Search results

Art & specie

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Karen Barnard-Taylor, Senior Associate

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.

Intellectual property

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Ciara Cullen, Partner, Retail & Consumer Sector Lead and Joshua Charalambous, Partner

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.

Aviation

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Naomi Vary, Partner

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.

Legal practices

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

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.

Life sciences

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Dorothy Flower, Partner

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.

Marine and shipping

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Iain Anderson, Partner and Toby Savage, Partner

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.

Media

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

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.

What 6 key challenges will insurers face in 2024?

Published on 11 Jan 2024. By Simon Laird, Partner, Insurance Sector Lead

Climate change, Artificial Intelligence and ESG top this year's predictions in latest edition of Annual insurance review from international law firm RPC

Annual insurance review 2024

Published on 11 Jan 2024. By Simon Laird, Partner, Insurance Sector Lead and Robert Morris, Partner and Toby Higginson, Partner, 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.

Annual Insurance Review 2024: Procedure damages & costs

Published on 11 Jan 2024.

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.

Annual Insurance Review 2024: Product liability

Published on 11 Jan 2024.

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.

Annual Insurance Review 2024: Construction

Published on 11 Jan 2024. By Alan Stone, Partner and Ben Goodier, Partner and Tom Green, Partner and Zoe Eastell, Partner

In this chapter of our Annual Insurance Review 2024, we look at the main developments in 2023 and expected issues in 2024 for Construction.

Annual Insurance Review 2023

Published on 12 Jan 2023. By Simon Laird, Partner, Insurance Sector Lead

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.

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.

What are the 8 key concerns insurers will face in 2023?

Published on 12 Jan 2023. By Simon Laird, Partner, Insurance Sector Lead

Annual Insurance Review from international law firm RPC identifies ESG risks, climate change and cyber-attacks as top challenges.

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.

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.

Annual Insurance Review 2020

Published on 08 Jan 2020. By Simon Laird, Partner, Insurance Sector Lead 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.

Technology and cyber

Published on 08 Jan 2020.

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.

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.

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.

Annual Insurance Review 2019

Published on 21 Jan 2019. By Simon Laird, Partner, Insurance Sector Lead and Robert Morris, Partner

Welcome to RPC’s Annual Insurance Review

Annual Insurance Review 2018

Published on 17 Jan 2018.

Welcome to RPC’s Annual Insurance Review for 2018.

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.

Annual Insurance Review 2017

Published on 09 Jan 2017. By Simon Laird, Partner, Insurance Sector Lead

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.

Annual Insurance Review 2016

Published on 08 Jan 2016.

Landmark insurance law reform and market consolidation

Annual Insurance Review 2014

Published on 16 Jan 2015.

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

FIG – The inclusive insurance network

Rise with RPC