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The "I dos" and don'ts of Royal marketing and merchandise
While most Royal subjects prepare the bunting and the sandwiches, many businesses will be looking for ways to capitalise on the hype and goodwill generated around the occasion. But how can brands ensure that they don't crash the wedding?
Read moreDreamvar and identity fraud in conveyancing transactions
The issue at stake in the combined appeals of Dreamvar (UK) Ltd v Mishcon de Reya and P&P Property Ltd v Owen Catlin LLP was a fairly fundamental one, namely: “Who ought to bear the risk of loss when a fraudster pretends to sell a property?”
Read moreTPR announces new approach for pension regulations
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has announced new plans for the regulation of pensions, which will see a "clearer, quicker and tougher" approach. The plans are aimed at increasing standards in the pension sector following criticisms levied at TRP after the collapse of businesses such as Carillion and BHS.
Read moreClaimant gets its fingers 'pricked' in IPEC passing off claim
What's the difference between a tattoo and a cactus? This isn't the start of a bad joke, but a serious question that was considered in front of Her Honour Judge Clarke in a recent passing off case in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court. It turns out that – unsurprisingly – the differences between a tattoo and a cactus are so great that the Claimant's claim for passing off failed.
Read moreRaise a glass to Harry and Meghan
Pub licensing hours across England and Wales will be extended on the weekend of the Royal wedding. This will undoubtedly provide a much needed boost to the British beer and pub sector. However, what has caused the traditional British pub's decline and how can the sector be turned around?
Read moreCybercrime and its impact on D&O insurance
Cybercrime has risen in recent years, perhaps more than anybody ever expected. For a long time, the focus was on defending businesses against such crimes. Now, with more people aware of cybercrime and the risks, insurers are becoming increasingly aware of the impact such crime may have on D&O policies.
Read moreRegulation of cryptocurrency pre-ICO funding under English Law
Launching a cryptocurrency typically involves an initial fundraising process followed by a public sale process, by way of initial coin offering or token sale ("ICO").
Read moreA royal impact on the economy?
This week will see another Royal wedding when Prince Harry marries American actress Meghan Markle. These celebrations arguably raise the international opinion of the UK, lift the national mood and lead to an influx of tourists. But how do events such as a Royal wedding actually impact the economy?
Read moreMDCM Ltd - Tribunal confirms that IR35 does not apply in employment status case
In MDCM Ltd v HMRC [2018] TC 6400, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has allowed the taxpayer's appeal, concluding that its contractual arrangements were such that its principal employee was not an employee of the ultimate contracting company, for the purposes of IR35.
Read moreJapanese banks joining Softbank's $100bn Vision Fund
MUFG, Mizuho, and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation will be among the final investors in SoftBank's Vision Fund
Read moreArbitration awards and fraud revisited
The English Court of Appeal has rejected a further attempt by the buyers of goods to set aside enforcement of a CIETAC arbitration award on grounds of fraud.
Read moreFSCS – reviewing the funding of the fund of last resort
In its third consultation paper on this topic, the FCA has recently confirmed that: - FSCS claims in respect of investment advice will benefit from an increased compensation cap, from £50,000 to £85,000; - product providers will have to start making contributions to FSCS funding for insurance and investment advice claims; and - it proposes new rules to prevent personal investment firms' insurers excluding cover for claims where the firm or a third party becomes insolvent.
Read moreLife After Death…
How was a baby born four years after the death of his parents? And what does this mean for IVF providers in the UK?
Read moreProfessional negligence adjudication – it's all part of the Protocol
On 1 May 2018, an amendment to the Professional Negligence Pre-Action Protocol saw a further attempt to encourage parties to use the professional negligence adjudication scheme first devised as a pilot scheme in February 2015.
Read moreCryptocurrency pre-ICO funding – a regulatory overview
The FCA has issued a discussion paper targeted at the non-workplace pension market. The paper marks the start of the FCA's work looking at whether there is harm in the non-workplace pension market and to better understand the potential presence, nature, extent and cause of any harm.
Read moreSippchoice Ltd: Taxpayer can claim income tax deduction for contribution in specie to SIPP
In Sippchoice Ltd v HMRC [2018] UKFTT, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that a taxpayer can obtain tax relief at source in respect of contributions made to s Self-Invested Pension Plan (SIPP) settled in the form of unquoted shares.
Read moreUnlocking blockchain in the insurance industry
While many tout blockchain networks as being the biggest technological breakthrough of a generation, we take a look at whether the technology is ready to take the insurance industry by storm.
Read moreThat's not fair (market value)
Court of Appeal rules on application of GMRA close-out provisions in a distressed market. Icelandic bank LBI ehf (LBI) appealed against the High Court decision in its case against Raiffeisen Bank International AG (RZB) regarding the interpretation of the term "fair market value" in the close-out provisions of a repo agreement. The Court of Appeal rejected LBI's arguments that "fair market value" should preclude the use of prices, quotations and other pricing evidence obtained in a distressed or illiquid market and dismissed the appeal.
Read moreA valuer does not owe a duty of care to the directors of a borrower
The High Court has held that a valuer who prepares a valuation for a lender does not owe a duty of care to the directors of the borrower who claim they have suffered loss as a result of relying on that valuation.
Read moreHow hard is it to learn English?
