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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers' Risks in Acting for Corporate Clients Without Authority

Published on 08 Sep 2022. By Nick Bird, Partner and Georgia Durham, Associate

The recent decision in Rushbrooke UK Ltd v 4 Designs Concept Ltd [2022] EWHC 1687 (Ch) has highlighted the dangers for lawyers in acting for corporate clients on the instructions of a director without authority of the company. Most of the authority in this area has focused on commencement of litigation but the principles apply too to transactional matters.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - August 2022

Published on 30 Aug 2022. By Carmel Green, Partner and Daniel Charity, Associate

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.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - July 2022

Published on 28 Jul 2022. By Carmel Green, Partner and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

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.

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Thinking - Blog

Is the FCA to blame for BSPS? MPs seem to think so

Published on 22 Jul 2022. By Rachael Healey, Partner

The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) yesterday published a report entitled "Investigation into the British Steel Pension Scheme". The report makes a number of recommendations in light of its investigations in to the FCA's conduct and regulatory oversight at the time of the issues arising from the British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS) and in particular the decision by 7,834 members to transfer to a personal pension arrangement. The report is heavily critical of the FCA's handling of BSPS and its regulatory oversight of the defined benefit transfer market generally. Given the request in the report for an update from the FCA on its progress on the various recommendations and conclusions in 6 months' time, we wait to see how the FCA reacts to yet further criticism of its handling of BSPS at a time when it is reviewing responses to the consumer redress scheme consultation.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - June 2022

Published on 28 Jun 2022. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Tina Campbell, Senior Associate and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer and Graham Reid, Partner and Alifya Bharmal, Associate and George Barratt, Senior Associate

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.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - May 2022

Published on 26 May 2022. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Tina Campbell, Senior Associate and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

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.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - March 2022

Published on 31 Mar 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.

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Thinking - Publication

Duties of Care to Third Parties in Tax Avoidance Schemes – Disappointment for Investors in McClean as Zacaroli, J Rejects Claims

Published on 16 Mar 2022. By Laura Stocks, Partner and Nick Bird, Partner and Charlotte Thompson, Associate

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.

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Thinking - Publication

Duties of Care to Third Parties in Tax Avoidance Schemes – Disappointment for Investors in McClean as Zacaroli, J Rejects Claims

Published on 09 Mar 2022. By Nick Bird, Partner and Laura Stocks, Partner and Charlotte Thompson, Associate

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.

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Thinking - Blog

SIPPs and FOS - does the Rowanmoor decision change anything?

Published on 02 Feb 2022. By Rachael Healey, Partner

Last week FOS published a decision it reached last year in a complaint against a SIPP provider involving advised sales. The FOS upheld the complaint, finding that the SIPP provider should have rejected business from the regulated financial adviser, CIB Life and Pensions Limited (CIB), given, broadly, red flags available to the SIPP provider with respect to the operation of CIB's business model including that CIB was not advising on the ultimate investment within the SIPP and as a result such introductions involved a significant risk of consumer detriment. The decision has received quite a bit of press attention - but has it moved the dial for SIPP complaints before FOS or not?

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - January 2022

Published on 31 Jan 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.

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Thinking - Blog

The Future of Insolvency Regulation

Published on 04 Jan 2022. By Rachael Healey, Partner

On 21 December 2021 the Government launched a consultation into the future of insolvency regulation. The changes proposed in the consultation document will have a wide ranging impact on the insolvency profession (and its insurers) with the proposals including: the direct regulation of insolvency firms, the introduction of a single regulatory body with powers to order compensation against insolvency practitioners and firms, a new additional requirements regime, changes to the bond regime and a public register of insolvency practitioners and firms. Many of the changes proposed require primary legislation and so it may be some time before the changes to take effect (if adopted). But there does appear to be some wind behind these proposals given they follow on from the Call for Evidence in 2019 and a more general focus on insolvency issues in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - November 2021

Published on 30 Nov 2021.

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.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - October 2021

Published on 30 Oct 2021.

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.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - July 2021

Published on 30 Oct 2021.

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.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - August 2021

Published on 23 Aug 2021.

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.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - May 2021

Published on 25 May 2021.

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.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - April 2021

Published on 25 Apr 2021.

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.

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Thinking - Blog

Acceptable levels of consumer harm – the FCA seek guidance in balancing risk with reward

Published on 30 Jan 2025. By Damien O'Malley, Associate

The chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Nikhil Rathi, has called for the UK government to define an 'acceptable level of consumer harm' in response to the government's demand for reduced regulations.

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Thinking - Blog

The FCA reveals its new strategy for supervision of wholesale brokers

Published on 30 Jan 2025. By Kristin Smith, Trainee Solicitor and Esme Watson, Senior Associate

On 24 January 2025, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) published a portfolio letter setting out their new strategy for supervising wholesale brokers.

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Thinking - Blog

An update to the FCA's "polluter pays" framework – accountability for harm caused to consumers.

Published on 16 Jan 2025. By Faheem Pervez, Senior Associate

The Financial Conduct Authority (the FCA) has issued updated guidance on its "polluter pays" framework. In an update published on 14 January 2025, the FCA provided further information on the framework, which could lead to firms compensating consumers when they provide poor advice, products or services.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - February 2022

Published on 28 Feb 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.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - December 2021

Published on 23 Dec 2021.

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.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was – 25 July 2025

Published on 25 Jul 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Kirstie Pike, Partner and Kate Hill, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Blog

Reasonable Diligence – when is it enough to postpone limitation?

