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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.

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).

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.

A narrow escape – software services provider entitled to rely on single aggregate liability cap (Drax v Wipro)

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

When it comes to bespoke software development projects, a lot can go wrong. There's risk for the customer such as project delays, software defects, functionality issues and a lack of meeting of minds in terms of project requirements.

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.

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.

New Digital Regulators on the 2023 Horizon: the Digital Markets Unit and the European Centre for Algorithmic Transparency

Published on 02 Dec 2022. By David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech and Chris Ross, Partner and Leonia Chesterfield, Of Counsel

For a number of years, the UK Government has been laying the groundwork to bring in a digital markets regime to regulate digital firms designated as having ‘strategic market status’ (SMS). To be designated as having SMS, a firm must have 'substantial and entrenched market power' in at least one activity. Companies having SMS are likely to include the largest tech firms such as Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft and Meta (the so called 'GAMMA' firms).

Digital services providers—Commission to focus on implementation phase of EU consumer protection legislation

Published on 31 Oct 2022. By David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech and Leonia Chesterfield, Of Counsel and Ellie Chakarto, Associate

The Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) are published in the Official Journal and the plenary vote of the European Parliament on the proposed text of the AI Act is expected once amendments are agreed by negotiators. The Commission is now turning its focus to the implementation phase of these landmark regimes. So, what does the future hold for the European tech sector and how might it differ for the UK?

The EU Digital Markets Act - a focus on gatekeeper obligations and sanctions

Published on 12 Oct 2022. By David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech and Leonia Chesterfield, Of Counsel and Joshy Thomas, Knowledge Lawyer

What key obligations will the Digital Markets Act (DMA) impose on online platforms designated as gatekeepers?

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.

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.

Accessory liability: when will directors be held liable for IP infringements committed by their companies – and what is counted as "profits"?

Published on 20 Jun 2024. By Emma Dunnill, Senior Associate and Rory Graham, Associate

The Supreme Court in Lifestyle Equities CV & Anor v Ahmed & Anor [2024] UKSC 17, has allowed an appeal by two company directors who were found liable as accessories to trade mark infringement by the company in which they were directors. The decision provides helpful clarification on the required elements for accessory liability in the context of IP right infringement claims and confirms the sums to be included in an account of profits if liability is established (spoiler alert: a director's salary is not considered to be "profit").

Online platforms should Swatch out: Samsung found liable for infringing third-party content available on the Samsung Galaxy App store

Published on 22 Jan 2024. By Sarah Mountain, Partner and Emma Dunnill, Senior Associate and Zoe Harvey, Associate

The Court of Appeal in Montres Breguet SA v Samsung Electronics [2023] EWCA Civ 1478 has dismissed Samsung's appeal and upheld a first instance decision which found it liable for trade mark infringement in relation to third-party watch faces available on the Samsung Galaxy App store. This judgment provides guidance on what constitutes "use" of a sign by an online app store and the applicability of the e-Commerce Directive hosting defence.

The Sky's the limit for trade mark applications. Or is it?

Published on 12 Jul 2023. By Sarah Mountain, Partner and Ellie Chakarto, Associate and Noonie Holmes, Associate

How to comply with the FCA's new diversity and inclusion targets for listed companies

Published on 05 May 2022. By Connor Cahalane, Partner, Head of Public Companies and Karen Hendy, Partner, Head of Corporate

The FCA has finalised its new rules on diversity and inclusion on listed company boards and executive committees. The rules, which are set out in the FCA's policy paper PS22/3: Diversity and inclusion on company boards and executive management, are substantially in line with the proposals set out in the FCA's consultation paper CP 21/24. In scope listed companies are required to include a statement in their annual financial report on whether they have met specific board diversity targets on a ‘comply or explain’ basis, as at a chosen reference date within their accounting period.

Balance on the board: Eight things UK PLCs need to know about the FCA's diversity targets

Published on 27 Sep 2021. By Karen Hendy, Partner, Head of Corporate and Connor Cahalane, Partner, Head of Public Companies

The Financial Conduct Authority's proposals will mean UK listed companies need to disclose whether their boards and senior management teams meet new gender and ethnic diversity targets.

Takeover Code: What has changed?

Published on 13 Sep 2021. By Emily McGregor, Partner

On 5 July 2021, the most significant changes to the Takeover Code (the Code) since 2011 took effect. The changes are intended to standardise the treatment of regulatory clearances and simplify the offer timetable. An overview of the main changes is set out below.

