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31 March 2011 / Steven Mcnab
Issue: 7459 / Categories: Features , Profession , Environment , Technology
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Innovation, innovation...

Law firms must develop their entrepreneurial spirit & adapt to prosper, says Steven McNab

The cleantech sector is one with enormous growth potential over the coming decades. With constraints on energy, water and other resources, the technology innovations across this diverse sector are exactly what needs to be encouraged to help us move toward a more sustainable future.

Investors certainly recognise the potential. During 2010, while financial conditions for most sectors were slowing or shrinking, the renewable energy sector, just one aspect of the cleantech pantheon, saw new investment rise by 30% to an unprecedented US$24bn globally. In the UK, security of supply, stability of energy costs, the imminent energy gap as old coal and nuclear plant fall offline, and carbon constraints are changing behaviour.

This, of course, throws up numerous opportunities for legal firms. Simmons & Simmons has a track record in the energy and environmental sector, and we wanted to build on this, supporting cleantech businesses across the spectrum. This was one of the main drivers for launching the Cleantech Curve

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

HFW—Simon Petch

HFW—Simon Petch

Global shipping practice expands with experienced ship finance partner hire

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Freeths—Richard Lockhart

Infrastructure specialist joins as partner in Glasgow office

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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