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Thinking - Blog

BHS directors ordered to pay over £100m in respect of trading misfeasance redress

Published on 04 Sep 2024. By Zoe Melegari, Senior Associate

On 19 August 2024, the High Court handed down its quantum decision in Wright v Chappell [2024] EWHC 2166 (Ch), which for the first time sets out the method for quantifying loss relating to "trading misfeasance" claims.

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Thinking - Blog

FCA market study into protection product commissions

Published on 03 Sep 2024. By Faheem Pervez, Senior Associate

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has announced a market study into the commission structure associated with protection products. It aims to assess whether the commissions paid to advisors for recommending such products deliver value for money and ensure positive outcomes for consumers. The study will be launched later this year.

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Thinking - Blog

Pensions Ombudsman publishes corporate plan 2024/25

Published on 02 Sep 2024. By Kerone Thomas, Associate

The Pensions Ombudsman (TPO) has recently released its Corporate Plan for 2024/25 which sets out key priorities aimed at addressing the increasing demand for its services and the challenges that come with it.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - August 2024

Published on 30 Aug 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 August 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.

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Thinking - Blog

SRA introduces new rules to restrict fees recoverable in financial mis-selling claims

Published on 20 Aug 2024. By Ben Simmonds, Associate and Esme Watson, Senior Associate

The SRA has taken steps to bring law firms and CMCs into line through the introduction of a cap on fees solicitors are able to recover from their clients when acting on their behalf in relation to financial mis-selling claims.

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Thinking - Blog

Navigating the advice-guidance boundary continued...

Published on 14 Aug 2024. By Ben Simmonds, Associate

In December 2023, the FCA released a Policy Paper (the Paper) which included its proposals for closing the gap between 'holistic advice' and 'information and guidance'. The intention was to "smooth the cliff edge between holistic advice and information and guidance to create a continuum of support." Recent reports indicate that the FCA will shortly be announcing its plan to address this gap.

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Thinking - Blog

The BSPS saga: the redress scheme two years later

Published on 05 Aug 2024. By Damien O'Malley, Associate

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has reported that fewer than one third of former British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS) members deemed to have received unsuitable advice to transfer out have actually received redress following the introduction of the redress scheme under s.404 of FSMA. Of the £49m the FCA anticipated would be paid out through the scheme (this of itself being a revised figure), only £8.7m has so far been paid out to affected members.

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Thinking - Blog

The road lengthens for vehicle finance complaints - FCA consults on extending timeframes further

Published on 01 Aug 2024. By Haiying Li, Associate and David Allinson, Partner

The FCA has published a consultation paper inviting discussion on a further extension to complaints handling rules for motor finance complaints. This comes as a result of the FCA admitting that it will not be able to set out the next steps they intend to take in this area by the anticipated deadline of 24 September 2024.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - July 2024

Published on 30 Jul 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 July 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.

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Thinking - Blog

SRA consults the legal sector on proposed changes to their fining framework

Published on 30 Jul 2024. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Victoria Lawman, Trainee Solicitor

The SRA is conducting a consultation from the 28 June to 20 September 2024 on their proposed changes to the SRA Fining Guidance. The regulator is seeking feedback in response to the new unlimited fining powers granted under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act (ECCTA 2023).

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Thinking - Blog

Embracing digital change: the new reporting functions for the Financial Reporting Council

Published on 19 Jul 2024. By Heather Buttifant, Associate and George Smith, Partner

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has announced two new functions, to better understand its existing market intelligence and to deliver on UK growth and competition. However, following the King's speech this week, and with the industry expecting a new, more powerful regulator in the Audit, Reporting and Governance Authority (ARGA) under this new Labour government, are these new functions simply a steppingstone to wider auditing reform?

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Thinking - Blog

The What, the How, and the Responsibility – Liability of Principals for actions of Appointed Representatives under FSMA s39

Published on 12 Jul 2024. By Alison Thomas, Associate

The Court of Appeal has recently affirmed the views of the lower court on the liability of principals for their appointed representatives' actions in KVB Consultants Limited v Jacob Hopkins McKenzie Limited and others.

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Thinking - Blog

FCA Review of Consumer Duty Outcomes Monitoring Across the Insurance Industry

Published on 10 Jul 2024. By Hattie Hill, Associate and Esme Watson, Senior Associate

In this blog we take a look at the FCA's recent review of Consumer Duty outcomes monitoring across the insurance sector.

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Thinking - Publication

Entering the codified world – Code of Conduct for directors

Published on 03 Jul 2024. By Matthew Watson, Partner

The Institute of Directors (IoD) has recently published a consultation paper on a Code of Conduct for Directors (the Code) to assist directors in making better decisions given their increasingly "vital, complex and challenging" roles and responsibilities.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - June 2024

Published on 28 Jun 2024. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and James Ainsworth, Senior Associate and Karl Shortman, Associate and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

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 June 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.

