Search results

Take 10 - July 2022

Published on 08 Jul 2022. By Keith Mathieson, Partner and Rupert Cowper-Coles , Partner and Alex Wilson, Partner and Samantha Thompson, Senior Associate and Mafruhdha Miah, Senior Associate and Alex Pollock, Associate and Thomas Otter , Associate and Megan Grew, Associate

Welcome to RPC's Media and Communications law update for media lawyers. This month's digest reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 - June 2022

Published on 17 Jun 2022. By Keith Mathieson, Partner

Welcome to RPC's Media and Communications law update for media lawyers. This month's digest reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 - 20 May 2022

Published on 23 May 2022. By Keith Mathieson, Partner and Rupert Cowper-Coles , Partner and Alex Wilson, Partner and Samantha Thompson, Senior Associate and Mafruhdha Miah, Senior Associate and Alex Pollock, Associate and Thomas Otter , Associate and Megan Grew, Associate

Welcome to RPC's Media and Communications law update for media lawyers. This month's digest reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 - May 2022

Published on 09 May 2022. By Keith Mathieson, Partner

Welcome to RPC's Media and Communications law update for media lawyers. This month's digest reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Interim injunctions and competing public interests (Attorney General v BBC)

Published on 22 Apr 2022. By Mafruhdha Miah, Senior Associate

In Her Majesty's Attorney General for England and Wales v British Broadcasting Corporation [2022] EWHC 826 (QB), an interim injunction has been granted in favour of the Attorney General (AG) to restrain the BBC from broadcasting the identity and image of an alleged covert human intelligence source for MI5 (known only as ‘X’) who is accused of being abusive to two former partners and using his position with MI5 to terrorise and control one of the women. The injunction was granted on the basis that, while it "represented a very significant interference with the right of the BBC to freedom of expression and the correlative right of the public to receive the information the BBC wishes to publish" [23], such a measure was necessary in order to prevent a real and immediate risk to X’s life or safety, as well as the potential wider impact of publication on national security.

Take 10 #21

Published on 12 Apr 2022. By Keith Mathieson, Partner

Welcome to RPC's media and communications law update. This issue reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 #20

Published on 24 Feb 2022.

Welcome to RPC's media and communications law update. This issue reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 #19

Published on 10 Nov 2021.

Welcome to RPC's media and communications law update. This issue reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 #18

Published on 10 Oct 2021.

Welcome to RPC's media and communications law update. This issue reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 #17

Published on 10 Sep 2021.

Welcome to RPC's media and communications law update. This issue reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 #16

Published on 18 Jul 2021.

Welcome to RPC's media and communications law update. This issue reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 #15

Published on 20 Jun 2021.

Welcome to RPC's media and communications law update. This issue reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 #14

Published on 20 May 2021.

Welcome to RPC's media and communications law update. This issue reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 #13

Published on 07 May 2021.

Welcome to RPC's media and communications law update. This issue reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 #11

Published on 18 Feb 2021.

Welcome to RPC's media and communications law update. This issue reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 #12

Published on 04 Feb 2021.

Welcome to RPC's media and communications law update. This issue reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 #10

Published on 22 Jan 2021.

Welcome to RPC's media and communications law update. This issue reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 #9

Published on 08 Jan 2021.

Welcome to RPC's media and communications law update. This issue reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 #8

Published on 24 Dec 2020.

Welcome to RPC's media and communications law update. This issue reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 #7

Published on 04 Dec 2020.

Welcome to RPC's media and communications law update. This issue reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 #6

Published on 20 Nov 2020.

Welcome to RPC's media and communications law update. This issue reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 #5

Published on 30 Oct 2020.

Welcome to RPC's media and communications law update. This issue reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 #4

Published on 16 Oct 2020.

Welcome to RPC's media and communications law update. This issue reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 #3

Published on 28 Sep 2020.

Welcome to RPC's media and communications law update. This issue reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 #2

Published on 30 Jun 2020.

Welcome to RPC's media and communications law update. This issue reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Take 10 #1

Published on 30 Jun 2020.

