Sherrards International Team attend AGA Conference in Bulgaria
Recently, members of our international team attended the Alliott Global Alliance EMEA Conference in Sofia, Bulgaria, with Nicole Marmor, Head of Private Wealth, speaking on a panel on social media, and Jean-Paul da Costa, Head of Corporate and Commercial, giving the conference his insights on AI.
Paul Marmor, Head of International, recently attended an invitation-only meeting of the IBA’s leaders in Bucharest, Romania. Indeed, Paul soon takes over as the senior chair of the International Bar Association’s Law Firm Management Committee, which is one of the most prestigious and powerful sections of the IBA. The IBA itself is an association made up of approximately 100,000 lawyers from across the world, which is seen as the voice of the global legal profession, which lobbies on important issues relating to the rule of law and human rights, and also stands as an excellent networking platform to help us expand our international reach.
Through our involvement in the AGA and the IBA, there is quite literally nowhere in the world beyond our reach, to help our clients, friends and contacts with all their legal and professional needs.
If you would like more information then please speak to Paul Marmor
Think International,
Think Sherrards!
Arthur Byng Nelson attends The 2024 Art Business Conference in Maastricht
In early March, Arthur Byng Nelson, Sherrards’ Head of Art & Heritage, attended TEFAF in Maastricht the leading art and antiques fair in Europe, as part of the At Business Conference.
Founded in 2014, The Art Business Conference is a leading global platform delving into pivotal topics within the contemporary art market. These one-day conferences attract senior art professionals, providing invaluable knowledge and insight for individuals involved in managing art businesses or collections.
Arthur advises clients on strategy, law and tax on all matters relating to collectibles. TEFAF is the fair to attend if you are looking to purchase museum-quality items: for example a painting by Guercino (1599-1666) see below of St. Sebastian, an ancient Egyptian relic or some highly unusual (and expensive!) jewellery. If you ever would like to attend he would be pleased to see what he can do for you.
Arthur also enjoyed the half-day Art Business Conference and made new contacts at museums in France and Belgium, as well as with a number of collectors and dealers.
See here Arthur with some of his fellow members of PAIAM (Professional Advisors to the International Art Market) and some photographs he took of works on his wishlist.
UK/USA relations in a post-brexit world!
Paul Marmor, Head of Litigation and International Services, recently visited the offices of our Alliott Global Alliance (“AGA”) correspondent law firms in Dallas and New York – Platt Richmond and Golenbock Eiseman Assor Bell & Peskoe – and gave a presentation to each on the topic of UK/USA relations post-Brexit, where Paul explained how the trading relationship has been affected in a post-Brexit world.
Paul set out the good, the bad and the ugly from all perspectives. Paul also gave the same presentation to AGA’s North American annual meeting in Palm Springs, California, attended by over 70 members from the USA, Canada and Mexico.
Paul is pictured presenting a ceremonial gift to each law firm, with the Managing Partner of Platt Richmond, Bob Daniels, and a number of his colleague, and with Jeff Berger, the Managing Partner of Golenbocks. Paul is presenting David Gauke’s book entitled The Case for the Centre Right, which is a collection of essays on politics in the UK at this time, with special emphasis on Brexit, including contributions from Rory Stewart, Daniel Finklestein and Dominic Grieve and others.
For more information about our connectivity, clients and friends across the Americas, through our involvement in the AGA, the American Bar Association and the International Bar Association, and for our legal perspectives relating to Brexit, then please reach out to Paul Marmor on +44 20 7478 9010 or pdm@sherrards.com, or visit www.sherrards.com.
Illegal working penalties are set to triple in the New Year
The last increase to the civil penalty was in 2014. From January 2024 , this will be raised up to £45,000 per illegal worker for a first breach (from £15,000), and up to £60,000 for repeat breaches (from £20,000).
We have assisted numerous employers in ensuring compliance. Whether this is in terms of advice on issues surrounding illegal working generally, or more specific concerns.
If you have any concerns about your processes, please do not delay. An audit or health-check could be the key to avoiding non-compliance.
Please contact Emma peacock on the below details for more information, if required.
Sherrards at the Queen’s Room Middle Temple with Chinese Delegates
The event was organised by Laurel Zhang, Head of China & Southeast Asia Group, and her connections with the Chinese Tax Specialists. Laurel is part of the Corporate & Commercial team, based in London and she speaks fluent Mandarin and English. She commented, “We provide a lot of support to companies looking to do business in the UK coming in from China, Hong Kong and across Asia and one of the key benefits we can provide is cultural and language support as well as plenty of experience operating in the region and discuss our experience with the delegation.”