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Thinking - Blog

Compulsory mediation in small claims: a quick guide for the busy lawyer

Published on 28 Jun 2024. By Kirstie Pike, Partner and James Ainsworth, Senior Associate

A new pilot scheme requiring parties in money claims valued at up to £10,000 to take part in a compulsory free one-hour mediation appointment, provided by HMCTS' Small Claims Mediation Service – before the claim can then proceed to Court if no settlement is reached.

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Thinking - Blog

The Financial Ombudsman Service Proactive Settlement Scheme - Here to Stay

Published on 24 Jun 2024. By Faheem Pervez, Senior Associate

The Financial Ombudsman Service's (FOS) Proactive Settlement Scheme (the Scheme), designed to encourage businesses to settle customer complaints quickly, is here to stay following its trial introduction in April 2023. The Scheme was trialled as a way to encourage early settlement allowing businesses to make a settlement offer in response to complaints referred to the FOS within 21 days, provided they notified the FOS of their intention to do so within 14 days of being told that a complaint had moved to the investigation stage. The FOS has now confirmed that the Scheme will become a permanent feature of their complaint resolution process.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - May 2024

Published on 29 May 2024. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Helen Lindup, Associate and Georgia Durham, Associate and Lauren Paterson, 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 May 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.

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Thinking - Blog

No bouncing back for directors

Published on 20 May 2024. By James Wickes, Partner and Adam Craggs, Partner and Catherine Zakarias-Welch, Knowledge Lawyer

Banned! Fraudsters! – Terms used by the Insolvency Service for directors who abused the government backed loan scheme which was put in place to help businesses struggling during the pandemic.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was – 10 May

Published on 10 May 2024. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was – 3 May

Published on 03 May 2024. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - April 2024

Published on 30 Apr 2024. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Helen Lindup, Associate and Georgia Durham, Associate and Lauren Paterson, 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 March 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.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week That Was – 26 April

Published on 26 Apr 2024. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week that Was - 19 April

Published on 19 Apr 2024. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - March 2024

Published on 26 Mar 2024. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Helen Lindup, Associate and Georgia Durham, Associate and Lauren Paterson, 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 March 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.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - February 2024

Published on 26 Feb 2024. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Helen Lindup, Associate and Georgia Durham, Associate

Lawyers continue to face a wide range of challenges, and we are here to help guide you through them. So, welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.

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Thinking - Blog

Fixing up the rules: changes to the fixed recoverable costs regime coming soon to a White Book near you!

Published on 20 Feb 2024. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

Practitioners are eagerly awaiting the first decisions to see how the Court deals with tricky issues such as the effect of the transitional provisions and assignment of a complexity band. In the meantime, the Civil Procedure Rules Committee and the Ministry of Justice have been busy refining the rules and the 163rd update to the Civil Procedure Rules has been published. We've read it all so that you don't have to and explain below what's new in the world of FRC.

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Thinking - Blog

Vehicle finance – FOS driving review forward, but is anyone behind the wheel?

Published on 08 Feb 2024. By David Allinson, Partner

In this article, David Allinson, Partner at RPC, has teamed up with Alex Barry, Claims Director at Collegiate Management Services Ltd, to consider a recent Financial Ombudsman Service decision concerning discretionary commission arrangements and vehicle finance loans. FOS has now published a small number of Final Decisions on this topic, which have been picked up by Martin Lewis (MoneySavingExpert.com) and the FCA, and could have wide-ranging consequences for a number of different professions and their insurers.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - January 2024

Published on 30 Jan 2024. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Krista Murray, Senior Associate and Scott Robins, Senior Associate and Charlotte Thompson, Associate and Poppy Hay, Senior Associate

We hope 2024 has started well for all of you. A new year but some things remain constant - lawyers continue to face a wide range of challenges, and we are here to help guide you through them. So, welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - December 2023

Published on 19 Dec 2023. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Krista Murray, Senior Associate and Scott Robins, Senior Associate and Charlotte Thompson, Associate and Poppy Hay, Senior 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! If you have any feedback or ideas for topics that you would like us to cover in the newsletter or in our seminars, please let us know. Happy holidays!

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - November 2023

Published on 29 Nov 2023. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Simon Love, Senior Associate and Jo Makin, Senior Associate and Charlotte Thompson, Associate

Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.

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Thinking - Blog

Severe consequences: severance of success fee provisions in a CFA not allowed

Published on 27 Nov 2023. By Graham Reid, Partner and Georgia Durham, Associate

In Diag Human v Volterra Fietta [2023] EWCA Civ 1107 , the Court of Appeal held that a firm of solicitors that had entered into an unenforceable conditional fee agreement (CFA) could not obtain payment by severing the offending terms of the agreement and nor was payment on a quantum meruit basis permitted for public policy reasons. The consequence of this was that their clients were entitled to the return of sums paid on account.

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Thinking - Blog

Navigating professional risks and opportunities facing the legal profession in an ever-changing legal and commercial landscape

Published on 17 Nov 2023. By Scott Ashby, Partner and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

The legal profession is undergoing significant changes, driven by a range of challenges and opportunities. In recent years, the legal landscape has experienced a period of transformation, marked by unforeseen challenges and emerging horizons. This transformation has been propelled by factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, evolving regulations, the increasing prominence of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, and the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI). In this article, we examine the risks that lawyers face due to these factors, including the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) focus on addressing toxic workplaces and sexual misconduct, cultural shifts, and the implications of AI.

