Slater & Gordon – Part 962.
Last Thursday, as you were rushing about buying Easter eggs, the beleaguered staff at Slater & Gordon were more worried about their Easter pay cheque.
They were due to be paid on the morning of the 25th, Friday, but that being a bank holiday, they had been promised the money would be in their bank on Thursday. Midday came and went, no sign of the money, by afternoon there was panic amongst the normally rational legal beagles. They started to contact social media to express their fears:
Eventually, everyone had been paid by midnight – of the eve of a bank holiday. No chance of drawing your wages in a lump sum then; ATMs only.
Last October, as Slater & Gordon’s problems began to emerge in select parts of the media; the Australian Securities and Investment Commission poking around in their woodshed, not to mention the Serious Fraud Office in the UK lumbering over the horizon to add their ten pen’orth, they parted company with Wayne Brown, their UK financial director, and sent to Victoria for a really sound legal advisor. The world’s largest publicly listed law firm apparently didn’t contain anyone matching that description, so Moana Weir was poached from Seek Ltd; Australia’s largest employment agency for ‘not for profit’ businesses.
Moana is an experienced barrister; legal counsel to a major employer; a stable, reassuring, solid presence. I imply no mirth regarding Moana’s girth, merely that she is not the sort of Sheila to jump up on a chair should a mouse run out of the S & G woodpile, a rat even.
Her job would have been to ensure that everything Slaters did was strictly legal, not merely the day to day activities, but to ensure there was nothing unpleasant in that woodshed, should the threatened possibility of a visit by Fraud investigators or regulators turn out to be not ‘just rumour’.
It was Moana who had the difficult task of announcing to the world that Slater’s shares were to be suspended whilst the bean counters continued to work out precisely how much of a thumping loss they were admitting to…
Thursday was an auspicious day for Slater & Gordon, not only were the staff panicking that they wouldn’t get paid, but in the higher echelons, a more devastating event was taking place.
Something in that woodpile had so spooked Ms Moana Weir, that this solid Aussie Sheila had took frit – and made a run for it.
She handed in her notice – with immediate effect; no nonsense about hanging around to work out her notice.
Slater & Gordon have until the end of this week to come up with a plausible tale that will prevent their bankers pulling the plug on them. A plausible tale that Ms Weir obviously doesn’t want her name on.
Not that ‘pulling the plug’ will make much of a gurgle. The shares lurched down to a new low of AUS 24c – around half a crown each – as the market heard the splash as Ms Weir’s jumped ship…
Edited to change currency conversion. Maths is not my strong point, but then neither is it Slater & Gordon’s.
- Ho Hum
March 29, 2016 at 9:59 am -
Ten bob each? As much as that, eh?
Isn’t that a bit much for half a dozen bricks, a couple of staplers and a bit of the spare tyre from the company car?
- Pericles Xanthippou
March 29, 2016 at 10:37 am -
I hate to be picky, Mme. Raccoon — well, not really — but AUD 0.24 is closer to half-a-crown than to ten bob. Things are even worse; don’t panic!
ΠΞ
- Fat Steve
March 29, 2016 at 12:40 pm -
In a previous article you stated you thought they had a year before they might breach their banking covenants but my guess is recent events will probably trigger them.
This is one to watch with care coz much like Savile has given an insight into the media this one might give an insight into the legal profession.
But chuckle !!! More than a few Solicitors practices in the old days would give out Christmas salary cheques 10 minutes after the banks had closed for the long Christmas break. - BritInMontreal
March 29, 2016 at 1:00 pm -
I’d go for her.
- JS
March 29, 2016 at 1:21 pm -
Their sick-making ads are still vomiting forth on UK television.
In other circumstances I might hope that the TV companies had been paid up to date, but given their role in the S&G accusations-equal-profits scam, I can’t get too worked up about it. - Ted
March 29, 2016 at 1:22 pm -
What is the agenda here? SandG are a good solid law firm, miss Raccoon you appear to be bitter person who enjoys the fact thousands of people might become unemployed! Bitch
- Mr Ecks
March 29, 2016 at 1:27 pm - Ho Hum
March 29, 2016 at 1:35 pm -
Ted, you’re supposed to go into the wood first.
- JS
March 29, 2016 at 1:42 pm -
What’s the rate of unemployment among legal professionals with no scruples then?
- Ted Treen
March 30, 2016 at 3:19 pm
- Ted Treen
- Eric
March 29, 2016 at 3:50 pm -
If you think Anna is bitter you should ask those holding S&G shares how they feel.
- Mr Ecks
- Mr Ecks
March 29, 2016 at 1:26 pm -
Once again…BWWAHHHAHHAHHWWAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA…To infinity and beyond.