Published on 24 Jul 2025. By Hattie Hill, Associate and Melanie Redding, Senior Associate

In this blog we consider the outcome of Arif v Sanger [2025] EWHC 1540 (KB) and the potential repercussions for directors in cases of possible fraud, deliberate concealment and misrepresentation under s.32 of the Limitation Act 1980 where reasonable diligence is not exercised.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was - 18 July 2025

Published on 18 Jul 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Kirstie Pike, Partner and Kate Hill, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Blog

FCA and FOS jointly consult on modernising redress system

Published on 16 Jul 2025. By Daniel Parkin, Associate

The Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") and the Financial Ombudsman Service ("FOS") have jointly published a consultation paper on their proposals to modernise the financial redress system.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was - 11 July 2025

Published on 11 Jul 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Kirstie Pike, Partner and Kate Hill, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Blog

Court of Appeal slams brakes on judicial review as Supreme Court accelerates in motor finance saga

Published on 04 Jul 2025. By Damien O'Malley, Associate

As the Court of Appeal slams the brakes on Barclays' judicial review of a FOS decision upholding a vehicle finance complaint, all eyes are on the Supreme Court as they prepare to hand down judgement this month in the case of Johnson v FirstRand Bank which is primed to have a multibillion-pound impact on the vehicle finance market.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was - 4 July 2025

Published on 04 Jul 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Kirstie Pike, Partner and Kate Hill, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Blog

Regulatory Pulse - 26 June 2025

Published on 26 Jun 2025. By Tom Wild, Senior Associate and Charlotte Thompson, Associate and Jake Cotterill, Associate

Bringing you up to speed on developments in solicitors' regulation every fortnight.

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Thinking - Podcast

The Month that Was – May/June 2025 – a look at Employment Practices Liability Insurance and its relationship to D&O

Published on 23 Jun 2025.

In this episode, Mel is joined by Kim Wright and Matt Watson to discuss Employment Practices Liability (EPL) insurance, its scope, and its intersection with Directors & Officers (D&O) insurance.

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Thinking - Blog

FCA considers motor finance redress scheme

Published on 13 Jun 2025. By Daniel Parkin, Associate and Esme Watson, Senior Associate

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has published its key considerations in anticipation of a possible motor finance redress scheme pending the outcome of the Supreme Court appeal in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Limited.

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Thinking - Blog

FRC overhauls Investor Stewardship Code for 2026

Published on 06 Jun 2025. By Daniel Parkin, Associate and Zoe Melegari, Senior Associate

On 3 June 2025, the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) published the UK Stewardship Code 2026 that will take effect from 1 January 2026.

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Thinking - Blog

FOS to consult on interest - Is 8% too high?

Published on 06 Jun 2025. By Hattie Hill, Associate

On 4 June 2025 the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) opened a consultation into the standard interest applied to its awards which has historically been applied at 8%.

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Thinking - Blog

Regulatory Pulse - 6 June 2025

Published on 06 Jun 2025. By Tom Wild, Senior Associate

Bringing you up to speed on developments in solicitors' regulation every fortnight.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was – 30 May 2025

Published on 30 May 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Matthew Watson, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was – 23 May 2025

Published on 23 May 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Matthew Watson, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Blog

Q1 2025 insolvency claims activity – a word of warning for D&Os and their insurers?

Published on 19 May 2025. By Lauren Butler, Associate and Matthew Watson, Partner

The latest data on the number of winding up petitions in the Insolvency and Companies Court provide insights on the recent increase in insolvencies and offers a hint as to the sectors that may be impacted most by claims against the former directors of insolvent companies.

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Thinking - Blog

Regulatory Pulse - 19 May 2025

Published on 19 May 2025. By Tom Wild, Senior Associate

Phew, it's been a busy couple of weeks! Let's bring you up to speed.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was – 16 May 2025

Published on 16 May 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Matthew Watson, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was – 9 May 2025

Published on 09 May 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Matthew Watson, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Blog

Regulatory Pulse - 9 May 2025

Published on 09 May 2025. By Tom Wild, Senior Associate

Welcome to the second edition of RPC Pulse. A concise look at regulatory developments for solicitors, delivered to your inbox every fortnight.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was – 25 April 2025

Published on 25 Apr 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Matthew Watson, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Blog

Regulatory Pulse - 24 April 2025

Published on 24 Apr 2025. By Tom Wild, Senior Associate

Welcome to the first edition of RPC Pulse. A concise look at regulatory developments for solicitors, delivered to your inbox every fortnight.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was – 17 April 2025

Published on 22 Apr 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Matthew Watson, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Blog

Supreme Court upholds that fiduciaries must act with "single-minded loyalty toward their principals (or beneficiaries)"

Published on 22 Apr 2025. By Daniel Parkin, Associate and Zoe Melegari, Senior Associate

In Rukhadze and others v Recovery Partners GP Ltd and another [2025] UKSC 10, the Supreme Court unanimously affirmed the legal test for the account of profits rule (the Profit Rule).

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was – 11 April 2025

Published on 11 Apr 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Matthew Watson, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Blog

Pension Trustee Liability: Apportioning Responsibility Between Professional and Member Trustees

Published on 09 Apr 2025. By Thomas Spratley, Associate and Shauna Giddens, Senior Associate and Rachael Healey, Partner

A recent decision of The Pension Ombudsman (TPO) sets out the duties of independent trustees in Small Self-Administered Scheme (SSAS) and in particular their duties towards investment due diligence. The decision also looks at the split in responsibility between a member trustee and a professional trustee.

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Thinking - Blog

Court confirms vicarious liability does not apply to LPA receivers

Published on 09 Apr 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner

In an appeal, the High Court considered whether an employer of LPA receivers can be held vicariously liable for the actions of receivers during receivership – the High Court, upholding the lower decision on a strike out application, found that the employer was not liable.

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