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High Court does not accommodate "Easy" trade mark and passing off claims W3 Ltd v easyGroup Ltd and another [2018] EWHC 7(Ch) 12 January 2018
In a judgment highlighting the inherent risks of litigation, the High Court has dismissed a claim for actionable threats of trade mark infringement against easyGroup Ltd in respect of the use of W3 Ltd's use of "EasyRoommate", as well as dismissing easyGroup's counterclaim claiming passing off and infringement of various trade marks containing the prefix "easy".
Read moreWealth and trusts quarterly digest
Welcome to our latest wealth and trusts digest. Our quarterly digest provides up to date commentary and analysis on key sector developments. It is written by our wealth and trusts teams to assist you and your clients in responding to market trends and legal developments. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss any issues you may have and always welcome feedback on the content of our publications.
Read moreChanges on the horizon - FCA consults on non-workplace pensions
The FCA has issued a discussion paper targeted at the non-workplace pension market. The paper marks the start of the FCA's work looking at whether there is harm in the non-workplace pension market and to better understand the potential presence, nature, extent and cause of any harm.
Read moreBad news for litigants in person?
When a litigant in person fails to correctly serve a claim form they can expect the courts to take a firm approach, following the Supreme Court's decision in Barton v Wright Hassall
Read moreFixed Recoverable Costs: When lawyers come 'cap' in hand
Working group developing a cap on recoverable costs for lawyers in clinical negligence claims
Read moreVAT update - February 2018
In this month’s update we report on the EU Commission’s proposals to reduce VAT compliance costs for small businesses, guidance published by HMRC following the Supreme Court’s decision in InvestmentTrust Companies and the latest consultation to implement “making tax digital” for VAT.
Read moreThe Gig Economy: a Pressure Cooker of Problems
What do companies such as Deliveroo, Uber and Handy all have in common? They have all become hugely successful in the era of the gig economy. But what is the gig economy and what problems does the market face in today's society?
Read moreEquitix ESI CHP (Wrexham) Limited v Bester Generacion UK Limited: Judicial guidance on the applicability of the HGCRA to a dispute under a power generation contract
Equitix ESI CHP (Wrexham) Limited (Equitix), a special purpose vehicle, entered into a design and build contract with Bester Generacion UK Limited (Bester) for the construction of the Wrexham Biomass Fired Energy Generating Plant (the Project).
Read moreSky judge kicks bad faith questions to the ECJ
In a significant decision in Sky v Skykick [2018] EWHC 155, Mr Justice Arnold has referred a number of questions to the CJEU on bad faith and the clarity and precision of trade mark specifications. The CJEU's response may have significant implications for trade mark owners – particularly those holding very broad registrations.
Read moreA game changer for concussion injuries? New study investigating CTE creates a potential headache for defendants and their insurers
A new study shows that repeated hits to the head, not concussions, cause chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the neurodegenerative disease experienced by American football players, boxers and other athletes.
Read moreStadion - CJEU confirms circumstances where different elements of a supply can be taxed at different rates
In Stadion Amsterdam CV v Staatssecretaris van Financiën C-463/16, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) has confirmed that, in the absence of specific statutory language to the contrary, a single supply, which includes two individually priced elements, is taxable at the rate of the principle supply.
Read moreBilta: litigation privilege attaches to documents created during internal investigation into VAT claim
In Bilta (UK) Ltd (in liquidation) and ors v Royal Bank of Scotland Plc and another [2017] EWHC 2525 (Ch), the High Court has held that documents prepared by the Royal Bank of Scotland Plc (RBS) in the course of an investigation into allegations made by HMRC were protected by litigation privilege.
Read moreReality Retail
Continuing its trend of introducing disruptive innovations to the retail market, Amazon recently opened its first checkout-free supermarket, 'Amazon Go', to the public. In light of this, we thought we would take a look at some of the other retailers using innovative technology to revitalise their bricks and mortar offering.
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 final 2017 edition we highlight some of the key tax developments of interest to UK corporates from the fourth quarter of 2017.
Read moreCourt of Appeal holds that a facility agreement based on the LMA model form does not constitute lenders' standard terms for UCTA: But never say never…
The Court of Appeal has upheld a decision that a facility agreement based on the LMA model form did not constitute the lenders' standard terms for the purposes of UCTA. Had UCTA applied, the terms of the facility agreement would have been subject to a reasonableness test.
Read moreBrexit chess game to be played out at Chequers
The Life Sciences industry demands certainty over the Government's approach to regulation after Brexit. It is hoped that Government meetings this month will achieve that.
