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UK government updates NSIA market guidance and statement on call-in powers
Recent developments such as the removal of Huawei from the UK's 5G networks and President Biden's 2023 executive order on outbound investment in sensitive technologies have brought into focus potential national security risks arising from global trade and investment.
Read moreProposed removal of requirement for shareholder vote on significant transactions and related party transactions: FCA provides update on Listing Rule reforms
The FCA has provided an update on reforms to the Listing Rules proposed last year in its discussion paper DP22/2.
Read moreKey takeaways from the first year of the national security regime
The UK's new national security screening regime has now been in operation for over a year. This blog discusses the key takeaways from the first decisions to be made under the UK's new national security screening regime.
Read moreSpring Budget 2023 - Main Tax Announcements
This blog discusses some of the key tax changes announced in this week's Spring Budget.
Read moreWhen is a director personally liable for a company's wrongs?
A recent Court of Appeal judgment considers when a director might be liable for wrongs committed by the company (including, specifically, by way of accessory liability).
Read moreMeaning of contractual duty of good faith
The Court of Appeal has taken a restrictive interpretation of an express duty of good faith in a decision handed down on 21 October 2022 - Re Compound Photonics Group Ltd; Faulkner v. Vollin Holdings Ltd [2022] EWCA Civ 1371. This decision is important as (i) the Court of Appeal judgment provides a lengthy examination of the meaning of a contractual duty of good faith, and (ii) the decision casts doubt on some previous case law on this point (including overturing the High Court's decision).
Read moreRestrictive covenants in shareholders' agreements and commercial contracts
The Court of Appeal has recently reaffirmed the approach to the enforceability of restrictive covenants in shareholders' agreements and other commercial contracts.
Read moreCorporate governance for large private companies
For financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2019, large private companies will need to adhere to the requirements contained in a new corporate governance code published by the Financial Reporting Council. The introduction of the new code followed multiple scandals which revealed poor corporate practices and neglect of stakeholders' interests. As a result, the code seeks to rebuild confidence and trust in these large private companies.
Read more'Green Finance' enters the mainstream
With the UK's recent commitment to cut emissions to net zero by 2050, the financial sector is looking to 'green finance' to encourage investment in sustainable and environmentally-friendly businesses. Recent examples, like Nokia's €1.5 billion credit facility announced last week, show that environmental impact is becoming a key consideration for lenders and borrowers.
Read moreNational Security and Investment – the EU's response
National security concerns regarding Huawei continue to make headlines around the world, against the backdrop of an ongoing US / Chinese trade war. This blog looks at new EU rules on foreign investments which raise security or public order concerns.
Read moreMore than you bargained for: the implied duty of good faith
The recent High Court decision in Bates v. Post Office (No. 3) confirms a general principle that if a contract is a "relational" contract then it will include an implied obligation of good faith. Previously, there had been doubt whether such a general principle exists, as historically this was not an approach recognised by the English courts.
Read moreDerivative transactions – the obligation to report
As the recent £34.9m fine for Goldman Sachs shows, the FCA takes the obligation to report derivative transactions seriously. How does this affect parties who trade infrequently, and what changes to the reporting requirement can we expect post-Brexit?
Read morePart Three: Five practical implications of side letters and most favoured nations clauses for fund investors and managers
In this third and final part of our series on side letters and most favoured nation (MFN) clauses in private equity funds, we examine five practical implications for investors and managers.
Read morePart Two: Side letters and fundraising
In this second of a three part series, we look more closely at side letters and most favoured nation (MFN) clauses in the private equity space.
Read morePart One: Overview of side letters & MFNs when investing in private equity funds
In the first of a three part series we consider the importance of side letters and most favoured nations (MFN) clauses in private equity funds.
Read moreAI in auditing: Embracing a new age for the profession
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?
Read moreThaler v Comptroller [2023] UKSC 49: the UKSC rules that AI cannot be an 'inventor'
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.
Read moreEU AI ACT-ion stations
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.
Read moreWhat To Know About AI Fraudsters Before Facing Disputes
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.
Read moreThe November 2023 AI safety summit and the UK's direction of travel
The government has confirmed that the UK AI safety summit will be held at Bletchley Park on 1 and 2 November 2023.
Read moreGenerative AI and intellectual property rights—the UK government's position
The IPO is to produce a code of practice by the summer that will provide guidance to support AI firms in accessing copyright protected works as an input to their models.
Read moreSports 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
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.
Read moreUK Government sets out proposals for regulation of AI
What are the UK Government’s plans for the future regulation of artificial intelligence (AI)?
Read moreUK government announces the launch of an AI standards hub
What does the new artificial intelligence (AI) standards hub mean for businesses seeking to develop AI technologies?
Read moreICO publishes guidance on AI decision making
How can companies comply with data regulation when using AI to make decisions affecting individuals?
Read moreThe Times recognises RPC among Best Law Firms 2024
International law firm, RPC, has been recognised by The Times in its Best Law Firms 2024 report, an annual ranking of the top 250 law firms in England and Wales.
Read moreTechnology in Insurance
On 16 June 2022 RPC hosted an afternoon of talks and panel sessions on the theme of 'Technology in Insurance', the culmination of the firm's TechWeek which brings market experts and lawyers together to discuss risks and opportunities with new technologies within different business sectors.
