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Cyber and data
Last year's edition of the Annual Insurance Review included predictions that 2024 would see a trend towards an increased general level of cyber security given (i) the importance placed on security measures by regulatory bodies such as the ICO and (ii) the focus cyber underwriters had placed on assessing prospective insureds' security before offering cover.
Read moreHealth and Safety
As the single greatest cause of work-related deaths due to past exposure (according to HSE's Annual health and safety statistics 2024.
Read moreInternational arbitration
The Arbitration Bill received its first and second readings in parliament in July 2024. Having first come before parliament in September 2023 under the UK's then Conservative government, it will once again proceed through the House of Lords and House of Commons, before receiving Royal Assent and becoming law.
Read moreArt & specie
Following reports in 2023 that the British Museum had discovered that around 2,000 artefacts were either lost or damaged, it has this year concluded its internal investigation. The Museum found that it had not been compliant with UK legislation regarding how such artefacts should be kept. The Public Records Act requires all UK museums and libraries to meet basic standards of preservation, access and professional care. The consequences of such failings can mean collections being transferred elsewhere or handed over to the National Archives, although it seems the British Museum may be spared this outcome. The Museum is working with the National Archives to ensure their future compliance. This will include the introduction of new policies, such as defining what comprises its collection, introducing a policy for registering items, and improving its policy for reporting unlocated items.
Read moreIntellectual property
Since our 2021 Review we have returned frequently to Sky v Skykick, a trade mark dispute that has been ongoing since 2016. In November 2024, the Supreme Court overturned the decision of the Court of Appeal (see here) finding that an inference of bad faith may be drawn if sufficient evidence exists – as there was in this case – that the applicant had never had any intention to supply or provide certain goods or services for which it sought trade mark protection. Once an inference of bad faith has been drawn, this may prove grounds for a mark to be wholly or partially invalidated.
Read moreAviation
In this this inaugural aviation chapter of the Annual Insurance Review, it would be impossible not to focus on the continuing upheaval wrought by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The aviation industry, which had largely weathered the disruption of the Covid pandemic, has been faced with new challenges since February 2022. Closure of European airspace to Russian aircraft, and of Russian airspace to aircraft from "unfriendly" countries, has forced route networks to adapt. Western sanctions which prohibited the supply of aircraft to Russian airlines have derailed longstanding relationships between Western aircraft lessors and their Russian customers. Prohibitions on the provision of insurance have similarly impacted aviation business models.
Read moreLegal practices
A crumbling regulator? The SRA is facing difficult questions about its effectiveness as a regulator in the wake of the collapse of Axiom Ince, which led to the disappearance of £62million and the loss of around 1,400 jobs. Initially Insurers received a flood of claims totalling around £33million. In an unpopular move, the SRA announced the profession will cover the loss through a 270% rise in contributions to the Compensation Fund.
Read moreLife sciences
COVID-19 continued to dominate life sciences headlines in 2024. The COVID-19 Inquiry has continued in earnest. Module 3, which focussed on the impact of the pandemic on healthcare systems has recently concluded. Damning evidence has been heard about the immense toll on healthcare staff, and the detrimental impact on NHS waiting times.
Read moreMarine and shipping
Two words are dominating the shipping sector in 2024 – "shadow fleet". The shadow (or "dark" or "grey") fleet is a reference to vessels which transport oil and petrochemical cargoes on behalf of sanctioned countries. Western economies finance, operate and insure the vast majority of the world's merchant fleet. Expansion of US, EU and UK sanctions means that, in general, vessels carrying cargoes from sanctioned countries cannot operate within the usual international shipping infrastructure. They are forced to go "dark" in a far more opaque part of the shipping sector. Until 2022 the shadow fleet was relatively small – restricted mainly to the carriage of Venezuelan and Iranian oil/petrochemical cargoes. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 – and the expansion of international sanctions against Russia – has vastly increased the shadow fleet.
