Press & Media
News, views and comment - RPC in the media.
RPC Employment partner comments on UK Government's plans to scrap 48 hour week
RPC Employment Partner Kelly Thomson at the international law firm RPC comments on UK Governments plans to scrap 48 hour week.
Read moreRPC hires senior Commercial Partner to expand its market-leading Commercial practice
International law firm RPC has hired leading Commercial lawyer Tom Purton as a senior Partner to join the firm's expanding Commercial practice.
Read moreRPC's Cyber Team Peer-Reviews Leading AI Research Paper
A paper on emerging cyber threats was peer-reviewed by RPC's cyber law team and published in an international legal journal.
Read moreProposals to ban non-compete clauses in employment contracts would be unnecessary intervention
Comments Patrick Brodie, Head of Employment Law of RPC the city-headquartered law firm:
Read moreHMRC elite fraud team conducting 200 criminal investigations against the “enablers” of tax evasion
HMRC has today confirmed that its elite fraud team revealed it is currently conducting 200 criminal investigations into professional advisers and other “enablers” of tax evasion.
Read moreLet's talk Racial Diversity: Senior lawyers discuss ways to dismantle barriers to ethnic and racial diversity in the legal sector
London, 25 November 2020: A group of leading law firms, hosted by the law firm RPC, discussed this morning ways in which the legal sector - not as representative of society as it could be - could be doing more to identify and dismantle the barriers that may exist to ethnic and racial diversity.
Read moreRPC's latest promotion round sees three new partners join the firm's global partnership
Law firm RPC is pleased to announce that it has promoted three lawyers into the partnership, with effect from 1 November.
Read moreSales at UK’s leading online only retailers reach record £11bn, up 13% in a year
Sales at the UK’s Top 20 online only retailers reached a record high of £11bn in the last year, up 13% from £9.7bn the previous year*, shows research by RPC, the City-headquartered law firm.
Read moreRPC advises Facebook on the much-anticipated independent Oversight Board
Law firm RPC has supported Facebook, the world's largest social network and a longstanding RPC technology client, in setting up the much-anticipated Oversight Board, which will hear appeals and issue binding decisions about content moderation on Facebook's platforms.
Read moreAfter slow start, HMRC launches 13 investigations into Corporate Criminal Offences
New data published by HMRC shows that after a slow start, the Revenue has opened 13 investigations into businesses for suspected Corporate Criminal Offences, says RPC, the City-headquartered law firm.
Read moreInvestigations into coronavirus loan fraud begins, with 11 cases reported to Action Fraud
Investigations into suspected fraud targeting the Government’s coronavirus emergency loan schemes have begun, with 11 reports of fraud to the City of London Police via Action Fraud says RPC, the City-headquartered law firm.
Read moreRPC signs the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge
RPC Partner Tatiana Minaeva is proud to have signed the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge on behalf of the firm. It is aimed at improving the profile and representation of women in arbitration across the world.
Read moreFCA imposes record low number of fines – down 75% since last year
The FCA has imposed just four fines so far this year, a record low, down 75% from 16 issued in the same period last year*, says RPC, the City-headquartered law firm.
Read moreRPC Comments on the Government's new Job Support Scheme
Commenting on the Government's new Job Support Scheme, Kelly Thomson, employment lawyer and partner at the law firm RPC said: "The Chancellor's new Job Support Scheme has a completely different emphasis to previous furlough schemes. Support will be available only for viable jobs. And viability will be determined by whether the work exists now (albeit on a reduced hours basis). If there is no work to be done now – even if the role may be viable in the future – the scheme will not assist."
Read moreWhistleblower reports to the FCA on ‘pressure selling’ jumped 23% last year
The number of whistleblower reports made to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) relating to ‘pressure selling’ jumped 23% to 58 last year*, up from 47 the year before, says RPC, the city-headquartered law firm.
Read moreRPC wins Luxury Deal of the Year at Luxury Law Awards 2020
Law firm RPC has been awarded Luxury Deal of the Year at the Luxury Law Awards 2020.
Read moreWhistle-blower reports to the ICO at record high in the last year – up 34%
The number of whistle-blower reports made to the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) about potential data breaches and the misuse of customer information by organisations* is at a record-high, jumping 34% to 427 in the last year, from 319 the previous year, says RPC, the City-headquartered law firm.
Read moreRPC advises long duration insurance investor Beat Capital Partners on its Strategic Partnership with Bain Capital Credit
Law firm RPC has supported a significant insurance transaction advising long duration insurance investor Beat Capital Partners in its strategic partnership with Bain Capital Credit, a leading global credit specialist.
