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Tribunal confirms TV presenter not subject to IR35 rules
IR35 does not apply where a significant number of factors make it clear that a presenter "was in business on his own account".
Read moreWhat if the CEO asks me about…Corporate Criminal Liability and its potential reforms?
In the words of Spiderman's Uncle Ben (or Aunt May if you've seen the latest film...) with great power comes great responsibility. Corporations have all the power that comes with being a 'legal person' but equally are responsible for wielding this power within the confines of the law.
Read moreRetail Compass Spring Edition 2022
Welcome to the Spring edition of Retail Compass, where we guide you through the key legal and policy changes affecting retail and consumer brands and provide our thoughts on those crucial, need-to-know issues.
Read moreRegulatory update - March 2022
Welcome to the March edition of the Regulatory update, which pulls together recent developments from across the UK’s regulators to help you navigate the regulatory maze.
Read moreCompeting opt-out claims refused certification in CAT's FX decision
Since the first opt-out certification last summer in Merricks, a steady stream of collective claims has been certified by the CAT. There have now been four opt-out certifications with many more applications in the wings. Last week's FX decision is the CAT's first certification refusal following Merricks.
Read moreHong Kong – General adjournment of court proceedings given severity of “5th Wave” of COVID-19
Given the severity of the “5th Wave” of the pandemic in Hong Kong, on 4 March 2022 the judiciary announced another “general adjournment of proceedings”; this time to run from 7 March to 11 April 2022.
Read moreThe Week That Was - 1 April 2022
Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the construction sector over the last seven days.
Read moreRICS Article Series – Article 2
In this series of articles, we explain the procedure for disciplinary investigations against chartered surveyors.
Read moreFCA consultation on British Steel redress scheme published
The FCA has now published its consultation paper on the proposed redress scheme for British Steel Pension transfers under s.404 of FSMA. The scope of this is wider than anticipated and the proposals contain some surprises around the lack of an opt-in process and potential involvement of FOS.
Read moreRPC Bites #45 - Waitrose concerned by Asda's 'Just Essentials' range, HFSS restrictions potentially delayed further and the end of free-range eggs (for now)
Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!!
Read moreLawyers Covered - March 2022
Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.
Read moreV@ update - March 2022
Welcome to the March 2022 edition of RPC's V@, an update which provides analysis and news from the VAT world relevant to your business.
Read moreNo judicial review for FOS defined benefit transfer case
The High Court has rejected an application for permission for judicial review in a number of FOS complaints upheld against the adviser who advised on a defined benefit pension transfer. The adviser had advised on the transfer but not the subsequent investments made after the transfer. The adviser was led to believe that UCIS investments would not be made with the transferred funds but in fact UCIS investments were made. The FOS found that the adviser had given unsuitable pension transfer advice partly on the basis that it should have asked more questions about the ultimate investments and it was not enough to have provided for a general spread of investment type. Permission for judicial review was rejected on the basis that there was nothing unlawful in the FOS decisions including the fact that the adviser was held responsible for 100% of the losses despite the involvement of the separate adviser that advised on the investments following the transfer.
Read moreMoney Mirror Issue 1 - March 2022
Welcome to Money Mirror, RPC's new Payments & Consumer Credit publication. In our 1st edition, we take a look at interesting developments in these markets - operational resilience, Buy Now Pay Later, crypto advertising and access to cash.
Read moreFinancial Crime Time - Your update from RPC: 2022 Q1
Welcome to the latest edition of our round-up of news making the headlines in the world of financial crime and compliance. Our aim is to give you an easily digestible, bite-sized overview of issues that may affect your business.
Read moreTribunal confirms that certain studies and project management costs relating to offshore windfarms qualify in part for capital allowances
The First-tier Tribunal has confirmed that certain studies and project management costs relating to offshore windfarms qualify in part for capital allowances.
Read more50th episode special - A judges view of insurance (With Sir Bernard Rix)
Welcome to a special episode of Insurance Covered, celebrating our 50th episode. In this episode Peter interviews Sir Bernard Rix discussing his career as a barrister and a judge, focusing on the judgements he made that impacted the insurance industry.
Read moreGin-uine use? The UKIPO concludes yes, despite limited evidence and variances between the trade mark as registered and as used
The UK Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has rejected an application by Inver House Distillers for the revocation of a competitor's trade mark. The mark in question is owned by Destileras M.G., S.L and Importaciones y Exportaciones Varma, S.A (the Proprietors) and consists of a 2D image of a distinctively shaped bottle, featuring the 'Master's logo' and a lion device (the Master's Mark). The decision was reached on the basis that the Proprietors had successfully demonstrated genuine use of their mark, in the UK.
