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Johnny Cheung

Associate

Perspective - Publication

Law passed to regulate Significant Investments in Singapore Entities

Published on 12 Jan 2024. By Kenneth Leong, Partner and Jemima Holly Ang, Associate

The Significant Investments Review Bill (the "Bill") was recently passed by Parliament on 9 January 2024, and is expected to take effect in the first half of the year.

Profile

Sarah Chiang

Associate

Perspective - Blog

Building on renewable energy #3 – Anaerobic Digestion

Published on 24 Sep 2020.

Anaerobic digestion is the process by which biodegradable materials are broken down in a controlled environment. Whilst being broken down, the materials emit gas (which can be used as a source of renewable energy), and produce heat (which can also be harnessed on or near-to site). The process also leaves a waste material (digestate), which can be used as fertiliser, contributing to the circular economy.

Profile

Jessica Yates

Perspective - Publication

All is not (necessarily) lost: Crypto crime recovery

Published on 30 Jun 2022. By Adam Craggs, Partner

With over 2 million people in the UK now holding and using cryptocurrency, and the Chancellor announcing that a government backed non-fungible token ("NFT") is to be issued by the Royal Mint this summer, the market for crypto-assets is expected to continue to grow in the coming months and years; so much so that legislation is planned to implement a new regulatory regime for the crypto market.

Perspective - Blog

Commercial Court cracks down on crypto-fraudsters (if it can find them)

Published on 18 Feb 2021. By Dan Wyatt, Partner and Christopher Whitehouse, Senior Associate and Becky Baker , Associate

In the first initial coin offering 'ICO' fraud case before the Commercial Court, Ion Science Limited & Duncan Johns v Persons Unknown & Ors, the court granted permission to serve disclosure orders on two cryptocurrency exchanges through which the claimants' stolen bitcoin had been traced, granted a world-wide freezing order against persons unknown, and gave ground-breaking guidance on the lex situs of crypto-assets.

Perspective - Blog

Drones: don't fly out of bounds (legally)

Published on 27 Jul 2016.

Various commercial industries have already woken up to the myriad opportunities offered by drone technologies. Whilst the regulatory regime evolves, it is important that companies don’t fall foul of the law.

Perspective - Blog

UK Government wants understanding of video games to move to the next level

Published on 12 Jun 2023. By Gowri Chandrashekar, Senior Associate and Zoe Harvey, Associate

On 30 May 2023, the UK Government published a Video Games Research Framework which encourages research on video games and emerging game-related technologies.

Perspective - Blog

CMA ends its investigation into online console gaming subscription practices

Published on 14 Jun 2022. By Jonathan Greenway, Senior Associate and Joshua Charalambous, Partner

The UK Competition Markets Authority (CMA) has now closed its investigation into subscription practices in the online console gaming sector after key players Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft committed to making improvements to their contract terms with a view to better protecting customers.

Perspective - Publication

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.

Perspective - Blog

US and Chinese regulators sign landmark agreement on inspection of Chinese audit work

Published on 02 Sep 2022. By Antony Sassi, Managing Partner, Asia and Samuel Hung, Partner and Jennifer Leung, Associate

On 26 August 2022, the US Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) and the PRC China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) and Ministry of Finance (MoF) signed a Statement of Protocol that would allow US regulators access to audits of Chinese companies listed on the US stock exchanges.

Perspective - Blog

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.

Perspective - Blog

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.

Perspective - Publication

Sports Ticker (27 April 2023) – PL gambling sponsor ban, WWE x UFC merger and Schumacher's AI interview – a speed-read of commercial updates from the sports world

Published on 28 Apr 2023. By Jeremy Drew, Partner, Head of Commercial and Joshua Charalambous, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate and Joseph Akwaboa, Associate

In a fortnight which saw Corach Rambler win the Grand National, the UK & Ireland submit its bid to host the UEFA Euro 2028 men's tournament, and 48,000 runners take to the streets for the London Marathon, we bring you updates on Spotify's new integration with Strava and Team GB's collaboration with Birds Eye. We also feature stories on a controversial AI-generated interview with Michael Schumacher and our own Kate O'Malley's sub-three hour marathon success.

Perspective - Snapshot

UK Government sets out proposals for regulation of AI

Published on 10 Oct 2022. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner

What are the UK Government’s plans for the future regulation of artificial intelligence (AI)?

Perspective - Snapshot

UK government announces the launch of an AI standards hub

Published on 12 Apr 2022. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner

What does the new artificial intelligence (AI) standards hub mean for businesses seeking to develop AI technologies?

