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Disclosure Pilot Scheme: Technology
How does the Disclosure Pilot encourage the use of technology?
Read moreStamp duty land tax (SDLT) avoidance and corporate property deals – the importance of timing!
The First-Tier Tribunal has, in a recent decision, caused something of a stir for clients and advisors familiar with the well-trodden (and, usually, tax-efficient) use of offshore unit trusts to hold UK property.
Read moreWhat’s gone wrong with putting things right?
Solicitors are becoming concerned about their ability to put things right when they make mistakes. We do not consider that much has changed in this area. It is as important as it has always been for a solicitor to realise if he or she has made a mistake and to think carefully about how to remedy it. This is not an easy task. We hope this article will assist in guiding solicitors and their insurers through this complex area.
Read moreFinancial Reporting Council considers the test for "misconduct"
A recent Financial Reporting Council (FRC) Tribunal decision provides some welcomed clarity on the distinguishing features of misconduct and negligence for those in the accountancy profession.
Read moreHMRC's unreasonable conduct leads to costs award against it
In E v HMRC [2018] UKFTT 771 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has found that HMRC acted unreasonably in not withdrawing an information notice earlier than it did and awarded the taxpayer his costs.
Read moreNovel approach to measuring damages resulting from a breach of warranty
The accepted approach of diminution in the value of the target company has been unsuccessfully challenged in Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation Limited v ING Bank NV ([2019] EWHC 676 (Comm)).
Read moreDisclosure Pilot Scheme: A balancing act
Disclosure has always involved a balancing act between all parties involved, to progress cases in an efficient and cost effective manner, but the Disclosure Pilot Scheme seeks to change where that balance lies. Partners Parham Kouchikali and Davina Given discuss in more detail.
Read moreAtherton – discovery assessment not stale and taxpayer was careless
In Richard Atherton v HMRC [2019] UKUT 0041 (TCC) the Upper Tribunal (UT) has held that a discovery had not become stale by the time an assessment was issued under section 20, Taxes Management Act 1970 (TMA) and that the taxpayer had been careless in making an inadequate 'white space' disclosure in his self-assessment return.
Read moreAng(er) over jurisdiction challenge: High Court seeks to clarify whether speculative investment by a private individual is a business or consumer activity
Failed jurisdiction challenge against a private individual making speculative currency transactions on the basis that she could be considered a consumer under the Recast Brussels Regulation (Romana Ang v Reliantco Investments Limited [2019] EWHC 879 (Comm))
Read moreNo exceptions to exclusionary rule: Court of Appeal confirms established principle
While evidence of pre-contractual negotiations can be adduced to demonstrate how a transaction came about or what its commercial aims were, it cannot be relied on to aid the interpretation of the contractual provisions themselves. Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd v Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council ) [2019] EWCA Civ 526.
Read more"Goodwill Hunting": Latest on Cybersquatting
In a recent Court of Appeal decision, it has been held that cybersquatting (ie the practice of registering well-known brand names as internet domains to later resell them at profit) does not in and of itself amount to passing off. A claimant is still required to demonstrate relevant goodwill in the name or mark relied upon. It follows that an unused mark (which, by its very nature, lacks sufficient goodwill) is incapable of supporting an action for passing off based on cybersquatting.
Read moreFinancial litigation roundup Spring/Summer 2019
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 moreDisclosure Pilot Scheme: Cooperation and culture
Partners Parham Kouchikali and Davina Given discuss the Disclosure Pilot Scheme and the change in cooperation and culture needed for the pilot to be successful for all parties involved.
Read moreMergers and Acquisitions update May 2019
ここ数週間、日系、非日系を問わず顧客の新たなM&A(企業の合併·買収)取引が次々と開始されたり、交渉が進められている。投資銀行の知人たちからも、 M&A取引は活発と聞いている。
Read moreThe High Court removes its cap for litigation funders
The High Court has declined to cap a litigation funder's liability for adverse costs at the amount of funding provided. It confirmed that the so-called Arkin cap is an approach to be considered, not a rule to be followed (Davey v Money [2019] EWHC 997 (Ch)).
