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Who was best dressed at the Oscars?
Always popular, often outrageous, and unfortunately sometimes sexist; the best and worst dressed lists have been must-have articles for publishers around award season since 1940. But does success or failure on these lists have any impact on the brand of the celebrity, or the designer?
Read moreSpotlight on private wealth - February 2019
Welcome to our new look Spotlight. Our quarterly update highlights developments in the private client world – with a focus on disputes and how to avoid them.
Read moreMedicinal Cannabis – How far have we really come?
Cannabis, for medicinal purposes, was legalised nearly four months ago in the UK, but how many patients are actually reaping the benefits, and how far have we really come?
Read moreJimenez - Court of Appeal confirms extra-territorial reach of information notices
In R (oao Jimenez) v HMRC [2019] EWCA Civ 51, the Court of Appeal has held that HMRC can issue an information notice to a taxpayer under paragraph 1, Schedule 36, Finance Act 2008 (FA 2008), even if he is non-resident.
Read moreCustoms and excise quarterly update: February 2019
In this update we report on the effect of a no deal Brexit in relation to (1) customs processes and procedures; (2) binding tariff information; and (3) changes to tax procedures. We also comment on three recent cases relating to (1) obtaining an injunction when HMRC revoke Authorised Warehousekeeper status; (2) the application of retrospective inward processing authorisation periods; and (3) the seizure of vehicles.
Read moreHigh Court on the Pulse with RCDs
In the fight between two wearable sports-tech giants, PulseOn v Garmin, the Court of Appeal has confirmed that the High Court correctly applied the test for infringement of Registered Community Designs and that Garmin's sports watch did not infringe PulseOn's design.
Read moreLove (or hate) Data?
Personal Data and Special Category Personal Data – what has changed? "The course of true love never did run smooth" - Shakespeare, W., A Midsummer Night's Dream The definition of personal data is obviously fundamental to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). When considering data protection, your first question should always be – 'is this data personal data?'
Read moreFCA issues Final Report in the Wholesale Insurance Broker Market Study
Today, the FCA released its Final Report in its Wholesale Insurance Broker Market Study. The study, which was launched in 2017, considered competition, transparency and conflicts concerns arising from changes in the market, including an increased use of broker facilities.
Read moreFrom rehabilitative robotics to automated imaging: educating the workforce for the digital future
An independent review into the future impact of digital technology identifies a pressing need for specialist training within the healthcare workforce.
Read moreIs a good arguable case good enough? The Court of Appeal considers the test for establishing jurisdiction
The test for deciding whether a claimant has a good arguable case is relative following the Court of Appeal's decision in Kaefar v AMS Drilling and others.
Read moreSmoke and mirrors? Big Tobacco slip(stream)s back into Formula One sponsorship deals
RPC reports on Philip Morris and British American Tobacco securing major partnerships with Ferrari and McLaren, prompting investigations into their compliance with domestic and international advertising laws.
Read moreWhen does an Oscar speech become defamatory?
In recent years, it has become the norm for presenters and winners alike at the Oscars to use their stage time to make political statements. However, politics at the Oscars has not always been so accepted. We take a look here at the shifting attitude of the Academy towards politically-charged speeches, and whether they may cross the legal line into defamation.
Read moreHegarty – HMRC information notices invalid
In Hegarty v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 0774 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that HMRC issued invalid information notices under paragraph 1, Schedule 36, Finance Act 2008 (FA 2008), as it did not provide any evidence to support its suspicion that the taxpayers had paid insufficient tax.
Read morePart Three: Five practical implications of side letters and most favoured nations clauses for fund investors and managers
In this third and final part of our series on side letters and most favoured nation (MFN) clauses in private equity funds, we examine five practical implications for investors and managers.
Read moreLatin America insights - Ecuador
Ecuadorian (re)insurance claims have formed a part of RPC’s Latin American practice for some years.
Read moreHappy Valentine's Day from RPC: Love (or hate) data?
So it is that time of year again. Love is in the air - roses, prosecco (if you're lucky, champagne), chocolates (in boxes covered in sickly hearts as though a heart surgeon has gone serial killer – yes, we're big fans of Luther).
Read moreSupreme Court Refuses to allow a Claim against Lawyers for Loss of a Dishonest Claim
On 13 February 2019 the Supreme Court handed down judgment in its first decision on loss of chance principles for 14 years (in Perry v Raleys Solicitors [2019] UKSC 5).
