Shoosmiths LLP

Earlier this month, the UK Joint Taskforce (UKJT) formally launched the Legal Statement on Digital Assets and English Insolvency Law. The statement aims to provide clarity to critical legal questions regarding how digital assets are treated in any insolvency. Shoosmiths contributed towards the consultation for this legal statement through the Crypto Fraud and Asset Recovery network. Earlier this month, the UK Joint Taskforce (UKJT)[i] formally launched the Legal Statement on Digital Assets and English Insolvency Law. The statement aims to provide clarity to critical legal questions regarding how digital assets are treated in any insolvency...

A local planning authority (“LPA”) can take enforcement action in respect of planning breaches where it considers it to be expedient to do so. However, breaches of planning control can become lawful and immune from enforcement action after a period of time. Section 171B of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (“TCPA”) currently provides that LPAs will not be able to take enforcement action in respect breaches of planning control following a period of either four or 10 years. The four-year period applies in respect of operational development and the change of use of a building to a single dwellinghouse...

Shoosmiths' public markets team, led by partner Nick McCarthy from the firm’s London office, continues to be at the forefront of major public to private deals as it advises Hipgnosis Songs Fund (Hipgnosis) on its latest takeover bid. Having only recently advised Hipgnosis on the initial $1.4 billion offer from US investment group Concord, all eyes are on the latest deal on the table from US private equity investor Blackstone valuing the fund at around $1.57bn (£1.25bn) and raising the share bid price from $1.25 to $1.30 per share...

Shoosmiths has appointed Shama Perera as the new director of business development & marketing. This follows a string of hires across the partnership and business services functions, as the firm seeks to deliver its dynamic 2030 ambition.Shama will drive the firm’s client-led growth strategy across the firm’s core practice areas of Real Estate, Corporate and Litigation and five sectors of Energy and Infrastructure, Mobility, Financial Services, Living and Technology. She brings a wealth of experience to Shoosmiths having held senior leadership positions at leading global, US and magic circle firms...