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Micro-investing: from small acorns…
With the number of card payments overtaking cash for the first time, spare a thought for the piggy-banks of the nation. Where once they were full to the brim with coppers, they now lie forgotten and unused. So what are people now doing with their spare change? Not investing, it would seem…
Read moreAllpay - Tribunal refuses HMRC permission to amend its Statement of Case and awards costs to the taxpayer
In Allpay Ltd v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 0273 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has dismissed HMRC's application to amend its Statement of Case to plead a new legal issue.
Read moreIs a "Duty of Care" required for financial services firms?
On 17 July 2018, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) released DP18/5 – its discussion paper on a duty of care and potential alternative approaches. In this article we summarise the discussion paper and then examine briefly whether a new duty is required.
Read moreFinancial litigation roundup - Summer 2018 edition
Welcome to the latest edition of our financial litigation roundup. In this edition, we consider recent judgments and ongoing cases from the banking and financial world in the UK and Hong Kong, as well as legal developments across those jurisdictions.
Read moreNon-residents and UK property
Non-UK residents owning UK real estate, whether directly or via companies, partnerships, trust arrangements or collective investment vehicles, should be aware of important UK tax changes due to take effect from April 2019.
Read moreAccountants, auditors and actuaries beware: the FRC continues to show its teeth, as its future stands in the balance
In widely publicised news, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) continues to levy record high fines and has cast criticism on a number of firms. What appears to be an unforgiving stance taken by the regulator seems to come in the wake of the review into whether or not it should be disbanded, or folded into another regulatory organisation.
Read more"Content is fire, Social Media is gasoline" – Court of Appeal considers the challenges for interim injunctions in the digital age
The Court of Appeal has upheld part of an interim injunction granted to Australian sportswear company Frank Industries which restrained Nike from using the sign LDNR in its “Nothing Beats a Londoner” advertising campaign.
Read moreCourt of Appeal upholds wide exclusion clause
In its recent decision in Goodlife Foods Limited v Hall Fire Protection Limited ([2018] EWCA Civ 1371) the Court of Appeal held that a particularly broad exclusion clause in a contract relating to a fire suppression system was reasonable within the framework of the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977.
Read moreAmes: No EIS relief without income tax claim but Tribunal grants judicial review of HMRC's decision
In Ames v HMRC [2018] UKUT 190, the Upper Tribunal (UT) has held that capital gains tax (CGT) relief under the Enterprise Investment Scheme (EIS) is not available on the disposal of shares where no income tax relief was claimed on their acquisition. However, in refusing to allow a late claim for EIS income tax relief, HMRC had misapplied the relevant guidance, fettered its discretion, and failed to consider material facts and the UT therefore granted judicial review of HMRC's decision.
Read moreMedicinal Cannabis: the debate continues
With the debate over medicinal cannabis still going strong, we update you on recent developments which have dominated the headlines.
Read moreBike sharing: running green or running riot?
The two largest Chinese bike sharing companies, Ofo and Mobike, both started operation in the UK last year. Unlike the local schemes, their users are able to park the bikes at any appropriate location, rather than a designated parking dock. Though these "dockless" schemes emerged in a bid to promote a greener life, they have attracted increasing concern because of the environmental and economical hazards they create.
Read moreMore dismissal of 'dormant' claims
Defendants should welcome the recent judgment in Fiscalink International Ltd v Yiu Yu Sum Alex,(1) in which the court struck out the plaintiffs' claims against a majority of the defendants on the basis that the lack of progress over many years was an abuse of process such that the entire action against those defendants should be dismissed.
Read moreIntroducing the new Health Secretary…
Who is Matt Hancock, our new Health Secretary, and what impact will his appointment have?
Read moreFirst Tower Trustees: contractual fiction clauses, unfair contract terms, parliamentary sovereignty and the limits of party autonomy
In its recent judgment in First Tower Trustees Ltd and Intertrust Trustees Ltd -v- CDS (Superstores International) Ltd, the Court of Appeal has set down a significant marker that so-called contractual estoppel does not have any special status and is to be treated as just another form of exclusion of liability.
Read moreThe future of SIPPs – FCA responds to the Work and Pensions Committee
A couple of weeks ago we reported on 5 pointed questions raised by the Work and Pensions Committee of the FCA in relation to the SIPP market. Those questions included whether or not the FCA was considering banning non-standard investments in SIPPs. The FCA has now responded. The response includes the FCA's views on the due diligence it expects of SIPP providers when it comes to non-standard investments.
Read moreBell - The importance of selecting the correct forum when alleging unfairness on the part of HMRC
In J Bell v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 261 (TC), the taxpayer's appeal was struck out by the First-tier Tribunal (FTT), because it does not have jurisdiction to consider issues of public law.
