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Shop til' you Pop: Amazon's Electric Avenue
Amazon is opening 10 pop-up shops in the UK, as a platform for over 100 small online brands to start selling via bricks and mortar. The pilot will run throughout the UK for around a year, with each pop-up opening for between six to eight weeks.
Read moreHigh Court does not "lycra" unjust Part 36 offers
In a recent High Court decision it has been held that parties must ensure that Part 36 offers are "genuine offers to settle" as the court will not order costs in circumstances where it is unjust to do so. Furthermore, the decision reinforces the significant weight that is given to whether or not an offeree accepts a Part 36 offer, regardless of whether relief is obtained by the offeree in the first instance.
Read moreRitchie - FTT guilty of procedural unfairness
In Ritchie v HMRC [2019] UKUT 007 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) has held that the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) had erred in finding that a loss of tax had been brought about by carelessness on the part of the taxpayers' professional advisers because, amongst other things, the carelessness of the advisers had not been adequately pleaded by HMRC and had not been put to any of the witnesses in cross-examination.
Read more'Green Finance' enters the mainstream
With the UK's recent commitment to cut emissions to net zero by 2050, the financial sector is looking to 'green finance' to encourage investment in sustainable and environmentally-friendly businesses. Recent examples, like Nokia's €1.5 billion credit facility announced last week, show that environmental impact is becoming a key consideration for lenders and borrowers.
Read moreThe problem of integrity
Integrity is beginning to look like the indispensable quality that we could all do without.
Read moreVAT update June 2019
In this month’s update we report on (1) amendments to the reduced VAT rate for energy-saving materials; (2) HMRC’s guidance on the VAT reverse charge on construction services; and (3) HMRC’s updated VAT Notice 700/1 – who should register for VAT.
Read moreNew pension transfer data – FCA's concerns remain
The FCA has published the results of data received from firms carrying out DB transfers and set out the next steps in its supervisory work.
Read moreRetailers: beware the ban on gender stereotyping
The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) has introduced a new rule, accompanied by Guidance, to combat negative gender stereotyping in ads. The test now (or rather from 14 June 2019 when the new rule comes into force) is whether the ad is "likely to cause harm" – a far lower threshold than the previous test of "widespread or serious offence".
Read moreDerry - HMRC challenge to share loss relief claim flawed
In R (on the application of Derry) v HMRC [2019] UKSC 19, the Supreme Court has dismissed HMRC's appeal and confirmed that the taxpayer was entitled to claim share loss relief in the year in which the loss was incurred, rather than the following year.
Read moreGovernment Consultation on Adding Folic Acid to Flour
Last week the government began a consultation on whether to introduce mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid to help reduce neural tube defects in foetuses.
Read moreNational Car Parks - Are overpayments consideration for VAT purposes?
In National Car Parks Ltd v HMRC [2019] EWCA Civ 854, the Court of Appeal has confirmed that excess amounts paid by customers at pay and display car parks were consideration for VAT purposes.
Read moreCourt of Appeal upholds decision on importance of industry standard documents in conflicting jurisdiction clauses
The Court of Appeal upheld the decision of the High Court[1], highlighting the risk that the English and Italian Courts may reach different decisions on the underlying factual background of related disputes even where the disputes could be said to fall under different agreements [2]. Therefore, parties need to appreciate that the English Court will put the certainty of industry standard documentation (such as ISDA Master Agreements) first such that it is dangerous to have different jurisdiction and/or governing law clauses in related agreements.
Read moreFCA and PRA jointly fine bank for repeated outsourcing failings
R. Raphael & Sons PLC (Raphaels), one of the UK's oldest lenders, has been criticised and fined jointly by the FCA and PRA after it was found that the bank had failed to manage its outsourcing arrangements properly.
Read moreNational Security and Investment – the EU's response
National security concerns regarding Huawei continue to make headlines around the world, against the backdrop of an ongoing US / Chinese trade war. This blog looks at new EU rules on foreign investments which raise security or public order concerns.
