The Takeover Panel has moved a step closer to drastically overhauling its code as it seeks to remove the "tactical advantage" for hostile bidders targeting UK companies.

De La Rue might have a licence to print money – but it is having a hard time making it and last night the crisis-wracked banknote printer's shares plumbed fresh depths amid fears of that one of its biggest customers is preparing to cash in its chips.

Moody's, Fitch and S&P can shake up the markets and change a country's fortunes – but is it time to curb their influence, asks Nikhil Kumar

FSA to be handed dossier on rumour which derailed share issue on Friday

MGPA, the Macquarie Group-backed Australian fund, is understood to have abandoned plans to purchase Broadgate, the City office scheme owned by Ftse 100 property giant British Land.

Leicester 83 Newcastle 10

Fuller, Smith & Turner, the pubs group with a major presence in the City, has heralded an upsurge in drinking activity in London's financial district.

Vanni Treves, the chairman of the scandal-ridden Equitable Life mutual insurance society, is steeling himself for a fresh clash with rebel policyholders.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR is to use a trip to China to open the office of a law firm in which his friend and personal adviser, Garry Hart, was a partner.

SmithKline Beecham Biologicals SA v Connaught Laboratories Inc Court of Appeal (Lord Bingham of Cornhill, Chief Justice, Lord Justice Otton and Lord Justice Robert Walker) 7 July 1999

THE CONTROVERSIAL Lord Chancellor, Derry Irvine, who has been found guilty of sex and race discrimination, may soon find himself in the dock again, accused of contempt of court.

A CAMBRIDGE law graduate tried to clear his debts by bombarding restaurants with complaints and sending them bills for dry cleaning.

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