Read moreRPC Retail Compass: Navigating future change
We are delighted to present the 2018 Summer edition of RPC Retail Compass.
Read moreChristian Louboutin's red sole walks all over the Trade Mark Directive shape exclusion
Christian Louboutin has been in and out of courts all over the world in the last few years over his iconic red-soled shoes. In the latest instalment of his litigation adventures, the Court of Justice of the European Union ("CJEU") has given a preliminary ruling on the interpretation of Article 3 of Directive 2008/95/EC ("Trade Mark Directive"), which covers grounds for refusal or invalidity of signs in respect of their shape. But does this ruling really take us anywhere?
Read moreTax update July 2018
In this month’s update we report on new EU transparency rules for tax intermediaries, HMRC’s revised Disguised Remuneration Settlement Terms and the Law Society’s Response to HMRC’s consultation on Tax Avoidance involving profit fragmentation.
Read moreProject Blue - Supreme Court allows HMRC's appeal in SDLT sub-sale case
In Project Blue Limited v HMRC [2018] UKSC 30, the Supreme Court (by a majority) has found that section 75A, Finance Act 2003 (an anti-avoidance provision), was applicable resulting in SDLT being payable notwithstanding that sections 45 (sub-sale relief) and 71A (exemption for alternative property finance) Finance Act 2003, would have otherwise resulted in no stamp duty land tax (SDLT) being payable.
Read more連載コラム● 欧州Ｍ＆Ａ最前線 2018年５月 ● 欧州連合（ＥＵ）営業秘密保護指令の施行により、背信行為を巡る訴訟が増加する見通しとなっている
ところで、欧州連合（ＥＵ）営業秘密保護指令の施行により、背信行為を巡る訴訟が増加する見通しとなっている。当社の同僚たちがこのほど、これについてまとめたので紹介する。 営業秘密保護の現状はどうなっているのか。
Read moreVAT update June 2018
In this month’s update we report on HMRC’s consultation on draft legislation imposing VAT reverse charge on the construction industry; the European Commission’s proposal concerning the taxation of intra-EU supplies; and HMRC’s recently published guidance on the VAT treatment of goods supplied on approval.
Read more"Good faith" clause rehabilitates failing breach of confidence claim Health and Case Management Ltd v Physiotherapy Network Ltd [2018] EWCH 869 (QB)
This case provides an interesting example of a "good faith" clause providing protection for misuse of data in a situation where a confidential information clause failed to sufficiently protect against misuse of information.
Read moreCourt of Appeal clarifies meaning of 'knowledge' for purposes of Limitation Act
In Su v Clarksons Platou Futures Ltd ([2018] EWCA Civ 1115) the Court of Appeal upheld a decision granting summary judgment against a claimant on the basis that his claim in negligence was time barred.
Read moreIMF provides framework to analyse cyber risk for the financial sector
The increased risk of cybercrime is well known to all. Attacks against large companies has meant that the International Monetary Fund have taken action by publishing a working paper which predicts the average annual losses to financial institutions.
Read moreHealth and safety update June 2018
Welcome to the latest edition of our health and safety update where we look at the health and safety stories that have recently hit the headlines as well as the latest fines and sentences that have been handed down.
Read moreBayonet Ventures: Loan by pension scheme was not an unauthorised payment
In Bayonet Ventures LLP & Anor v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 262 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT), has held that a loan made to a limited liability partnership (LLP) by a pension scheme in which one of the partners of the LLP was a member, was not an unauthorised payment (section 164, Finance Act 2004) and should not be treated as a loan to the partner (section 863, Income Tax (Trading and Other Income) Act 2005 (ITTOIA)) as section 863 only applies if the LLP is carrying on a 'trade, profession or business with a view to profit', which it was not.
Read moreNetwork Rail to ban retentions and mandate payment periods to subcontractors
Network Rail mandates tier one contractors to abolish cash retentions and pay suppliers within 28 days.
Read moreCJEU asks whether 'Glen' triggers an image of 'Scotch Whisky' in geographical indications case
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has ruled on the interpretation of Article 16(a) to (c) of Regulation (EC) No 110/2008 on the protection of geographical indications of spirit drinks.
Read moreOff-label medicine: as bad as it sounds?
Consider this: the prescription your doctor wrote for you may not be "officially" approved for your illness. Before you panic, this may not be as alarming as you think
Read moreAction required: mandatory disclosure of cross-border tax planning arrangements – effective (very) soon
New EU rules providing for mandatory disclosure of certain cross-border tax planning arrangements by intermediaries and taxpayers will enter into force on 25 June 2018. Although reports to tax authorities will not be required until July/August 2020, the retrospective nature of the new rules means that reportable arrangements implemented after 25 June could be reportable in this first batch of (2020) reports. Preparations for the new regime should therefore begin now.
