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Thinking - Blog

Blockchain technology for contracts: Above the law?

Published on 23 Mar 2017.

A recent report by the European Parliamentary Research Service (EPRS) explores how blockchain technology could continue to develop and impact on a number of key areas of everyday business and life in general. One area explored by the EPRS report relates to the use of blockchain for so-called 'smart contracts'.

Thinking - Blog

Licensees beware - SAP wins victory against Diageo for breach of software licence agreement

Published on 08 Mar 2017.

In a significant ruling for software customers and providers, the High Court found that Diageo breached the "Named User" pricing mechanism of its software licence agreement with SAP.

Thinking - Blog

Online Sales and Price-Fixing

Published on 01 Dec 2016. By Melanie Musgrave, Of Counsel

The CMA recently issued a warning to online retailers against price-fixing and using automated re-pricing software to facilitate such arrangements.

Thinking - Blog

Digital comparison tools under review

Published on 12 Oct 2016. By Melanie Musgrave, Of Counsel

The UK's CMA has launched a market study into price comparison tools, such as price comparison websites and smartphone apps. The aim is to establish what action, if any, is required to improve how this market works. The CMA has until 28 March 2017 to decide whether to open an in-depth market investigation.

Thinking - Blog

Blocking the blockers: EU prohibits network-wide ad-blocking

Published on 12 Sep 2016. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner

Mobile phone operators' plans to introduce network-wide ad-blocking technology are in jeopardy following new guidance from EU telecoms regulators, a move which highlights the divide between content providers and telecoms companies in their attitude towards ad-free content.

Thinking - Blog

Drones: don't fly out of bounds (legally)

Published on 27 Jul 2016.

Various commercial industries have already woken up to the myriad opportunities offered by drone technologies. Whilst the regulatory regime evolves, it is important that companies don’t fall foul of the law.

Thinking - Blog

Price fixing online – a new competition authority warning

Published on 18 Jul 2016. By Melanie Musgrave, Of Counsel

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority ("CMA") has released an open letter to suppliers and retailers warning against online practices which constitute price fixing.

Thinking - Blog

Update: High Court provides guidance on termination for contracting parties

Published on 27 Jan 2016.

In the recent case of C&S Associates Ltd v Enterprise Insurance Company Plc [2015] EWHC 3757 (Comm) the High Court considered a number of issues that will be of interest to contracting parties, including:

Thinking - Blog

FCA Publish Draft Guidance on Cloud Services

Published on 30 Nov 2015. By Mark Crichard, Partner

The FCA has recently published draft guidance for firms outsourcing to the cloud and other third party IT services. This comes as part of the FCA's work on "Project Innovate" which aims to tackle issues stifling innovation within the regulatory sector.

Thinking - Blog

FCA to examine use of big data in insurance

Published on 26 Nov 2015.

This week, the FCA has issued a "call for inputs" around how insurance firms use big data.

Thinking - Publication

Cyber fraud – a new hope?

Published on 23 Nov 2015.

We have previously warned of the threat posed by fraudsters who are targeting solicitors’ client accounts to misappropriate funds.

Thinking - Blog

The Modern Slavery Act: what you need to know about the new reporting obligation

Published on 10 Nov 2015.

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the Act) came into force on 26 March 2015. At a high level it aims to improve law enforcement tools, strengthen criminal penalties and deliver better protection and support for victims.

Thinking - Blog

Do you know you're being tracked?

Published on 05 Oct 2015. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner

Do you own a smart phone? Do you always have WiFi enabled? If your answers to both these questions are yes, your movements were most probably tracked on your way into work today.

Thinking - Blog

EU Consultation on standards for a Digital Single Market

Published on 24 Sep 2015.

On 23 September 2015, the European Commission launched a public consultation on information and communications technology ("ICT") standards for creation of a Digital Single Market.

Thinking - Blog

Update: IT Suppliers beware! Your right to terminate on a customer insolvency is changing…

Published on 16 Sep 2015.

In September 2013 we reported on the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 which provided the Government with the power to extend the law regarding the supply of essential services to insolvent customers.

Thinking - Blog

Article 29 Working Party keeps up the pressure on data reform discussions

Published on 02 Sep 2015.

The EU data protection reform package has entered its decisive phase. The first trilogue between the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of Ministers began on 24 June 2015 but, even at this late stage, there are many key concepts still to be finalised.

Thinking - Blog

Transparency by design – putting FOIA at the forefront of public sector outsourcing contracts

Published on 20 Aug 2015.

