Those who were predicting that the AZB-Clifford Chance break-up would be the beginning of the end for best friends everywhere had reason to think again this week.

Trilegal and Allen & Overy have recently renewed their vows until death do them part after the initial experiment ran successfully for its three-year term and both were happy.

The difference here in contrast to AZB/CC is partly due to size and integration. Trilegal & Overy and Linklaters & Talwar Thakore Alliance are by now largely symbiotic and co-dependent. Unravelling the relationship would be expensive for both partners.

ALMT and Clyde & Co, the fourth major trans-continental best friendship, have so far kept things on the Q-T for the most part and it is yet to be seen how rocky the course will be.

Vaish Associates faced a hiccup of a different kind in its new Bangalore office with the departure of the office head after a bout of internal disagreements over strategy and such-like.

The Delhi High Court welcomed 10 new advocates with the prestigious senior counsel tag, as one of the lucky few criticised the lack of transparency in the process that is a vital epitome to careers at the bar.

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has apparently struggled a little with finishing its buffet of reforms, as the BCI ethics guidelines that were due to be mostly done and dusted last year will take until the end of this year, said its chairman. No word on progress of the foreign lawyer question, limited liability partnerships (LLP) and further reducing the number of mushrooming colleges so far.

Younger colleagues

A new king of the hill emerged this week in the Mooting Premier League (MPL), with NUJS Kolkata wresting the top spot from newcomers NLU Delhi after two moots.

Massive debate continued also on the judging quality at the domestic rounds for the ‘World Cup of Mooting’, after Legally India’s interview with the winners and organisers. Also check out the brand new MPL blog interviewing an NLU Delhi mooting star about success, training and more.

GLC Mumbai, meanwhile, turned the tables on mooters and held the first ever judgment deliberation competition on international law, where ULC Bangalore triumphed.