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Thinking - Blog

Architects' Code reforms – it's important that you have your say!

Published on 08 Oct 2024. By Alexandra Anderson, Partner and Emma Wherry, Of Counsel

The Architects Registration Board (ARB) is consulting on a proposed new code of professional conduct for architects. The proposed new Code is shorter and simpler, but may be more complex to apply and more onerous. Architects should consider responding to the consultation by the deadline of 12 December 2024.

Thinking - Blog

Construction disciplinary trends analysis #3: fraud and dishonesty

Published on 12 Aug 2024. By Ben Goodier, Partner and Emma Wherry, Of Counsel and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

This article is the third instalment in our mini-series analysing trends in disciplinary decisions involving construction professionals, with insight from our specialist disciplinary team.

Thinking - Blog

Unpacking the Building Safety Act's industry overhaul

Published on 06 Mar 2024. By Zoe Eastell, Partner and Zack Gould-Wilson, Senior Associate

On June 28, 2022, the Building Safety Act 2022 received royal assent, bringing about the biggest change to building safety in 40 years.

Thinking - Blog

Construction disciplinary trends analysis #2: engagement letters – worth more than the paper they're written on!

Published on 21 Feb 2024. By Ben Goodier, Partner and Emma Wherry, Of Counsel and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

This article is the second in our mini-series analysing trends in disciplinary decisions involving construction professionals, with insight from our specialist disciplinary team.

Press and Media

The Times recognises RPC among Best Law Firms 2024

Published on 30 Oct 2023.

International law firm, RPC, has been recognised by The Times in its Best Law Firms 2024 report, an annual ranking of the top 250 law firms in England and Wales.

Thinking - Blog

Construction disciplinary trends analysis #1: continuing professional development

Published on 16 Oct 2023. By Ben Goodier, Partner and Emma Wherry, Of Counsel and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

This article is the first in our mini-series analysing trends in disciplinary decisions involving construction professionals, with insight from our specialist disciplinary team.

Thinking - Blog

The El Niño year and impact on subsidence claims

Published on 13 Jul 2023. By Andrew Roper, Partner and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

Insurers should be bracing for a wave of subsidence claims arising from the increasingly warm weather. The UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has declared that an El Niño climate event is in progress, which helps explain why June 2023 was the hottest on record in the UK.

Thinking - Blog

Building on renewable energy #3 – Anaerobic Digestion

Published on 24 Sep 2020.

Anaerobic digestion is the process by which biodegradable materials are broken down in a controlled environment. Whilst being broken down, the materials emit gas (which can be used as a source of renewable energy), and produce heat (which can also be harnessed on or near-to site). The process also leaves a waste material (digestate), which can be used as fertiliser, contributing to the circular economy.

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Thinking - Blog

Ombudsman decision – clarifying liability where there are delays in the pension administration process

Published on 13 Jan 2025. By Kerone Thomas, Associate

When delays occur in pension transfers, the implications for members can be significant—but how far does a provider’s responsibility extend? A recent determination by the Pensions Ombudsman in the case of Mr R offers important clarification. Whilst the Ombudsman recognised some administrative shortcomings, the decision reaffirmed that providers are not liable for all financial consequences arising from delays, particularly when those consequences result from a member’s own actions.

Thinking - Publication

PLC QTRLY - Q2 2025

Published on 24 Jul 2025. By Connor Cahalane, Partner - Corporate and James Channo, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner, Head of Corporate & Commercial

This is our regular quarterly update to help our listed company clients and other market participants keep up to date with key developments relevant to issuers on the Main Market and AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

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.

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.

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.

Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - June 2025

Published on 30 Jun 2025. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Sarah Herniman, Associate and Tom Butterfield, Associate and Victoria Lawman, Trainee Solicitor and Oliver Clarke, Trainee Solicitor

It can be tough for busy lawyers to find enough time to service clients, make it safely through the regulation obstacle course, win new work and keep up-to-date with developments, but we've got you covered! Welcome to our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we highlight the last month's key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.

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.

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.

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.

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%.

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.

Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - May 2025

Published on 30 May 2025. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Alexandra Anderson, Partner and Katharine Cusack, Partner and Cecilia Everett, Partner and Helen Kerr, Senior Associate and Karl Shortman, Associate and Laura Sponti, Associate

It can be tough for busy lawyers to find enough time to service clients, make it safely through the regulation obstacle course, win new work and keep up-to-date with developments, but we've got you covered! Welcome to our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we highlight the last month's key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.

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.

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.

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.

Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - April 2025

Published on 30 Apr 2025. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Tom Butterfield, Associate and Kerone Thomas, Associate and Simon Love, Senior Associate and Shanice Holder, Associate and Tom Wild, Senior Associate

It can be tough for busy lawyers to find enough time to service clients, make it safely through the regulation obstacle course, win new work and keep up-to-date with developments, but we've got you covered! Welcome to our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we highlight the last month's key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.

Thinking - Publication

PLC QTRLY - Q1 2025

Published on 29 Apr 2025. By Connor Cahalane, Partner - Corporate and James Channo, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner, Head of Corporate & Commercial

This is our regular quarterly update to help our listed company clients and other market participants keep up to date with key developments relevant to issuers on the Main Market and AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

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.

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).

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.

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.

Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered: March 2025

Published on 01 Apr 2025. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Tom Butterfield, Associate and Kerone Thomas, Associate and Simon Love, Senior Associate and Shanice Holder, Associate and Tom Wild, Senior Associate

It can be tough for busy lawyers to find enough time to service clients, make it safely through the regulation obstacle course, win new work and keep up-to-date with developments, but we've got you covered! Welcome to our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we highlight the last month's key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.

Thinking - Blog

Tooling v Engie: a glimpse into the future of the motor finance litigation?

Published on 31 Mar 2025. By Alison Thomas, Associate and Rachael Healey, Partner

On 21 March 2025, the Court of Appeal handed down an expedited judgment in Expert Tooling and Automation Ltd v Engie Power Ltd [2025] EWCA Civ 292, a case which, like one of the three linked motor finance cases due to be heard at the Supreme Court this week (Johnson v FirstRand Bank Limited), dealt with 'half secret' commissions. In Tooling the Court of Appeal took the opportunity to expand upon and further explain some of its reasoning in Johnson.

Thinking - Blog

FRC to back growth in a new three-year plan – impacting auditors, actuaries, and D&Os

Published on 24 Mar 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner

FRC to Back Growth in a New Three-Year Plan – impacting auditors, actuaries, and D&Os The FRC has published its Strategy for 2025-2028 and its Annual Business Plan and Budget for 2025-2026, following a period of consultation and engagement with stakeholders. There are some key messages alongside the Strategy, Plan and Budget, with the FRC emphasising an intention to support UK economic growth and investment whilst serving the public interest through "smart, targeted and proportionate" regulation. The three-year strategy and annual budget allow the FRC to set out interim objectives whilst they prepare for the Government's draft legislation to modernise its statutory powers and ensure that they are fit for purpose.

Thinking - Blog

Vehicle Finance Redress Scheme seems to be down the road

Published on 11 Mar 2025. By Thomas Spratley, Associate and David Allinson, Partner

In what could be the final chapter in the long running (or driving) vehicle finance saga, the FCA has announced that it is likely to consult on a redress scheme following the Supreme Court's anticipated decision in Jonson v FirstRand Bank Limited

Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - February 2025

Published on 26 Feb 2025. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Tom Butterfield, Associate and Kerone Thomas, Associate and Simon Love, Senior Associate and Shanice Holder, Associate and Tom Wild, Senior Associate

It can be tough for busy lawyers to find enough time to service clients, make it safely through the regulation obstacle course, win new work and keep up-to-date with developments, but we've got you covered! Welcome to our February 2025 edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we highlight the last month's key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.

Thinking - Blog

SRA unlimited fining powers

Published on 24 Feb 2025. By Shanice Holder, Associate and Tom Wild, Senior Associate and Graham Reid, Partner

The biggest development in solicitors' regulation in 2025 is undoubtedly the SRA's new approach to financial penalties. For the first time in history, the SRA will wield unlimited fining powers, and it proposes to use them in a way which could transform the financial consequences of regulatory breaches.

Thinking - Podcast

The Year to Come – 2025 – Financial Services and Accountants trends and developments we expect to see in 2025

Published on 13 Feb 2025.

Welcome to Money Covered, a monthly podcast from RPC aimed at those dealing with complaints, claims and risk management in the financial services sector.

Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - January 2025

Published on 30 Jan 2025. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Tom Butterfield, Associate and Kerone Thomas, Associate and Simon Love, Senior Associate and Shanice Holder, Associate and Tom Wild, Senior Associate

It can be tough for busy lawyers to find enough time to service clients, make it safely through the regulation obstacle course, win new work and keep up-to-date with developments, but we've got you covered! Welcome to our January 2025 bumper edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we highlight the last month's key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.

Thinking - Publication

FOS Complaints Newsletter - January 2025

Published on 30 Jan 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Esme Watson, Senior Associate and Shauna Giddens, Senior Associate

Welcome to the FOS complaints quarterly newsletter. In this second of our quarterly FOS complaints newsletters we look at recent developments which have already impacted, or are likely to impact, future developments and trends.

