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ICO updates its guidance on AI and data protection

Published on 07 Jul 2023. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner

What are the key data protection principles which the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) expects organisations to follow when integrating AI into their product and service offerings?

Hong Kong data protection: cross-border transfers of personal data

Published on 20 Jun 2022. By Jonathan Crompton, Partner and Andrea Randall, Partner

We take a closer look at businesses' obligations under Hong Kong law to protect personal data in a cross-border transfer and the new recommended model contractual clauses.

The High Court continues interim anti-harassment injunction

Published on 24 Jul 2024. By Alex Vakil, Partner

At a return date hearing on 12 July 2024, Aidan Eardley KC (sitting as a Deputy High Court Judge) continued until trial or further order an anti-harassment injunction granted to prevent the Defendant from, amongst other things, approaching or contacting the Claimant.

The Supreme Court clarifies the law on the recovery of damages for non-pecuniary damage arising out of a maliciously false statement

Published on 18 Jul 2024. By Alex Vakil, Partner

The Claimant was an employee of the second defendant, LCA, a recruitment agency owned and operated by the first defendant. After leaving LCA, the Claimant was employed by another recruitment agency and began targeting LCA's clients. LCA's owner told two third parties, one of whom was the Claimant’s new line manager and the other a client of LCA, that by doing this the Claimant was in breach of her contract of employment with LCA. In fact, there was no term of that contract (as the owner of LCA knew) which prohibited the claimant from soliciting business from LCA’s clients.

The Model Anti-SLAPP Law: an overview

Published on 25 Nov 2022. By Mafruhdha Miah, Senior Associate

Following the Government's response to the SLAPP consultation in the summer, the UK Anti-SLAPP coalition (a working group that includes English PEN, the Foreign Policy Centre and Index on Censorship, "the Coalition") has this week published a model Anti-SLAPP law, which has been endorsed by a collection of free speech and anti-corruption organisations, journalists, editors and lawyers.

How will the "Genny lec" impact the world of cyber and tech?

Published on 24 Jun 2024. By Rachel Ford, Partner and Helen Monachan, Associate

On 22 May 2024, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stood in the pouring rain to announce a General Election, thus commencing a summer of political and meteorological uncertainty for those in the UK.

Fines for PDPA Breaches: How Clear is the Crystal Ball?

Published on 16 Nov 2023. By Nick Lauw, Partner and Pu Fang Ching, Senior Associate

The Singapore Personal Data Protection Commission ("PDPC") has recently issued a number of new enforcement decisions.

Cybersecurity breaches at financial services firms more than trebles

Published on 25 Sep 2023. By Richard Breavington, Partner

Cybersecurity breaches reported by financial service providers rose from 187 in 2021/22 to 640 in 2022/23 UK pension schemes report the biggest increase, 4,000%, in data breach reports to the ICO

EU AI ACT-ion stations

Published on 29 Sep 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Charles Buckworth, Partner

The EU is forging ahead with its vision for AI. With wrapping up talks on the EU AI Act between the EU governments, the Commission and the parliamentary negotiators imminent, we bring you up to date on the EU's risk based approach, the scope of the Act, a timeline, key points that will form the basis of the discussions and next steps.

What To Know About AI Fraudsters Before Facing Disputes

Published on 29 Aug 2023. By Dan Wyatt, Partner and Christopher Whitehouse, Senior Associate

Fraudsters are quick to weaponise new technological developments and artificial intelligence is proving no exception, with AI-assisted scams increasingly being reported in the news, including most recently one using a likeness of a BBC broadcaster.

Snapshot on key 'green claims' developments

Published on 17 Feb 2023. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Sophie Tuson, Senior Associate

As consumers increasingly demand more sustainable products, businesses are innovating to reduce their environmental impact. This has driven an increase in the use of 'green' marketing claims and, with it, increased scrutiny by consumer regulators seeking to protect consumers from the risk of 'greenwashing'. Significant developments are ongoing in this area, both in the UK and the EU.

Protests on the rise – are you covered?

Published on 30 Jan 2023. By Edward Colville, Partner and Peter Mansfield, Partner and Sally Lord, Knowledge Lawyer Manager

With public focus on political issues running high, the possibility of protests interrupting your business should be on every retailer and consumer brand's risk management agenda.

Lifting the veil on cyber threats for retailers

Published on 12 Jan 2023. By Bethan Griffiths, Senior Associate

Almost all UK businesses (approximately 98%) now operate online in some capacity, benefiting hugely from an increased use of online websites, social media accounts, and online banking

RPC @ London Tech Week 2024

12 Jun 2024

We are delighted to announce that we will once again be hosting several in-person official fringe events around London Tech Week in June 2024.