They are still running the TV adverts tho’. Obviously they’ve paid for them but it would seem to be irresponsible to be trying to suck in punters when your firm will be lucky to last long enough to write a Solicitor’s letter for them let alone represent such new clients. If that is what they have been doing.
- Robert Edwards
March 29, 2016 at 8:37 pm -
Isn’t trading while knowingly insolvent an offence? Or am I old-fashioned?
- Robert Edwards
- James Sykes
March 29, 2016 at 2:49 pm -
And yet,they still advertise for potential clients?
- The Jannie
March 29, 2016 at 4:15 pm -
Potential clients? They’ve given up trawling for potential victims, then? Or are they one and the same?
- Eccentric
March 29, 2016 at 7:11 pm -
The now proven ‘No Evidence Fake Whip Lash BIG Claims’. Multi-millions ‘Crash For Cash’ BIG scams.
Should now be joined in the dock by the long known ‘No Evidence Fake SeX Lash BIG Claims’. Multi-millions ‘Cash For Dreams’ BIG scams.
Verdict: Take them all down, and on for VERY longterm treatment in VERY secure units – for cunits!
Bring on the next ‘No Evidence’ (nut)cases please.
- Eric
March 30, 2016 at 10:11 am -
I sat in a waiting room today before a meeting and read today’s The Australian which had a 3 page article on S&L. It’s bad. Far worse than we are being told. The sharks are circling the form of other law firms ready to attack.
- Fat Steve
March 30, 2016 at 10:51 am -
I had rather expected that this would be predominantly an Aussie scandal and impact Aussie Lawyers, Clients, Shareholders and banks but a search on the wen reveals
The firm, which makes about 45% of its revenue in the UK, – See more at: http://www.legalbusiness.co.uk/index.php/lb-blog-view/5791-slater-and-gordon-general-counsel-jumps-ship-after-less-than-two-months#sthash.18depL0H.dpuf.
Gosh I think when the music stops it might not be just Aussie shareholders and banks that are left looking for a chair.
Step forward the Law Society with its membership to sort out/pay for the mess in the UK if indeed it turns out that way - Michael
March 30, 2016 at 3:11 pm -
How many lawyers does it take to change a light bulb?
Three. One to climb the ladder, one to shake the ladder, one to sue the ladder company.
- Ted Treen
March 30, 2016 at 3:20 pm
- Ted Treen
- Swiss Bob
March 30, 2016 at 4:40 pm -
Serves them right for those God awful TV ads.
- English Pensioner
March 31, 2016 at 10:17 am -
I note they were advertising last night on ITV.
- Budvar
March 31, 2016 at 1:45 pm -
Of topic, but it seems that ITV are having a bash with the MWT and Duncroft girls story…
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2210108/Jimmy-Savile-Evidence-DID-abuse-underage-girls-ITV-documentary.html- Ho Hum
March 31, 2016 at 2:33 pm -
I know that the landlady has put you straight as to the quoted article’s provenance, but what might you have come across, and where, to make you think that it was maybe current?
- Budvar
March 31, 2016 at 11:49 pm -
It was this morning, not been up long, first cup of coffee and all that. But at the top of the page it had todays date on it.. Duh!!
I thought, that after the spanking they got last time, why on earth would they be coming back for some more, but you know some people?Anyway, it was on a FB discussion group, “Brexit” I think, and I was thrown the “Yebbut you think Saville was innocent”, you know the usual ad hom thing when they can’t argue with you? So like you do, I asked for proof and not unsubstantiated allegations, and someone posted this.
- Ho Hum
April 1, 2016 at 12:35 am -
Thanks! That makes a bit more sense of it all… LOL
- Ho Hum
- Budvar
- Eric
April 2, 2016 at 9:55 am -
And the Mail (let alone the rest of Fleet Street) is not known for accuracy or checking facts : “Mark Williams-Thomas, who for 12 years was a detective and child protection officer”. 12 years ??
- Ho Hum
- Bandini
March 31, 2016 at 2:28 pm -
Massively off-topic and relating to an old article (not written by the landlady, no longer available here) but just to draw a line under summat…
A ludicrous BBC Newsnight piece – brought to my attention here – annoyed me sufficiently to attempt to wrestle with the Beeb’s ‘Complaints Procedure’ (a whole year ago). The report presented as fact (in my opinion) some grade-A guff from the horrendous Simon Danczuk MP, namely that Cyril Smith had been filmed ‘paedoing’ at Euston Station & that the British Transport Police decided to use this footage in a training-video.
(A later version from the liar Danczuk had a “hundred or so [CID] officers” in Wakefield watching this astonishing video, becoming complicit in the ‘cover-up’ by their silence.)