Read moreMedia
The Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA) introduced a suite of obligations for "user-to-user" services and search engines which target the UK and/or have a significant number of UK users. In 2024, secondary legislation and Codes of Practice published by the regulator, Ofcom, began the process of giving the OSA practical effect.
Read moreWhat 6 key challenges will insurers face in 2024?
Climate change, Artificial Intelligence and ESG top this year's predictions in latest edition of Annual insurance review from international law firm RPC
Read moreAnnual Insurance Review 2024: Procedure damages & costs
In this chapter of our Annual Insurance Review 2024, we look at the main developments in 2023 and expected issues in 2024 for Procedure damages & costs.
Read moreAnnual Insurance Review 2024: Product liability
In this chapter of our Annual Insurance Review 2024, we look at the main developments in 2023 and expected issues in 2024 for Product liability.
Read moreAnnual Insurance Review 2024: Construction
In this chapter of our Annual Insurance Review 2024, we look at the main developments in 2023 and expected issues in 2024 for Construction.
Read moreAnnual Insurance Review 2023
Hello and welcome to RPC's Annual Insurance Review – a look back at the events that shaped the insurance market in 2022 and a look forward towards what to expect in 2023.
Read moreWhat are the 8 key concerns insurers will face in 2023?
Annual Insurance Review from international law firm RPC identifies ESG risks, climate change and cyber-attacks as top challenges.
Read moreCarers Week Special (Part 2): Intersectional nuances, wellbeing and creating carer-friendly workplaces, with Rachel Pears and Zahra Lakhan-Bunbury
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.
Read moreHong Kong’s New 468 Rule for Continuous Employment
On 18 June 2025, LegCo passed the Employment (Amendment) Bill 2025 (the "Bill"). The Bill revises the working hours threshold for determining continuous employment and makes it easier for employees to enjoy the employment protection available under the Employment Ordinance (Cap. 57). The revised continuous contract requirement will take effect from 18 January 2026.
Read moreCarers Week Special (Part 1): Lived experiences, the law and the role of employers, with Rachel Pears and Zahra Lakhan-Bunbury
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.
Read moreSupreme Court ruling on the definition of "sex": What does this mean for employers? with Patrick Brodie and Kelly Thomson
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast series where we explore how your business can navigate today's tricky people challenges and respond to key developments in the ever-evolving world of employment law.
Read moreThe European Accessibility Act: Creating a more inclusive consumer experience
With less than 1 month to go until the requirements of the EU Accessibility Act (the EAA) come into full force and effect, retailers, consumer brands and hospitality providers should ensure they are ready for the changes.
Read moreThe Work Couch: Navigating trauma in the legal world (Part 2), with Rebecca Norris and Camilla Wells: Implementing a trauma-informed work culture
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.
Read moreThe Work Couch: Navigating trauma in the legal world (Part 1), with Rebecca Norris and Camilla Wells: Spotting the signs and understanding the science
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.
Read more“Ronan’s Law” to impact retailer and online platform liability for knife sales
How will the UK’s proposal to crack down on the online sale of knives impact retailers?
Read moreEU “ecodesign” product regulation lands, together with new digital product passport
What does the EU’s new regulation on ecodesign and sustainability mean for products and those who manufacture, import, deal and distribute them?
Read moreEU proposals to make online marketplaces liable for unsafe or illegal goods and collection of taxes
How concerned should online marketplaces be about new EU rules on e-commerce imports?
Read moreEU Online Dispute Regulation Platform discontinued!
The EU Online Dispute Resolution Platform (ODR Platform) was set up in 2016 under the Regulation (EU) No 524/2013 (Regulation), as an alternative route to court for disputes arising from online sales or service contracts
Read moreCJEU considering liability of App Store providers for unlawful loot boxes
Should intermediary service providers (eg app stores) be held liable for the supply of games containing unlawful loot boxes to consumers in breach of local gambling legislation?
Read moreCMA guidance on unfair commercial practices under the DMCCA
What practical guidance is given by the CMA on unfair commercial practices under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA)?