Read moreGeneral liability newsletter April 2019
The latest general liability news coming out of the courts.
Read moreTax update - May 2019
In this month’s update we report on HMRC’s consultation on private residence relief, HMRC’s revised guidance on agreeing the value of shares with HMRC Shares and Assets Valuation when operating an EMI or SIP and HMRC’s guidance on calculating tax and NICs due on the loan charge.
Read moreDuty of care can exist between parent company and third parties affected by subsidiaries' actions
Vedanta(1) is one of three similar cases progressing through the English courts concerning jurisdiction, mass tort claims and the potential liability of an English parent company for the actions of its foreign subsidiaries,(2) the others being Unilever and Dutch Shell.
Read moreHargreaves: Even staler!
In Hargreaves v HMRC [2019] UKFTT 0244 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has again found that HMRC's discovery of an underpayment of tax had become 'stale' and accordingly the subsequent assessment issued under section 29, Taxes Management Act 1970 (TMA) was invalid.
Read moreGovernment assessing business rates for warehouses
The Financial Times recently reported that the Government has been assessing warehouse rents, in advance of the next revaluation for business rates.
Read moreMore than you bargained for: the implied duty of good faith
The recent High Court decision in Bates v. Post Office (No. 3) confirms a general principle that if a contract is a "relational" contract then it will include an implied obligation of good faith. Previously, there had been doubt whether such a general principle exists, as historically this was not an approach recognised by the English courts.
Read moreDerivative transactions – the obligation to report
As the recent £34.9m fine for Goldman Sachs shows, the FCA takes the obligation to report derivative transactions seriously. How does this affect parties who trade infrequently, and what changes to the reporting requirement can we expect post-Brexit?
Read moreCourt of Appeal considers the test for dishonest assistance following Ivey
In Group Seven v Notable Services LLP the Court of Appeal considered and applied the two stage test of dishonesty set out by the Supreme Court in Ivey v Genting in a claim for dishonest assistance in a breach of trust by various members of a legal disciplinary practice.
Read moreVAT update April 2019
In this month’s update we report on (1) HMRC’s updated guidance on intra-group VAT reverse charge; (2) draft regulations which will tighten the rules on when VAT adjustments may be made following a change to the price of goods and services; and (3) HMRC’s updated policy paper which provides an overview of Making Tax Digital for VAT.
Read moreWhat if third parties helped to hide the golden egg?
What if third parties helped to hide the golden egg?
Read moreThe fraudster is insolvent – can you add more eggs to the basket?
The fraudster is insolvent – can you add more eggs to the basket?
Read moreWhat to do if the golden egg hatches (or you need to trace into the fraudster's other assets)
What to do if the golden egg hatches (or you need to trace into the fraudster's other assets)
Read moreHow can I find the golden egg? Part 2: ask the Easter bunny (or third parties)
How can I find the golden egg? Part 2: ask the Easter bunny (or third parties)
Read moreShould fraud unravel all? The Supreme Court thinks so
Should fraud unravel all? The Supreme Court thinks so
Read moreSnow Factor – Upper Tribunal determines the meaning of "financial extremity"
In Snow Factor Ltd v HMRC [2019] UKUT 77 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) has determined the meaning of the phrase "financial extremity might be reasonably expected to result from that decision of HMRC" in section 85(B), Value Added Tax Act 1994 (VATA).
Read moreHow can I find the golden egg? Part 1: ask the fraudster and accept no eggs-cuses
How do I find the golden egg? Part 1: ask the fraudster and accept no eggs-cuses
Read moreHow do you stop the treasure map leading to the golden egg being destroyed?
How do you stop the treasure map leading to the golden egg being destroyed?
Read moreHow do you stop the golden egg rolling away?
How do you stop the golden egg rolling away?
Read moreThe greatest Easter egg hunt: asset recovery in the English courts
The greatest Easter egg hunt: asset recovery in the English courts
Read moreMacleod – insurance premiums paid not earnings from taxpayer's employment
In Macleod and Mitchell Contractors Limited and William Mitchell v HMRC [2019] UKUT 0046 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) has held that insurance premiums paid by the company on policies taken out in the sole director's name were not earnings from employment.