Welcome to RPC's media and communications law update. This issue reports on key media developments and the latest cases.

Media & Content Disputes

Our market-leading media and content disputes team is the largest and most experienced media defence team in the UK.

Media & Entertainment

As one of the UK’s strongest media law teams, we work closely with you to tackle any challenges that come your way.

Rising to the challenge, how insurers will adapt in 2025

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Simon Laird, Partner, Insurance Sector Lead

The global insurance industry is on the brink of transformation as geopolitical tensions, accelerating AI adoption, and escalating climate crises converge to create a perfect storm in 2025. From navigating a volatile economic landscape to addressing emerging risks in cyber and ESG, insurers face a year of unparalleled complexity and opportunity.

Annual Insurance Review 2025

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Simon Laird, Partner, Insurance Sector Lead and Robert Morris, Partner and Toby Higginson, Partner, Co-head of Clients and Markets (Insurance)

With the Christmas and New Year festivities already becoming a blur in the rear-view mirror, what better way to blow away the few remaining cobwebs and see-off the January blues than to immerse yourself in RPC's Annual Insurance Review 2025.

Energy

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Toby Savage, Partner and Alex Almaguer, Partner, Head of Latin America and William Jones, Of Counsel

In last year's Annual Insurance Review, we anticipated that we would see further growth in hydrogen power and that the renewable energy insurance market would continue to respond to this.

Surveyors

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Alexandra Anderson, Partner and Katharine Cusack, Partner and Felicity Strong, Partner and Ben Goodier, Partner

The previous UK Government set a legally binding 'net zero' target to reduce the UK's net emissions by 100% by 2050 compared with 1990 levels. In the UK, an estimated 25 million homes require a form of energy improvement. In response to this target, the new residential retrofit standard was launched in March 2024 and came into full effect on 31 October 2024.

Financial institutions

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Rebecca James, Associate and James Wickes, Partner and Ben Gold, Partner and Mike Newham, Partner and Carmel Green, Partner

As we predicted last year, ESG continues to be a source of risk for financial institutions. On 31 May 2024, the Financial Conduct Authority's anti greenwashing rule came into effect. The rule applies to all FCA-authorised firms, including UK asset managers, who make sustainability related claims about financial products and services. Under the rule, sustainability related claims must be fair, clear, and not misleading. In addition, the FCA has introduced naming and marketing requirements for asset managers, differentiating between products that have sustainability objectives and use a label, and products that have sustainability characteristics but do not use or qualify for a label. Following consultation in 2024, the rule looks set to be extended to portfolio managers in Q2 2025.

Technology

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Richard Breavington, Partner and Daniel Guilfoyle, Partner and Jonathan Crompton, Partner

There have been a range of court judgments in recent years concerning the interpretation and scope of contractual clauses intended to limit liability.

Toxic Torts and Legacy Exposures

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Lucy Dyson , Partner

As predicted in last year's review, PFAS/ forever chemicals continued to dominate the toxic tort stage during 2024, with litigation rapidly expanding outside of the USA.

Warranty & Indemnity

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Dorothy Flower, Partner and Sian Morgan, Partner

We predicted last year that 2024 would see deal volumes increase, owing to improving market conditions. Indeed, a pullback in inflation (and stabilisation of the cost of capital) has led to a rising M&A market, with notable growth among larger deals. Among European markets, the UK has been particularly active, reflecting perceived political stability following the decisive general election result (2024 was a bumper year for elections, too).

Financial professionals

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Esme Watson, Senior Associate and Rachael Healey, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and Antony Sassi, Managing Partner

In March 2024 the FCA published the findings from its Thematic Review of retirement income advice, looking at the landscape c. 9 years post-pension freedoms against the backdrop of an ageing population. No fundamental problems were identified but the FCA set out some areas for improvement, from more consistent fact finding to considering the value being provided in respect of any ongoing services.

