Morning Briefing: Kim Dotcom facing extradition

Kim Dotcom facing extradition from New Zealand
The internet entrepreneur who was arrested four years ago in a raid on his New Zealand mansion could be extradited to the United States following a hearing due to start today (Mon. 21^st Sept.). Kim Dotcom is facing charges of copyright infringement, racketeering and money laundering relating to his Megaupload file sharing site. Reuters reports that Dotcom and three company executives deprived entertainment companies of more that U$500 million and made more than $175 million from the sites operations. In order to secure extradition the prosecution must prove that a crime was committed in both New Zealand and the US.

BLP boosts real estate team with lateral hires
International law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner has boosted its real estate practice with the lateral hire of a 6-strong team for its Berlin office. The six lawyers will from Orrick on 1^st October. Two partners, Dr Norbert Impelmann and Dr Albrecht von Breitenbuch with be joined by four other lawyers.
 
Greenberg Traurig joins largest ever US trade mission to Africa
A US-led trade mission to Africa over the past week has been joined by Greenberg Traurig. The international law firm and around 100 corporates from the US have been in Africa for forums and business-to-business meetings organised by the US Department of Commerce.

Law Society concerned that new entry routes discriminate against poorer students
The Law Society in England says that any changes to entry routes to becoming a solicitor must be made in consultation with the profession. There is concern over the intention by the regulator, the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), to focus on one single preferred option for training to become a solicitor, without having consulted with the profession. The society says that the SRA’s preferred option would have no approved pathways to entry and no required courses - no qualifying law degree, no Legal Practice Course and no training contract would be required. It believes that the route carries a significant risk of adversely affecting less-advantaged students who do not have access to those within the profession already, or to the best-informed sources of careers advice.