Read moreWhat can HMRC do with your information?
In previous episodes we have discussed the myriad of ways HMRC collects information on individuals and businesses. Whether through international agreements, information provided on a voluntary basis, as a consequence of a legal duty to report, or through its information gathering powers, the Revenue holds an abundance of information relating to taxpayers.
Read moreThe Week That Was - 25 March 2022
Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the construction sector over the last seven days.
Read moreSports Ticker (25 March 2022) - F1 gearing up, Cardiff City dispute settled and Saudi-backed golf competition launches
In a fortnight which has seen the return of F1 in Bahrain, and the surprising retirement of tennis world number one Ashleigh Barty aged 25, we feature the recent settlement between Cardiff City and former owner Sam Hammam, the Premier League's first NFT partnerships and the Leicester Tigers salary cap investigation. We also take a look at F1's most recent sponsorship deal and the Saudi-backed golf Super League.
Read moreMoney Mirror: Access to cash
Welcome to Money Mirror. In the first episode, we explore the importance of access to cash.
Read moreCan litigation privilege be claimed for exploratory correspondence with an expert before litigation is in prospect?
In a recent case, the Court decided that correspondence with an expert did not attract legal professional privilege. The expert's work had been intended to provide "ballast" for a claim in suspected mismanagement, but in fact the expert's investigation uncovered a potential alternative claim, which was quite distinct from the claim initially being investigated.
Read moreNo tax due on transfer of business to connected company
The First-tier Tribunal in Conran and another v HMRC [2022] UKFTT 39 (TC), concluded that the transfer of a business between connected parties resulted in no capital gains tax liability for the seller, having reduced the stated £8.25m valuation of the business to £1 for tax purposes.
Read moreCourt of Appeal issues "clear message" that those who breach embargoes on draft judgments risk contempt proceedings
In only the third judgment ever to consider the issue, the Court of Appeal has issued a stark reminder that court users should take care to observe any embargo over a draft judgment or else face the possibility of proceedings for contempt of court.
Read moreInsurers need their own Hippocratic Oath
Does insurance have a role to play in setting the ethical standard for corporate ESG and promoting a ‘do no harm’ philosophy?"
Read moreInsurers need their own Hippocratic Oath
Does insurance have a role to play in setting the ethical standard for corporate ESG and promoting a ‘do no harm’ philosophy?"
Read moreNational Audit Office on the British Steel Pension Scheme
On Friday the National Audit Office (NAO) published a report on the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS), looking at the regulation of pension transfer advice and extent to which compensation has been delivered. The NAO's report does not look at the merits of individual decisions made by the FCA and other organisations but includes some insightful information on the BSPS scheme and the status of complaints at FOS and the FSCS and the NAO's findings. With the report coming just before the FCA is due to publish its consultation on a consumer redress scheme for impacted BSPS members and makes for useful reading for those involved with BSPS complaints.
Read moreThe Week That Was - 18 March 2022
Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the construction sector over the last seven days.
Read moreShell directors facing potential UK ESG shareholder derivative lawsuit
In the wake of COP26, more focus than ever is being given to the climate risks which apply to every aspect of business. Scrutiny of a company's climate awareness and adherence to applicable regulation is at the forefront of minds of companies' stakeholders.
Read moreShell directors facing potential UK ESG shareholder derivative lawsuit
In the wake of COP26, more focus than ever is being given to the climate risks which apply to every aspect of business. Scrutiny of a company's climate awareness and adherence to applicable regulation is at the forefront of minds of companies' stakeholders.
Read moreCMA pushing for more powers on sustainability
Following its public consultation, the CMA has published its advice to government on how competition and consumer laws can help meet the UK's environmental goals.
Read moreDuties of Care to Third Parties in Tax Avoidance Schemes – Disappointment for Investors in McClean as Zacaroli, J Rejects Claims
Mr Justice Zacaroli has now handed down his judgment in David McClean and others v Andrew Thornhill QC [2022] EWHC 457 (Ch) - a ~£40m claim by investors in a tax scheme against one of the leading tax barristers in the country. The judge dismissed the claim in its entirety holding, amongst other things that the barrister did not owe a duty of care to the investors.
Read moreMatchmaking services were subject to special place of supply rule for B2C consultancy services
In Gray & Farrar International LLP v HMRC [2021] UKUT 293 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) decided that matchmaking services supplied to clients outside the EU fell within Article 59(c) of Council Directive 2006/112/EC (the Principal Directive) and were therefore outside the scope of VAT.