Read moreRPC wins TMT Team of the Year at the Legal Business Awards 2020
Law firm RPC has been named Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) Team of the Year at the Legal Business Awards 2020.
Read morePayments to informants increased by 63% in a year as HMRC cracks down on tax evasion
The amount of money paid to informants by HMRC jumped 63% in a year to reach £473,000 in 2019/20, up from £290,250 the previous year, says RPC, the City-headquartered law firm.
Read moreRPC advises luxury furniture retailer Timothy Oulton and the Halo Group on its acquisition of Sofa Workshop from DFS
Law firm RPC has closed the latest in a string of high-profile retail transactions, acting for Timothy Oulton and the Halo Group on its acquisition of the Sofa Workshop from well-known high-street brand DFS.
Read moreRPC joins Sustainable Recruitment Alliance
City headquartered law firm RPC has joined the launch of the Sustainable Recruitment Alliance, which encourages the UK graduate recruitment industry to find more sustainable ways of attracting early talent and reducing their carbon footprint.
Read moreHMRC withdrew more Accelerated Payment Notices than it issued last year
HMRC has been forced to withdraw more of its controversial Accelerated Payment Notices (APNs) than it issued last year says RPC, the City-headquartered law firm. HMRC withdrew 370 incorrectly issued APNs compared to just 220 that were issued in 2019/20.
Read moreRPC comments on ECJ's Schrems II judgment
The European Court of Justice has issued today a landmark data protection judgment that will cause a GDPR compliance headache for many companies in the UK and EU.
Read moreRPC comments on CAS decision regarding Man City/UEFA
Man City have won away in Europe today, after the The Court of Arbitration for Sport (the “CAS”) overturned the ban on City participating in the Champions League, and found that City had not breached FFP rules by apparently disguising equity funding as sponsorship contributions.
Read moreRPC signs Race Fairness Commitment
City-headquartered law firm RPC has signed the Race Fairness Commitment (RFC) in partnership with Rare, which aims to combat the career obstacles faced by Black and other ethnic minority lawyers.
Read moreRPC retains 92% of Trainees in latest UK intake
City-headquartered law firm RPC has retained 92% of UK Trainees who are set to qualify in September 2020, meaning 11 out of 12 trainees have secured NQ solicitor roles. The remaining trainee decided not to join the qualification process as she is pursuing a career outside of law.
Read moreComputers, Coronavirus and Collaboration
The power of AI can be seen in the world's response to global healthcare issues, most recently with Covid-19. But with great power comes great responsibility. In this article we look at why collaboration is key to minimising the risks whilst getting the best out of the opportunities offered by AI.
Read moreRPC appoints Oliver Bray as its new Senior Partner
The City-headquartered law firm RPC has appointed Oliver Bray as its new Senior Partner for a three-year term by the firm's partnership. The Senior Partner role at RPC includes supporting the firm's Managing Partner on partnership affairs.
Read moreRPC advises lead investor Mobeus Equity Partners on £4 million funding round for EdTech business MyTutor
City-based law firm RPC has acted for lead investor Mobeus Equity Partners LLP in connection with its latest investment into EdTech business MyTutor, one of the leading digital platforms in the UK tutoring market. Mobeus was lead investor in the £4m investment round, the proceeds of which will be used to support MyTutor's ambitious growth plans.
Read moreTerraLex hosts groundbreaking virtual global meeting proving nothing can stop the network from collaborating and working together
17 June 2020 – TerraLex, one of the largest global law firm networks with 163 member firms in 100 countries, is innovating to help members weather the storm of the pandemic and economic downturn.
Read moreRPC's Head of International Arbitration involved in launch of London Chamber of Arbitration and Mediation
With Covid-19 continuing to ensure an increasingly unpredictable environment in which to do business, London Chamber of Commerce and Industry has launched a new company to help firms resolve disputes.
Read moreThe new "normal" - transparency and flexibility in luxury commercial contracts
Current events have forced luxury brands' commercial arrangements into the spotlight like never before. Brands have had to flex, and quick – whether through changing their production to essential garments or hand sanitiser, cancelling a new product launch or season's collection or finding new ways to market such as livestream shopping (on Chinese commerce platforms like Tmall or Taobao Live). Luxury brands have also been forced to have honest and transparent conversations with their consumers and other stakeholders about their current challenges – whether announcing pay cuts for executives, profit warnings or closures of their sales outlets (such as stores, restaurants, bars) and of manufacturing/distribution centres.
Read moreHMRC ramps up use of new Account Freezing and Forfeiture orders to tackle suspected criminal activity
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has ramped up its use of new Account Freezing Orders (AFOs) and Forfeiture Orders (FOs) to tackle suspected criminal behaviour, says RPC, the City-headquartered law firm.
