TESTING FOR THE WRITE STUFF

UK firm Slaughter and May has introduced a more vigorous testing regime for future recruits, reports The Lawyer. The firm has now added a written exercise to its selection process when interviewing for its 2013 trainee solicitor intake. Slaughters' HR manager said: "We recruit candidates from a wide variety of backgrounds and disciplines and it can sometimes be difficult to assess their ability to write clearly, concisely and correctly under pressure."

FINE WIPES OUT COMPANY'S PROFIT

A US federal jury has ordered SAP AG to pay $US1.3 billion ($2.08 billion) to its corporate rival, Oracle Corp, after it was caught stealing customer support documents and software in a plan intended to lure their customers, reports law.com. The jury took less than a day to reach the decision, which is devastating for SAP, considering the company's entire after-tax profit for 2009 was just over $2 billion.

HERBERT SMITH OPENS IN BELFAST

UK firm Herbert Smith has announced it will be launching a new base in Belfast, Ireland, to handle volume disputes work, reports legalweek.com. The office is set to open in April 2011 and will focus on reviewing and analysing large volumes of documents arising from contentious work, especially litigation, arbitration and regulatory investigations. The Belfast office will be led by Libby Jackson, a solicitor currently working in practice management in London.

JONES DAY GOES TO BOSTON

Jones Day has announced plans to open a Boston office early next year, reports The Lawyer. The announcement came just a month after the firm announced it was opening an office in São Paulo, Brazil. Jones Day managing partner Stephen Brogan said: "The Boston area is a leading centre of new technology and continues to foster new business development and entrepreneurial spirit that is now bringing these companies to new markets around the globe."

CLIFFORD CHANCE TO OPEN IN TURKEY

Clifford Chance will launch in Turkey next year, with the magic circle firm planning to relocate a partner from London to open the office, reports legalweek.com. City finance partner Simon Williams will move to Turkey to lead the office, which will be formally opened in mid-2011. Two associates will also relocate to Turkey, with the office forming an alliance with local firm Yegin Legal Consultancy (YLC) to meet local Bar requirements.