials, but if he is rejected, a variety of options are open to Collins and barrister Jonathan Crystal of Cloisters Chambers.
Graham Shear, partner at Teacher Stern, commented: "There is a viable challenge here, which should not be ignored or ridiculed".
Shear said there was an obvious inconsistency between the lifetime ban imposed by the BOA and the two year suspension by UK Athletics.
For more please click on the link below
Also see: Dwain Chambers seeks legal challenge to ruling in effort to get to Beijing
19/05/2008
Teacher Stern's corporate and commercial team were in the news again this week.
For the story details please click on the link below
Also see: http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/companycommercial/view=newsarticle.law?GAZETTENEWSID=403199
19/05/2008
For cash-strapped tenants facing a raft of creditors the Landlord is often one of the first to suffer. The usual remedies open to a Landlord against a solvent tenant, including the use of bailiffs to levy distress or even forfeiting the premises, ensure that it can act swiftly to control an arrears situation. However, many landlords are unaware that their remedies are massively diluted if the tenant enters into a Voluntary Arrangement with its creditors or is placed into Administration.
For the full article click on the link below
Download: Insolvency
19/05/2008
The new Companies Act incorporates a developing theme of the common law in recent years, namely that the law should impose on directors a higher standard of skill, care and diligence that has traditionally been expected of them by the UK courts.
For the full article please click on the link below
Download: The New Companies Act 2006
Also see:
12/05/2008
Is this the end of the kiss-and-tell?
After J. K. Rowling’s first-round victory against the press, Graham Shear and Alison Green argue that celebrities now have a clear right to privacy.
This article by Graham Shear and Alison Green appeared in the Times (London) on 12th May 2008.
To view the full article click on the link below.
Also see: Is this the end of the kiss-and-tell?
12/05/2008
The Independent examines whether Ashley Cole's actions against The Sun and Daily Mirror newspapers may change the way tabloids report on "kiss and tell" stories.
Click on the link below to read the full article.
Also see: Could Cole win kill kiss-and-tell?
09/05/2008
We are delighted that so many friends and business colleagues were able to join us for cocktails at the Royal Academy last week. We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. If you could not make it, sorry to have missed you and let's catch up soon.
Our photographer was there to capture the flavour and please click the link below if you would like to see a selection of pictures.
Also see: Party photo gallery
08/05/2008
Facebook – Privacy and data protection
Facebook has become a global online phenomenon but with it are accompanied a raft of privacy and data protection issues. In this article we examine some of the key legal issues which may be lurking within your Facebook profile, both for casual users and for those using Facebook to generate commercial revenue.
To view the full article please click on the link below
Download: Facebook – Privacy and data protection
07/05/2008
Banner advertisements and sponsored links are commonplace when search enquiries are made on internet search engines. These ads and sponsored links are triggered by the entry of certain ‘keywords’ in the search enquiry which have been previously ‘sold’ by the search providers, to the sponsors.
An important issue affecting many trade mark owners relates to the sale of their existing trademarked words as ‘keywords’, sometimes to their competitors. The result is that when search enquiries are entered using their trademarked term, their competitors’ websites are listed as sponsored links or pop up as banner ads. Whilst these sponsored links and ads are obviously lucrative for the search providers, this article considers recent legal developments and whether the sale of such keywords constitutes trade mark infringement. This is important because a change in policy by Google in the UK means that it will no longer monitor nor restrict keywords sold to users in the UK and Ireland. From 5 May keywords previously disabled as a result of a trade mark investigation will be derestricted and will trigger ads again.
In this thorough article we will suggest some practical options available to concerned trade mark owners.
For the full article please click on the link below
Download: Keywords, Banner Advertisements and Sponsored Links – Recent developments in trade mark infringement
07/05/2008
The regulations catch a wide range of graphic or plastic art in which copyright subsists, and upon resale of the art work a royalty may be payable to the author. Royalties are payable not only by the seller, but in certain circumstances the liability can lie jointly and severally with the seller, the buyer or even their agents. Certain resales may be exempt and special criteria may apply to joint authorship, copies of works, assignments, trusts and so on. What’s more, almost any person dealing in art works is under an obligation to respond to requests for information.
For the full article please click on the link below
Download: Artists, agents, dealers, art gallerists, auction houses and art market professionals – are you adhering to The Artist’s Resale Right Regulations 2006 correctly?
