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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #33 – Battle of the gins, the future of soft plastics and serious food for thought for advertisers of HFSS products

Published on 15 Jun 2021. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!!

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #32 - breaking news: the EU rejects Amendment 171 on dairy descriptors, mixed alcoholic and alcohol-free beer packs hit Tesco's shelves and the CMA issues draft guidance on green claims

Published on 27 May 2021. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!!

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Perspective - Blog

Philip Warren & Son v Lidl – No case of mi-steak-en identity

Published on 25 May 2021. By Ben Mark, Partner and Ciara Cullen, Partner

The High Court has dismissed a passing off claim brought by Philip Warren & Son Limited (PWS) against well-known supermarket, Lidl. The decision ultimately turned on the fact that PWS presented "insufficient evidence of a significant level of operative misrepresentation to any category of PWS' customers".

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #31 - Rugby World Cup win for Japan's Asahi Breweries, Co-op's sustainability drive continues with compostable bags and food past its best before date and Gordon Ramsay calls out Lucky Cat Noodle

Published on 13 May 2021. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!!

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #30 - Cypriot cheese receives protected status, Colin v Cuthbert continues and finally, clarity on composite food products

Published on 30 Apr 2021. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!!

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Perspective - Blog

Stay on top of Intellectual Property

Published on 20 Apr 2021. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner and Sarah Mountain, Partner

Whether you’re just starting out or launching a new product, there are a wealth of intellectual property issues to consider in the world of distilling. Here, Ciara Cullen, Ben Mark and Sarah Mountain outline those do’s and don’ts, the changing landscape and how to thrive in 2021 and beyond.

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #29 - breaking news: Colin the Caterpillar v Cuthbert the Caterpillar, uncertainty continues for composite products and packaging producers to face extended responsibility

Published on 16 Apr 2021. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!!

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #28 - Northern Ireland Protocol breakthrough extended, the future of Easter eggs and an environmentally friendly beer partnership

Published on 01 Apr 2021. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!!

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #27 - Government 'anti-obesity deadlines' are near on impossible warn retailers and further red tape angst is on the cards for composite food products

Published on 18 Mar 2021. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!!

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #26 - A welcome ASA ruling for HFSS products, the Scotch Whisky industry is calling and the decision to regulate the CBD industry in the UK.

Published on 04 Mar 2021. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!!

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #25 - Dry January further boosts no/lo sales, PepsiCo and Beyond Meat join forces and Mondelez faces price fixing allegations

Published on 18 Feb 2021. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!!

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #24 - Brexit hits Percy Pigs, HFSS restrictions to become law in 2022 and a reminder that despite popular belief, honey is not medicinal

Published on 27 Jan 2021. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!!

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #23 - Northern Ireland Protocol breakthrough, victory for the UK organics sector and eco faux pas for Gousto

Published on 17 Dec 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!!

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Perspective - Blog

Brexit and Beyond panel discussion

Published on 11 Dec 2020.

Top tips for the food and drink sector

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #22 - Brexit tips with 30 days to go, ASA rulings and farming subsidy reforms

Published on 03 Dec 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!!

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Perspective - Blog

European Parliament votes on plant-based food labels

Published on 25 Nov 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Sophie Tuson, Senior Associate

On 23 October 2020, the European Parliament voted on proposed amendments to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) which would affect how plant-based products can be labelled in the EU.

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #21 – burgers, Brexit and bans for online ads

Published on 20 Nov 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!!

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Perspective - Blog

CMA launches Investigation into green claims

Published on 20 Nov 2020. By Sophie Tuson, Senior Associate and Ciara Cullen, Partner

The CMA, the UK's consumer watchdog, has launched an investigation into environmental claims made by businesses to promote their products.

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #20

Published on 06 Nov 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!!