The event began with an introduction from Paul Marmor, Head of International and Dispute Resolution, who introduced Sherrards, its history and each spokesperson from Sherrards for the morning. Paul then discussed the amazing history and importance of ‘The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple’ and how legal practitioners are split into Solicitors & Barristers within the UK. He informed the audience of how Sherrards is a member of the American Bar Association (ABA), the International Bar Association (IBA) and the Alliott Global Alliance (AGA) with Sherrards having individual desks for Germany, China, France, USA, and eastern-Europe. A truly global law Firm.
Jean-Paul da Costa, head of Corporate and Commercial, was the first to present to the group. He discussed the ways the Government use incentives like tax to influence the UK’s economy and how the government have several tax incentive schemes to influence investors such as the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme (SEIS), the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) and the Venture Capital Trusts Scheme (VCT). Jean-Paul also covered Tax breaks a tool to influence UK business activity. This included the Entrepreneurs Relief (Business Asset Disposal Relief) scheme, small businesses not being charged for VAT for the first £85,000, and the Corporate Venturing Scheme (CVS). He then discussed the methods the Government use to boost the economic activity of employees such as the Enterprise Management Incentives (EMI), Share Incentive Plans (SIPs) and the Employee Ownership Trusts (EOT) programs. The final area Jean-Paul spoke about was presenting a global perspective to show in what ways that UK economy is unique worldwide. He commented, “Much of Sherrards’ work is related to FDI (Foreign direct investment) to the UK with specialist teams focussing on IP (Intellectual Property), corporate & property (real estate) structures as well as litigation and we were only too happy to share our knowledge with the delegation”.
Aleksandra Rychlewska, Legal Assistant in the Litigation department, then gave a thorough explanation of the UK’s Legal System, informing the delegation of the four factors that make the UK legal system an attractive choice for international parties to resolve their commercial disputes. These included the expertise, specialisation, and independent judiciary that the UK possess, the tradition of the Common Law, the Enforceability of Judgements across jurisdictions and alternative dispute resolution options.
Guy Morgan, Partner in our Commercial Property department then gave a detailed description of the Commercial Property market in England with a summary of concepts in English Property law and the challenges that the UK economy face post-pandemic and with the economic and political climate, including issues like climate change & technological change. Guy then gave an overview of key property taxes such as the Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) to inform the audience on the UK’s tax system. Guy concluded his presentation with a ‘glimpse into the future’, which addressed the possible changes that 2024’s General election will bring to the UK.
The final spokesperson from Sherrards was Greg Pooler who gave a presentation on Disclosure and cross-border data transfers. He explained what disclosure is and its importance in law, along-side the Civil Procedure Rules (CPR) and how it influences legal practice in the UK. This was followed by examples of Sherrards past experiences with disclosure across jurisdictions including how Sherrards were advised on the Chinese regime and it’s three pillars – Data Security Law, The Personal Information Protection Law, and State Secrets Law. Greg then listed key UK laws and their influence; Data Security Law (Article 36), Personal Information Protection Law (Article 41) and the Securities Law (Article 25).
The event finished with a visit to the “Great Hall” and networking.
Building the law firm of the future
This first Class Panel at the The Law Society London, UK, was focused on best practice for attracting & retaining talent in the legal profession across the globe. Over 150 attendees from around the globe were in attendance.
The impressive panel included a keynote session from David Gauke, Head of Public Policy at Macfarlanes, speaking from his perspective as former Minister of Justice & Lord Chancellor, David focused on the next generation and a desire to protect the rule of law, among many other points.
Paul was also joined by Claire Sanders of Being Human, who explored best ways to harness the younger generation.
Paulo Rocha, Managing Partner of leading Brazilian law firm Demarest Advogados, confirmed that talent-related issues are the same globally.
Lisa Göransson, head of the Nordic desk at Allen & Overy, and also IBA officer from the Women’s Committee, focused on the need to focus on women in the profession.
Paul Marmor comments: “We set out a range of points and thoughts on how to attract and retain talent into the legal profession which is an area of focus for the IBA and, indeed, for Sherrards which is at the heart of much of our thinking as a legal profession especially through our Sherrards Training Academy.”
Sherrards act for Sphering Group
The Sphering Group is a front-line player in flue and air care in Europe with a renowned expertise in design, manufacturing and distribution of innovative high-quality chimney and ventilation systems.
The Sphering Group wanted to expand its European presence with a location in the UK and targeted a competitor, SFL Ltd, previously part of the Stamm International Corp. who was the No. 2 manufacturer of flues and chimneys in the UK with well-established distribution in the USA and Far East.