Collective actions under consumer law: proposed amendments to the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill

Published on 17 Apr 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner

Are class actions under consumer protection law likely following the UK’s new DMCC Bill, and if so, what will the impact on businesses be?

Shift in consumer rights landscape increases risks for retailers

Published on 13 Dec 2021.

PLC QTRLY - Q2 2024

Published on 31 Jul 2024. By Connor Cahalane, Partner, Head of Public Companies and James Channo, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner, Head of Corporate

This is our regular quarterly update to help our listed company clients and other market participants keep up to date with key developments relevant to issuers on the Main Market and AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

PLC QTRLY - Q1 2024

Published on 17 Apr 2024. By Connor Cahalane, Partner, Head of Public Companies and James Channo, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner, Head of Corporate

This is our regular quarterly update to help our listed company clients and other market participants keep up to date with key developments relevant to issuers on the Main Market and AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

PLC QTRLY - Q4 2023

Published on 05 Feb 2024. By Connor Cahalane, Partner, Head of Public Companies and James Channo, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner, Head of Corporate

This is our regular quarterly update to help our listed company clients and other market participants keep up to date with key developments relevant to issuers on the Main Market and AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

PLC QTRLY - Q3 2023

Published on 12 Oct 2023. By Connor Cahalane, Partner, Head of Public Companies and James Channo, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner, Head of Corporate

This is our regular quarterly update to help our listed company clients and other market participants keep up to date with key developments relevant to issuers on the Main Market and AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

PLC QTRLY - Q2 2023

Published on 14 Jul 2023. By Connor Cahalane, Partner, Head of Public Companies and Karen Hendy, Partner, Head of Corporate and Rosamund Akayan, Knowledge Lawyer

This is our regular quarterly update to help our listed company clients and other market participants keep up to date with key developments relevant to issuers on the Main Market and AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

PLC QTRLY - Q1 2023

Published on 19 Apr 2023. By Connor Cahalane, Partner, Head of Public Companies and Karen Hendy, Partner, Head of Corporate and Rosamund Akayan, Knowledge Lawyer

This is our regular quarterly update to help our listed company clients and other market participants keep up to date with key developments relevant to issuers on the Main Market and AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

PLC QTRLY - Q4 2022

Published on 02 Feb 2023. By Connor Cahalane, Partner, Head of Public Companies and Karen Hendy, Partner, Head of Corporate and Rosamund Akayan, Knowledge Lawyer

This is our regular quarterly update to help our listed company clients and other market participants keep up to date with key developments relevant to issuers on the Main Market and AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

PLC QTRLY - Q3 2022

Published on 14 Nov 2022. By Connor Cahalane, Partner, Head of Public Companies

This is our regular quarterly update to help our listed company clients and other market participants keep up to date with key developments relevant to issuers on the Main Market and AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

PLC QTRLY - Q2 2022

Published on 26 Jul 2022. By Connor Cahalane, Partner, Head of Public Companies

This is our regular quarterly update to help our listed company clients and other market participants keep up to date with key developments relevant to issuers on the Main Market and AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

PLC QTRLY - Q1 2022

Published on 13 Apr 2022. By Connor Cahalane, Partner, Head of Public Companies

Post-Covid and post-Brexit changes are on the horizon for the UK's public companies. This is the first of our regular updates to help our listed company clients and other market participants keep up to date with key developments relevant to issuers on the Main Market and AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

What in the AI is going on… April to June 2024

Published on 01 Aug 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

Meta launched its newest generation of its open-source LLM (large language model), Llama 3, which is the technology that powers its AI systems. The launch of Llama 3 signals a step closer to human-like AI that can reason and bestow a memory. OpenAI also discussed plans for its next AI model, GPT-5. Like Llama 3, GPT-5 will see improvements to the model’s planning and reasoning capabilities, going beyond its current capability to deal with discrete tasks. GPT-5 is expected to be released later in the year.

CMA publishes update paper on AI Foundation Models

Published on 01 Aug 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

What is the state of play for the market of AI Foundation Models (FM) and what issues in the market is the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) most concerned about?

EU AI Act is signed!

Published on 01 Aug 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

What are the core elements of the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act and how does it impact the regulation of AI systems?

Online Safety Act: Ofcom consults on draft codes to protect children online

Published on 01 Aug 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

What must businesses do to ensure online safety for children under the latest codes of practice published by Ofcom?

UK’s Digital Regulation Co-operation Forum announces new AI and Digital Hub Pilot

Published on 01 Aug 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

What is the AI and Digital Hub and how can AI innovators use it?