07/05/2008
Do your business policies offer adequate protection in relation to the sharing and security of personal information? The Data Protection Act 1998 requires businesses to have in place appropriate systems to protect against the unlawful disclosure, loss or destruction of personal information. However, widely publicised security breaches have lead to a review of the law in this area and the powers and sanctions available to the Information Commissioner and the courts. Small and medium sized businesses should keep abreast of case law, up to date guidance and review existing policies in order to ensure their polices are not flawed and out of date.
For the full article please click on the link below
Download: Sharing and Security of Information – When was the last time you reviewed your business’s data sharing and data protection policies?
07/05/2008
E-retail is becoming the fastest growing sector of retail in the UK and subsequently increased legislation, regulations and restrictions are developing in line with this growth to protect consumers. Many businesses are exploiting the additional revenue stream opportunities available as a result of e-commerce, however, not all businesses are complying with the laws which are developing in this area.
For the full article please click on the link below
Download: E-retail - Is your website consumer rights compliant?
07/05/2008
A new fast-track trade mark application service came into force in the UK in April 2008. This article looks at this development and also looks at the important recent change in UK Trade Mark Registry practice following which the Registry will no longer refuse trade mark applications where there is an earlier conflicting trade mark. This article also provides a brief outline of what may be registered as a trade mark and why you should register one.
For the full article please click on the link below
Download: Trade marks and recent changes
07/05/2008
The new Companies Act sets out to codify and simplify the duties of company directors for the first time, but confusion continues to reign. Directors now owe many responsibilities towards many people and many institutions but the sources and substance of their duties are as diverse as they are complex. If you are director, this is a must-read.
For the full article please click on the link below
Download: Directors’ Duties under the Companies Act 2006
06/05/2008
Teacher Stern go to Hollywood
Press Announcement
Disposal of TV Channel 848
On 2nd May, Hollywood TV Limited agreed to sell its television channel “Pitchgaming 2”, listed at channel 848 on the Sky EPG, to NetPlay TV plc, the AIM-listed interactive gaming company.
Netplay TV will pay £475,000 for the channel, which will be raised by an issue to Hollywood of 2,375,000 new NetPlay ordinary shares at the price of 20p per share.
The transaction is subject to obtaining OFCOM and Sky approval which is expected by the end of June. Until the time that OFCOM and Sky approvals are obtained, NetPlay shall operate the channel on behalf of Hollywood pursuant to a commercial leasing arrangement.
Media and TV lawyers, Teacher Stern LLP (Martine Nathan and Matt King), are acting for Hollywood in this transaction.
Martine Nathan, Partner leading the matter for Teacher Stern LLP, commented:
“This is a further example of Teacher Stern’s experience and expertise in transactions in the television industry. On a short timetable, we drafted, negotiated and finalised a series of corporate and commercial agreements and handled - and continue to oversee - the regulatory requirements of OFCOM and Sky necessary to bring this deal to a successful conclusion.”
For more information about Teacher Stern LLP’s media and TV expertise, please contact Julian Seymour on 020 7067 0341 or jpseymour@webershandwick.com or contact Alex Keeling, Head of Business Development at Teacher Stern on 020 7242 3191.
29/04/2008
Teacher Stern LLP celebrates move to new brand identity
Commercial law firm Teacher Stern LLP sets the seal on its move to a new brand identity tomorrow night with a reception at the Royal Academy for 400 clients, contacts and friends.
Teacher Stern Selby Solicitors became Teacher Stern LLP at the beginning of last month as part of a significant investment across the firm.
The rebrand co-incided with the launch of a new website, new corporate colour scheme and the transition of the business to an LLP. It comes as the firm completes the modernisation of Teacher Stern’s Bedford Row premises, to feature new client facilities and reception area.
The firm, which is particularly well known for high profile sports, media and defamation work, as well as for its corporate and property practice, is investing across the board to ensure that it can deliver to clients in an ever-changing legal services market.
The change programme includes an innovative investment in a Firm wide Customer Relationship Management programme. The objectives of the programme are to enhance service quality and further raise the standards of work offered to clients. The programme is designed to allow all lawyers and teams within the firm to deliver innovative solutions for their clients.
Managing Partner, Graham Shear, said of the changes:
“Our focus is firmly on our current and future clients, with the aim of anticipating their evolving needs, and we continue to invest accordingly, and that includes in our team.