As English is by far the number one language of business and politics, many non-native speakers have no choice but to overcome this challenge
Read moreTax update May 2018
In this month’s update we report on HMRC’s recently published guidance relating DOTAS for inheritance tax, its guidance for the GAAR and a new consultation relating to tax avoidance involving Profit Fragmentation.
Read moreGame theory and the art of litigation settlement (Part 3)
This article is the third in a series targeted at litigators that consider the issue of settlement in litigation through a game theoretical lens.
Read moreCorporate tax update
Welcome to the latest edition of our Corporate Tax Update, written by members of RPC’s tax team and published quarterly.
Read moreLisbon, a near-shore hub for UK business
Hosting a meeting at Hitachi Consulting's offices in Lisbon
Read moreGeneral liability newsletter April 2018
Employees owe a duty to their employers to carry out their work with reasonable care so as to avoid accident and injury. Employers are vicariously liable for the negligence of their employees but are entitled to claim a contribution or indemnity from their negligent employee in appropriate circumstances.
Read morePension transfers
The FCA tries again to get it right with new rules and a further consultation paper.
Read moreValue Added – New VAT "joint liability" risk for online marketplaces
The flow of goods cross-border has increased significantly as a result of the inexorable rise of the online marketplace. Policing the tax aspect of online businesses has created numerous difficulties for national authorities. In no area is this felt more than VAT, where many online traders (both inside and outside the EU) have opted wittingly or otherwise to evade tax by simply not registering or accounting for VAT in any jurisdiction.
Read moreOnillon – Failure to take Follower Notice 'corrective action' reasonable in all the circumstances
In Onillon v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 33 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) allowed the taxpayer's appeal against a penalty imposed for failing to take corrective action following the issue of a Follower Notice (FN) as it was reasonable in all the circumstances for the taxpayer not to take such action.
Read moreGame theory and the art of litigation settlement (Part 2)
This article is the second in a series targeted at litigators that consider the issue of settlement in litigation through a game theoretical lens.
Read moreA Virtual Reality Check
Article exploring the growth of virtual reality (VR) and the legal issues which are emerging including product liability, data and privacy risks, and the 'laws' of the virtual world as a jurisdiction in itself.
Read moreVAT update April 2018
In this month’s update we report on the publication of the draft agreement on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU; the Government’s “split payment” collection model for online sales by non-UK sellers; and HMRC’s revised guidance on the cost sharing exemption.
Read moreAsia Insurance Bulletin 2018
Our Asia Insurance Bulletin is now available. The bulletin contains a number of articles written by our lawyers discussing a variety of issues relevant to the Asia region.
Read moreThe FCA publishes its 2018/19 Business Plan
On 9 April 2018 the FCA published its Business Plan for 2018/19, demonstrating its continued focus on culture and governance in firms, tackling financial crime and the role of technology in the financial services industry.
Read moreHome is where you hang your medical test
At-home medical tests can be useful diagnostic tools, but this carries risks for patients or insurers. Medical malpractice and product liability insurers need to plan for the future.
Read moreCourt of Appeal's history lesson for claimants bringing personal injury claims
Healthcare providers and manufacturers of medical products will welcome a judgment from the Court of Appeal that found against a claimant for failing to give notice of funding in time.
Read moreDiversity on the agenda
As clients of City law firms like RPC, those represented in the Powerlist are playing an increasingly leading role in ensuring diversity doesn't just rise up the agenda, but stays there.
Read moreJapan's Itochu to raise stake in FamilyMart to 50.1%
Itochu to spend $1.1bn for an 11.1 per cent premium in FamilyMart
Read moreUnregulated cryptocurrencies – an end in sight?
Since their creation, cryptocurrencies have been somewhat of an enigma. Decentralised digital currencies such as Bitcoin have remained unregulated, despite becoming more prevalent in our day-to-day lives. That could be about to change with the FCA announcing plans to include them as part of their other regulated products or services.
Read moreFCA success in the High Court: Compensation of £16.9m awarded to misled investors
A five-year court battle between the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") and Capital Alternatives Limited concluded on 26 March 2018 when the High Court used its restitution powers under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 to award compensation to investors who lost money invested with Capital Alternatives.
Read moreConstruction newsletter April 2018
The first quarter of 2018 has been a challenging one for the construction industry. It saw a further decline in construction output in January, with the Office of National Statistics reporting that construction output fell by 3.4% in January from December.
Read moreHargreaves: Loyalty pays
In Hargreaves Lansdown Asset Management LTD v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 127 (TC) TC06383, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has found that loyalty bonus payments paid to investors were not "annual payments" for the purpose of section 683, ITTOIA.
Read moreSnapshots - Spring 2018
This is your roundup of all recent legal updates spanning advertising & marketing, commercial cases,technology / digital, data protection and intellectual property.
Read moreUpdate of the Guidance for Traders on Pricing Practices
What changes have been made to the guidance since the latest version was published in December 2016?
Read moreGovernment publishes Digital Charter
On 25 January 2018, the Department for Media Culture and Sport ("DCMS") published the Digital Charter that was announced in the 2017 Queen's speech.
Read moreConfidential information / trade secrets
IPO publishes consultation on Trade Secrets Directive (EU/2016/943)
Read moreTrade marks / passing off
Can localised goodwill prevent the registration of a UK trade mark?
Read moreDoes the rule against penalty clauses apply to repayment obligations?
Holyoake and another v Candy and others [2017] EWHC 3397 (Ch)
Read moreContractual interpretation / limitation of liability
How will the Court interpret limitation of liability clauses?
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