Read moreCustoms and excise quarterly update, February 2018
Welcome to the February edition of our customs and excise quarterly update.
Read moreMr Justice Langstaff to chair contaminated blood inquiry
Mr Justice Langstaff will lead the public inquiry into how contaminated blood transfusions infected thousands of people with HIV and hepatitis C in the 1970s and 80s
Read moreInsuring Cryptocurrency risk, and why a duck might not actually be a duck
Cryptocurrencies have dominated headlines with their soaring value and accelerating use. Their regulation has remained somewhat of an afterthought, however. This blog post looks at some of the pitfalls and the larger implications for financial professionals and the insurance industry that the risks of cryptocurrency present.
Read moreBeware of the risks when notifying warranty claims
In Teoco UK Limited v Aircom Jersey 4 Limited, Aircom Global Operations Limited(1) the Court of Appeal upheld the High Court's decision to strike out certain breach of warranty claims on the basis that the buyer had given the seller inadequate notice of those claims. The buyer's attempt to keep its options open by drafting its notices widely proved fatal to its claims, as it failed to identify the specific warranties to which its claims related as required by the share purchase agreement.
Read moreICOs in Hong Kong
We have all seen the rise in the price of Bitcoin in the last year, and may also be aware (at the very least) of the existence of ICOs. But what are ICOs? And what legal framework do they operate in? ICOs in Hong Kong.
Read moreSabotage at sea - The LADY M
In The LADY M, the English Commercial Court held that shipowners could rely on the Hague-Visby Rules fire defence even when the fire was set by the crew (without owners’ knowledge). In so doing, the admiralty concept of barratry received rare consideration by the Courts.
Read moreRICS Conflict Avoidance Pledge
It is a well-known fact that the costs of resolving disputes can quickly escalate, and that it is often not cost and time effective to pursue even mid-sized claims through arbitration or litigation. In an attempt to circumvent the need for this sort of dispute resolution, by avoiding disagreements developing into disputes, the Conflict Avoidance Coalition has formed and introduced a "Conflict Avoidance Pledge".
Read moreTrainees Take on 2018: can we predict the unpredictable?
Despite the rollercoaster that was 2017, our trainees did fairly well in predicting its twists and turns, including that Trump would continue without restraint on Twitter. In an attempt to continue our success, the trainees have submitted their predictions for 2018. Disclaimer: we failed to foresee the rise in Bitcoin last year (and therefore must continue to work), so please do not rely on the below for your investment advice! Read on to see our bets on Brexit, US Politics, the World Cup and 'automated bundling'!
Read moreCannon: Tax barrister not careless in relying on advice received from his accountant
In Cannon v HMRC [2017] UKFTT 859 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal has held that a tax barrister was not careless in relying on tax advice received from an accountant retained to give professional advice on specified issues.
Read moreMonkey See, Monkey Do
Implications for humans and animals of the recent successful cloning of monkeys by Chinese researchers
Read morePrivilege: A welcome respite from ENRC?
Are interviews held with employees to prepare a report intended to deter a governmental authority from taking legal action privileged?
Read moreEnglish Holdings - UT allows set-off of corporation tax loss against general income
In English Holdings Ltd v HMRC [2016] UKFTT 0346 (TC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) upheld a decision of the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) which allowed an appeal by a non-UK resident company against a decision of HMRC refusing its claim to offset losses arising in its UK permanent establishment (PE) against profits earned by its UK property rental business.
Read moreCMA clamps down on unfair gambling promotions
The CMA has spoken: online gambling operators must act now to avoid falling foul of misleading terms and practices. See below for our list of dos and don’ts.
Read moreGovernment announces new office for product safety and standards
On 21 January 2018, the Government announced the creation of the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), a new national oversight body tasked with “identifying consumer risks and managing responses to large-scale product recalls and repairs”.
Read moreTax update - February 2018
In this month’s update we report on HMRC’s recently published guidance relating to penalties for enablers of defeated abusive tax arrangements; the publication by the EU of a list of non-cooperative jurisdictions in tax matters; and the outcome of HMRC’s consultation on reporting obligations for offshore structures.
Read moreBeneficial House – Tribunal orders HMRC to issue closure notices in tax avoidance case
Beneficial House; Stanley Dock; Chancery (UK) LLP, Valhalla Private Client Services LLP; Business Premises Renovation Allowance; BPRA; Disclosure of Tax Avoidance Scheme rules; DOTAS; Tax on restoration of hotel; HMRC closure notices; closure notices; Tribunal orders HMRC to issue closure notices; application for a closure notice; section 28 TMA..