Earlier this year, the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) published a guidance document recommending some steps for public authorities (Authorities) to take when entering into outsourcing arrangements to help them comply with their freedom of information obligations.

Thinking - Publication

Technology and cyber risk update

Published on 29 Jul 2015.

Drones – issues for casualty insurers

Thinking - Blog

Digital content under the new Consumer Rights Act

Published on 14 May 2015. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 (CRA) comes into force on 1 October 2015. It will reform consumer law in the UK, in particular by setting up new consumer rights and remedies in respect of digital content.

Thinking - Blog

UK cyber security: insure against 'rapid, highly damaging and public' threats

Published on 06 May 2015. By Mark Crichard, Partner

Cyber attacks present a daily threat to UK businesses and have become more destructive in recent years with data breaches and hacks frequently making front page news.

Thinking - Blog

Court of Appeal opens the door to 'distress-only' data breach claims where no financial loss

Published on 21 Apr 2015.

In an important ruling, the Court of Appeal confirms that misuse of private information is a tort and rules on the meaning of "damage" under s13 of the Data Protection Act ("the DPA"), allowing claimants to recover compensation for "distress" resulting from a breach of the Act without also having to prove pecuniary losses.

Thinking - Blog

Supreme Court clarifies the limits on contractual discretion

Published on 30 Mar 2015. By David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

A recent decision of the Supreme Court1 has confirmed that the limits on contractual discretion include a requirement to take relevant issues into account and that the discretion is not exercised irrationally.

Thinking - Blog

CMA call for information on use of online reviews

Published on 12 Mar 2015.

Online reviews: love them or hate them, there is no escape. Products, services, large multinationals, SMEs, online or offline, almost everyone is being judged these days.

Thinking - Blog

ICO fines online travel insurer £175,000 for failing to keep customers’ personal information secure

Published on 03 Mar 2015. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner

The Information Commissioners Office (the “ICO”) has fined Staysure.co.uk Limited (“Staysure”), an online travel insurance company, £175,000 for its failure to comply with the seventh data protection principle, after IT security failings allowed hackers to access up to 100,000 customer financial records.

Thinking - Blog

New powers to audit NHS authorities' data protection compliance

Published on 04 Feb 2015. By Mark Crichard, Partner

From 1 February 2015, the ICO will be able to subject public healthcare organisations to compulsory audits of their data protection compliance under section 41A of the Data Protection Act 1998.

Thinking - Blog

New UK Procurement Rules Published for Consultation

Published on 09 Oct 2014. By Mark Crichard, Partner

Draft new Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and a Consultation Document on UK Transposition of the new EU Procurement Directives have recently been published by the Cabinet Office. This paves the way for the 2014 Directives to be implemented in the UK early next year.

Thinking - Blog

FCA COMPLETES THEMATIC REVIEW OF MOBILE BANKING AND PAYMENTS

Published on 07 Oct 2014. By Mark Crichard, Partner

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has recently published its findings following its thematic review of mobile banking and payments.

Thinking - Blog

EU Consultation on Cloud Computing and Software

Published on 30 Sep 2014. By Mark Crichard, Partner

The EU has opened a public consultation to help define future research priorities in the areas of Cloud Computing and Software (including Open Source). Any and all stakeholders are invited to submit their views by 10 October 2014.

Profile

Sophie Hudson

Trainee Solicitor

Thinking - Publication

Annual insurance review 2024

Published on 11 Jan 2024. By Simon Laird, Global Head of Insurance and Robert Morris, Partner and Toby Higginson, Partner and Co-head of Clients and Markets (Insurance)

Hello and welcome to RPC's Annual insurance review – a look back at the events that shaped the insurance market in 2023 and a look forward towards what to expect in 2024.

Thinking - Publication

Annual Insurance Review 2023: USA

Published on 12 Jan 2023.

In this chapter of our Annual Insurance Review 2023, we look at the main developments in 2022 and expected issues in 2023 for the USA.

Thinking - Publication

Annual Insurance Review 2022

Published on 10 Jan 2022.

Welcome to RPC's 2022 annual insurance review – a look back at the events that shaped the insurance market in 2021 and a look forward towards what to expect in 2022.

Thinking - Publication

Annual Insurance Review 2021

Published on 14 Jan 2021.

Welcome to RPC's 2021 annual insurance review. No prizes for guessing what we will be talking about this year.

Thinking - Publication

Annual Insurance Review 2020

Published on 08 Jan 2020. By Simon Laird, Global Head of Insurance and Robert Morris, Partner

Hello and welcome to the 2020 edition of RPC’s annual insurance review. Here you will find updates from our experts across a whole range of business classes as well as from around the world. In the articles that follow you will be able to read our take on key issues that have impacted your market in the year gone – and our thoughts on the issues likely to affect you in the year to come.

