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Cyber_Bytes - Issue 8 2020

Published on 10 Mar 2020. By Richard Breavington, Partner and Christopher Ashton, Senior Associate and Rachel Ford, Partner

Welcome to the eighth 2020 edition of Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly roundup of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.

Perspective - Blog

Cyber_Bytes - Issue 9

Published on 09 Mar 2020. By Richard Breavington, Partner and Christopher Ashton, Senior Associate and Rachel Ford, Partner

Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly roundup of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.

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Are you compliant with the new rules in Singapore? Asia? Beyond?

Published on 27 Feb 2020.

With the implementation of the GDPR in Europe (2018) and the rise of serious cyber-attacks in Asia, many APAC countries are making major changes to their data privacy laws. Navigating the various regulatory regimes can be complex particularly for companies doing business across the region and beyond.

Perspective - Blog

Cyber_Bytes - Issue 7 2020

Published on 10 Feb 2020. By Richard Breavington, Partner and Christopher Ashton, Senior Associate and Rachel Ford, Partner

Welcome to the seventh 2020 edition of Cyber_Bytes, our bi-weekly roundup of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.

Perspective - Blog

Cyber_Bytes - Issue 6 2020

Published on 29 Jan 2020. By Richard Breavington, Partner and Christopher Ashton, Senior Associate and Rachel Ford, Partner

Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, a round up of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks over the first month of 2020.

Perspective - Blog

Cyber_Bytes - Issue 5 2019

Published on 10 Dec 2019. By Richard Breavington, Partner and Christopher Ashton, Senior Associate and Rachel Ford, Partner

Welcome to Cyber_Bytes, a bi-weekly roundup of key developments in cyber, tech and evolving risks.

Perspective - Blog

No Deal Brexit – implications for data and privacy law compliance

Published on 17 Oct 2019. By Jon Bartley, Partner and Richard Breavington, Partner

The Brexit rollercoaster ride continues. At the time of writing, the UK and EU have just announced the agreement of a new withdrawal deal but there are serious doubts about whether it will be backed by Parliament. Despite the requirements of the Benn Act, the risk of the UK leaving the EU without a deal continues to be a concern.

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Pushing back on APP scams

Published on 18 Jul 2019. By Ian Dinning, Senior Associate

An Authorised Push Payment (APP) is where a payer instructs their payment service provider, such as their bank, to send money from their account to another. These payments are usually made through the Faster Payment Service or CHAPS.

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Brevan Howard's gagging order against Reuters upheld by the Court of Appeal in breach of confidence case

Published on 10 Jul 2017.

The news agency, Reuters, has lost its appeal against an injunction, which prevented it from reporting leaked confidential and commercially sensitive information concerning a leading global alternative asset manager, Brevan Howard Asset Management LLP.

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Brexit does not spell the end of the GDPR

Published on 08 Feb 2017.

The General Data Protection Regulation (the GDPR) is due to become law on 25 May 2018. As this will be before “Brexit” (Britain’s exit from the EU) takes effect, the GDPR will apply in the UK from that date.

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18 months on - the ICO reflects on Google Spain

Published on 11 Nov 2015. By Alex Wilson, Partner

The ICO has recently blogged on the cases it has received in the year and a half since the Google Spain decision last May.

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Apps: regulators globally push for data transparency

Published on 16 Feb 2015.

“Not in front of the telly: Warning over ‘listening’ TV”.

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Brand & Khan obtain continuing "anti-harassment" order against masseuse

Published on 29 Sep 2014.

The High Court has recently granted an extension to an anti-harassment injunction taken out by Russell Brand and Jemima Goldsmith, otherwise known as Jemima Khan (the Claimants), against a masseuse (the Defendant).

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A Chinese lesson for private investigators

Published on 30 Aug 2013. By Keith Mathieson, Partner

Those engaged in the investigation business – whether sniffing out personal or corporate intelligence – are well aware of the need to comply with laws that protect personal information.

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Can schools take pupils' fingerprints?

Published on 09 Apr 2013. By Keith Mathieson, Partner

The Times reported last week that parents at an independent school in north London had protested when fingerprints were allegedly taken from pupils without consent with a view to the fingerprints being used for the automated lunch payment system.

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A former editor’s view on the naked Royal

Published on 22 Aug 2012. By Keith Mathieson, Partner

There’s an interesting view on the naked pictures of Prince Harry from a former tabloid editor.

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Access to Documents in Criminal Proceedings – Guardian Challenge Secures Change

Published on 03 Apr 2012. By Keith Mathieson, Partner

The Court of Appeal has ruled that where documents have been placed before a judge and referred to in the course of open proceedings, the default position should be that access should be permitted on the open justice principle.

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Cabinet minister's 17-year-old son gets privacy injunction but not anonymity

Published on 15 Feb 2012. By Keith Mathieson, Partner

The son of Caroline Spelman, the Environment Secretary, has obtained an injunction against the publishers of the Daily Star Sunday.

