Clifford Chance supplants Linklaters in Murdoch phone-hacking litigation work

This is the fourth time News Group Newspapers has replaced law firms.

Clifford Chance is now the legal adviser to News Group Newspapers (NGN), replacing Linklaters on work related to the phone-hacking scandal at the defunct News of the World tabloid.
 
The news of the fourth time the Rupert Murdoch-owned publisher has changed counsel comes from Private Eye via Legal Business.
 
The publications say that Clifford Chance officially took over from Linklaters on Friday, 23 September with all claimants notified of the change.
                                                                                                                 
After the hacking scandal peaked in 2011, News of the World ceased publication, ending the tabloid’s 168-year run.

Initially, NGN instructed Farrer & Co as it solicitors. Olswang snagged the work in October 2011 after being instructed in July 2011 to craft a company code of practice from scratch.
 
The following year, Linklaters was chosen by NGN to advise on all pending civil litigation related to the phone-hacking scandal.
 
Linklaters was also advising parent company News Corporation, specifically its management and standards committee.
 
According to Legal Business, NGN, which publishes The Sun, has settled more than 1,000 claims. Phone hacking victims scored a major win in April after being given the green light to fil claims against The Sun.
 
Various reports noted that other firms including Atkins Thomson, Bindmans, Burton Copeland, Collyer Bristow, Mishcon de Reya and Simon Muirhead Burton have also been tapped by NGN for legal work.

Recent articles & video

Allens welcomes five new partners

Tech and IP stars join up with Allen & Overy

National Justice Project principal solicitor: 'We need to speak truth to power'

Employment expert returns to Macpherson Kelley

In-house legal team recognised in US resort dev awards

Australasian Lawyer opens entries for 5-Star Employers of Choice

Most Read Articles

K&L Gates lures JWS M&A partner

New report reveals key trends in global corporate legal departments in 2024

Promotions round beefs up Clyde & Co's Australia partnership

Brisbane BTR project kicks off with Ashurst's help