Perspective - Snapshot

ICO publishes guidance on AI decision making

Published on 02 Nov 2020. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner

How can companies comply with data regulation when using AI to make decisions affecting individuals?

Perspective - Blog

Myth busting and moving the dial in DEI

Published on 20 Aug 2024. By Kelly Thomson, Partner, ESG strategy lead and Rachel Pears, Head of Responsible Business and Katie Horn, DEIB and Responsible Business Manager (Market Facing)

This article is a summary of a session delivered by Kelly Thomson (Partner, Employment, Engagement & Equality and ESG Strategy Lead at RPC) and Rachel Pears (Head of Responsible Business at RPC), at the second Annual D&I Conference, in partnership with the British Retail Consortium (BRC). During this particular session, common myths and misconceptions surrounding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) were discussed and different sides of various issues were dissected, drawing out the nuances of seemingly polarised positional statements. Below, we address a handful of these myths, offering a balanced perspective on the complexities of DEI and exploring how to drive meaningful progress in our organisations.

Perspective - Blog

Employer lessons from teacher's menopause bias win

Published on 17 Jul 2024. By Kelly Thomson, Partner, ESG strategy lead and Ellie Gelder, Senior Editor Employment & Equality

On May 31, a Scottish employment tribunal made its decision in Allison Shearer v. South Lanarkshire Council and awarded a teacher over £60,000 ($77,829) for disability discrimination and unfair dismissal, following her dismissal for ill health after a period of long¬term sickness absence.

Perspective - Blog

Menopause discrimination: Where are we now?

Published on 16 Nov 2023. By Ellie Gelder, Senior Editor Employment & Equality and Kelly Thomson, Partner, ESG strategy lead and Victoria Othen, External Consultant

October heralded an important legal first when a Leicester employment tribunal began hearing the case of Rooney v Leicester City Council. It is the first case where a person's menopausal symptoms have been deemed by an appeal court to potentially amount to a disability for the purposes of the Equality Act 2010.

Perspective - Blog

Adjusting your recruitment process for a candidate with a disability: What is reasonable?

Published on 18 Sep 2023. By Ellie Gelder, Senior Editor Employment & Equality and Charlotte Reid, Senior Associate

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) has held that a failure to make enquiries into a job applicant's disability amounted to a failure to make reasonable adjustments.

Perspective - Blog

Code of Conduct for Leasing of Retail Premises to take effect from 1 February 2024

Published on 11 Dec 2023. By Bonnie Wong, Of Counsel

Following from the passing of the Lease Agreements for Retail Premises Bill which mandates compliance with the Code of Conduct for Leasing of Retail Premises in Singapore ("Code") for qualifying leases of retail premises earlier this year, the Lease Agreements for Retail Premises Act ("Act') is expected to take effect from 1 February 2024.

Press and Media

Wilko becomes 'yet another casualty' of tough economic conditions facing UK retailers

Published on 10 Aug 2023. By Finella Fogarty, Partner, Head of Restructuring & Insolvency

'Perfect storm' of rising interest rates, increased energy bills, supply chain issues and squeezed customer spending is hitting retailers hard

Press and Media

Local authorities install 8,000 new EV chargers in past year – up just 7%

Published on 31 Jul 2023. By Kimberley Nanson, Senior PR & External Communications Manager

In the last year, around 8,000 public Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers were installed by local authorities in the UK, an increase of just 7% from 7,400 in the previous year , shows research by international law firm RPC.

Perspective - Blog

Register of Overseas Entities – one month since the deadline and thousands still face penalties from failure to register

Published on 06 Mar 2023. By Jon Ely, Partner and Brooke Reed, Associate

The Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 ("the Act") enacted in March 2022 brought into force the register of overseas entities on 1 August 2022. Companies House holds and manages the new register which was introduced to provide greater transparency around UK land ownership. The transitional period ended on 31 January 2023, and as at 3 March 2023, 26,481 out of an estimated 32,440 have registered. Thousands of companies are still to register over a month on from the end of the transitional period, so we've turned our minds to consider the possible consequences of not registering, or delaying registering, as an overseas entity in accordance with the Act, including the potential for the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to apply.

Press and Media

RPC expands real estate practice with the hire of Partner, Jon Ely

Published on 17 Jan 2023. By Jon Ely, Partner

International law firm RPC announced today that commercial property lawyer Jon Ely has joined the firm in Bristol as a Partner in the real estate practice.