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A "tenuous claim to privacy": Hutcheson v News Group

Published on 23 Jul 2011. By Keith Mathieson, Partner

Can you expect to keep a second family private? That was the ambitious hope of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay's father-in-law, Chris Hutcheson.

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A former judge reflects on privacy injunctions

Published on 15 Jun 2011. By Keith Mathieson, Partner

Mr Justice Eady's interview last month by Joshua Rosenberg -

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A digest of recent news (1) - UK judgments

Published on 30 May 2011. By Keith Mathieson, Partner

For one reason and another, the blog has been unable to report on much of the recent news. This entry is an attempt to remedy the situation. Normal service should be resumed shortly.

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Another ruling on privacy injunctions

Published on 22 Mar 2011.

Judgment was handed down today in a case where a privacy injunction was made in 2008.

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Can employers spy on their employees?

Published on 11 Mar 2011.

The US media have reported a number of instances in which companies have hired private detectives to spy on workers taking "sickies".

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Anonymity order lifted in marital privacy case

Published on 28 Feb 2011.

A High Court judge has lifted an anonymity order protecting the identity of a formerly married couple involved in a privacy dispute.

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Anonymity proposed for teachers accused by pupils

Published on 31 Jan 2011.

The controversial Education Bill was published on 26 January 2011.

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A mass outbreak of anonymity: CDE and FGH v MGN and LMN

Published on 20 Jan 2011. By Keith Mathieson, Partner

It is not unusual for claimants in privacy cases to be anonymised. It is less common for defendants and distinctly unusual for non-parties.

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7/7 footage withheld from public to protect privacy of victims and their families

Published on 14 Jan 2011.

The Coroner conducting the inquest into the terror attacks in London on 7 July 2005 has ordered that certain footage shown in court of the aftermath of the 7/7 attacks should not be released to the media.

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Anonymity of egg and sperm donors

Published on 13 Jan 2011.

A survey by Manchester Fertility Services highlights issues of privacy concerning egg and sperm donation.

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Applications for privacy injunctions – when notice need not be given

Published on 10 Jan 2011. By Keith Mathieson, Partner

In DFT v TFD [2010] EWHC 2335 (QB) Sharp J made an order to restrain publication of allegedly private and confidential information without notice having been given to either the respondent or the media.

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Anonymisation of parties in matrimonial proceedings

Published on 10 Jan 2011. By Keith Mathieson, Partner

The Court of Appeal has lifted an order by a family court judge which directed that the parties to the proceedings should be anonymised.

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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.

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SRA fining powers – putting the SDT out of business?

Published on 29 Aug 2023. By Graham Reid, Partner and Tom Wild, Senior Associate

The SRA is on a mission to increase its powers to levy financial penalties. The last 12 months have seen a substantial increase in its fining powers, and a grant of unlimited fining powers in matters relating to financial crime and SLAPPs is imminent. The SRA has now dramatically upped the ante, seeking the power to levy unlimited fines in all cases of serious misconduct. With the Legal Services Board appearing supportive, the proposal has the potential profoundly to affect the enforcement of professional discipline within the profession.

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Enhanced Regulatory Supervision of Asset Managers in Europe – Greenwashing Risks

Published on 12 Jul 2023. By James Wickes, Partner and Nick Cumming, Associate

A common methodology has been developed by ESMA to allow national European regulators to share knowledge and experiences to facilitate convergence in how they supervise sustainability related disclosures.

Perspective - Blog

Costs recovered in the Small Claims Track from an unreasonable Litigant in Person

Published on 24 Jan 2023. By Rhian Howell, Partner & Head of Office, Bristol and Daniel Charity, Associate

Most (if not all) litigators will be familiar with the challenge of being on the other side of a claim brought by a litigant in person ("LiP"). The courts expect practitioners to be sensitive to their opponent's lack of legal expertise and familiarity with court rules, but judges have also been clear that they expect all parties – including LiPs – to follow the rules regardless of their legal representation.

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SRA issues Warning Notice on solicitors' involvement in SLAPPs

Published on 20 Dec 2022. By Graham Reid, Partner

SLAPPs (aka 'Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation') is a term coined in the USA. They are becoming the object of increasing concern over here too.

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Hong Kong – Claim pleading duty of care against auditor struck out for "putting the cart before the horse"

Published on 28 Oct 2022. By Antony Sassi, Managing Partner, Asia and David Smyth, Senior Consultant and Anson Lo, Associate

In Chan Kam Cheung v Ronnie K W Choi & Anor [2022] HKCFI 3028, a judge upheld a master's (judicial officer's) decision to strike out the plaintiff shareholder's action against the former auditors of the company.

