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Slaughter and May is advising Regus in connection with its planned £1 billion ($1.45 billion) listing on NASDAQ and the London Stock Exchange. Headquartered in Middlesex, UK, Regus is a worldwide operator of business centres, with 200 locations in 40 countries.

Broadbase Software, a California-based provider of analytic and marketing automation applications, has agreed to purchase software manufacturer Servicesoft for £645 million ($934 million) in stock.

Jones Day Reavis & Pogue has acted for the parcels and logistics holding company of La Poste Group on its cooperation agreement with FedEx. La Poste and FedEx will cooperate in the international express document and parcel delivery area, and in a more limited fashion on domestic express delivery and deferred delivery. La Poste will have access to the FedEx air network, while FedEx will gain from the European ground infrastructure of the La Poste parcels and logistics holding company. Jones Day partner Pierre Ullman of the Paris office advised on tax matters. FedEx worked with Baker & McKenzie; tax advice was provided in-house.

Tax advisory work is changing. Dramatically. Globalization and e-commerce mean that companies are looking for an increasingly niche set of skills. Is hourly billing still appropriate in this environment? Georgina Stanley reports

The Human Rights Act has come into force in the UK. While the Act provides no significant new defence for taxpayers, the Inland Revenue may have to exercise its powers more carefully. By Nik Mehta, Contentious Tax Group, Linklaters, London

As part of its e-Ireland project, the Irish government has launched the Revenue On-Line Service (ROS). The service will enable the revenue authorities to collect taxes 24 hours a day, and give customers access to their account at any time.

John Duggan The Portuguese government has unveiled a mixed bag of tax reforms and plans to reduce tax evasion.

Laporte Plc has announced its intention to sell 60% of its business to investment company Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Co (KKR) for $1.175 billion. KKR will acquire Laporte's water technology, timber treatment and electronics division, leaving Laporte free to focus on the development of speciality organics, including fine chemicals.

Bush Boake Allen, Inc (BBA), a producer and supplier of aroma chemicals, has chosen Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison to represent it in a $970 million tender offer and merger with International Flavor & Fragrances, Inc (IFF). IFF will acquire all of the outstanding shares of BBA for $48.50 cash per share.

Herbert Smith is advising Royal London of the UK on its £1.1 billion ($1.6 billion) acquisition of the business of Scottish Life. The acquisition is subject to approval by Scottish Life's members and the Court of Session, and is not expected to be completed until summer 2001.