Perspective - Blog

Register of Overseas Entities – Register now to keep transactions running smoothly

Published on 07 Sep 2022.

The Economic Crime (Transparency and Enforcement) Act 2022 ("the Act") has been enacted as part of the Government's drive to increase transparency in the ownership of UK land. Companies and other legal entities governed by the law of a country or territory outside of the UK which own land in the UK satisfying certain requirements, or wish to own such land, must now register information with Companies House. A new Register of Overseas Entities ("the ROE") has been created and certain details of the registered overseas entities and their beneficial owners are available to the public.

Perspective - Blog

Business Rates – an unpopular tax imposed in unfortunate circumstances

Published on 06 Dec 2021. By Elizabeth Alibhai, Partner

It is almost trite to say that retailers have had a tricky time over the last 20 months. The combination of enforced closures, and more recent supply chain difficulties and staff shortages have left them reeling. On 1 July the business rates holiday ended and, although rates will be discounted by up to 2/3rds for smaller retailers until March 2022, most will come under increased pressures. It is unsurprising that many are calling for a complete overhaul of the business rates system.

Perspective - Blog

What about the arrears?

Published on 20 Aug 2021.

On 4 August 2021 the Government published a policy statement clarifying their announcement made on 16 June 2021 in relation to the extension of the forfeiture moratorium, the ringfencing of COVID-19 commercial rent debts and the introduction of a binding arbitration process. The Government has also published its own response to the views of over 500 respondents to the call for evidence.

Perspective - Blog

The Forfeiture Moratorium has been extended – But what about the arrears?

Published on 26 Jul 2021.

On 16 June 2021 the Government announced that it is drafting legislation to ringfence outstanding unpaid rent that has accrued during the pandemic in order to protect jobs and give businesses breathing space to recover.

Perspective - Blog

The risks of going large (again)

Published on 21 Jan 2021. By Katharine Cusack, Partner and Alexandra Anderson, Partner

In our July 2020 article , we looked at the case of Hart and Hart v Large, which concerned a survey undertaken by Mr Large for the Harts.

Perspective - Blog

The curse of COVID strikes again – implementation of the Home Survey Standard delayed

Published on 12 Jun 2020. By Alexandra Anderson, Partner and Lucy Cadwallader, Associate

As a result of the lockdown imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the new RICS Home Survey Standard, which was due to be implemented next month has now been delayed until December 2020. Whilst this will allow practitioners more time to become familiar with the new standard, it causes an unwelcome disruption to the introduction of a measure that should provide greater clarity for both surveyors and consumers of what is expected when commissioning and conducting a home survey.

Perspective - Blog

Top 10 for the 10s Claims against surveyors and valuers

Published on 20 May 2020. By Alexandra Anderson, Partner and Felicity Strong, Partner

The 2010s started with an influx of valuation claims, primarily involving lenders seeking to recoup losses suffered as a result of the financial crisis, loans being made to sub-prime borrowers and the declining property market.

Perspective - Blog

RICS Guidance and Key Developments for Surveyors: #2 Coronavirus, valuations and "material uncertainty"

Published on 12 May 2020. By Alexandra Anderson, Partner and Felicity Strong, Partner

The recent lockdown has posed a serious challenge to the UK housing market, with the present and future potential impact of COVID-19 on the market inviting comparisons to the post-2008 recession.

Perspective - Blog

Retailers: new government measures to provide further protection for tenants against aggressive rent collection.

Published on 27 Apr 2020.

When the Coronavirus Act 2020 (the "Act") received royal assent on 25 March 2020, commercial tenants across the country were afforded some relief.

Perspective - Blog

RICS Guidance and Key Developments for Surveyors: #1 Changes to the RICS Minimum Terms

Published on 27 Apr 2020. By Alexandra Anderson, Partner and Katharine Cusack, Partner

In this series of articles, we will be addressing a number of the key risks and challenges that face surveyors and valuers in the current climate.

Perspective - Publication

Architects and COVID-19 – Practical Advice on complying with your Professional Standards

Published on 08 Apr 2020.

Since the UK Government announced its lockdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses have asked their employees to work remotely and that has affected many businesses where physical attendance of clients and sites is important. A recent RIBA survey reported that as many as 81% of architects are now working from home.

Perspective - Blog

Business Rates Reform – Response to COVID-19 and the 2020 outlook

Published on 02 Apr 2020.