Read moreA guide to buying and selling English residential property
With the advent of COVID-19, Brexit and global market volatility, the mature, fast-moving English real estate sector faces unprecedented challenges. However history has shown the English residential property market to be particularly resilient and many consider this a time of unique opportunity.
Read moreCovered: Insurance regulation – Asia edition
Covered: Insurance regulation – Asia edition
Read moreConsumer duty and claims handling – beware of sludge practices
The Consumer Duty is a new regulatory framework developed by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) aimed at creating a higher standard of consumer protection in the retail markets. The FCA expects the Consumer Duty to be a significant shift for the market in terms of its expectations on firms and in this blog we consider this shift in the context of insurance claims handling.
Read moreChambers Asia Pacific recommends RPC Premier Law in three categories
Chambers Asia Pacific recommends RPC Premier Law in three categories, with a new ranking for Corporate/M&A: Domestic in its recently published 2024 edition.
Read moreArbitration or winding up?
In But Ka Chon v Interactive Brokers LLC [2019] HKCA 873, the Hong Kong Court of Appeal upheld a lower court's decision to reject an application to set aside a statutory demand. The appellant had argued (among other things) that an arbitration clause in his agreement with the respondent required their dispute to be referred to arbitration.
Read moreNo objection: When is a party barred from challenging jurisdiction where it continues in the arbitration?
The High Court has provided invaluable guidance on the factors that it will consider when determining when a party is barred from challenging jurisdiction under s. 67 of the Arbitration Act 1996 (the Act) by failing to raise an objection while continuing to take part in the arbitration.
Read moreNew digital markets regime guidance published for consultation
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 received Royal Assent on 24 May 2024. This article considers who will be impacted by the new digital markets regime, the requirements it will introduce, and how it may be enforced, and summarises the CMA’s new draft guidance under consultation on how it intends to implement the regime in practice.
Read moreThe Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act – the Competition Perspective
This article considers the key changes to general competition law under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act which received Royal Assent on 24 May 2024 and is expected to enter into force in the Autumn.
Read moreWhistle-blowing on illegal cartels drops 70% in 5 years
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
Read moreDelay at your peril: High Court holds that two week delay causes party to lose right to object to irregularity in arbitration
In Radisson Hotels v Hayat Otel, (1). the High Court found that the claimant ("Radisson") had lost its right to challenge an arbitration award (the "Award") by continuing to take part in the proceedings for a period of two weeks after becoming aware of improper conduct by one of the arbitrators (the "Arbitrator"). The court also rejected Radisson's subsequent application seeking to redact the identities of the parties and any details which might identify them in the judgment, in order to preserve the confidentiality of the underlying arbitration (2). While the judge acknowledged Radisson's desire to keep the arbitration confidential, this ultimately did not outweigh the general public interest in open justice.
Read moreBest of both worlds with PD57AC? High Court allows opinion evidence in factual witness statement
The High Court has allowed the witness statement of a factual witness even though the claimant had previously intended to instruct him as an expert and his statement contained opinion evidence (Polypipe Limited v Peter Russell Davidson) ([2023] EWHC 1691 (Comm). The judge confirmed that such evidence is admissible where the witness is suitably qualified, but it will not be accorded the same weight as a formal expert report. Separately, this appears to be the first reported case in which the court accepted that permission for an extension to the deadline for expert reports could be made conditional on disclosure of any unserved report(s), though the court declined to prescribe that condition in this case.
Read moreScots law decision confirms that privilege doesn’t change its spots
The Scots law judgment in University of Dundee v Chakraborty [2023] CSIH 22 has reiterated that whether or not a document is protected by legal professional privilege is determined at the point in time at which the document is created. A non-privileged document cannot later acquire privileged status. The judgment also made certain findings about waiver of privilege which may be more controversial, particularly in the context of regulatory investigations.
Read moreCourt of Appeal orders solicitor be struck off for serious breaches of accounts rules
In an important judgment in Law Society of Hong Kong v A Solicitor, the Court of Appeal set aside an order that a solicitor be suspended from practice for 24 months and substituted it with an order that he be struck off from the roll of solicitors.
Read moreThe CAT's new approach: I can't afford a carriage (dispute)
Since the collective proceedings regime in the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) kicked off, a number of carriage disputes have arisen. So-called 'carriage disputes' arise when there are two or more competing proposed class representatives (PCRs) seeking certification (and therefore 'carriage') of overlapping class actions.
Read moreBook Launch – A Commentary on the LCIA ARB Rules Edition 2
We are delighted to welcome you to join us for the official book launch of "A Commentary on the LCIA Arbitration Rules" written by Philip Clifford KC and Shai Wade.
Read moreSingapore Court of Appeal Sends Acceleration of Interest Payment Clause To The Penalty Box
Commercial contracts commonly include clauses providing for liquidated damages, accelerated repayment or late payment interest in the event one party breaches the contract.
Read moreCase Note: Anupam Mittal v Westbridge Ventures II Investment Holdings [2023] SGCA 1 – Examining the law governing arbitrability at the pre-award stage
The Court of Appeal ("CA") in the case of Anupam Mittal v Westbridge Ventures II Investment Holdings [2023] SGCA 1 ("Anupam Mittal") had to determine a previously undecided point of law in Singapore: which system of law governs the arbitrability of a dispute at the pre-award stage, i.e., the law of the seat of the arbitration (lex fori) or the law governing the arbitration agreement.
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