Thinking - Publication

Technology and cyber

Published on 08 Jan 2020. By Bethan Griffiths, Senior Associate

In this chapter of our Annual Insurance Review 2020, we look at the main developments in 2019 and expected issues in 2020 for technology and cyber.

Thinking - Publication

Regulatory

Published on 08 Jan 2020. By Lauren Murphy, Senior Associate

In this chapter of our Annual Insurance Review 2020, we look at the main developments in 2019 and expected issues in 2020 for regulatory.

Thinking - Publication

Marine and shipping

Published on 08 Jan 2020. By William Jones, Of Counsel and Toby Savage, Partner

In this chapter of our Annual Insurance Review 2020, we look at the main developments in 2019 and expected issues in 2020 for marine and shipping.

Thinking - Publication

Annual Insurance Review 2019

Published on 21 Jan 2019. By Simon Laird, Global Head of Insurance and Robert Morris, Partner

Welcome to RPC’s Annual Insurance Review

Thinking - Publication

Annual Insurance Review 2018

Published on 17 Jan 2018.

Welcome to RPC’s Annual Insurance Review for 2018.

Thinking - Publication

Annual Insurance Review 2018: Accountants

Published on 17 Jan 2018.

In this chapter of our Annual Insurance Review 2018, we look at the main developments in 2017 and expected issues in 2018 for accountants.

Thinking - Publication

Annual Insurance Review 2017

Published on 09 Jan 2017. By Simon Laird, Global Head of Insurance

Last year we identified the standout insurance law event of 2015 as the impending introduction of the Insurance Act 2015. Little did we anticipate the tumultuous events of 2016 that would shake up the global economic markets as a whole.

Thinking - Publication

Annual Insurance Review 2016

Published on 08 Jan 2016.

Landmark insurance law reform and market consolidation

Thinking - Publication

Annual Insurance Review 2014

Published on 16 Jan 2015.

Landmark insurance law reform and dealing with economic recovery which remains gradual

Thinking - Podcast

A look at the Piper Alpha disaster (With John Lane)

Published on 22 Jan 2025.

Welcome to Insurance Covered, the podcast that covers everything insurance. In this episode Peter is joined by John Lane, and they discuss the Piper Alpha disaster of 1988.

Press and Media

RPC Premier Law recognised across six areas in The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2025

Published on 15 Jan 2025. By Iain Anderson, Partner and Carmel Green, Partner and Kenneth Leong, Partner and Navin Joseph Lobo, Partner, Head of Singapore office

RPC, a law firm deeply invested in client ambitions and commercial success, is proud to be recognised once again in The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific 2025 guide for Singapore, securing a host of new and improved rankings for 2025.

Thinking - Blog

A guide to buying and selling English residential property

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Elizabeth Alibhai, Partner and Sukh Ahark, Partner, Co-head of India Practice and Ben Roberts, Partner and Jon Ely, Partner and Arash Rajai, Partner

We are seeing increased positivity in the English residential property market. In 2024, inflation reached the Bank of England’s 2% target, down from 11.1% in 2022, which was a significant factor in the return of consumer confidence and economic growth. Mortgage rates are falling slightly with approval rates at their highest level since 2022 as buyers continue to respond to increased certainty post-election. Property values are again on the rise while demand continues to outstrip supply.

Thinking - Publication

ML Covered - January 2025

Published on 10 Jan 2025. By Matthew Watson, Partner and Rachael Healey, Partner and Kim Wright, Senior Associate and Zoe Melegari, Senior Associate and Andrew Oberholzer, Senior Associate and Charlotte Bray, Associate

As we welcome the New Year, we are pleased to share our latest version of ML Covered, our monthly round-up of key events relevant to those dealing with Management Liability Policies covering D&O, EPL and PTL-type risks.

Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was – 10 January 2025

Published on 10 Jan 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.

Thinking - Blog

FOS complaints on the rise – is enough being done?

Published on 07 Jan 2025. By David Allinson, Partner and Damien O'Malley, Associate

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has recently published its yearly complaint data, revealing that complaints regarding fraud, scams, current accounts and credit cards between July and September 2024 hit record levels, rising more than 50% compared to the same period in 2023. The data provides a breakdown of the areas where complaints appear to have increased the most.

Thinking - Blog

PRA demands crypto data

Published on 30 Dec 2024. By James Wickes, Partner and Sally Lord, Knowledge Lawyer Manager

Firms face new compliance challenge