Trainees take on business

Roma wasn't built in a day; how Netflix conquered the Oscars

Published on 05 March 2019. By Charlie Gould, Trainee Solicitor

In 2017, at the Cannes Film Festival, the film 'Okja' was debuted. It was produced by Brad Pitt's production company 'Plan B' and starred Tilda Swinton and Jake Gyllenhaal. It also featured a giant CGI pig, whose capture and treatment raised issues on animal welfare, and whose - spoiler alert – rescue, made the hairs on the back of one's neck stand up.

Who was best dressed at the Oscars?

Published on 27 February 2019. By Matthew Plampton, Trainee Solicitor

Always popular, often outrageous, and unfortunately sometimes sexist; the best and worst dressed lists have been must-have articles for publishers around award season since 1940. But does success or failure on these lists have any impact on the brand of the celebrity, or the designer?

When does an Oscar speech become defamatory?

Published on 18 February 2019. By Harry Collins, Trainee Solicitor

In recent years, it has become the norm for presenters and winners alike at the Oscars to use their stage time to make political statements. However, politics at the Oscars has not always been so accepted. We take a look here at the shifting attitude of the Academy towards politically-charged speeches, and whether they may cross the legal line into defamation.

Can you sell an Oscar?

Published on 08 February 2019. By Lucy Baughan, Trainee Solicitor

An Academy Award (an Oscar) is one of the most prestigious accolades which a person in the film industry can receive. The awards symbolise tradition, exceptional quality and exclusiveness. Leaving the film reviews to the Academy itself, we focus on what is behind the Oscars brand: what the brand stands for and the steps the Academy has taken to protect the brand's integrity.

Hyper-Personalisation: the brands who want to know your name

Published on 04 February 2019. By Amber Oldershaw, Trainee Solicitor

In a modern day society widely dubbed as 'The Digital Age', corporations must compete like never before to capture a fluid market seeking instant gratification.

Look to the future: Trainees take on 2019

25 January 2019

The trainees didn't fare too badly with their 2018 predictions. They doubted England's ability to make it past the group stages of the World Cup, but foresaw how Brexit would dominate the news agenda. They over-optimistically predicted the introduction of automated bundling, but came very close on the value of Bitcoin. Read on to see this year's predictions.

Trainees took on 2018: did we predict the unpredictable?

16 January 2019

2018 certainly will not be forgotten in a hurry, and what a year it was. Brexit negotiations dominated headlines, Theresa May's 'Dancing Queen' routine went viral, and England made it to the semi-finals of the World Cup! No, we didn't predict that either.

NDAs: Not done with after all?

Published on 08 January 2019. By Alice Tittensor, Trainee Solicitor

Non-Disclosure Agreements are currently under significant scrutiny following various public scandals in which they have been used to silence employees who were allegedly subjected to harassment by their employers. In light of this recent controversy, this article explores the current debate surrounding NDAs.

Speech is golden

Published on 05 November 2018. By Ben Harris, Trainee Solicitor

With voice shopping projected to rise to £3.5 billion in UK sales by 2022, we consider how smart speakers are making waves and breaking barriers in the retail sector.

Meet your new loss adjustor: the drone

Published on 10 October 2018. By Leah Wood, Trainee Solicitor

Listed by Lloyd's in 2016 as an 'emerging risk', drones have caught insurers' attention in the last few years. However, the potential benefits for the industry go further than the new capital received from premiums.

The Retail empire strikes back

Published on 29 August 2018. By Alex Farrow, Associate

Like Rocky in Rocky I, II, III, IV, V and "Rocky Balboa" (yes, there were really that many) the retail sector has taken a bit of a battering of late. However, like any prize fighter, the industry could be on the verge of another evolution and fighting back. The general perception is that traditional bricks and mortar retailers have struggled, those with a strong online offering have fared better, but retailers that have fared best are those dominating the online retail space. With so many traditional stores and household names in trouble, why are businesses still investing in physical stores?

Has Instagram made it cool to be sensible?

Published on 15 August 2018. By Samantha Thompson, Associate

Recent studies suggest that teenage rebellion is a thing of the past. The post-millennial age group, a.k.a. 'Generation Sensible', is apparently more interested in studying and family-time than ever before. Social media has been cited as a contributing factor, as it reduces the need for face-to-face contact between friends. But has it had a more active role in this behavioural shift?

Micro-investing: from small acorns…

Published on 25 July 2018. By Katie Fry-Paul, Trainee Solicitor

With the number of card payments overtaking cash for the first time, spare a thought for the piggy-banks of the nation. Where once they were full to the brim with coppers, they now lie forgotten and unused. So what are people now doing with their spare change? Not investing, it would seem…

Bike sharing: running green or running riot?

