The QC appointments process for 2008 has got off to a rocky start after it was revealed this week that applications for the elite kitemark have fallen by more than a quarter from last year’s figure. A total of 247 applications have been received by the QC Appointments Panel this year after the deadlines for applications passed on 3 April. The figure represents a drop of around 26% from last year’s total of 333 applications, which itself was down from 443 in the 2006 round.

Norton Rose has frozen pay for newly-qualified lawyers (NQs) at last year’s levels but has fast-tracked 25 associates to higher rates under its new three-tier pay scale, the City firm said today (16 May). NQs at the firm will continue to pocket annual pay of £63,500 following the announcement, which comes after Norton Rose earlier this week posted annual revenues of £297m – up 27% from last year.

A former Radcliffes LeBrasseur partner has been struck off the solicitors’ roll after stealing approximately £223,000 from clients’ accounts. Paul Saffron, a former insolvency partner at the Westminster-based firm, was struck off following a hearing in front of a Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal last week (8 May).

Dorsey & Whitney plans to open an office in Sydney later this year, with London-based capital markets partner John Chrisman set to transfer to Australia to head up the new branch. According to the US firm, the office will be staffed by a handful of US capital markets lawyers and will provide an additional base for serving clients in Asian markets, including India and the Greater China region.

Commercial partner Peter Valert has taken over as managing partner of DLA Piper’s Prague office. Valert – who also heads up the firm’s 12-laywer Sofia office and leads the Central & Eastern European (CEE) technology, media and commercial practice – replaces Joerg Nuernberger in the management role.

Solicitor General Paul Clement, who led the courtroom defense of the Bush administration's anti-terror legal policies, announced Wednesday he is leaving his job on 2 June. Clement argued 49 cases before the Supreme Court in the last seven years and was viewed as probably the most valued "catch" from the Bush Justice Department, with law firm managing partners guessing he could attract a $2m or $3m package. Details about his next step were not immediately forthcoming from Clement.