Rumours abound regarding the future of UK-based international law
firm, John Howell & Co. / The International Law Partnership.

Clients
of John Howell and their legal peers have begun to raise concerns,
suggesting that the law firm will cease to practice as of the 10th July
2009 as a direct result of a collapse in income.

Lindsay
Kinnealy, head of International Property Law at prominent
Manchester-based law firm Pannone LLP, offered assistance to those
potentially affected, saying ‘Currently we are not able to contact John
Howell, so we have been unable to confirm the rumours. However, if they
are true, the prime concern must be for the continuing needs of their
clients.’

‘Although we have no formal agreement with John
Howell & Co or with the International Law Partnership, if their
clients need any legal help or assistance at this difficult time, the
resources of the international property team here at Pannone are
available to anyone who needs advice.’

‘We would recommend that
the firm’s clients contact us as soon as possible, in order to
ascertain their position with regards to any current property sale,
purchase or other overseas legal matter.’

Whilst property markets
in France, Spain, Italy and the USA have shown recent signs of
recovery, it is sad that the upturn in the global economy may have come
too late for John Howell & Co. / The International Law Partnership.

Pannone LLP is one of the UK’s premier law firms, and has a
highly respected international law department. Should you have any
concerns or queries regarding property purchase, sale or probate
matters in France or Spain, contact france@pannone.co.uk or spain@pannone.co.uk, or visit the Pannone LLP website at http://www.pannone.com/.