UK Listing Review wants companies to stay at home

Published on 04 Mar 2021. By Connor Cahalane, Partner, Head of Public Companies and Karen Hendy, Partner, Head of Corporate

Recommendations will make it easier to list and fundraise on the London Stock Exchange

Time for public companies to come clean: New UK climate-related disclosures and ESG guidance

Published on 03 Feb 2021. By Connor Cahalane, Partner, Head of Public Companies

Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange's Main Market will need to include a statement in their annual report confirming if they have made climate-related disclosures consistent with the recommendations of Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). Companies planning to IPO, or move from AIM to the Main Market, are also affected by these new Listing Rules.

Changes to the One Stop Shop

Published on 09 Oct 2023. By Richard Breavington, Partner and Laura Thackeray, Senior Associate

In July 2023 the European Commission issued a Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down additional procedural rules relating to the enforcement of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (the 'GDPR' Regulations).

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.

RPC Law x Web3: Gambling regulations – Don't Play Games of Chance with the Law

Published on 22 Feb 2023. By Nick Lauw, Partner and Pu Fang Ching, Senior Associate

This is part of a series of RPC x Web3 articles designed to help Web3 participants and enthusiasts understand their rights in this rapidly evolving space.

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.

Need a psychiatrist? There's an app for that!

Published on 18 Jun 2024. By Emma Kislingbury, Senior Associate

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) have commissioned research to explore the public perception of Digital Mental Health Technology (DMHT).

The UK and EU propose bans on 'forever chemicals' (PFAs) – Great for the environment but what about the medical industry?

Published on 14 Mar 2024. By Victoria Lawman, Trainee Solicitor

'Forever chemicals', which are used in countless industries worldwide, have been linked to a range of health issues.

The results are in: Physician and Anaesthetic Associates pose "a significant risk to patient safety" according to latest BMA opinion poll

Published on 12 Mar 2024. By Alice Lacey, Associate

A BMA survey completed by over 18,000 UK doctors has flagged significant concerns regarding the way Physician Associates (PAs) and Anaesthetic Associates (AAs) work within the NHS. The news comes as the Government implements plans to roll out a rapid medical associate recruitment plan and regulate associates through the General Medical Council (GMC), the doctors' regulator. In this blog we look at the reasons behind the backlash and how this may impact our healthcare and insurer clients.

Weighing up the risks: Remote GP consultations

Published on 02 Feb 2024. By Shireen Hussain, Paralegal

Telephone and online GP appointments risk harming patients, according to a study published by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) in November 2023. The study found that remote consultations have been linked to an increase in fatalities due to serious health conditions, that would likely have been picked up at face-to-face appointments.

Weight loss jabs – a litigation time bomb

Published on 15 Jan 2024. By Victoria Lawman, Trainee Solicitor

Weight loss jabs like Ozempic are giving rise to new health concerns. Litigation is emerging in the US with firms claiming that cases will be in the thousands.

Cutting the red tape: MHRA publish new guiding principles for AI-based medical devices

Published on 22 Nov 2023. By Victoria Lawman, Trainee Solicitor

Developers of AI-based medical devices will benefit from the MHRA's new guiding principles which aim to reduce onerous regulatory requirements.

Mental Health Act v Mental Capacity Act: How to avoid a deprivation of liberty claim

Published on 03 Oct 2023. By Genevieve Isherwood, Senior Associate and Emily Snow, Trainee Solicitor

A finding that the detention of a teenager ('JS') with complex mental health issues was unlawfully deprived of her liberty highlights the importance of understanding the interaction between the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Mental Health Act 1983 (MHA).

McCulloch and Others v Forth Valley Health Board [2023]: Bolam is back in the game for consent

Published on 18 Aug 2023. By James Davies, Senior Associate and Emily Snow, Trainee Solicitor

Bolam is well and truly back in the game for consent! The Supreme Court’s decision in McCulloch confirms that the Bolam test should be applied when considering whether alternative treatment options should be discussed with a patient.

General Damages Uplift: Beware

Published on 11 Jul 2023. By Genevieve Isherwood, Senior Associate

A recent decision in Coventry Combined County Court will have far -reaching impact on the valuation of all personal injury claims. The decision of Recorder Jack gives the green light for Claimants to seek higher general damages awards. In clinical negligence claims, where general damages can already be as high as £400,000, this will have significant implications for Defendants and their insurers.

NMC concerns over potentially fraudulent nurse registrations

Published on 28 Jun 2023. By Shireen Hussain, Paralegal

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is contacting more than 500 professionals who trained abroad to determine whether they could have gained fraudulent or incorrect entry to the register after unusual and concerning data emerged from one its testing sites.