“We were delighted to announce formally our move to LLP status and to showcase some of the investment, designed to create an environment, in which our lawyers can feel free to think ‘outside the box’ and provide the robust legal solution often overlooked by others.”
He added:
“We commit ourselves to a dynamic, innovative and value-added approach to supporting our wide client base. Our strategy is to continue to grow organically and to support our team of commercially-minded legal experts with the necessary resources for them and for their clients.”
23/04/2008
"Corporate UK" the premier strategic finance magazine recognised Teacher Stern's competence and capability in the M&A arena. The article focuses upon the cost effective and partner led advice that is available and compares the services offered most favourably with those of the more expensive Magic Circle players. For more information and the full article content click below.
Download: "Corporate UK" magazine recognises Teacher Stern's M&A capability
02/04/2008
Teacher Stern's recycling programme hit a new high in 2007 with volumes confirmed today as 7,460 kg of paper and 280 kg of glass.
The Firm is committed to recycling and re-using materials wherever possible and much of the Firm's stationery is made from recycled materials. Recycling reduces the carbon footprint of the organisation but has the added benefit of helping to reduce the cost base; expenses which otherwise would inevitably be passed on to our clients. The Firm's recycling volumes are independently monitored and a copy of the certification is always available upon request.
01/03/2008
Teacher Stern's exciting rebrand came into effect today. The rebrand co-incided with the launch of a new website, new corporate colour scheme and the transition of the business to an LLP. The new brand implementation and the LLP transition are the culmination of over twelve months planning and preparation by the business. These changes enable the business to maintain and develop its competitive stance as a leading edge law firm offering bold and innovative legal solutions.
28/01/2008
Teacher Stern welcomed Nazia Hussain to its Property Litigation team today.
Enthusiastically welcomed by Colin Richman, Partner at Teacher Stern, Nazia joins from Eversheds for whom she worked at their Manchester office. Nazia is one of a number of recent recruits to join Teacher Stern from Top 10 (by size) law firms. George Castro and James Hodson recently joined the firm and were both previously with Slaughter & May.
23/01/2008
Teacher Stern is delighted to announce that Jane Janney has joined the full time staff at the Firm. Jane is a Construction law specialist and will work with the Property Team on the construction dimensions of the team's fast growing work portfolio.
Jane joins the Firm at an exciting time and one of considerable expansion. The Firm is expecting to grow its staff complement by at least 15% this year with further expansion planned for 2009.
23/01/2008
Autumn 2007 saw Teacher Stern implement the first phase of a Firm wide Customer Relationship Management programme. The objectives of the programme are to further improve service quality and further raise the standards of work offered to clients. The programme is designed for all levels of lawyer in the firm and has team and individually based goals.
"I'm not aware of any other City law firm putting all of its lawyers through such a comprehensive programme and it represents a very significant investment in client service" said Alex Keeling the Firm's Head of Business Development and guest lecturer in Client Development at Buckingham
University Business School.
22/01/2008
Teacher Stern has been nominated and shortlisted for the "Legal Business" magazine award "Most Innovative Law Firm of 2007". The winner will be announced in February and the Award presented by William Hague MP.
This nomination was for work led by Graham Shear on Ashley Cole's dispute with a number of national newspaper titles. The matter required Teacher Stern's team to set up several websites very quickly with a view to collecting evidence from unknown witnesses in unknown locations. The evidence gathered using this novel method enabled the Firm to successfully press for damages and restore the reputation of the client. The process had never been tried before and demonstrated that Teacher Stern could effectively compete against much larger Firms using its strong IT capability and imaginative approach to problems.
22/01/2008
Teacher Stern is writing to all of its clients, suppliers and business associates this week to advise that the Firm will cease trading as a Partnership and will trade as an LLP with effect from 1st March. 2008 is set to be another year of progressive change for the Firm and the transition to LLP status ensures that the organisational structure and composition of the Firm is compatible with the needs of the fast changing market.
21/01/2008
George Castro and James Hodson both left the same Top 10 firm to join Teacher Stern.
In what some might regard as an unusual move both were drawn by the flat structure at Teacher Stern which allows all of the lawyers to freely associate on a peer to peer basis with Partners.
The traditional hierarchy that exists in many firms is absent at Teacher Stern.
"I think it's a combination of the culture and the variety of work that attracts people to the Firm" said Alex Keeling, Head of Business Development, adding that "The larger Firms are very fertile recruiting ground for us".