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Thinking - Blog

Key considerations crime and D&O insurers cannot a-fraud to ignore

Published on 15 Nov 2023. By James Wickes, Partner

The UK government is committed to reforming corporate criminal liability and making it "quicker and easier" to prosecute companies involved in fraudulent conduct. These reforms will no doubt be welcomed by many where the nature and scale of fraud in the UK has evolved significantly and now constitutes more than 40% of all offences in England and Wales. However, it will inevitably have an impact on insurers, especially the D&O insurance market.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - October 2023

Published on 31 Oct 2023. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Simon Love, Senior Associate and Jo Makin, Senior Associate and Charlotte Thompson, Associate

Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.

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Thinking - Blog

Overview of the key risks affecting the Professional and Financial Risks market

Published on 11 Oct 2023. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Scott Ashby, Partner and Graham Reid, Partner and Richard Breavington, Partner and Ben Goodier, Partner and Tom Green, Partner and Laura Stocks, Partner and Kirstie Pike, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and Tom Wild, Senior Associate

Last month RPC's Professional and Financial Risks team hosted a panel discussion to address the evolving challenges and responsibilities faced by professional clients in the current economic landscape. Access our document to explore the key insights from the session.

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Thinking - Blog

What the fix?! Get up to speed in 10 minutes with our new video

Published on 29 Sep 2023. By Shauna Giddens, Senior Associate and Scott Robins, Senior Associate and Chris Gower, Senior Associate and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

The first video in our new Getting Up To Speed series is now available below.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - September 2023

Published on 28 Sep 2023. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Cheryl Laird, Senior Associate and Ruth Lancaster, Senior Associate

Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.

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Thinking - Blog

SRA fining powers – putting the SDT out of business?

Published on 29 Aug 2023. By Graham Reid, Partner and Tom Wild, Senior Associate

The SRA is on a mission to increase its powers to levy financial penalties. The last 12 months have seen a substantial increase in its fining powers, and a grant of unlimited fining powers in matters relating to financial crime and SLAPPs is imminent. The SRA has now dramatically upped the ante, seeking the power to levy unlimited fines in all cases of serious misconduct. With the Legal Services Board appearing supportive, the proposal has the potential profoundly to affect the enforcement of professional discipline within the profession.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week that Was - 25 August

Published on 25 Aug 2023. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Blog

AFMs receive B+ from the FCA: Good but could do better

Published on 15 Aug 2023. By James Wickes, Partner and Sally Lord, Knowledge Counsel – Insurance and Litigation

In the wake of the FCA's new consumer duty requiring firms to deliver good outcomes for consumers that meet their needs and offer fair value, it comes as no surprise that the FCA has 'followed up' on its July 2021 review.

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Thinking - Blog

Directors' duties post Sequana – a differentiating factor?

Published on 11 Aug 2023. By Matthew Watson, Partner

As expected, the scope of directors' duties whilst a company is in financial difficulties has been the source of further consideration by the Court. The recent case of Hunt v Singh [2023] EWHC 1784 raised the question as to whether, following the Supreme Court decision in BTI 2014 LLC v Sequana SA, a director's duty to take into account the interests of creditors arises where the company is at the relevant time insolvent if a disputed liability comes to fruition. In Hunt, the disputed liability was to HMRC where the directors (wrongly, as it later turned out) believed that the tax scheme they were involved in worked.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week that Was - 04 August

Published on 04 Aug 2023. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Blog

Fix up, look sharp: FRC update

Published on 01 Aug 2023. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

What's the latest on fixed recoverable costs in professional negligence claims?

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week that Was - 28 July

Published on 28 Jul 2023. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - July 2023

Published on 26 Jul 2023. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Daniel Austin, Assistant General Counsel and Cheryl Laird, Senior Associate

Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.

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Thinking - Blog

Enhanced Regulatory Supervision of Asset Managers in Europe – Greenwashing Risks

Published on 12 Jul 2023. By James Wickes, Partner and Nick Cumming, Associate

A common methodology has been developed by ESMA to allow national European regulators to share knowledge and experiences to facilitate convergence in how they supervise sustainability related disclosures.

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Thinking - Publication

Money Covered: The Week that Was - 07 July

Published on 07 Jul 2023. By Rachael Healey, Partner and Robert Morris, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and George Smith, Partner

Welcome to The Week That Was, a round-up of key events in the financial services sector over the last seven days.

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Thinking - Publication

Lawyers Covered - June 2023

Published on 28 Jun 2023. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group and Carmel Green, Partner and Richard Seymour, Associate and Cheryl Laird, Senior Associate and Sally Lord, Knowledge Counsel – Insurance and Litigation

Welcome to the latest edition of our Lawyers Liability & Regulatory Update, in which we look back over the last month at key developments affecting lawyers and the professional risks they face.

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Thinking - Podcast

The Month That Was – June 2023 – Equity Release – the next emerging risk?

Published on 27 Jun 2023.

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

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