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Let's call it quits: Cruise ships, capital losses and mitigation
In its recent judgment in Fulton Shipping Inc of Panama –v- Globalia Business Travel SAU the Court of Appeal considered a short, but important, point of law in relation to the calculation of damages in English law.
Read moreAt last – the long-awaited price drop in Hong Kong's residential properties?
As with many of the developed cities in the world, Hong Kong faces the phenomenon of a soaring residential property market.
Read moreSolicitors can owe a limited duty of care to third parties
In Caliendo v Mischon de Reya, the Court found that a firm of solicitors had not been retained, either expressly or impliedly, to represent the majority shareholders in respect of the sale of their shareholding in a football club.
Read moreHill marches up and down again - MiFID II delayed
Last week, it was confirmed that MiFID II will be delayed for another year.
Read more'Disproportionate' disclosure application denied in swaps mis-selling claim
In Claverton Holdings Ltd v Barclays Bank plc, the Commercial Court rejected an application by the claimant for specific disclosure against the defendant bank.
Read moreThe end of the low cost insurance scheme?
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) have taken disciplinary action against Mr Shay Reches, the firms Coverall and Millburn, and four other related individuals in relation to solicitors' professional indemnity insurance and other insurance scheme failures.
Read moreThe FCA and Upper Tribunal
The FCA's 'further decision notice' on Mr Tariq Carrimjee (senior partner and CEO of Somerset Asset Management) revealed that, the regulator has taken on board the Tribunal's view that banning Mr Carrimjee from all regulated activity would be 'irrational and disproportionate', and it has instead decided to prohibit him from performing compliance oversight (CF10) and money laundering reporting functions (CF11).
Read moreSolvency II: concerns raised by UK Treasury and Bank of England
In only its second month after implementation, the effects of Solvency II have already been called into question by the UK Treasury and the Bank of England, due to its potential impact on long-term investment and the competitiveness of the EEA insurers.
Read moreKeep your word! Hong Kong Court enforces indemnity for delivery of cargo without original bills
Shipowners are well aware of the perils of releasing cargo without production of an original bill of lading. In particular, they are likely to lose P&I cover in the event of a misdelivery claim.
Read moreTribunal grants 'disclosure' application against HMRC
The recent case of Tower Bridge GP Ltd v HMRC [2016] UKFTT 054 (TC) concerned applications by Tower Bridge GP Limited (Tower Bridge) and HMRC to the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) for disclosure of information and documents from each other, pursuant to Rule 5 of the Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Tax Chamber) Rules 2009 (the Tribunal Rules).
Read moreNEC must extend culture and spirit to lawyers to end curse of the Z Clause
In the NEC Users' Group Newsletter (No.75 November 2015), Rudi Klein – in his article, "Revisiting the curse of the Z clause" (page 2) – remarks that, "Unfortunately, through the 'loophole' of option Z, far too many NEC contracts are amended beyond recognition and fail to deliver as they should".
Read moreLitigants in person – approach with caution?
The increase in recent years of the number of litigants in person (LiPs) is largely due to the impact of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (the Act), which came into force on 1 April 2013.
Read moreAutomation isn't the end
There is something almost apocalyptic about the idea that technology will spell “the end of lawyers”, so it is comforting that research suggests that the near future will be more about the automation of activities than the replacement of entire professions.
Read moreEmployment update, December 2015
Implied terms: when can a term be implied into a contract?
Read moreEC's 2015 comms on copyright– appetiser to 2016's main course
As part of its Digital Single Market Strategy the European Commission released a Communication entitled "Towards a modern, more European copyright framework" on 9 December 2015.
Read moreStandstills, FOS and time limits
FOS applies its own time limits when considering complaints.
Read moreResolving mistakes in trust deeds and wills – a new, cheaper and quicker approach?
Claims are often made against professionals arising out of errors in trust deeds and wills.
Read moreDon't leave me this way: SRA to split from the Law Society?
From almost a standing start around ten years ago, solicitors are now among the most regulated professionals in the UK.
Read moreStand and deliver: what documents must a solicitor deliver up to its client when asked for 'the file'?
Most compliance managers or complaints partners will experience that sinking feeling when yet another file request lands on their desks, often with the distinct aroma of a 'fishing expedition'.
Read moreTribunal allows taxpayer's appeal and confirms he was carrying on a trade on a commercial basis
In Akhtar Ali v HMRC [2016] UKFTT 8 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT), in allowing the taxpayer's appeal, has provided some helpful guidance on the factors to be taken into consideration when deciding whether activities comprise a trade which is commercial, for the purposes of section 66, Income Tax Act 2007 (ITA).
Read moreNo Returns Following Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court has confirmed that save for exceptional circumstances it is reluctant to step in and imply a rent apportionment clause into a commercial lease.
Read moreAdjudication - RMP Construction Services Ltd v Chalcroft Ltd
On 21 December 2015, Stuart-Smith J handed down his decision in RMP Construction Services Ltd v Chalcroft Ltd1 , an action for summary judgment in the Technology and Construction Court to enforce an Adjudicator’s decision.
Read moreNFL to touchdown in London
The NFL season is reaching its climax with the Denver Broncos preparing to take on the Carolina Panthers on 7 February in the Super Bowl.
Read moreGrandfathering grumbles - PRA and FCA highlight failings in S(I)MR
In the past few days both the PRA and FCA have reminded banks and insurers of the 8 February deadline for the submission of grandfathering notifications for individuals to perform roles under the Senior Managers Regime and the Senior Insurance Managers Regime.