EU designates Apple a gatekeeper for iPadOS but not for iMessage

Published on 01 Aug 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

Can a business avoid being designated a “gatekeeper” under the Digital Markets Act (DMA) even if it satisfies the quantitative criteria under the DMA?

New EU guidelines on mitigating risks for electoral

Published on 01 Aug 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

What are the European Commission’s new guidelines and how do they protect the integrity of electoral processes?

Major overhaul of UK telecoms regulation to go ahead by the end of December 2020

Published on 21 Sep 2020.

The UK still pushing ahead with implementing wide ranging European regulatory changes, but obligations for many "over the top" providers are likely to be postponed.

A shifting landscape? The outlook for data regulation in 2023

Published on 09 Jun 2023. By Jon Bartley, Partner and Amy Blackburn, Senior Associate

With a relatively new Information Commissioner in the UK and a renewed focus on getting post-Brexit data protection laws through Parliament, attention is turning to the ICO’s priorities and how they fit into this new landscape.

Transitioning to a net zero economy

Published on 31 May 2023. By Rosamund Akayan, Knowledge Lawyer and Connor Cahalane, Partner, Head of Public Companies

The TPT has published a draft disclosure framework and implementation guidance for private sector entities to transition to a net zero economy, making recommendations for companies and financial institutions to develop gold-standard transition plans.

CSRD: shakeup of the EU's sustainability reporting rules

Published on 25 May 2023. By Sophie Tuson, Senior Associate and Sarah Mountain, Partner and Connor Cahalane, Partner, Head of Public Companies

The EU’s new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) entered into force on 5 January 2023.

Deposit Return Scheme: Key considerations for drinks  producers and retailers in the UK

Published on 16 May 2023. By Jeremy Drew, Partner, Head of Commercial

Defra has now responded to its consultation on the introduction of a DRS in England, Wales and NI. The DRS will require retailers to charge a small fee on certain drinks containers sold, which consumers can reclaim if they return the container to a designated return point.

Going Green – staying on the right side of competition law

Published on 15 May 2023. By Melanie Musgrave, Of Counsel and Leonia Chesterfield, Of Counsel

Environmental issues are high on the agenda for many consumers and businesses alike. They are also increasingly an area of focus for competition authorities around the world, including the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), who are keen to ensure that competition law concerns do not unnecessarily prevent businesses from collaborating legitimately on environmental sustainability initiatives.

New REUL? How will the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) affect UK businesses?

Published on 09 May 2023. By Paul Joukador, Partner and Patrick Brodie, Partner

When the Brexit transition period ended, so did the alignment of EU law with UK domestic law.

Casting your net zero ambitions: eight key steps for retailers

Published on 24 Nov 2022. By Patrick Brodie, Partner and Kelly Thomson, Partner, ESG strategy lead and Ellie Gelder, Senior Editor Employment & Equality

With climate change at the forefront of the ESG agenda, the employment relationship, and the opportunities to engage with the workforce on this subject, are crucial ingredients in the quest to becoming a truly green retailer.

Where to next for Buy Now Pay Later?

Published on 12 Oct 2022.

On Monday 20 June 2022, HM Treasury responded to its consultation on proposals to extend regulation to unregulated Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) products. This consultation closed in January 2022. The Treasury's response confirmed the scope of regulation will cover BNPL products and short-term interest free credit (STIFC) provided by third-party lenders.

Extended producer responsibility for packaging: How to prepare

Published on 12 Oct 2022.

In the Spring 2022 edition of Retail Compass, we reported on the Government's consultation on regulations covering extended producer responsibility (EPR) which places the financial burden of dealing with packaging once it becomes waste on producers as opposed to taxpayers.

Online Sales Tax: the right way forward?

Published on 12 Oct 2022.

On 25 February 2022, HM Treasury launched a consultation exploring the possible introduction of an online sales tax (OST) to address the imbalance resulting from the higher business rates applying to in store retailers, compared to online businesses. The consultation closed on 20 May 2022.

Greenwashing: UK regulators set their sights on misleading green claims with an increasing focus on sectors such as fashion retail and F&D

Published on 12 Oct 2022.

UK consumer regulators, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), are ramping up their enforcement of green claims to protect consumers from 'greenwashing'

Whistle-blowing on illegal cartels drops 70% in 5 years

Published on 18 Sep 2023. By Chris Ross, Partner and Arash Rajai, Partner

Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) recently increased award to £250,000 Calls to the CMA hotline have plummeted from 1,442 in 2017 to 427 in 2022