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Perspective - Blog

New developments in AI may put law firms at greater risk of phishing fraud

Published on 28 Apr 2023. By Will Sefton, Partner and Head of Professional and Financial Risks and Tom Morris, Associate

As the computing power of Artificial Intelligence continues to grow exponentially, we consider how generative technology may expand the reach of traditional phishing frauds aimed at law firms.

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.

Perspective - Blog

Generative AI and intellectual property rights—the UK government's position

Published on 03 May 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Jani Ihalainen, Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

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.

Perspective - Blog

Silicon Valley, Signature and Credit Suisse: what do they all share(holder) in common?

Published on 28 Mar 2023. By James Wickes, Partner and Oliver Knox, Partner and Jessica Pease, Associate

In what has been termed "the biggest banking crisis since 2008", both Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank have collapsed, and Credit Suisse has been rescued. Whether more banks are to follow suit is yet to be seen.

Perspective - Blog

The "Unicorn Kingdom's" AI White Paper

Published on 12 May 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Ricky Cella, Senior Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

The UK's pro-innovation AI White paper has been published. It landed almost simultaneously with an open letter from the Future of Life Institute which called for a six-month halt in work on AI systems more powerful than the generative AI system: GPT-4.

Perspective - Blog

Property Digital Rights – A New Revenue Stream in a Digital World

Published on 13 Jul 2023. By Elizabeth Alibhai, Partner

Advances in technology are opening up exciting new frontiers for property owners and managers. Almost two billion people globally use augmented reality (AR) on their mobile phones and nearly 400 million engage in a virtual metaverse reality.

Perspective - Blog

Navigating the impact of AI on work: challenges, opportunities, and the human touch

Published on 20 Mar 2024. By Patrick Brodie, Partner

The fear of job losses because of technology and automation, including artificial intelligence, has been with us since the 1960s. For some time, academics have predicted the decline of routine, rules-based and process-driven roles.

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.

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.

Perspective - Blog

Understanding and managing the risks in artificial intelligence (AI) technology projects

Published on 12 Apr 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Ricky Cella, Senior Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

How do you go about managing the risks and challenges that might arise during the deployment of AI technology?

Perspective - Blog

AI technology projects – the regulatory landscape

Published on 24 Feb 2023. By Helen Armstrong, Partner and Ricky Cella, Senior Associate and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

Parties engaged in AI technology projects should be mindful of the regulatory landscape, and the changes taking place within it. A failure to do so could result in an AI solution that is not compliant from a regulatory perspective, the use of which potentially creates risk for the technology provider and user.

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.

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

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.

Perspective - Blog

Legislation Empowering the CMA's Digital Markets Unit Introduced into Parliament

Published on 05 May 2023. By David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech and Chris Ross, Partner and Melanie Musgrave, Of Counsel and Leonia Chesterfield, Of Counsel

The long-anticipated Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (the Bill) has now begun its parliamentary journey following its introduction on 25 April 2023. Described as a "flagship bill" by the CEO of the Competition and Markets Authority (the CMA), the Bill not only introduces major landscape reforms to the UK's consumer protection regime and significant enhancements to the CMA's competition law powers, it also ushers in a new regime for digital markets. The Bill has the potential to be a "watershed moment" in how UK digital markets are regulated.

Perspective - Blog

Parliamentary 'wash up' – which Bills made it through?

Published on 31 May 2024. By Paul Joukador, Partner and Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer and Shahil Goodka, Trainee Solicitor

On 22 May 2024, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that a General Election will take place on 4 July 2024. Parliament was then prorogued on 24 May 2024 which allowed a mere 2 days for 'wash up' - the process by which outstanding bills may be rushed through the parliamentary process.

Press and Media

The Times recognises RPC among Best Law Firms 2024

Published on 30 Oct 2023.

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.

Perspective - Blog

How should Financial Institutions manage the rise of non-financial misconduct?

Published on 19 Feb 2024. By James Wickes, Partner and Amber Oldershaw, Associate

Over the last few months, Parliament's Treasury Committee has sought to examine the many barriers faced by women in financial services through the aptly named "Sexism in the City" inquiry.