Well, the process has now finished with annoyingly predictable results and can be seen on page 58 here:
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/appeals/esc_bulletins/2016/feb.pdfIn correspondence it was accepted that the BBC had had an ‘obligation’ to offer a right of reply to those accused of, at the very least, turning a blind eye, and this did not take place – but the complaint had to come from those mentioned for it to be valid. (And it was too late for them to now do so…)
So, largely a waste of time on my part! Never mind.- Eric
April 2, 2016 at 10:06 am -
It’s page 60 !..but what a great example of how an unfounded allegation can be let loose to flourish & spread and the BBC willingly acts an ‘over the backyard fence’ spreader of gossip & innuendo.
- Bandini
April 2, 2016 at 3:42 pm -
Oooh, so it is. Just keeping you on your toes, Eric! (‘Tis also on page 59.)
“There was no suggestion that it [Danczuk’s money-spinning made-up bunkum] was endorsed by the programme.”
Hmmm. It was part-two of an ‘investigation’. Here’s part-one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6PEH-jVT4c
Impressive stuff, what with the ‘reconstructions’ & specially commissioned creepy music. It’s not until we hit the four-minute mark (4-minute warning?) that they hit us with the basis for these claims:
“Our source won’t go on camera. He has given his account to the BBC through an intermediary.”Ah! Er, okay… so you’ve never even met him. I wonder who that intermediary might be – it wouldn’t be Danczuk by any chance, would it? Oh cynical me. But never mind – they have someone who WILL speak on camera to allay any concerns: Clive ‘They Hunt Children In The Woods With Dogs’ Driscoll, sat on a park-bench.
Nice one, Newsnight.
- Bandini
- Eric
- Fat Steve
March 31, 2016 at 3:09 pm -
@ Bandini http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/appeals/esc_bulletins/2016/feb.pdf
What a bloody hoot !!! Worth looking at to see how the BBC really sees the ‘quality’ of broadcasting and the ‘important’ issues that it needs to address ….the solemnity with which they deal with them is an even biggera hoot !!!! just a matter of time before this tribunal slips up then the usual review of the review procedure and if its enough of a scandal some solemn reflection , the usual guff about things have changed with the newly named tribunal and of course business as usual - Ho Hum
April 1, 2016 at 10:59 am -
Has anyone else envisaged that, today, it could all come to this! This is ridiculous!!!!
‘Numerous dog lovers, from all over the country, have been surprised to be wakened up this morning to be served with search warrants, and then find that groups of white overalled operatives start to carry out digs in their back yards, to exhume the bodies of their long deceased male canine pets, now accused of, and suspects in, multiple series of historical assaults on their species’ females, in the nation’s thoroughfares, parks and back alleyways.
Those co-ordinating and participating in the exercise, prepared in great secrecy under the codename of Spot The Dog, said that they were hoping to extract DNA evidence to support claims now being made that many of the deceased’s offspring, currently unto the third and fourth and in many cases, even more generations, should be supported by the owners of the miscreants, who should also be held criminally accountable for this state of affairs.
A covert DNA matching service has been set up over the last year, using secondary legislation secretly created under the auspices of The Home Affairs Carpetbagger Sub Committee, for the potential benefit of Victims who have alleged that their lives have been thrown into utter disarray by, and their homes were littered with, the offspring of many uncontrolled doggy encounters in the nation’s parks, and that the additional costs
involved in their upbringing should be met by compensation payments from the dog’s owners, and not borne solely those owning the bitches themselvesA spokesperson for those responsible for today’s action, the Royal Society for the Prosecution of Canine Attack-Owners, said that they would not pause until justice was done, and identified knotty miscreants owners were both prosecuted by the newly formed Canine Prosecution Service, now under the direction of Muttley Wolf-Tailwagger, and that, under section 2) o) f) f) of the new legislation, as many of them spayed as possible. She did acknowledge, however, that the NHS was concerned about the the consequences of having all current elective surgery deferred for 10 years, as well as having reservations as to the cost of the infection control procedures needed to manage this process in respect of those owners previously deceased who, it appears, may be also now be exhumed for retrospective punishment.
They are also advising potential claimants, who think that they might be financially advantaged by these arrangements, to contact a specialist firm of compensation lawyers with a thoroughbred lineage, such as Shepherd & German, with whom they work closely, who will fire red rockets on their behalf in attempting to screw the miscreants for as much money as they can possibly winkle out of them
They also let it be known that cat owners will also shortly be under investigation, and that funding of £10bn is being sought carry out mass moggy exhumations, as well as sift the ashes in the nation’s Pet Crematoria’
Isn’t this now just a joke?
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