Read moreCorporate tax update Fourth quarter 2018
Welcome to the latest edition of our Corporate Tax Update, written by members of RPC’s tax team and published quarterly. In this final 2018 edition we highlight some of the key tax developments of interest to UK corporates from the fourth quarter of 2018.
Read moreTime waits for know-ledge: but what does that mean for limitation?
Keep limitation under review, Section 14A does not extend the limitation period until each and every breach is identified and a claimant cannot postpone the date of 'knowledge' under Section 14A of the Limitation Act by choosing which breach of duty it relies on.
Read moreHMRC launches profit diversion compliance facility
On 10 January 2019, HMRC launched their Profit Diversion Compliance Facility (PDCF). The PDCF is a new voluntary disclosure facility, aimed at multinational enterprises (MNEs), that provides them with an opportunity to disclose and correct tax inaccuracies relating to profits diverted out of the UK.
Read moreGeneral liability newsletter February 2019
The latest general liability news coming out of the courts.
Read moreHymanson – HMRC's decision to revoke the taxpayer's fixed protection was unreasonable
In G Hymanson v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 667, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that HMRC’s decision to revoke the taxpayer's fixed protection was unreasonable and directed that it be reinstated. In so finding, the FTT applied the equitable maxim ‘that which should be done should be treated as having been done’.
Read more"Move fast and break things" (just not patients)
The AoMRC's report on Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare presents dilemmas for clinicians, hospital and industry
Read moreCan you sell an Oscar?
An Academy Award (an Oscar) is one of the most prestigious accolades which a person in the film industry can receive. The awards symbolise tradition, exceptional quality and exclusiveness. Leaving the film reviews to the Academy itself, we focus on what is behind the Oscars brand: what the brand stands for and the steps the Academy has taken to protect the brand's integrity.
Read moreTax update - February 2019
In this month’s update we report on (1) an Economic Affairs Committee report on treating taxpayers fairly; (2) HMRC’s extension of the deadline for responses to its consultation on the taxation of trusts; and (3) the Law Society’s practice note on the offence of failure to prevent the criminal facilitation of tax evasion. We also comment on three recent decisions relating to (1) the principles governing disclosure in the context of tax appeals;(2) business property relief under the Inheritance Tax Act 1984; and (3) the closure of an HMRC enquiry which was “drifting aimlessly”.
Read moreDrafting a contract? Beware the well-intentioned but unenforceable agreement to agree
"Such period as shall reasonably be agreed between (the parties)" is an agreement to agree and therefore unenforceable according to the Court of Appeal in Philip Morris v Swanton Care & Community Limited.
Read moreWilsons – HMRC unable to obtain law firm's records
In Wilsons Solicitors LLP v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 627 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that the obligation to keep records under the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 (MLR) does not make a law firm a relevant data-holder for the purposes of HMRC's data-gathering powers.
Read moreHyper-Personalisation: the brands who want to know your name
In a modern day society widely dubbed as 'The Digital Age', corporations must compete like never before to capture a fluid market seeking instant gratification.
Read moreLOIs and liability for inducement of breach of contract
A recent Court of Appeal ruling highlights the risk to traders and, in particular, to their officers and employees personally, of giving/arranging a letter of indemnity to a carrier against liability arising out of delivery of goods without presentation of the bills of lading. This blog examines the risk of such arrangements giving rise to a liability on their part under the tort of procuring a breach of contract.
Read moreSAAMCo and BPE re-affirmed: the proper approach to loss in professional negligence cases
A recent Court of Appeal decision reaffirms the importance of the "information" and "advice" categories when considering the losses for which a professional should be held liable.
Read moreVAT update - January 2019
In this month’s update we report on (1) refunds of VAT in the UK for non-EU businesses; (2) changes to the VAT treatment of retained payments; and (3) revised HMRC guidance on when and how to account for VAT when you transfer a business as a going concern. We also comment on three recent cases involving (1) irrecoverable output tax; (2) the deductibility of a repayment supplement from an interest award; and (3) whether a taxpayer had a legitimate expectation that HMRC guidance could be relied upon.
Read moreFCA promises "greater clarity" over Crypto regulation
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has made further progress in relation to the regulation of cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, in an attempt to tackle the growing market. The aim of regulation will be to provide greater clarity to both the industry and consumers.
Read moreCan expert evidence be used to determine dishonesty?