Read moreValuers receive further clarity on External Walling Reviews
As reported in our previous post, December 2019 saw the launch of a new form, the EWS1, (External Wall System 1 form) to assist with the process of valuing properties within residential buildings. The main purpose of the form remains to simplify the process of determining whether works are required to a property in a multi-storey, multi-occupancy residential block, and to what extent any works may impact a property's value.
Read moreRPC Bites 44 - UK IPO finds gin-uine use of trade mark, another copycat product battle and plastic packaging to be scrapped for fruit and veg
Welcome to RPC Bites. Our aim in the next 2 minutes is to provide you with a flavour of some key legal, regulatory and commercial developments in the Food & Drink sector over the last fortnight… with the occasional bit of industry gossip thrown in for good measure. Enjoy!!
Read moreOperational Resilience - preparations for 31 March 2022
The deadline of 31 March 2022 is approaching when new rules on operational resilience come into force.
Read moreThe Bermuda insurance market (a podcast with Stephen Weinstein)
Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance. In this episode Peter is joined by Stephen Weinstein, Chair of the Bermuda Business Development Agency (BDA). The topic for discussion is the Bermuda Insurance Market and why it has become a global insurance hub.
Read moreCourt of Appeal holds that Quincecare duty can arise where the customer gives instructions in authorised push payment fraud
The Court of Appeal has allowed an appeal in relation to a bank's Quincecare duty and authorised push payment fraud, finding in favour of the customer who lost the bulk of her life savings.
Read moreCum-Ex: a multi-billion tax trading scandal
In a much-anticipated podcast we revisit the multi-billion tax trading scandal known as Cum-Ex, and consider recent developments and discuss why this rapidly expanding cross-border tax fraud remains of interest 5 years after it was first exposed.
Read moreThe Week That Was - 11 March 2022
Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the construction sector over the last seven days.
Read moreSports Ticker (10 March 2022) - Disney's gamble, Netflix's gaming play and rugby league governance shake-up - a speed-read of commercial updates from the sports world
In this edition of the Sports Ticker, we feature stories relating to other developments in the world of sport, including: TikTok's sponsorship of the Pakistan-Australia Test cricket series, Netflix's acquisition of Next Games and Disney's contemplation of a move into sports betting. We also take a look at Manchester City's official partnership with crypto exchange OKX, the technicalities of F1's new regulations for the upcoming season and the realignment of governance in rugby league.
Read moreWhere's the damage? High Court dismisses jurisdiction challenge in US$495 million claim
The High Court has dismissed UBS' challenge to jurisdiction in a ca. US$495 million claim – and in doing so set out useful guidance in terms of how the Court will determine "where the damage has occurred" in cases of economic loss. The judge looked for the most "natural analysis" in determining the manifestation of the loss, and broadly agreed that "the usual answer [in bad investment cases] will be that the loss occurs in, and at the place of, the bank account which was depleted."
Read moreDuties of Care to Third Parties in Tax Avoidance Schemes – Disappointment for Investors in McClean as Zacaroli, J Rejects Claims
Mr Justice Zacaroli has now handed down his judgment in David McClean and others v Andrew Thornhill QC [2022] EWHC 457 (Ch) - a ~£40m claim by investors in a tax scheme against one of the leading tax barristers in the country. The judge dismissed the claim in its entirety holding, amongst other things that the barrister did not owe a duty of care to the investors.
Read morePayments to employees were "relevant motoring expenditure" and should be disregarded for the purposes of NICs
In Willmott Dixon Holdings Ltd v HMRC [2022] UKFTT 6 (TC) the First-tier Tribunal (FTT), held that payments to employees were "relevant motoring expenditure" (RME) and could be disregarded for the purposes of Class 1 National Insurance Contributions (NICs).
Read moreTackling economic crime and sanctions evasion
The draft Economic Crime Bill is now on its way to the House of Lords, having received cross-party approval in the House of Commons.
Read moreInsurance & Reinsurance - ePD, EECC and GDPR: The EU Road to Privacy, Security and Data Protection
Read more
International Comparative Legal Guide – Insurance & Reinsurance 2022
Practical cross-border insights into insurance and reinsurance law
Read moreThe Week That Was - 4 March 2022
Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the construction sector over the last seven days.
Read moreThe Employment (Amendment) Bill 2022 and what it means in light of the potential citywide lockdown
In an attempt to further curb the soaring number of daily cases of coronavirus infections, in addition to the vaccine pass scheme, Hong Kong may be facing its first citywide lockdown later this month. In light of these anti-epidemic measures, the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2022 (the "Bill") was gazetted on 25 February 2022, which sought to strike a balance between implementing various anti-epidemic measures to protect public health and preserving employees' statutory rights and benefits.
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