Read moreNew trade secrets law to drive breach of confidence claims
This article explores what changes might need to be made to the existing protections given to trade secrets and in particular, the impact this might have in the insurance market.
Read moreBig Data in Insurance
Big data is creating change in the insurance industry both by leveraging historic insurance data and by using new data sources to create exciting new opportunities.
Read moreAnderson - Upper Tribunal considers knowledge test for the purpose of discovery assessments
In Jerome Anderson v HMRC [2018] UKUT 159 (TC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) has dismissed a football agent's appeal upholding the First-tier Tribunal's (FTT) decision to disallow relief for losses incurred in relation to a football academy ran by the agent. The UT also agreed with the FTT that HMRC had issued a valid discovery assessment.
Read moreBrexit – trade and customs arrangements
In this Brexit Bulletin, we discuss trade and customs arrangements; what has been achieved in the last 6 months and the next steps moving forward.
Read moreESMA formally adopts new measures to restrict the sale of binary options and CFDs
On 1 June 2018, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) formally adopted new measures to prohibit the sale of binary options and to place restrictions on the provision of contracts for difference (CFDs) to retail investors. The measures will apply to binary options from 2 July 2018 and CFDs from 1 August 2018.
Read moreEFAMA publishes revised Stewardship Code
On 31 May 2018, the European Fund and Asset Management Association (EFAMA) published its Stewardship Code, setting out best practice principles for asset managers (the Code).
Read moreDundas: out of time capital allowance claims become valid due to HMRC opening enquiries
In Dundas Heritable Limited v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 0244 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that a taxpayer was entitled to make, what would otherwise have been out of time capital allowance claims, as a result of HMRC opening enquiries.
Read moreTax update
In this month’s update we report on Guidance from HMRC on identifying who is an “enabler” of tax avoidance; a consultation on “off-payroll” working by contractors; and HMRC’s update to its International Exchange of Information Manual to reflect amendments to the list of reportable jurisdictions for Common Reporting Standards.
Read moreInvestec: payments to acquire partnership interests were trading in nature
In HMRC v Investec Asset Finance Plc and Another [2018] UKUT 0069 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) has held that payments made to acquire partnership interests are deductible in calculating the profits of the partners’ solo trades of dealing in those partnership interests.
Read moreProduct liability update
A round-up of some of the recent stories making the news, from the EU Product Liability Directive to a case involving hip replacement litigation
Read morePension watchdogs formalise information sharing
The Pensions Ombudsman and The Pensions Regulator have signed an information-sharing agreement in light of the recent rise in pension scams. The agreement will see the organisations share information about complaints and concerns with the aim of protecting scheme members.
Read moreSIPPs – the work and pensions committee asks some pointed questions of the FCA
The Work and Pensions Committee has sent a letter to the FCA following its review of defined benefit pension transfers raising 5 pointed questions in relation to SIPPs.
Read moreOral variations can leave you between a Rock and a hard place
Variations to contracts, whether the scope of the works or services to be performed or the terms under which those works/services are provided, are common place in the construction industry. Often these variations are agreed on site, in a hurry and with little regard to any formalities that might be contained within the parties' contract. The recent case of Rock Advertising Limited v MWB Business Exchange Centres Ltd provides an important reminder that the contract shouldn’t be ignored.
Read moreWhen can the Secretary of State intervene in a merger or acquisition?
This post sets out the circumstances in which the Secretary of State has been able to intervene in a merger or acquisition to date and looks at the ongoing consultation to protect national interests.
Read moreVAT update
In this month’s update we report on HMRC’s cooperation agreement, intended to tackle online VAT fraud; HMRC’s recently published Guidance on online marketplace seller checks; and the government’s pilot for Making Tax Digital for VAT.
Read moreGuarding professional secrets: A guide to English legal privilege for international lawyers
Most jurisdictions have some form of protection for preserving the confidentiality of communications involving lawyers, whether known as (legal professional) privilege, professional secrecy or something else. How far that protection extends, and how easily it may be broken, varies enormously. In England, the protection, once gained, remains strong, but recent cases have tended to restrict the extent of it, particularly by comparison to other common law jurisdictions (privilege/professional secrecy rules in civil law jurisdictions tend to be narrower than common law jurisdictions in any event). The issue becomes most acute in a pre-litigation (or investigative) phase.
Read moreScope of duty narrows for accountants
Accountants not liable for transaction losses despite negligent accounting treatment
Read morePart VII insurance business transfers – FCA's finalised guidance
The FCA published finalised guidance on its approach to reviewing insurance business transfer schemes under Part VII of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.
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