International firm opens new legal solutions hub

Another international law firm has chosen the Northern Ireland capital as a centre for a new legal solutions hub.

Following the success of Baker McKenzie’s Belfast hub, Fieldfisher has announced the opening of a new office in the city, creating 125 legal professional jobs.

“Our new office will include senior positions in legal and risk management, as well as middle level technical and business support roles," said managing partner Michael Chissick.

The hub will provide document negotiation and legal support for its 20 offices in the UK, Europe, China and California.

BBC asks for privacy clarification following Cliff Richard case
The controversy that surrounded the BBC’s reporting of a police search of the UK home of singer Sir Cliff Richard has been well documented.

But while the broadcaster has decided not to appeal the decision of the Court following its trial along with South Yorkshire Police in which the singer won and was awarded damages and costs; it has asked for clarification of what it says is a new legal precedent.

In a letter to the Attorney General, the BBC’s Director General Tony Hall says that it is asking the UK Government’s most senior lawyer to review the law relating to reporting matters that are in the public interest and how that impacts a subject’s right to privacy.

The BBC believes that the judge in the Cliff Richard case “erred in law in finding that broadcasters and journalists, when reporting on matters in the public interest, normally have no right to publish the name of a person who is the subject of a criminal investigation.”

It says that the judge made “a number of errors of law” in reaching his decision.

From associate to legal tech manager, an alternative career route
Ben Hunt graduated with first class honours, before embarking on a traditional route into the legal profession.

After internships, he joined DLA Piper as a trainee, becoming an associate 2 years later. Then his career took an alternative route.

"I started to think about what I might do differently. My new role covers everything I've always liked about technology in terms of problem solving and using it to make things better, more efficient and making people's lives easier," he says.

That led him to the global law firm’s Legal Technology Team, part of its Service Delivery & Innovation team, where he is legal technology manager.

The role requires a broad understanding of practice areas and Ben says there are some key requirements for someone wanting to take a similar career route.

"Someone who's creative, good at problem solving, analytical, willing to challenge preconceived ideas and ways of working," Ben said. "Being personable and good with people is important because if you're not, then you're not going to get the buy-in from people to change and follow the course that you're recommending to them."