Thinking - Blog

Undertakings and summary judgment

Published on 30 Jan 2025. By Jo Makin, Senior Associate and Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group

The recent decision in the case of Social Money Limited v Attwells Solicitors LLP [2024] EWHC 3288 (Ch) provides some interesting considerations on a number of matters relating to the giving of undertakings and attempts to seek to obtain summary judgment in that regard.

Thinking - Publication

PLC QTRLY - Q4 2024

Published on 23 Jan 2025. By Connor Cahalane, Partner - Corporate and James Channo, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner, Head of Corporate & Commercial

This is our regular quarterly update to help our listed company clients and other market participants keep up to date with key developments relevant to issuers on the Main Market and AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

Thinking - Blog

Formalities – not so formal?

Published on 16 Jan 2025. By Rachael Healey, Partner

In two cases – one recent, one not so recent – the High Court looked at and got around formalities; (1) to find a claim in time for limitation purposes by concluding that an agreement had been executed as a deed and (2) by rectifying a signature block so that an amendment to a pension scheme's rules took place as intended. These cases potentially show the courts taking a more lenient approach to formalities and may assist in professional negligence claims arising where documents are considered invalid for failing to follow relevant formalities.

Thinking - Blog

Is time up for the Shareholder Rule? High Court departs from the century-old principle

Published on 10 Jan 2025. By Matthew Watson, Partner and Melanie Redding, Senior Associate and Damien O'Malley, Associate

In a recent decision, the High Court departed from a century-old precedent in ruling that the so-called 'Shareholder Rule' – the principle that a company cannot assert privilege against its own shareholders save for communications regarding litigation between the company and the shareholder – does not exist in English law. Justice Picken, in making this departure, has significantly limited the circumstances in which a claimant shareholder may be able to obtain disclosure of privileged information.

Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - December 2024

Published on 19 Dec 2024. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Victoria Lawman, Trainee Solicitor and Richard Seymour, Associate and Robyn Crowter, Associate and Samantha Cresswell, Associate

What could be more festive than our December edition of Lawyers Covered – so here it is, a gift from the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group at RPC, to all of you, our lovely readers! And it’s a bumper edition with links to 3 full articles as well as our usual snippets. Happy holidays!

Thinking - Blog

High Court overturns SRA intervention

Published on 17 Dec 2024. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Michelle Peacock, Associate and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

A recent High Court decision saw the court overturn the SRA's intervention in a regulated law firm: only the second decision of its kind in 20 years.

Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - November 2024

Published on 29 Nov 2024. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Victoria Lawman, Trainee Solicitor and Richard Seymour, Associate and Robyn Crowter, Associate and Samantha Cresswell, Associate

It can be tough for busy lawyers to find enough time to service clients, make it safely through the regulation obstacle course, win new work and keep up-to-date with developments, but we've got you covered! Welcome to the November edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we highlight the last month's key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.

Thinking - Blog

Oakwood Solicitors Ltd v Menzies – Supreme Court decision on 'payment' of solicitors' bills

Published on 29 Nov 2024. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Victoria Lawman, Trainee Solicitor

In their recent Judgment in Oakwood Solicitors Ltd v Menzies [2024] UKSC 34 the Supreme Court overturned the Court of Appeal decision. The Supreme Court held that deducting fees, payable under a statutory bill, is not a 'payment' within the meaning of section 70 Solicitors Act 1974 (the Act); even when deducted with the client's knowledge and consent.

Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - October 2024

Published on 28 Oct 2024. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Caroline Shiffner, Senior Associate and Victoria Lawman, Trainee Solicitor and Helen Kerr, Senior Associate

It can be tough for busy lawyers to find enough time to service clients, make it safely through the regulation obstacle course, win new work and keep up-to-date with developments, but we've got you covered! Welcome to the October edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we highlight the last month's key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.

Thinking - Publication

FOS Complaints Newsletter - October 2024

Published on 25 Oct 2024. By Rachael Healey, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner and Esme Watson, Senior Associate and Shauna Giddens, Senior Associate

Welcome to the FOS complaints quarterly newsletter. We have pulled together FOS complaints data going back to 2018 when FOS first started publishing complaints data at a product/service level to bring you an overview of what we are seeing in terms of complaints and uphold rates so we can draw trends from the data. FOS complaints data runs from April to March and so the first quarter of any year covers April to June.

Thinking - Publication

PLC QTRLY - Q3 2024

Published on 15 Oct 2024. By Connor Cahalane, Partner - Corporate and James Channo, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner, Head of Corporate & Commercial

This is our regular quarterly update to help our listed company clients and other market participants keep up to date with key developments relevant to issuers on the Main Market and AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.