Perspective - Blog

Quid game – fixed costs; pick your battles

Published on 30 Jan 2024. By Thom Lumley, Partner and Chris Gower, Associate and Sally Lord, Knowledge Lawyer

Ordinarily, the claims that make the headlines are those that have the highest value or the most significant impact on the public. With the costs landscape ever-changing in civil claims, without careful planning and strategy, even modest claims can end up biting defendants in the longer-term.

Perspective - Blog

Castle caper condoned? Court of Appeal rules on dishonest condonation and aggregation under solicitors policy in Discovery Land v AXIS

Published on 17 Jan 2024. By Graham Reid, Partner and Will Sefton, Partner and Head of Professional and Financial Risks and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

On 15 January 2024 the Court of Appeal handed down judgment in Discovery Land Company LLC and others v Axis Specialty Europe SE [2024] EWCA Civ 7. The case concerns the ability of a solicitors’ insurer to decline cover for a claim on grounds of dishonesty and, in particular, the meaning of “condonation” of dishonesty. It also concerns how the aggregation clause operates in a solicitors’ professional indemnity insurance policy.

Perspective - Blog

The Terminator: A Tale of Two Insurance Claims

Published on 19 Dec 2023. By Peter Mansfield, Partner

It is 2029, and the Machines are losing their war with Humanity. What to do?

Perspective - Blog

Project Angel Bidco v AXIS - what are the key takeaways for warranty and indemnity insurers?

Published on 30 Nov 2023. By James Wickes, Partner and Matthew Wood, Senior Associate and Matt Ward, Trainee Solicitor

On 31 October 2023, the London Circuit Commercial Court gave judgment in Project Angel Bidco Limited (in administration) v Axis Managing Agency Limited & Ors (2023) EWHC 2649.

Perspective - Blog

Wordings do matter

Published on 06 Nov 2023. By Tamsin Hyland, Partner

Contract drafting has been brass tacks for lawyers since the dawn of time. In its broadest terms, it involves putting the scope of a bargain reached between parties into clear and effective language.

Perspective - Blog

Storm Babet, flooding and the insurance implications

Published on 24 Oct 2023. By Victoria Sherratt, Partner and Andrew Roper, Partner and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

Subtropical cyclone Storm Babet is currently responsible for over 350 flood warnings in the UK, with more flood warnings expected later this week.

Perspective - Blog

Getting to know Global Access Lawyers

Published on 09 Oct 2023. By Carmel Green, Partner and Simon Laird, Global Head of Insurance

Global Access Lawyers brings together some of the worlds leading insurance law practices. In the following pages get to know the different law firms that make up Global Access, who we are, where we operate and the kind of work we do. We hope you find this useful to understand the international reach of Global Access.

Perspective - Blog

Court of Appeal finds in favour of FSCS on scope of the Policyholder Protection Rules (PRR)

Published on 14 Sep 2023. By Tamsin Hyland, Partner

Tamsin Hyland explores the recent judgment of JR (On the application of Manchikalapati v FSCS [2023] EWCA Civ 1006) and its relevance to insurance policy wording.

Perspective - Blog

What does the FRC's proposed corporate governance overhaul mean for D&O exposures?

Published on 04 Jul 2023. By James Wickes, Partner and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has now published the draft new UK Corporate Governance Code following the Government's requirements that it incorporate more robust internal control and prudent and effective risk management requirements. The deadline for responses to the FRC's consultation is 13 September 2023.

Perspective - Blog

Consumer duty and claims handling – beware of sludge practices

Published on 10 May 2023. By Jonathan Charwat, Partner

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.

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.

Perspective - Blog

Ginfringement: Success for M&S in the Court of Appeal in registered design spat with Aldi

Published on 15 Mar 2024. By Rory Graham, Associate and Georgia Davis, Of Counsel

M&S and Aldi's gin bottle battle over design rights has reached a conclusion (for now) as the Court of Appeal has unanimously upheld the IPEC's decision that Aldi's bottle infringed M&S' design.

Perspective - Blog

Clear as gin: M&S and Aldi take liquor bottle battle to the Court of Appeal

Published on 26 Jan 2024. By Rory Graham, Associate and Georgia Davis, Of Counsel

Intellectual property enthusiasts' favourite supermarket adversaries were back at loggerheads this week as M&S and Aldi appear before the Court of Appeal. The pair sought to thrash out a first instance decision handed down in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) regarding alleged infringement of M&S' registered design rights in a gin bottle.