This year's budget, announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak on 11 March, attracted particularly high levels of attention from the media and business community. The spread of COVID-19 has put enormous pressure on British businesses in the short-to-medium-term and bricks-and-mortar retailers are especially strained, having come into the crisis on the back of their worst trading conditions for a decade.

Perspective - Blog

Business Tenant Protection from Forfeiture under the Coronavirus Act 2020

Published on 30 Mar 2020. By Elizabeth Alibhai, Partner

Following the Government's 23 March press release in which it was confirmed that commercial tenants who cannot pay their rents "because of Coronavirus" would be protected from eviction, legislation is now in force which goes some way to clarify what this means in practice.

Perspective - Blog

Rents, Returns and Turnover in the Age of Online Retail

Published on 18 Oct 2019.

News has surfaced recently that H&M has approached some of its landlords with a view to agreeing bespoke turnover rent arrangements for new leases and for lease renewals. The arrangements take the form of "total occupational deals" as they propose offering landlords a single sum as a proportion of turnover for each store to cover service charge, rent and business rates.

Perspective - Blog

Adjudication and liquidation – the TCC gets it wrong…but right

Published on 31 Jan 2019.

Back in August, we wrote a blog about adjudication and liquidation, following the judgment in the TCC case of Michael J. Lonsdale (Electrical) Limited v Bresco Electrical Services Limited (in Liquidation) [2018] EWHC 2043 (TCC) (Lonsdale). The judgment concluded, for the reasons set out below, that an adjudicator does not have jurisdiction to determine a dispute involving a company in liquidation (CIL).

Perspective - Blog

What lies ahead for the construction industry in 2019?

Published on 22 Jan 2019.

At the beginning of a new year it is customary to consider what the year ahead may bring. 2019 promises to be eventful not least with the UK's exit from the EU on 29 March 2019. Here's what to look out for in the next 12 months…

Perspective - Blog

Ban of combustible materials in cladding

Published on 21 Dec 2018.

One and a half years after Grenfell, the Building (Amendment) Regulations 2018 come into force and restrict the use of combustible materials in buildings.

Perspective - Blog

Smashing 'Smash and Grab' – Coulson J delivers significant blow to smash and grab tactic

Published on 01 Mar 2018.

Over recent years a body of case law has developed supporting the principle that in the absence of a valid pay less notice an employer is exposed to a 'smash and grab' adjudications for payment of the sum stated as due in a contractor's interim application even if that application is overstated. On Tuesday this week, in what is likely to be his final judgement before moving to the Court of Appeal, Coulson J delivered welcome clarification on the matter in Grove Developments Ltd v S&T (UK) Ltd. Coulson J held that even in the absence of a valid pay less notice it is open to an employer to commence adjudication proceedings for determination of the 'true' value of an interim application potentially blunting the tactical utility of 'smash and grab' adjudications.

Perspective - Blog

RICS Conflict Avoidance Pledge

Published on 12 Feb 2018.

It is a well-known fact that the costs of resolving disputes can quickly escalate, and that it is often not cost and time effective to pursue even mid-sized claims through arbitration or litigation. In an attempt to circumvent the need for this sort of dispute resolution, by avoiding disagreements developing into disputes, the Conflict Avoidance Coalition has formed and introduced a "Conflict Avoidance Pledge".

Perspective - Blog

Retrospective and prospective delay analyses – do they provide the same results?

Published on 26 Jan 2018.

The recent case of Fluor v Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co considered the difference between prospective and retrospective approaches to delay analysis and whether they lead to the same results.

Perspective - Blog

Notification under a specific clause must be clear

Published on 12 Jan 2018.

Systems Pipework Limited (SPL) v Rotary Building Services Limited (RBSL) determines that where a clause may have a draconian effect it is necessary for notification of this clause to include reference to the clause and clearly comply with the clause's purpose and requirements.

Perspective - Blog

12 Drummers Drumming: Pa rum pum pum pum

Published on 18 Dec 2017.

Whilst we all like to get into the festive spirit it's not much fun if you're living next door to those drummers. In this final instalment of the festive blog series we consider what action can be taken against noisy neighbours.

Perspective - Blog

11 pipers piping: How does MEES differ in Scotland?

Published on 15 Dec 2017.

It's day eleven of our festive blog series: The origins of the piping pipers may not be firmly rooted in Scotland, but they brought to our minds thoughts of bagpipes, and other things that are found north of the border. The Scottish were first to implement their energy efficiency regulations but now the English and Welsh are not far behind, with MEES coming into force early next year: what will the differences between the systems be?