Dishonesty in relation to financial market practices is to be determined against an objective standard; expert evidence as to market practices cannot be adduced to decide the issue.
Read moreAdjudication and liquidation – the TCC gets it wrong…but right
Back in August, we wrote a blog about adjudication and liquidation, following the judgment in the TCC case of Michael J. Lonsdale (Electrical) Limited v Bresco Electrical Services Limited (in Liquidation) [2018] EWHC 2043 (TCC) (Lonsdale). The judgment concluded, for the reasons set out below, that an adjudicator does not have jurisdiction to determine a dispute involving a company in liquidation (CIL).
Read moreA look back at the Year of the Dog
Over the past 12 months, the courts of Hong Kong have made a number of interesting decisions, many of which we have written about, and which are likely to prove instructive for lawyers in 2019 and beyond.
Read more2019 TerraLex guide to navigating cross-border copyright rules
We are delighted to present the TerraLex Cross‑Border Copyright Guide 2019, the fourth edition of this invaluable guide.
Read morePart Two: Side letters and fundraising
In this second of a three part series, we look more closely at side letters and most favoured nation (MFN) clauses in the private equity space.
Read moreBig 'Mac' Surprise
In a decision that will send shock waves to many brand owners, particularly in the food and drink industry, the EU Cancellation Division has revoked McDonald's EUTM for 'Big Mac' in its entirety, even in respect of sandwiches, despite being McDonald's signature product worldwide.
Read moreOmagh: tax penalty was a "criminal charge" for the purposes of Article 6 of the ECHR
In Omagh Minerals Ltd v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 697 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that despite the civil nature of the underlying tax dispute, an aggregates levy penalty imposed on the taxpayer by HMRC was a "criminal charge" to which Article 6 (right to a fair trial), European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), applied.
Read moreLook to the future: Trainees take on 2019
The trainees didn't fare too badly with their 2018 predictions. They doubted England's ability to make it past the group stages of the World Cup, but foresaw how Brexit would dominate the news agenda. They over-optimistically predicted the introduction of automated bundling, but came very close on the value of Bitcoin. Read on to see this year's predictions.
Read moreCould the NHS Long Term Plan mean less opportunity for NHS contracts?
The NHS's Long Term Plan includes a provision to repeal elements of the Health and Social Care Act 2012; in this blog we consider the potential impact on private providers and their opportunity to tender for NHS contracts.
Read moreWhat lies ahead for the construction industry in 2019?
At the beginning of a new year it is customary to consider what the year ahead may bring. 2019 promises to be eventful not least with the UK's exit from the EU on 29 March 2019. Here's what to look out for in the next 12 months…
Read moreBanks: A real Brexit tax
In A Banks v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 617, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) heard an appeal by Mr Arron Banks against HMRC's decision to deny him relief on certain donations he and his companies had made to the UK Independence Party (UKIP). The FTT decided that his rights had been infringed under the European Convention on Human Rights (the Convention) but there was nothing it could do to remedy that infringement.
Read moreTrainees took on 2018: did we predict the unpredictable?
2018 certainly will not be forgotten in a hurry, and what a year it was. Brexit negotiations dominated headlines, Theresa May's 'Dancing Queen' routine went viral, and England made it to the semi-finals of the World Cup! No, we didn't predict that either.
Read moreFour UK financial crime compliance predictions for 2019
Last week we published our "UK white-collar crime enforcement predictions for 2019". This week, it is the turn of financial crime compliance.
Read moreHairdryer treatment for medical staff who accessed Sir Alex Ferguson's medical records
After the former Manchester United manager's medical records were accessed by staff at the Salford Royal Hospital, what are the likely GDPR and Data Protection Act consequences?
Read morePart One: Overview of side letters & MFNs when investing in private equity funds
In the first of a three part series we consider the importance of side letters and most favoured nations (MFN) clauses in private equity funds.
Read moreArtificial Intelligence, collaboration with online platforms and tackling the 'Wild West': How the ASA plans to make its impact online over the next 5 years
Given that online adverts made up 88% of all adverts where action was taken by the ASA in 2017, it is unsurprising that the regulation of online advertising is central to the ASA's strategy for the next 5 years.
Read moreNew regulations to permit assignment of receivables under commercial contracts now in force
After more than four years of consultation, draft regulations and revisions, the Business Contract Terms (Assignment of Receivables) Regulations 2018 (the Regulations) have now taken effect, and apply to all relevant contracts entered into on or after 31 December 2018.
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