13 July 2018

The two largest Chinese bike sharing companies, Ofo and Mobike, both started operation in the UK last year. Unlike the local schemes, their users are able to park the bikes at any appropriate location, rather than a designated parking dock. Though these "dockless" schemes emerged in a bid to promote a greener life, they have attracted increasing concern because of the environmental and economical hazards they create.

Big Data in Insurance

11 June 2018

Big data is creating change in the insurance industry both by leveraging historic insurance data and by using new data sources to create exciting new opportunities.

A Royal comparison: who did it best?

Published on 24 May 2018. By Mafruhdha Miah, Trainee Solicitor

Now that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have returned to London to begin their new lives as a Royal couple, we take a look back at how their wedding compared to the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in 2011.

The ‘Meghan effect’: its impact on retailers

Published on 18 May 2018. By Emily Rome, Associate

The right people endorsing a brand can have a significant impact on its popularity. For example, brands that have been associated with Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle have seen a huge surge in their profile.

The "I dos" and don'ts of Royal marketing and merchandise

Published on 17 May 2018. By Anna Greco, Associate

While most Royal subjects prepare the bunting and the sandwiches, many businesses will be looking for ways to capitalise on the hype and goodwill generated around the occasion. But how can brands ensure that they don't crash the wedding?

Raise a glass to Harry and Meghan

Published on 16 May 2018. By Matthew Plampton, Trainee Solicitor

Pub licensing hours across England and Wales will be extended on the weekend of the Royal wedding. This will undoubtedly provide a much needed boost to the British beer and pub sector. However, what has caused the traditional British pub's decline and how can the sector be turned around?

A royal impact on the economy?

15 May 2018

This week will see another Royal wedding when Prince Harry marries American actress Meghan Markle. These celebrations arguably raise the international opinion of the UK, lift the national mood and lead to an influx of tourists. But how do events such as a Royal wedding actually impact the economy?

Unlocking blockchain in the insurance industry

Published on 03 May 2018. By Harry Collins, Trainee Solicitor

While many tout blockchain networks as being the biggest technological breakthrough of a generation, we take a look at whether the technology is ready to take the insurance industry by storm.

A Virtual Reality Check

Published on 25 April 2018. By Daisy Fulton, Trainee Solicitor

Article exploring the growth of virtual reality (VR) and the legal issues which are emerging including product liability, data and privacy risks, and the 'laws' of the virtual world as a jurisdiction in itself.

Can the WTO assist British trade post-Brexit?

Published on 26 March 2018. By Max Rossiter, Trainee Solicitor

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) has been in the press recently perhaps more than it would like, with concerns being raised about whether its rules would be sufficient to maintain British trade in the event of a "hard Brexit". But what is the WTO, and how does it deal with disputes?

Open Banking: a slow revolution?

Published on 05 March 2018. By Katie Fry-Paul, Trainee Solicitor

The European Commission's Revised Payment Services Directive (PSD2) was implemented on 13 January 2018, with little fanfare. However, the ideas that PSD2 seeks to promote look set to change the face of banking, both for service providers and for customers. Amongst other requirements, PSD2 obliges banks to allow authorised Account Information Service Providers (AISPs) and Payment Initiation Service Providers (PISPs) access to customer account data, where the customer has given both the bank and the AISP or PISP permission for them to do so.

The Gig Economy: a Pressure Cooker of Problems

Published on 20 February 2018. By Umut Bektas, Trainee Solicitor

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?

ICOs in Hong Kong

Published on 13 February 2018. By Christopher To, Associate

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.

Trainees Take on 2018: can we predict the unpredictable?

Published on 08 February 2018. By Daisy Fulton, Trainee Solicitor and Anna Greco, Associate and Leah Wood, Trainee Solicitor and Samantha Thompson, Associate and Matthew Plampton, Trainee Solicitor

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'!

Trainees took on 2017: were they right?

30 January 2018

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!

Big Data, big problems?

Published on 18 January 2018. By Ella Shanks, Trainee Solicitor

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.

Trial by Social Media

Published on 18 December 2017. By Matthew Plampton, Trainee Solicitor

In a society filled with instant news and where anyone with an internet connection can publish an opinion, is an objective unbiased jury still achievable?

Trump calls out Chinese IP practices

Published on 29 November 2017. By Lorcan Treacy, Trainee Solicitor

Although Donald Trump implicitly calling Kim-Jong Un 'short and fat' might have stolen the headlines, the President's first official visit to Asia has also indicated that he is serious about his 'America First' policy, and protecting intellectual property.