Read moreTang - Bare trust existed notwithstanding lack of trust document
In Lily Tang v HMRC [2019] UKFTT 81, the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) held that there was a bare trust despite the absence of a trust document and that the bare trustee was not liable to notify HMRC or for tax in relation to funds she held on trust.
Read moreBrexit delay prolongs uncertainty for insurers
Yesterday's announcement of Halloween as the new deadline for Brexit will prolong uncertainty for many UK insurers.
Read moreIs it now inevitable corporates will face new “failure to prevent economic crime” offences?
Back in September 2014, the then Attorney General, Jeremy Wright QC MP announced that the Government was considering proposals to create a new corporate offence of failing to prevent economic crime. A change of corporate culture was sighted as being necessary to fully address the scale of fraud reported by the Global Economic Crime Survey.
Read moreRoyal College of Surgeons call for Robust Reporting in the Private Healthcare Sector
The Royal College of Surgeons (the “RCS”) has today called for independent healthcare providers to “improve standards in the independent sector and prevent the circumstances that enabled Paterson to continue practising from happening again.”
Read moreSnapshots - Spring 2019
This is your roundup of all recent legal updates spanning advertising & marketing, commercial cases,technology / digital, data protection and intellectual property.
Read moreFixing Fast Fashion: Parliament aims to put the brakes on retailers
'Fast fashion' has been providing inexpensive, up to date styles to the mass market for decades, keeping the consumer both on trend, and in the black. However, as society becomes increasingly aware of the environmental and social impact of the retail sector, Parliament has thrown a spotlight upon the sustainability of 'fast fashion' and the modern retailing practices which underpin it.
Read moreVaginal mesh: the evidence
NICE guidelines inform debate over the evidence for the risks and benefits of mesh products
Read moreWorried you'll run out of milk: what does your contract say?
This isn't a 'B'-word blog, don't worry. But with 'B' looming (in whatever form it may take) UK businesses are facing unprecedented uncertainty when it comes to their supply chain – talk continues of border delays, stock piling and shortages.
Read moreSleeping on the job
Given an increasing interest in wellness, sleep is a hot topic for both individuals and businesses. With sleep-related productivity issues estimated as costing the UK economy up to £40 billion, this article takes a look at the impact that sleep has on businesses – as well as the opportunities that it presents.
Read moreWhat are the requirements for demonstrating genuine use of a trademark?
Supermac’s (Holdings) Ltd (Supermac’s) applied to revoke McDonald’s International Property Company Ltd’s (McDonald’s) EU trade mark registration for “BIG MAC” covering classes 29 and 30 (sandwiches etc) and class 42 (services associated with operating and franchising restaurants etc) (EUTM) on the basis that the EUTM was not put to genuine use during a continuous period of five years following the date of registration in relation to any of the registered goods and services.
Read moreEuropean Parliament introduces Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market
How will the new Directive on Copyright change the legal and commercial landscape for both rights holders and content platforms?
Read moreCan brand owners rely on both registered trade mark infringement and passing off in order to prevent third parties from registering companies which incorporate their brand?
On 12 May 2011, Mr Whitehouse incorporated a UK company under the name BMW Associates Limited (BAL). BMW wrote to Mr Whitehouse alleging trade mark infringement and passing off.
Read morePulseOn v Garmin, did the High Court correctly apply the test for infringement of Registered Community Designs?
PulseOn (a developer of heart rate monitor wrist watches) alleged infringement of its Registered Community Design (RCD) for those watches by one of Garmin’s sports watches, the “Forerunner 235”. PulseOn’s RCD sought to protect specific design features of the watch – in particular the shape and arrangement of three oblong LED sensors around a rectangular photo sensor.
Read moreContractual certainty/ implied terms
Was a binding agreement reached between a vendor and an estate agent, despite the parties not having specified the circumstances in which the agreed rate of commission would fall due?
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