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Contractual Interpretation - no oral modification clauses
Is a no oral modification clause legally effective?
Read moreEIOPA Report on Cyber Insurance raises awareness and understanding of cyber risk in the European market
The European Insurance and Occupational Pensions Authority ("EIOPA") has published a report "Understanding Cyber Insurance – A Structured Dialogue with Insurance Companies", which heralds its first attempt to enhance understanding of cyber risk with a focus on the European market.
Read moreImportant issues relating to effect and interpretation of non-assignment clauses
Service by text and data room, worldwide freezing orders against persons unknown, self-identification orders and hearings on paper and in private are ways the court is dealing with cyber-crime. Here are five ways that the courts are addressing the imbalance that exists between victims and criminals who seek to hide behind a veil of anonymity in this digital age.
Read moreShaw: Tribunal cancels penalties … again!
In Shaw v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 0381 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has cancelled late filing penalties because HMRC had not satisfied the statutory requirements of section 8(1), Taxes Management Act 1970 (TMA) as a notice to file had not been validly served on the appellant.
Read moreAdjudication and liquidation – the final word?
It is generally the case (though not always!) that courts are reluctant to enforce monetary award adjudication decisions in favour of companies in liquidation (CILs). This is because of the uncertainty surrounding the CIL’s ability to repay those sums should it later transpire it was not entitled to the award.
Read moreOnline Prescriptions or Real Life Addictions?
With the rules around online prescribing set to be strengthened, we consider why these changes have come about, and what it might mean for patients and prescribers.
Read moreUS talc litigation has important lessons for UK insurers
Although it is unlikely litigation involving household staples such as talcum powder could succeed in the UK, the ongoing US litigation underlines a significant trend in product liability exposures.
Read moreTax update August 2018
In this month’s update we report on the summary of responses to HMRC’s consultation on extending time limits for offshore non-compliance, HMRC’s policy paper on “profit-fragmentation” and HMRC’s consultation on proposals for new civil information gathering powers for HMRC.
Read moreNew rules for peer-to-peer lending announced by FCA
The popularity of peer-to-peer (P2P) lending has increased exponentially in recent years, with nearly £10 billion being transferred through such platforms in the past ten years. In an attempt to fix "increasingly complex business structures", the FCA has announced new plans for new rules for peer-to-peer (P2P) lending.
Read moreTager – Court of Appeal allows taxpayers' appeals and reduces penalties for failure to comply with information notices
In Tager & Ors v HMRC [2018] EWCA Civ 1727, in allowing the taxpayers' appeals, the Court of Appeal has provided some general observations on the scope and purpose of HMRC's power to impose tax-related penalties under paragraph 50, Schedule 36, Finance Act 2008 for failures to comply with information notices issued under paragraph 1, Schedule 36, Finance Act 2008.
Read moreOnline resale price maintenance and pricing software under scrutiny
The imposition of fixed or minimum prices on their online retailers, in breach of EU competition law, has resulted in four consumer electronics manufacturers being fined over €111 million in total by the European Commission.
Read moreConstruction newsletter July 2018
What challenges does the construction industry face and what does the future hold?
Read moreGood news for UK share sellers - capital gains tax relief relaxed
The UK's entrepreneurs' relief (ER), which is already a valuable tax relief for individual UK-resident sellers of trading companies, is about to become a little more generous.
Read moreInvesting to Innovate
Ocado aims to "change the way the world shops" with B2B technology offerings for retailers
Read moreVAT update July 2018
In this month’s update we report on the alignment of the period for recovery of VAT by exempt public sector entities; new guidance concerning VAT liability on goods supplied on approval; and HMRC’s policy paper on a new regime for interest and penalties.
Read moreSignificant increases to District Court's monetary jurisdiction
Significant increases to the jurisdictional limits for civil claims in the District Court have been proposed.
Read moreMicro-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.
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