Sherrards were introduced to Sphering Group via the London division of the French Chamber of Commerce and were quickly instructed to assist on the targeted acquisition of SFL.
This was Sphering Group’s first targeted UK acquisition of a trading business, and the deal took almost two years to complete due to the cross jurisdictional nature and complexities in the company raised during the research phase and resulting in a complicated escrow fund held by J P Morgan on behalf of the parties and to cover against potential and significant risks of claims associated with the trading business.
The acquisition was eventually successful and adds R&D capabilities and a sixth manufacturing plant to Sphering Group’s industrial capacities already operating in France, Italy, Belgium, Germany, and Poland. With the integration of SFL teams, the Group now employs 800 people across Europe.
To find out more, contact the Corporate team.
The Corporate team assist International Client, Guangdong Xinbao Electrical Appliance Holdings
Sherrards coordinated directly with Donlim and acted alongside a major law firm in China, as the transaction was subject to extensive negotiations, including requiring approval from the Chinese government. The transaction was completed in March 2023.
Donlim is headquartered in Shunde, Guangdon, China, and is a major manufacturer of home kitchen appliances and other electrical products, with over 28,000 staff and revenues of RMB 14.9 billion in 2021. Donlim wished to expand its portfolio of international brands by acquiring Morphy Richards, a well regarded British brand established in 1936, and for whom Donlim had been manufacturing products under contract for some time. MRCA was, before the transaction, owned by Glen Dimplex, an Irish company, and has substantial operations in the UK in addition to other major markets in China, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Glen Dimplex retained the rights to the Morphy Richards brand in other key international markets. The transaction received significant press coverage in the UK and Ireland.
Following completion, Donlim has acquired a permanent presence in the UK and will use this as a platform to expand its consumer appliances offering in the UK market, as well as now having the benefit of an esteemed British brand to use in its operations overseas.
To find out more, contact James Crook.
Sherrards at the Paris International Bar Association: Report
Paul, as well as being the head of the firm’s litigation and dispute resolution department, is the co-vice chair of the IBA’s Law Firm Management Committee, which is one of the IBA’s leading sections made up of managing partners, senior partners and leading lights, as well as allied professionals from across the global legal profession.
Paul spoke at an LFMC session at the Paris IBA Conference on how law firms can convey their messaging publicly, on behalf of themselves and their clients, through social media, which included a stellar panel of Deborah Farone, a leading marketing strategy consultant, Olga Mach of LexisNexis, Helen Burness of Saltmarsh Marketing, and Sneha Ashtikar Roy of Jus Mundi.
The IBA is a leading voice in the global legal profession, as a networking organisation for lawyers, but it is also an important and very significant platform for extolling and promoting the rule of law, which has never been more relevant than it is today.
Sherrards are very much involved in and supportive of the IBA, which means that our clients, friends and contacts have access to professionals from across the world, frankly just about anywhere, whether it be through the IBA or our membership of the Alliott Global Alliance
For more information about our involvement in the IBA, or how we can help you through our international connectivity, please reach out to Paul Marmor on pdm@sherrards.com or +44 (0) 20 7478 9010.
Helping to put the UK on the Global map, legally speaking!
Paul Marmor spoke about his involvement in developing Sherrards’ international persona, passing on the benefit of his experiences to an audience predominantly from the legal profession, looking to expand their international footprint.
In particular, Paul used the international webinar to speak about our work with an international alliance (Alliott Global Alliance) and our connectivity with other first-class law firms through the International Bar Association and American Bar Association, as well as working alongside The Law Society’s International Division and the Department for International Trade, including becoming part of the UK investment support directory hosted by the DIT.
Marco Cillario, International Policy Manager of The Law Society commented, “We are ready and willing to shout about the legal profession and to help our members, whether to improve access to key markets, facilitate introductions to networking opportunities with contacts across the world, or to create the right environment to do so ”.
Paul Marmor of Sherrards comments, “It’s been quite a journey for the firm, but in 20 years we have helped our clients and contacts with their increasing needs overseas, as well as the burgeoning demand for use of the UK courts by foreign parties. I have no doubt that our legal profession is supported by some brilliant institutions, whether it be the Ministry of Justice, the Department for Business and Trade or The Law Society’s International Division”.
To download the interntional webinar to watch, click here.
For more information about Sherrards’ international offering and our work with the IBA, ABA, Alliott Global Alliance and Law Society International Division, and how the Department for Business and Trade and Ministry of Justice can help you, please reach out to Paul Marmor.