Read moreDuty calls: What information should be provided to patients following treatment?
Summary of the High Court's recent decision in a case concerning the duty to inform a patient of treatment outcomes and the requirement for follow-up, further treatment, or monitoring.
Read moreTrainees took on 2017: were they right?
Following RPC trainees' 2017 "predictions", our editors take a look back at the key trends and events over the last 12 months to determine whether the trainees were right!
Read moreRetrospective and prospective delay analyses – do they provide the same results?
The recent case of Fluor v Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industry Co considered the difference between prospective and retrospective approaches to delay analysis and whether they lead to the same results.
Read moreOrgan donation: have your say
Organ donation is, for some, a difficult topic of conversation, but a Government consultation is encouraging us to think about it and share our views.
Read moreESMA to use new powers to attack the sale of CFDs and binary bets to retail investors
ESMA has launched a public consultation on measures to protect retail investors investing in contracts for difference (CFDs) and binary bets. Potential changes include wide-ranging restrictions on the marketing and sale of CFDs, and a complete prohibition on the sale of binary bets to retail investors. An intervention would mark ESMA's first use of its new powers under MiFID II, which came into force on 3 January.
Read more2018 TerraLex guide to navigating cross-border copyright rules
Drawing together contributions from copyright experts in 21 territories we have found are key to global businesses, this guide explores questions regarding legislation and regulation, ownership, infringement, remedies, enforcement and copyright reform on a country-by-country basis.
Read moreFOS consultation on SME access to Ombudsman service
The FCA is currently consulting on proposed new rules to allow larger small and medium sized enterprises to refer complaints to the FOS.
Read moreFOS consultation on SME access to Ombudsman service
The FCA is currently consulting on proposed new rules to allow larger small and medium sized enterprises to refer complaints to the FOS.
Read moreVAT Update - January 2018
In this month’s update we report on the VAT treatment of pension fund management services for insurers; the establishment of the EU cross-border prosecution service; and guidance published by HMRC following the Supreme Court’s decision in Littlewoods.
Read moreCommodity specification breach – can I reject?
A common question which arises in day to day commodity trading is whether a buyer can reject goods which do not meet the specifications set out in the contract. This blog discusses the factors which commonly come into play in determining that question.
Read moreConnected and Autonomous Vehicles: Changes ahead for UK road traffic laws
The UK Government has recently launched a consultation on proposals to amend the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986 (Regulations) and the Highway Code. The proposed changes will clarify the legal position for use of features in Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) and should bring the UK law in line with recent updates to international rules.
Read moreNew Year, New You? How about joining the virtual reality gym…
Looking to beat the January gym rush? Well, look no further than American based firm Black Box VR who have combined gaming and gyming to create a virtual reality workout using just a resistance machine and headset.
Read moreIncorrect Ownership Certificates: A Cautionary Tale
In a case which the judge deemed to be "a cautionary tale about how not to submit a planning application and its consequences", the High Court has recently tackled the question of the effect of incorrect ownership certificates submitted with planning applications. In considering the issue, the Court has given us a helpful reminder of when such an error might lead to the quashing of a planning permission.
Read moreThorny issues of jurisdiction and claim form service laid bare by High Court
In Howard Kennedy v The National Trust for Scotland [2017] EWHC 3368 (QB), the High Court considered two complex issues: one relating to the doctrine of forum non conveniens and the other to the CPR provisions on service of a claim form. In his judgment, handed down yesterday, Sir David Eady stayed the action in England & Wales on the basis that Scotland is the more appropriate forum. He also provided guidance on the tricky interplay between deemed and actual service of a claim form, ultimately holding that the claim form in this case had been validly served in time.
Read moreBig Data, big problems?
Big Data is here to stay, whether we like it or not. It has transformed the way businesses operate and continues to streamline everyday life for individuals. However, Big Data has big implications for privacy; this blog considers the highs and lows of Big Data and what the law is doing to intervene.
Read moreCooke: Tribunal allows taxpayer's discovery assessment appeal
In Cooke v HMRC [2017] UKFTT 844 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) has allowed an appeal against a discovery assessment issued by HMRC pursuant to section 29, Taxes Management Act 1970 (TMA). The FTT found that the 'hypothetical officer' could have been reasonably expected to be aware that certain claims in the taxpayer's return were excessive.
Read moreAnnual Insurance Review 2018
Welcome to RPC’s Annual Insurance Review for 2018.
Read more