New Zealand trumps Australia in global law index
A survey of how the rule of law is applied to the general public in everyday situations has ranked New Zealand in the global top 10.
The World Justice Report’s Rule of Law Index considers eight primary factors: constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil Justice, and criminal Justice.
New Zealand ranks 8
th of the 113 countries polled, sitting just above Singapore in 9
th place with Australia in 11
th place behind the UK.
The top jurisdictions are dominated by Nordic nations with Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden in the top 4 positions; the top ten is completed by the Netherlands, Germany and Austria.
Law firm advises on Australia’s first driverless bus
Herbert Smith Freehills has been involved in bringing ground-breaking new technology to Australia’s streets. The RAC Intellibus is being trialled along the South Perth Esplanade and is the first fully-driverless electric shuttle bus in Australia.
HSF’s team was led by partner Tony Joyner and senior associate Matthew O’Leary, with assistance from solicitor Mathew Stone; and was involved in negotiations with the French manufacturers of the bus, the transaction documents and other unique issues surrounding its acquisition.
Outgoing Bakers chair to spearhead growth strategy
When Baker & McKenzie chair Eduardo Leite steps down from the role he has held for the past six years, he will switch his focus to the firm’s growth in New York and Latin America.
Bakers is already a leading global law firm in Latin America, with 850 lawyers across 7 countries, but wants to build on its relationships with businesses in the region and cross-border practices for North American clients with Latin American components.
Leite’s additional focus on New York comes as the firm seeks to grow its capabilities in the city as clients increasingly view it as key to global operations.