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Perspective - Blog

Neat infringement claim leaves whiskey competitor’s trade mark on the rocks

Published on 02 Nov 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Harris, Associate

The producers of Eagle Rare bourbon whiskey have succeeded in their trade mark infringement claim against competitor, American Eagle. The case highlights the impact of market-specific context in determining whether consumers are likely to be confused by similar trade marks. Whilst the case has general relevance, it will be of specific interest to alcohol and luxury goods brands.

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #19

Published on 20 Oct 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!!

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #18

Published on 08 Oct 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!!

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #17

Published on 24 Sep 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure.

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #16

Published on 10 Sep 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure.

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Perspective - Blog

CBD products no longer ex-hemp from regulation

Published on 02 Sep 2020. By Sarah Mountain, Partner

In recent years, there has been a surge in demand for food and drink products containing cannabidiol (CBD). Popular items have ranged from oils with added CBD to CBD-infused chocolate and kombucha. With the market experiencing double digit growth year on year and a recent spike in demand during 'lockdown', UK consumers continue to demonstrate ever greater interest in CBD products. But with new regulatory requirements on the horizon, are things about to change?

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #15

Published on 26 Aug 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure.

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #14

Published on 07 Aug 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure.

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #13

Published on 21 Jul 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!

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Perspective - Blog

VAT'll do nicely – temporary VAT rate cut to boost hospitality and tourism sectors

Published on 13 Jul 2020. By Ben Roberts, Partner

Last week, as part of efforts to boost the UK economy in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Chancellor announced a temporary (6 month) cut in the rate of VAT for certain supplies of hospitality, hotel and holiday accommodation, and admissions to certain attractions.

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #12

Published on 08 Jul 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!

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Perspective - Blog

'Nosecco' is a no-no, says the High Court

Published on 01 Jul 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Sarah Mountain, Partner

In recent years, health and wellbeing has been big business in the UK. The COVID-19 outbreak has only further stoked the desire to obtain and maintain healthy minds and bodies and the trend looks set to continue, across the retail sector.

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #11

Published on 24 Jun 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!

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Perspective - Blog

Beware the desire to "make hay while the sun shines" – the ASA warns marketers to "think very carefully" before making COVID-19 claims

Published on 17 Jun 2020. By Sarah Mountain, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate

There is no denying the recent popularity of health and wellness trends: As at the end of 2018, the market had an estimated global value of $4.2 trillion. During the current climate, it has understandably gathered even more traction, with consumers increasingly concerned about obtaining and maintaining healthy bodies and minds.

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #10

Published on 10 Jun 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure.

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Perspective - Blog

RPC Bites #9

Published on 29 May 2020. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Ben Mark, Partner

Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!

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Perspective - Blog

The ASA bites back – Burger King 'Rebel Whopper' ads ruled to be misleading and in breach of advertising rules

Published on 07 May 2020. By Ben Mark, Partner

At the start of the year, Veganuary hit the headlines, with the British public challenged to ditch animal by-products in favour of a plant-based diet for the month of January.

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Perspective - Blog

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.

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Perspective - Blog

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.

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Perspective - Blog

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.

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Perspective - Blog

Interim injunctions and competing public interests (Attorney General v BBC)

Published on 22 Apr 2022. By Mafruhdha Miah, Senior Associate

In Her Majesty's Attorney General for England and Wales v British Broadcasting Corporation [2022] EWHC 826 (QB), an interim injunction has been granted in favour of the Attorney General (AG) to restrain the BBC from broadcasting the identity and image of an alleged covert human intelligence source for MI5 (known only as ‘X’) who is accused of being abusive to two former partners and using his position with MI5 to terrorise and control one of the women. The injunction was granted on the basis that, while it "represented a very significant interference with the right of the BBC to freedom of expression and the correlative right of the public to receive the information the BBC wishes to publish" [23], such a measure was necessary in order to prevent a real and immediate risk to X’s life or safety, as well as the potential wider impact of publication on national security.