Read moreCity-based law firm RPC comments on potential EFL club administrations
Following a statement by Damian Collins, former Chair of the Commons Select Committee, that up to 10 football clubs could go into administration within weeks, unless they receive an urgent and substantial government bailout.
Read moreRPC promotes 15 to partnership globally
Law firm RPC will be promoting 15 lawyers to its partnership in 2020, spanning a broad range of contentious and non-contentious practices in the UK and Asia.
Read moreRPC teams up with manufacturers by providing free legal advice on the production and distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) to frontline NHS staff
RPC has advised Augment Bionics on legal issues in relation to producing and distributing face shields for NHS staff dealing with COVID-19.
Read moreDisputes Powerhouse RPC strengthens Team with senior hires for JLV in Singapore
International law firm RPC has hired three partners, Boey Swee Siang, Navin Joseph Lobo, and Lin Yuankai, to strengthen its disputes, regulatory compliance and investigations practice for its joint legal venture (JLV) RPC Premier Law in Singapore.
Read moreLaw firm RPC comments on ground-breaking trade mark referrals case Sky v Skykick
Today, Lord Justice Richard Arnold handed down a ground-breaking decision for trademark referrals in the UK High Court's case Sky v Skykick.
Read moreGovernment ban on winding-up petitions welcome step – but this needs to extend beyond 30th June deadline
Measures announced by Business Secretary, Alok Sharma to protect commercial tenants from aggressive debt recovery actions during the coronavirus crisis are a welcome step for retailers, says RPC, the City-headquartered law firm. Many retailers have seen a catastrophic drop in sales during the lock-down.
Read moreReports of market manipulation hit 822
822 reports of suspected market manipulation were made to the FCA last year (year end Dec 31 2019) by market participants, suggesting that the problem is far from being eradicated*, says RPC, the City-headquartered law firm.
Read moreRPC advises liquidators on the sale of the UK's oldest newspaper Jewish Chronicle to a consortium of new owners
City-law firm RPC have advised the liquidators on the sale of the UK newspaper Jewish Chronicle to a newly incorporated company, JC Acquisition Limited, established by a Consortium led by Sir Robbie Gibb, former Head of Communications at 10 Downing Street.
Read morePlacing a moratorium on winding-up petitions will protect retailers and help contain COVID-19 business interruption
Placing a moratorium on “petitions” to make retail businesses insolvent would protect retailers and help contain business interruption caused by COVID-19, says RPC, the City-headquartered law firm.
Read moreRPC advises on the sale of a majority stake in British luxury luggage brand Globe-Trotter to Oakley Capital
RPC has advised the owners of British luxury luggage brand Globe-Trotter on the sale of a majority stake to the private equity firm Oakley Capital. RPC acted as English counsel, supporting Japanese law firm southgate in its role as global deal counsel.
Read moreRPC advises leading metal processing company Metal Technology Co. Ltd on its acquisition of Sandvik Powder Solutions AB
RPC have advised Metal Technology Co. Ltd., a leading metal processing company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, on the acquisition of Swedish based Sandvik Powder Solutions AB.
Read moreRPC boosts professional indemnity team with well-respected insurance partner hire
UK-headquartered law firm RPC has hired professional indemnity specialist Scott Ashby as Partner to join the firm's leading insurance team in Bristol. Scott joins from Beale & Co, where he acted for a wide variety of national and international firms, defending them against claims brought against lawyers and accountants. Scott joined RPC on 30 March 2020.
Read moreEnvironment Agency investigations into businesses increase 12% since 2018
The number of investigations into businesses launched by the Environment Agency increased by 12% from 5,518 in 2018 to 6,164 in 2019, says RPC, the City-based law firm.
Read moreRPC moves UK offices to remote working
International law firm RPC has asked all its people in the UK to work remotely, with immediate effect. The firm will keep its London and Bristol offices open and operational to ensure it can continue to offer the highest levels of service to its clients, but the vast majority of its people will be working away from RPC premises until further notice.
Read moreUK litigation funder “war chests” hit record high of £1.9bn – up 46% in a year
The value of court cases and cash directly held by UK litigation funders hit a record high of £1.9bn last year, up 46% from £1.3bn in 2017/18, says RPC, the City-headquartered law firm.
Read moreCity law firm RPC comments on UK Budget presentation - M&A, the Budget and Entrepreneurs' Relief – time to act?
Ahead of today's Budget announcement by the UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak, the city law firm RPC takes a look at its impact for business.
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