Read moreMergers and Acquisitions Update June 2019
小売分野の取引で業界をけん引する当法律事務所は、変化と競争の激しいこの分野の事業に影響を及ぼす主な法改正や政策変更について、総合的な手引きをまとめている。以下は、当事務所の発行する「リテール·コンパス2019年夏号」 に掲載されたさまざまな話題の概要だ。詳細については、https://www.rpc.co.uk/ perspectives/retail-therapy/retail-compass-summer-edition-2019を参照されたい。
Read moreSpotlight on private wealth - June 2019
Our quarterly update is designed to keep you up to speed with developments in disputes, and how you can avoid them, in the private client world.
Read moreTax update - June 2019
In this month’s update we report on HMRC’s guidance in relation to off-payroll working in the public sector and the intermediaries legislation (so-called IR35), the extension of late payment and repayment interest to penalties levied under the DOTAS, promoters, and enablers of tax avoidance, regimes; and HMRC’s guidance on the economic interest requirement for shareholders who wish to claim entrepreneurs’ relief.
Read moreTooth – Court of Appeal confirms discovery assessment was invalid
In HMRC v Tooth [2019] EWCA Civ 826, the Court of Appeal has held that a discovery assessment was invalid, but the taxpayer's inaccuracy in his return was deliberate.
Read moreLost chances à la Moda
Lost chance case-law has come a long way since the ground-breaking decision in Allied Maples. One of its more interesting offshoots is the case of Moda International Brands Ltd v Gateley LLP & Anor. Moda is required reading for any firm of solicitors who wants to defend a lost chance claim arising from its transactional work for a claimant.
Read moreHow the “30 days period” to pay a claim in Latin America works in practice
Everyone dealing with Latin American claims will become familiar with the short deadlines imposed in these jurisdictions for paying a claim. However, how those deadlines are applied in practice can be a complex matter to work out.
Read moreKidsons and Kajima reviewed
The Court of Appeal considers the notification of a “hornet’s nest” in Euro Pools Plc v Royal Sun Alliance Plc
Read moreEconomic duress: when is a threat not an (illegitimate) threat?
In what circumstances can a threat not to enter into a contract amount to economic duress? Broadly speaking, when pressure is exerted "in bad faith", according to the Court of Appeal in Times Travel (UK) Limited v Pakistan International Airlines Corporation
Read moreProduct liability update May 2019
A round-up of some of the recent stories making the news, from consultation on food labelling to changes to the product liability and safety legislation in the event of a "no deal" Brexit.
Read moreCorporate tax update May 2019
Welcome to the latest edition of our Corporate Tax Update, written by members of RPC’s tax team.
Read moreHannover - SDLT avoidance and corporate property deals – the importance of timing!
In Hannover v HMRC [2019] UKFTT 0262 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has held that the stamp duty land tax (SDLT) anti-avoidance rule in section 75A, Finance Act 2003, applied to a series of transactions that included the sale of units in a Guernsey property unit trust (GPUT), even though there was no tax avoidance motive and each transaction was 'appropriately' taxed.
Read moreVAT update May 2019
In this month’s update we report on (1) HMRC guidance on the correct treatment for the deduction of import VAT by non-owners of goods; (2) Regulations which introduce a VAT reverse charge on specified construction services; and (3) refunds of VAT in the UK for non-EU businesses.
Read moreLooking at the success of the UK's war on plastic
Savvy brands will be working to realise the potential of reducing plastic consumption; not just from a sustainability perspective but also from a sales and branding perspective. Not only could it help to save the penguins, but also to boost sales.
Read moreCustoms and excise quarterly update: May 2019
In this update we report on (1) changes to customs authorisations following a no-deal Brexit; (2) making declarations using traditional simplified procedures; and (3) the Pubs Code Adjudicator’s guidance on accounting for duty paid on alcohol and volumes of unsaleable draught products.
Read moreQ Ltd – interim injunction continued pending appeal
In Q Ltd v HMRC [2019] EWHC 712 (QB), in considering the balance of risk, the High Court continued an interim injunction pending the outcome of the taxpayer's appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (FTT).
Read moreDisclosure 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.
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