Met police withdraw: a radical restructuring of mental health provision

Published on 14 Jun 2023. By Genevieve Isherwood, Senior Associate

Metropolitan police officers to be banned from responding to mental health incidents from 31 August 2023.

QOCS rule changes now in force – has the imbalance been restored?

Published on 16 May 2023. By Georgie Jenkin, Associate

A review of the amendments to the QOCS regime and the impact on costs recovery for defendants and insurers.

The Pharmacist will see you now: Independent Prescribing

Published on 20 Mar 2023. By Alice Lacey, Associate and James Davies, Senior Associate

Pharmacist independent prescribing services will be trialled across England in 2023 – a possible game changer for our healthcare system and one to watch for insurers.

'A google map of the body' – how the metaverse is transforming the healthcare industry

Published on 27 Feb 2023. By Ellie McCarthy, Associate

Twins Bernardo and Arthur Lima were born conjoined at the head in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At almost four years old, they have undergone seven extensive surgeries in order to be separated. The operations involved almost 100 medical staff and were led by surgeon Dr Noor ul Owase Jeelani in at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and Dr Gabriel Mufarrej in Brazil.

Weighty issues for diet app developers

Published on 04 Jan 2022. By Dorothy Flower, Partner

2022 is set to be the year of the diet app. The distinction between what is a mere lifestyle app and what should in fact be a regulated medical product or service can be difficult to assess.

New guidance on Machine Learning – plenty for humans to learn too

Published on 04 Nov 2021.

A triumvirate of healthcare regulators has published ten guiding principles (the Principles) concerning the development of Good Machine Learning Practice (GMLP). The Principles shed light on the risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI) products that depend on machine learning. Humans should take note.

Blood Tube Shortage: Testing Times

Published on 03 Sep 2021. By Genevieve Isherwood, Senior Associate

Test tube shortage leading to delays in blood tests; protection for GPs from liability.

The latest addition to Kwasi Kwarteng's reading list

Published on 24 Aug 2021.

The Regulatory Horizons Council report sets out recommendations for medical devices regulations reform in the UK

The government responds to Cumberlege - What now for product liability risks in the life sciences sector?

Published on 26 Jul 2021.

The government has accepted most of Baroness Cumberlege's recommendations, with long term implications for litigation concerning medicines and medical devices.

Life sciences and the Brexit trade agreement of Christmas Eve 2020

Published on 26 Mar 2021.

As the nation prepared for muted Christmas celebrations at the end of last year, those in industry were able to feast on the Trade and Cooperation Agreement settled between the EU and UK on 24 December 2020 (the TCA). The TCA concluded months of uncertainty for the life sciences sector. Companies had been waiting to see how far the UK government would go in agreeing to follow EU standards concerning medicines and medical devices. By the time the EU and UK finally agreed the TCA, questions over life sciences regulations had rocketed up the agenda against a backdrop of vaccines and treatments developed to combat Covid-19.

Covid-19 vaccines: an injection of politics

Published on 07 Jan 2021.

A legacy of the pandemic will be greater debate, amongst politicians and the public, about how life sciences products are brought to the market.

The Nocebo Effect: study into statins signals a timely warning

Published on 17 Nov 2020. By Dorothy Flower, Partner

New study into statins highlights issue of the Nocebo Effect with implications for manufacturers, insurers and society

Buyer Beware: NHSX Guidance on Artificial Intelligence

Published on 15 Oct 2020.

NHSX Guide on AI is a useful resource for manufacturers and insurers in mitigating litigation risks

Parents contest NICE Cannabis Guidelines at Court

Published on 16 Sep 2020.

A family is seeking judicial review of NICE guidelines in the hope that doctors are more likely to prescribe cannabis-based medicines. The outcome could have significant consequences for the healthcare sector.

Beyond the fruit and yoga: surviving or thriving?

Published on 16 Jun 2020. By Mental Health Workstream,

Last week the RPC Mental Health Work Stream (our internal network) hosted an interactive session with over 60 colleagues and clients.

Back to the Future: a look ahead at medical malpractice issues for COVID-19-related claims

Published on 15 Apr 2020. By James Davies, Senior Associate

Future issues for Insurers to consider in assessing COVID-19 medical malpractice / clinical negligence claims.

SC double decision on vicarious liability

Published on 03 Apr 2020.

Handed down on 1 April, the two, separate, Supreme Court judgments on vicarious liability were no April Fool's jokes; they are serious and welcome responses to a difficult issue.