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Solicitors Entitled to Insurance Cover for Liability for Fees: Royal Sun Alliance Insurance Limited & Others v Tughans (a firm)

Published on 27 Oct 2022. By Nick Bird, Partner and Cheryl Laird, Senior Associate (Scottish Qualified)

In a recent judgment, Foxton J held that a claim for damages against a firm of solicitors for fees which it was contractually entitled to was covered under the firm's professional indemnity insurance. He held that it did not matter if the fees were obtained through the solicitor's fraudulent misrepresentation provided that the solicitor had done what was required under the contract to earn the fees. The decision will not be welcomed by insurers.

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Shorter time limit for Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Act 2010 claims

Published on 08 Sep 2022. By Robert Morris, Partner

A recent judgment has reduced the limitation period for third parties to make direct claims against insurers under the Third Parties (Rights Against Insurers) Act 2010 when compared to claims under the predecessor 1930 Act. The decision will make it easier for insurers to defend such claims on limitation grounds.

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Risky Business: what to do when former clients ask further questions

Published on 22 Aug 2022. By Anna Murley, Senior Associate and Claire Revell, Partner

In Spire Property Development LLP & Anor v Withers LLP [2022] EWCA Civ 970, the Court of Appeal considered the scope of a solicitor's duty when a former client posed questions to a solicitor concerning a transaction after the retainer had ended. The judgment will be of interest to solicitors who are asked for advice in circumstances where no retainer exists.

Perspective - Publication

The Professional Negligence Law Review, Edition 5

Published on 29 Jul 2022. By Nick Bird, Partner

The Professional Negligence Law Review provides an indispensable global overview of the law and practice of professional liability and regulation. It covers the fundamental principles of professional negligence law in each jurisdiction, including obligations, fora, dispute resolution mechanisms, remedies and time bars. The authors then review factors specific to the main professions and conclude with an outline of recent developments and issues to look out for in the year ahead.

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Double warning for legal professionals: do not cut corners with disclosure

Published on 26 Jul 2022.

Further to a recent decision made by the Bar Tribunals and Adjudication Service, the Bar Standards Board has suspended a "top criminal silk" from practice on grounds of professional misconduct in respect of his failure to disclose material evidence during criminal proceedings in 2007. The decision, and the judgment made by the Court of Appeal in those proceedings, reiterates the importance of the ongoing obligation on legal professionals to give disclosure and comply with their duties to the court.

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Post COVID-19 UK: What Will the Professional Negligence Claims Landscape Look Like?

Published on 28 Jun 2022. By Cheryl Laird, Senior Associate (Scottish Qualified) and Will Sefton, Partner and Head of Professional and Financial Risks

The cost of living is at an all-time high, with interest rates increasing and inflation currently sitting at around 9%. The chances of a recession in the UK over the next two years have increased. It will come as no surprise that we expect the number of claims against law firms to rise as the economic downturn takes hold, as was the case in 2008 and recessions before it.

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Lawyers Covered - April 2022

Published on 28 Apr 2022.

Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.

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Important Court of Appeal clarity on the operation of s1(4) of the Civil Liability (Contribution) Act 1978

Published on 12 Apr 2022. By Rhian Howell, Partner & Head of Office, Bristol and Sam Kneebone, Senior Associate

A recent Court of Appeal decision (in which RPC acted for the successful barrister Appellant) provides important clarification on the operation of section 1(4) of the Civil Liability (Contribution) Act 1978 (“the Act”). Although the matter concerned a contribution claim by a solicitor against a barrister brought pursuant to the Act, the decision is of wider relevance/application for litigation practitioners and the Insurance market.

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The X-Client Files: who owns a solicitor's file

Published on 23 Feb 2022. By Claire Revell, Partner

It's a perennial headache for solicitors: what exactly am I supposed to do when a client asks me for 'their file'?

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Good faith does not go both ways

Published on 31 Jan 2022.

It is common knowledge that solicitors owe fiduciary duties to their clients but what about the other way around? Do clients owe a duty of good faith to their solicitors (as an implied term of the retainer)?

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FOS proposals to clear the back-log - attractive or not?

Published on 18 Oct 2021. By Cory Gilbert-Haworth, Associate and Rachael Healey, Partner

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has proposed a temporary approach to the classification of certain complaints in an attempt to alleviate their complaints backlog exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The approach could see firms looking to pro-actively resolve complaints before a defined cut off date before FOS reaches a decision so that the complaint is recorded separately and not as a "change in outcome" (i.e. where a complaint has been rejected by a business and upheld by FOS). The consultation was open for a short two-week period between 4 and 18 October 2021.

Perspective - Publication

The Professional Negligence Law Review, Edition 4

Published on 13 Aug 2021. By Nick Bird, Partner

This fourth edition of The Professional Negligence Law Review provides an indispensable overview of the law and practice of professional liability and regulation in 15 jurisdictions. The Professional Negligence Law Review contains information that is invaluable to the large number of firms, insurers, practitioners and other stakeholders who are concerned with the liability and regulatory issues of professionals across the globe. The variation in law and practice across the different jurisdictions is very noticeable and underlines the usefulness of a guide such as this.