Read moreTax update
Increased SDLT for second homes and buy-to-let properties to apply to all
Read moreFCA – feeling the political heat?
The FCA escaped a vote of "no confidence" during last night's debate in the House of Commons, despite facing a barrage of scathing remarks from MPs.
Read moreRPC hosts seminar on 'Data Privacy and the Media'
On 28 January 2016, RPC hosted a 'Question Time' style panel discussion for a range of media lawyers on data protection and its particular relevance to the media industry and media companies.
Read moreBorrow My Brand
Businesses, do you want to boost your brand? The answer is simple - borrow someone else's. Perhaps most prominent in the fashion world, 'brand borrowing' is the concept of one brand procuring the use of another brand’s name or logo for their products.
Read moreFCA announces consultation on role of GCs in regulated firms
We are so accustomed to dissembling by politicians and others in public life that it is heartening to see individuals or institutions that are prepared to acknowledge responsibility for their mistakes.
Read more47% decrease in claims against solicitors – a false sense of security?
2015 saw a 47% decline in the number of professional negligence cases brought against solicitors to 221, down significantly from 418 in 2014.
Read moreCourt of Appeal confirms validity of third party information notices
In Derrin Brothers Properties Limited & Others v HMRC [2016] EWCA Civ 15, the Court of Appeal has dismissed the Appellants' appeal against the High Court's refusal to quash third party information notices issued by HMRC pursuant to paragraph 2, Schedule 36, Finance Act 2008 (the Notices).
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. In this edition we highlight some of the key tax developments of interest to UK corporates from the final quarter of 2015.
Read moreVAT update
Brief 22/15 – VAT partial exemption changes concerning foreign branches
Read moreStuck in the middle with (section) 52
IPO Consultation on the transitional arrangements for the repeal of Section 52 of the CDPA
Read moreDo receivers owe duties to bankrupt mortgagors?
The Court of Appeal has recently considered whether an LPA Receiver owes a duty of care to a bankrupt mortgagor in connection with the way the Receiver deals with the mortgaged property. In a decision which will be welcomed by Receivers and their insurers, the court decided that a Receiver owes no such duties.
Read moreStandstills – direct, indirect, connected to, arising out of – has time been stopped?
Defendants are often invited to enter into Standstill Agreements, stopping time for limitation purposes.
Read moreTop tips for negotiating football kit sponsorship deals
(including considerations when working with betting companies)
Read moreUpdate: High Court provides guidance on termination for contracting parties
In the recent case of C&S Associates Ltd v Enterprise Insurance Company Plc [2015] EWHC 3757 (Comm) the High Court considered a number of issues that will be of interest to contracting parties, including:
Read moreFCA announces rejection of change of control application
It is rare for the FCA's objection to a change of control notification to ever become public.
Read moreThe politics of regulation
Today's news about Andrew Bailey's appointment as CEO of the FCA is a significant and, no doubt, highly political appointment.
Read moreUK flooding: the aftermath
As the flood waters subside and residents, businesses, insurers and public bodies survey the damage and pick up the pieces, thoughts will turn to what, if anything, could have been done differently to have prevented or minimised the damage caused.
Read moreArbitrations and anti-suit injunctions – a Hong Kong perspective
In some jurisdictions (notably Mainland China and Australia), local law does not give effect to the incorporation of arbitration clauses into bills of lading.
Read moreUpdate: CFAs will not continue for insolvent companies
Earlier in April last year, we wrote an article on the insolvency exemption to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO).
Read morePRA fines and bans former CEO and MD of Co-op Bank
In its recent action against former senior figures at the Co-op Bank the PRA has highlighted the impact of the Senior Managers Regime on such enforcement cases, even though this was a case brought under the (now discredited) approved persons regime.
Read moreLove thy neighbour but don't give them any advice!
The first TCC judgment of the year, Burgess & Burgess vs Lejonvarn [2016] EWHC 40 (TCC), is of particular interest to both architects and their insurers, as it discusses and distinguishes between a contractual relationship and one that gives rise to an assumption of responsibility in tort.
Read moreSupreme Court clarifies law on implied terms
The Supreme Court has clarified the law on implied terms: in order for a term to be implied it must be necessary for business efficacy or alternatively be so obvious as to go without saying.
Read moreSupreme Court clarifies law on implied terms: "business efficacy" test remains
The Supreme Court has clarified the law on implied terms: in order for a term to be implied it must be necessary for business efficacy or alternatively be so obvious as to go without saying. In practice, it will be a rare case where one of those conditions is satisfied but not the other.
Read moreHMRC fails to satisfy the Tribunal that residential property purchased for a pension fund was "taxable property"
In J & A Young (Leicester) Limited and Others v HMRC [2015] UKFTT 0638 (TC) TC 04771, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT), has allowed the taxpayers' appeals and held that certain residential property acquired by a self-administered occupational pension scheme was not "taxable property", for the purposes of Schedule 29A, Finance Act 2004 (FA 2004).
Read moreSelling, buying or investing: five practical tips for insurance broker M&A
People who are well prepared and able to act quickly tend to do better in a buoyant M&A market and, with some sizeable recent transactions, continued interest from private equity, ongoing consolidation and some of the larger broking groups remaining interested at least in strategic plays, insurance broker M&A is likely to be just such a market in 2016.
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