Berwins lines up German merger
SJ Berwin is to finalise proposals to merge its associated German arm with its City partnership this month as the firm moves to forge stronger ties across its European practice. The firm has drawn up five different models that it hopes will avoid the tax implications of bringing the allied German MDP practice SJ Berwin Knopf Tulloch Steineger into the partnership. (7 February.)
Bar rejects OFT reform call
The Bar Council has agreed to broaden direct access to the Bar by 2003 while rejecting the majority of other proposals put forward by the Office of Fair Trading in its report on competition in the professions. (7 February.)