"Cash is king"? The rise of the "tap and go" cashless society

Published on 08 November 2017. By Heather Rimmer, Associate

Blink and you'll miss it. In the age of increasing cashless payments and "tap and go" transactions, what are the consequences for businesses, consumers and society?

Insurtech Jargon 101: What does it all mean?

01 October 2017

"Insurtech" is a nebulous concept broadly referring to innovative technology in the insurance industry. Comments on insurtech are often littered with references to specific computing concepts which individually are pretty straight-forward. However, when used in conjunction with one another with no further explanation, insurtech jargon can sound much more complex than it really is. I explain some of the key terms below.

Amazon and the $200billion Internet Economy in South East Asia

Published on 30 August 2017. By Sophie Tuson, Associate

Amazon's launch in Singapore last month marks the internet giant's official entry into South East Asia. Sophie Tuson explores why the region, and Singapore in particular, provides such fertile ground for e-commerce businesses in search of growth.

Lights, camera, legal action

Published on 07 August 2017. By Charlotte Thompson, Associate

The law has proven a popular subject of television programmes for decades. Charlotte Thompson explores whether the drama of real life trials may soon reach the small screen.

Food for thought

Published on 19 July 2017. By Emily Rome, Associate

With New Year's resolutions to eat better now long forgotten, we discuss some top tips to push that 4pm sugar slump and ensure ultimate concentration while at work.

From Giant Swans to English Gentlemen: naming conventions for English law firms in China

05 July 2017

May 2017 marked an important moment for RPC – our London and Hong Kong offices now operate as a single entity, boosting the firm's promotion of its brand in the Greater China area.

Fitness and a Full Time Job

23 June 2017

With sedentary and time-consuming jobs, it can be difficult to find the time to get the recommended level of exercise in each week. Rebecca May considers how to juggle fitness and a full time job.

Tackling the Problem of Fake News

08 June 2017

It is widely believed that fake news has had an impact on some of the most controversial recent political decisions.

Why the winner won't take it all in tomorrow's General Election

07 June 2017

William Kark, RPC Trainee, considers the other key players - such as backbenchers, House of Lords, Gina Miller - in the General Election on 8 June 2017.

Lightning in a Bot-tle – political conversation in the age of automation

Published on 06 June 2017. By Jonathan Greenway, Associate

Robots are responsible for one in eight tweets about the General Election.

Brexit means Brexit?

Published on 05 June 2017. By Emily Rome, Associate

The 21st Century Silk Road – China's Belt & Road Initiative

Published on 18 May 2017. By Rico Chan, Associate

China's "One Belt, One Road" has attracted widespread attention in Asia since 2013. But what is it about? What are the opportunities ahead? And what should foreign investors be aware of?

Supporting a mentally healthy workforce

Published on 10 May 2017. By Heather Rimmer, Associate

In Mental Health Week Heather Rimmer considers how the workplace affects those struggling with their mental health and what businesses can do to help.

The rise and rise of e-sports

28 April 2017

With the announcement that e-sports will be included in the official programme for the 2022 Asian Games, competitive gaming is now a globally significant brand, and the once-derided pastime of playing video games is now a viable, and lucrative, career opportunity.

No more payouts for ticket touts?

19 April 2017

Ticket touts are exploiting sports and entertainment fans by artificially inflating ticket prices. Will the recent amendments to the Digital Economy Bill (DEB) be effective at preventing this unfair practice?

Easter and the Cocoa Calamity

Published on 13 April 2017. By Samantha Thompson, Associate

With the world in the midst of a cocoa crisis, this could be the last Easter as you know it.

China’s consumer credit rating culture is evolving fast - probably too fast?

Published on 10 April 2017. By Christopher To, Associate

Ratings are a big deal; school ratings, restaurant ratings and movie ratings to name but a few. There is now at least one more rating that matters to people in mainland China - online credit ratings.

Choppy waters ahead: the decline of North Sea oil

03 April 2017

On 8 February 2017, Royal Dutch Shell unveiled its plans for decommissioning the Brent oilfield. Many other producers of North Sea oil are considering ceasing operation, or have already done so. However, the decline of this industry may herald the emergence of another: what opportunities does decommissioning present?

The role of executive pay in promoting responsible business

Published on 24 March 2017.

Executive pay is a thorny issue. Well-structured remuneration packages can help to ensure that companies are run responsibly for the benefit of shareholders, employees, customers, and wider society. However, when improperly designed, executive pay packages can encourage short-term and risky behaviour which dents public confidence in business.