Perspective - Blog

M&S v Aldi – lookalike claims lit up by design rights

Published on 24 Mar 2023. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Harpreet Kaur, Associate

As lookalike products rise in prominence, the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court's (IPEC) recent ruling that the sale and advertisement of Aldi's 'Infusionist' range of favoured gins infringed M&S's UK registered designs protecting the light-up bottles containing its 'Snow Globe' gin range (Marks and Spencer PLC v Aldi Stores Limited [2023] EWHC 178) highlights the utility of registered design rights in circumstances where other intellectual property rights (IPR) are often less able to provide protection.

Perspective - Blog

Lookalikes and passing off—bottle design get-up claim (Au Vodka)

Published on 07 Nov 2022. By Ciara Cullen, Partner and Sarah Mountain, Partner and Samuel Coppard, Senior Associate

Currently there's significant activity in the lookalikes space. The Au Vodka claim (Au Vodka v NE10 Vodka [2022] EWHC 2371), which focuses on bottle design 'get-up', arrived in the courts for an interim injunction hearing in September 2022. Au Vodka's application was dismissed. The judgment shows that passing off—get-up claims based on shape can be challenging to bring, particularly at the interim stage, and prompts the question of whether it's possible to bring Cofemel and copyright into the lookalikes arena.

Perspective - Blog

12 top tips for using AI in retail and consumer businesses

Published on 18 Dec 2023. By Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer

Last year, we set out our top ten tips for retailers entering the metaverse. This year, AI is the hot topic in retail and pretty much everywhere else! AI is redefining the retail and consumer industry. It can improve consume engagement, aid decision-making, curate tailored promotions, improve efficiencies, and reduce costs. So what do retailers and consumer bran need to be mindful of when deploying AI?

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".

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.

Press and Media

RPC reacts to UK Government White Paper on AI

Published on 30 Mar 2023. By Jon Bartley, Partner and Ciara Cullen, Partner and Richard Breavington, Partner and Kelly Thomson, Partner, ESG strategy lead and Helen Armstrong, Partner and Patrick Brodie, Partner and Mamata Dutta, Partner

RPC reacts to UK Government White Paper on AI

Profile

Kim Wright

Senior Associate

Perspective - Blog

Compulsory mediation in small claims: a quick guide for the busy lawyer

Published on 28 Jun 2024. By Kirstie Pike, Partner

A new pilot scheme requiring parties in money claims valued at up to £10,000 to take part in a compulsory free one-hour mediation appointment, provided by HMCTS' Small Claims Mediation Service – before the claim can then proceed to Court if no settlement is reached.

Perspective - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was – 10 May

Published on 10 May 2024. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

Perspective - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was – 3 May

Published on 03 May 2024. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

Perspective - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was – 26 April

Published on 26 Apr 2024. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

Perspective - Publication

Money Covered: The Week that Was - 19 April

Published on 19 Apr 2024. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

Perspective - Publication

Money Covered: The Week that Was - 25 August

Published on 25 Aug 2023. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

Perspective - Publication

Money Covered: The Week that Was - 04 August

Published on 04 Aug 2023. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

Perspective - Blog

Fix up, look sharp: FRC update

Published on 01 Aug 2023. By Will Sefton, Partner and Head of Professional and Financial Risks and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

What's the latest on fixed recoverable costs in professional negligence claims?

Perspective - Publication

Money Covered: The Week that Was - 28 July

Published on 28 Jul 2023. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

Perspective - Publication

Money Covered: The Week that Was - 07 July

Published on 07 Jul 2023. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

Perspective - Blog

A matter of interpretation – the Supreme Court look at contractual interpretation once more

Published on 24 Feb 2023. By Poppy Hay, Associate and Laura Stocks, Partner

In their recent Judgment in Sara & Hossein Asset Holdings Ltd (a company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands) v Blacks Outdoor Retails Ltd [2023] UKSC 2 the Supreme Court adopted a commercially balanced interpretation of a lease; rejecting the overly textual approach of the Court of Appeal in favour of reading the relevant clause in the context of the lease as a whole.