Australia

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Richard Breavington, Partner and Daniel Guilfoyle, Partner and Jonathan Crompton, Partner

It was a case of 'another year; another tough economic outlook' in Australia. Wafer-thin economic growth, cost of living pressure, higher than forecasted inflation, flatlining productivity and decade-high interest rates, combined with non-economic concerns around climate change, social inflation and cyber risk, has left the insurance industry with a smorgasbord of uncertainties to balance.

Asia

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Carmel Green, Partner and Antony Sassi, Managing Partner and Iain Anderson, Partner and Rebecca Wong, Partner

As the soft market continues, insurance premiums in Asia have consistently declined across all major product lines during Q1-Q3 due to increased competition and challenging economic conditions.

Canada

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Richard Breavington, Partner and Daniel Guilfoyle, Partner and Jonathan Crompton, Partner

Canada faced significant challenges in 2024, with slow economic growth and a strained judicial system. Looking ahead to 2025, professional liability and construction claims are likely to remain on the rise, while the upcoming Canadian election could result in significant regulatory changes.

General liability

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Charles Appleby, Senior Associate and Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory and Fiona Hahlo, Partner and Mamata Dutta, Partner and Thom Lumley, Partner

This has been a dramatic year for cases involving fundamental dishonesty. In Williams-Henry v Associated British Ports Holdings Ltd, the King's Bench Division found that the Claimant, who had suffered a moderately severe brain injury, had dishonestly exaggerated her symptoms and attempted to inflate the value of her claim by over £1million. Although liability was admitted and, but for her dishonesty, she would still have been entitled to damages just under £600,000, the Court dismissed the whole of her claim. The Judge found that, given the extent of her deception, there would be no substantial injustice to the Claimant by her losing the genuine elements of her claim along with the dishonest ones.

Health and Safety

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory and Fiona Hahlo, Partner and Thom Lumley, Partner and Mamata Dutta, Partner

As the single greatest cause of work-related deaths due to past exposure (according to HSE's Annual health and safety statistics 2024.

Netherlands

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Richard Breavington, Partner and Daniel Guilfoyle, Partner and Jonathan Crompton, Partner

In a class action brought by ‘Stichting Fossielvrij’ against KLM concerning greenwashing, the Court of Amsterdam ruled on 24 March 2024 that several of the advertisements run by KLM were misleading and therefore unlawful. The public attention for the harmful effects of PFAS also continued. In April 2024 eleven interest groups (including firemen, military personnel and residents living near airports) commenced a lawsuit against the Dutch State, asking the State to take faster measures to curb both the emissions and spread of PFAS. The lawsuit also calls for improved monitoring and quicker enforcement. Further developments will likely take place in 2025.

Latin America

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Richard Breavington, Partner and Daniel Guilfoyle, Partner and Jonathan Crompton, Partner

The Latin American insurance market witnessed remarkable growth in 2024, reflected in an increase in product sophistication and robust premium growth. This is due to the continued economic growth in different countries, which has led to Latin America becoming one of the fastest-growing regional insurance markets in the world.

Accountants

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Patrick Paper-Barclay, Senior Associate

A key trend for the accounting world in 2024 was the sheer number of corporate insolvencies, and the knock-on effect of this in terms of claims against accountants. The number of corporate insolvencies continued to build upon the record levels already seen in 2023, which saw the highest number of annual corporate insolvencies for 30 years. The Insolvency Service's Annual Report in July 2024, for example, reported almost 11,000 new insolvency cases in the previous 12 months, an increase from just over 9,000 the previous year.

Middle East & Africa

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Toby Savage, Partner and Alex Almaguer, Partner, Head of Latin America and William Jones, Of Counsel

In our last Annual Insurance Review, we predicted strong growth in the renewable energy sector in the Middle East, with solar and wind energy expected to play a major role in increasing the region's energy capacity, alongside a rise in investment and infrastructure development throughout 2024.

International arbitration

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Ana Margetts, Associate (New Zealand qualified) and Jonathan Wood, Partner, Chair of International 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.

USA

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Richard Breavington, Partner and Daniel Guilfoyle, Partner and Jonathan Crompton, Partner

In this chapter of our Annual Insurance Review 2025, we look at the main developments in 2024 and expected issues in 2025 for the USA.