To read more about working for Teacher Stern please click on the link below.
Also see: What we do
01/10/2007
by Simon Holden
TSS corporate finance lawyer Simon Holden has represented a number of national and overseas companies in the gaming sector, with a particular emphasis on the internet and digital television arenas.
Download: iGamingBusiness, Sept./Oct. 2006
06/07/2007
Teacher Stern Selby was placed fourth in the Information Technology category for the unprecedented use of the internet to gather potential witnesses in a defamation case.
Download: Financial Times 6 July 2007
06/07/2007
The European Court of Justice issues guidance on whether advertisements are bound by the restriction of the Comparative Advertising Directive
Download: E-Commerce Law Reports 06/07
18/05/2007
Teacher Stern Selby is delighted to announce that Simon Miles, a specialist in IP and Sports law, has joined the firm as a partner.
Simon was previously a partner at Michael Simkins LLP, which he joined from the London office of Hammonds.
Simon brings to the firm considerable expertise in all aspects of intellectual property as well as his considerable experience in advising sports organisations on rights protection and exploitation.
01/02/2007
Click below for the legal update
Download: Legal Update - February 2006
15/01/2007
Teacher Stern Selby are delighted to announce that Leslie Gascoigne and Jonathan Cantor have joined its property litigation and dispute resolution practice as consultants.
Cantor and Gascoigne are highly experienced practitioners who together bring over 60 years of experience to the already well established and respected team at the firm.
These appointments reflect Teacher Stern Selby's continued commitment to enhancing the range of services and experience available to its growing client base.
01/01/2007
Jack Rabinowicz and Graham Shear, senior partners at Teacher Stern Selby who are both well established experts in their specialist areas of practice, have joined the newly created Times Law Panel. Jack will contribute to the Panel's discussions on education law and commodities litigation; Graham on sport, media and general litigation.
Jack has been at the forefront of education law for many years and his views are regularly sought and published in the press. Graham is a recognised leader in the field of sport and media litigation, with an international reputation, and is regularly invited by the press and television to comment on issues arising in these areas.
Teacher Stern Selby achieved first class rankings in The Chambers UK Guide (2007) for their work in education law with Jack being rated as "Best of the UK - Star Performer" and Graham gaining a number 1 rank for Sport.
01/12/2006
by Simon Holden
TSS corporate finance lawyer Simon Holden, who specialises in the AIM market, has represented a number of national and overseas companies in the gaming sector, with a particular emphasis on the internet and digital television arenas.
Download: iGamingBusiness, Nov./Dec. 2006
23/11/2006
In 2005, TSS' property department had a record breaking year with headline deals totalling over £1.3 billion. This year, the department has grown with the addition of assistants and partner, Oliver Azzuri, who left Jones Day to join TSS. In line with this growth, the department has had yet another record breaking year, with the value of headline deals for 2006 already at £1.6 billion.
22/11/2006
The High Court ruling in favour of Editora Musical de Cuba (EMC) ends a 6 year defence by the Cuban company to preserve the copyrights of a number of Cuban songs, some of which were made famous by the film "Buena Vista Social Club". Teacher Stern Selby partners Graham Shear and Joby Davies represented EMC.
Download: BBC News, 22 Nov. 06; Network Economics Consulting
01/11/2006
The Premier League has a rule which prevents footballers from approaching other clubs to seek employment. Graham Shear and Alison Green discuss whether this rule is a lawful restraint of trade.
Download: World Sports Law Report, Vol. 4 Issue 09 Sept. 200
01/11/2006
Teacher Stern Selby is pleased to announce that it has appeared for the second consecutive year in The Lawyer's "The Rising 50". The survey lists up and coming law firms according to financial figures. The firm has progressed from its position at 49 in 2005 to number 40 this year, with The Lawyer recognising our increased Aim capability.
Also see: The Lawyer, November 2006
01/05/2006
TSS advises Solomon Gold plc on its Placing of £5 million and Admission to AIM.
Download: Mergers & Acquisitions, Apr/May 2006
10/01/2005
Teacher Stern Selby has advised Union Resources on its fast-track admission to the Alternative Investment Market (AIM). Union Resources plans to raise funds to develop its Mehdiabad Zinc Project in Iran. It is the first introduction to AIM where the principal assets of the company are in that country.
Download: Corporate UK, Oct. 2005
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