Read moreCMA’s enforcement road map for the new DMCCA plus consumer protection priorities
Where will the CMA focus its new enforcement powers under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Act 2024 (DMCCA)? And what are the CMA’s consumer protection priorities?
Read moreTen years of the Modern Slavery Act: renewed focus on business responsibility
On 24 March 2025, the Home Office published its updated Transparency in Supply Chains (TISC) guidance, offering detailed recommendations to assist organisations in complying with their obligations under Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Read moreNeonatal Care Leave: What do employers need to know?
On 6 April 2025, the long-awaited new statutory right to neonatal care leave came into effect in England, Wales and Scotland. The new right provides employees with up to 12 weeks' leave if their babies spend an extended period in neonatal care.
Read moreThe Work Couch: Neonatal care leave (Part 2): Managing the process and supporting employees, with Joanna Holford and Catriona Ogilvy
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.
Read moreThe Work Couch: Neonatal care leave (Part 1): What is the new right, who is eligible, and does the law go far enough? With Joanna Holford and Catriona Ogilvy
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.
Read moreWhat if the CEO asks me about… our exposure to packaging fees under EPR?
The Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) (EPR) Regulations 2024 (EPR Regulations) came into force on 1 January 2025. They will affect most businesses that supply packaging in the UK, particularly brand owners of branded packaged products, and those who import branded products into the UK from overseas.
Read moreWhat if the CEO asks me about… the EU's Omnibus Directive?
On 26 February 2025, the EU Commission published its proposed Omnibus Directive, aiming to simplify EU rules, boost competitiveness and reduce the perceived regulatory burden on businesses, particularly SMEs. Here, we break down the key takeaways for busy in-house teams and discuss what we can expect next from the EU Parliament and Council.
Read moreThe Work Couch: What to expect at an employment tribunal: appearing as a witness, with Kim Wright and Joseph England
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.
Read moreEmployment Rights Bill: 10 key amendments explained
On 5 March 2025, the government published a 200 page amendment paper containing a wide range of amendments to the draft Employment Rights Bill (the Bill). A number of the amendments follow the government's response to various consultations on some of the most significant proposed reforms. We highlight 10 of the key amendments and what they mean for employers.
Read moreThe Work Couch: Data protection and HR-related challenges (Part 2), with Jon Bartley and Helen Yost
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.
Read moreSix steps to AI Literacy (whether legally required to or not)
At the beginning of February 2025, the AI literacy requirement under the EU AI Act came into force. The effect of this is that certain businesses must take measures to ensure a sufficient level of AI literacy in their staff.
Read moreThe Work Couch: Preventing sexual harassment - is your business compliant?
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.
Read moreThe Work Couch: Data protection and HR-related challenges (Part 1), with Jon Bartley and Helen Yost
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast where we discuss all things employment.
Read moreWhat impact will the Employment Rights Bill have on the hospitality sector?
The Employment Rights Bill (the Bill) - championed as "the biggest upgrade to workers' rights in a generation" - introduces 28 individual employment law reforms. The key changes of relevance to the hospitality sector include the implementation of "day one" rights, including unfair dismissal protection, and the end of zero-hour contracts.
Read moreThe Work Couch: What's on the horizon for employment law in 2025?
Welcome to The Work Couch, the podcast series where we explore how your business can navigate today's tricky people challenges and respond to key developments in the ever-evolving world of employment law.
Read moreCMA investigates Ticketmaster for dynamic pricing of Oasis tickets
Can dynamic pricing breach consumer protection rules?
Read moreEuropean consumer body challenges in-game premium currencies
When does the use of in-app and in-game premium currencies pose consumer regulatory issues? Does this consumer complaint herald a tightening by the EU on revenue streams for game and app developers and platforms?
Read moreCMA publishes guidance for fashion retailers on environmental claims
How best can fashion retailers protect themselves from regulatory action when making green claims?
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