A CLOSE reading of last week's historic $53 million settlement between failed miner Sons of Gwalia's administrators and its former directors indicates that the final payout may be less than the headline figure.
THE size of Western Australia's legal practices has fluctuated only mildly during the past 12 months despite the sector's changing dynamics as a result of the economic slowdown.
THE legal landscape in Perth is as dynamic as it has ever been with new market entrants, unexpected mergers and surprise splits making waves in recent months.
LEGAL firms are amending their staff management and recruitment plans in light of the economic downturn with confirmation that the true worth of a practice can be found in the quality of its legal professionals.
A NUMBER of top tier law firms agree that Perth has become a significant player on the international stage, regularly leading globally assembled legal teams on large international transactions.
THE resource sector has been exposed to higher levels of fraud involving the theft of funds and physical assets due to increased jobs uncertainty, according to KPMG.
Around 150 employees of national kitchen and laundry appliance retailer Kleenmaid Group face an uncertain future as administrators are appointed to the company after the global financial crisis hits sales and margins.
FOR the second year running Perth has claimed first place in the annual Deloitte Hotel Occupancy Global Ranking index, cementing its position as the number one performer in worldwide hotel occupancy rates.
Specialist cigar business, Devlin's Cigar Divan, will be forced to close its Perth and Subiaco stores if an amendment to tobacco laws is passed by parliament.
Deloitte has urged the federal government to adopt recent changes to US business policies that could throw a cash lifeline to struggling businesses during the current economic climate.
TWO of Perth's mid-sized law firms are heading in different directions, with Hammond Worthington Lawyers planning to split up after 17 years and Christensen Vaughan joining national firm Gadens Lawyers.
REBECCA Collins is a regular face at the Genesis Legal Clinic, where she offers pro bono family and criminal law advice to some of Perth's least fortunate people.
The resources sector in Australia and New Zealand may now be exposed to higher levels of fraudulent incidents involving the theft of funds and physical assets, according to a KPMG survey.
Perth firm Christensen Vaughan will merge with the Perth operations of national legal firm Gadens Lawyers to form an expanded commercial legal practice in Western Australia.