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Perspective - Blog

No bouncing back for directors

Published on 20 May 2024. By James Wickes, Partner and Adam Craggs, Partner and Catherine Zakarias-Welch, Knowledge Lawyer

Banned! Fraudsters! – Terms used by the Insolvency Service for directors who abused the government backed loan scheme which was put in place to help businesses struggling during the pandemic.

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Perspective - Blog

AI in auditing: Embracing a new age for the profession

Published on 08 Jul 2024. By Ash Daniells, Senior Associate

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a rather new concept for many (ignoring those versed in 80’s Sci-Fi movies); it’s something many don’t know much about and certainly don’t use in our day-to-day lives (or at least appreciate we are using). However, that’s not the case for everyone. Auditors have long been reaping the benefits of AI, but are auditors just scratching the surface of what AI can offer and what impact will an increased use have on their insurance requirements and claims they face?

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Perspective - Blog

Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act becomes law

Published on 04 Jun 2024. By David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech and Chris Ross, Partner and Leonia Chesterfield, Of Counsel and Melanie Musgrave, Of Counsel

Following the announcement of a date for the general election, the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCC) rapidly sped through the final stages of parliamentary processes to become law on 24 May 2024

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Perspective - Blog

Virtual billboards: the future of immersive advertising?

Published on 15 Jan 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner and Elizabeth Alibhai, Partner and Nick Lauw, Partner

With the deployment of immersive technologies poised to become the norm, the implementation of infrastructure for "virtual billboards", and the "property digital rights" which they demand, is demonstrating a lucrative gap in the market and huge growth potential.

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Perspective - Blog

Thaler v Comptroller [2023] UKSC 49: the UKSC rules that AI cannot be an 'inventor'

Published on 10 Jan 2024. By Matthew Jones, Partner

To the surprise of no one, the UK Supreme Court (UKSC) has finally ruled that an artificial intelligence (AI) cannot be an inventor for the purposes of UK patent law. This judgment accords with the decisions of the lower courts in the UK and the initial ruling of the UKIPO. It also reflects similar findings from most of courts around the world where the claimant, Dr Thaler, brought similar actions.

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Perspective - Blog

Criminal Liability for Senior Managers under the Online Safety Act

Published on 05 Oct 2023. By Jessica Kingsbury, Associate

Under the Online Safety Act (OSA), senior managers of in-scope services could be held personally liable in certain circumstances for the company's non-compliance with obligations within the legislation.

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Perspective - Blog

UK tech cases warn of liability clause drafting pitfalls

Published on 21 Sep 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner

Excluding and limiting liability is a vital part of any commercial contract. The irony, though, is that despite its importance, almost any exclusion or limitation of liability — if pored over to the nth degree — will have some ambiguity in the face of complex and often unforeseen consequences of breach.

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Perspective - Blog

The November 2023 AI safety summit and the UK's direction of travel

Published on 29 Aug 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Charles Buckworth, Partner and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

The government has confirmed that the UK AI safety summit will be held at Bletchley Park on 1 and 2 November 2023.

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Perspective - Blog

Telecoms supply agreement excludes "loss of profit" claim under "anticipated profits" liability exclusion (EE v Virgin Mobile)

Published on 25 Aug 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Ben Harris, Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

In line with a number of recent cases, in EE Limited v Virgin Mobile Telecoms Limited [2023] EWHC 1989 (TCC) the courts have shown that parties generally cannot avoid clear wording contained in exclusion clauses in order to recover losses that have been expressly excluded (in this case, loss of profits).

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Perspective - Blog

Rolls-Royce entitled to hit the brakes in dispute over termination of a software services agreement (Topalsson v Rolls-Royce)

Published on 14 Aug 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Ben Harris, Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

In Topalsson GmbH v Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Limited [2023] EWHC 1765 (TCC), the High Court has provided useful guidance on how to determine whether a software implementation timeline agreed by the parties is binding, when implementation is considered complete and in what circumstances failing to complete implementation by the contractual deadlines entitles the customer to terminate the contract.

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