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European law firm Eversheds and Asian firm Khattar Wong have announced a strategic alliance which will allow both firms to take advantage of Singapore's increasingly important position as a financial centre.

Michael Wiley Michael Wiley, partner in charge at Mallesons Stephen Jacques in Sydney, is leaving the firm after 22 years because he no longer enjoys practising tax. Ian Stanley has filled his role as tax partner, while Belinda Gibson is replacing him as partner in charge. Of his 22 years with Mallesons, one of Australia's principal tax firms, Wiley spent 15 as partner. According to Belinda Gibson, he has been instrumental in building up the firm's tax expertise throughout the 1980s and 1990s, and his exceptional technical knowledge and lateral thinking helped attract many major deals and new products. While his reputation remains untarnished, he believes that the increase in legislative changes prevent him from doing his job properly.

Dewey Ballantine's London, New York and Silicon Valley offices worked together to advise Excite@Home on a combination of its non-US assets with those of pan-European broadband provider Chello Broadband NV, worth $6 billion.

Ziff-Davis and CNET have announced a stock-for-stock merger agreement valued at approximately $1.6 billion. The firms' internet sites provide businesses and individuals with information about buying, using and experiencing computers and technology. It is hoped that the merged firm will become a leader in its field. Ziff-Davis will recapitalize and spin off its trade show and conference business, and pay a large cash dividend before the deal is completed.

In the face of globalization and e-transformation, Europe’s top advisers are increasingly adopting a business-first approach to clients’ tax needs. Sharon Cunningham explains why pure tax solutions are no longer appropriate

Ashurst Morris Crisp

Ford cars has acquired Land Rover from German manufacturers BMW for Euro3 billion ($2.7 billion). Richard Ballard and Robert Kent of Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer provided tax advice for Ford on the deal, while BMW turned to Isla Smith and John Challoner of Norton Rose.

Herbert Smith of the UK has announced a formal relationship with German firm Gleiss Lutz Hootz Hirsch. The agreement, which represents a far stronger form than an alliance, gives the two firms 15 offices across Europe and Asia, and could well lead to full corporate integration.

The UK media group Pearson has appointed international law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius to represent it in the $2.5 billion acquisition of National Computer Systems. National Computer Systems (NCS) is a US educational services company that is the largest commercial processor of student assessment tests in the US, providing curriculum and financial management software to schools and online testing services. It will become a unit of Pearson Education in what is the largest-ever rights issue in the UK. Charles Engros led the Morgan Lewis team that advised Pearson in the negotiations, the tender offer for NCS shares and the US securities law aspects of the rights offering. Partners Greer Phillips and Richard Zarin, and associate Marco Belej provided tax advice.

Granada Media of the UK has acquired United News and Media's ITV interests – television companies Meridian, Anglia and HTV – as well as programme production and international distribution businesses for £1.75 billion ($2.75 billion) in cash and stock. The move enables Granada to play a major role in ITV – the UK's most watched television channel – strengthening its position in UK broadcasting, content creation, pay TV and broadband.