Law Update: Business as usual

Three major law firms, victims of Saturday's terrorist bomb in the City, have all been swift to proclaim business as usual. Norton Rose's four buildings suffered various degrees of damage: one, Bishop's House, is likely to be uninhabitable for many months.

'By the start of next week, the other buildings will be largely usable, give or take a window, and 50 per cent of our people will be back. The rest will return progressively over the next two or three weeks,' says Chris Manners, head of business development.

Penningtons has lost the use of its Dashwood House premises for at least nine months. Next week, the firm is to move into Royex House, but in the meantime, according to managing partner David Stedman, the firm has been able to make use of its offices outside London.

Another occupant of Dashwood House, Pinsent & Co, is also to move into Royex House. Until the move, according to managing partner, John Orchard, the 40 staff of the London office are 'spread about'. Fortunately, he says, all the London operation's information was backed up on the Birmingham computer.