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The Times recognises RPC among Best Law Firms 2024

Published on 30 Oct 2023.

International law firm, RPC, has been recognised by The Times in its Best Law Firms 2024 report, an annual ranking of the top 250 law firms in England and Wales.

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Snapshots Spring 2025

Published on 09 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.

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Snapshots Winter 2024

Published on 10 Dec 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.

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Snapshots Autumn 2024

Published on 17 Oct 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.

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Snapshots Summer 2024

Published on 01 Aug 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.

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New Development: National Cyber Security Centre warns AI is likely to heighten global ransomware threat

Published on 17 Apr 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), part of GCQH, has published a report on the “near-term impact of AI on the cyber threat” over the next two years, which concludes that: (i) AI is already being used in cyber activity in a malicious way; and (ii) the volume of cyber attacks and the global ransomware threat are likely to be heightened over the next two years.

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UK Government publishes response to AI White Paper consultation

Published on 17 Apr 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

What approach has the UK Government’s adopted in its response to the consultation on the AI regulation White Paper (the White Paper)?

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What the AI is going on… December 2023 to March 2024

Published on 17 Apr 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

Google launched its newest GenAI, Gemini Nano. Designed specifically for mobile phones it presents new competition to market leaders OpenAI. Gemini Nano will allow AI apps that operate offline as opposed to only on servers and provide improved privacy for users.

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Court of Appeal holds Samsung liable for trade mark infringement by third-party apps

Published on 17 Apr 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

Can online platforms be liable for trademark infringement by third-party apps?

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UK Supreme Court rejects AI as “inventor” under the Patents Act

Published on 17 Apr 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

What is the scope and meaning of “inventor” in the UK’s patent framework, and will it accept an AI machine as being the sole inventor?

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Snapshots Spring 2024

Published on 17 Apr 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.

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The new EU Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA)

Published on 17 Apr 2024. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

What can financial services entities and ICT providers expect from DORA and what do they need to do prepare for it?

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Snapshots Winter 2023

Published on 12 Dec 2023. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.

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Snapshots Autumn 2023

Published on 25 Oct 2023. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.

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Snapshots Summer 2023

Published on 07 Jul 2023. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.

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Ethics in the age of AI: new Institute of Directors checklist

Published on 07 Jul 2023. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

What are the key considerations for boards regarding the ethical use of AI within their companies based on the Institute of Directors’ (IoD) Checklist for Boards (Checklist)?

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Government White Paper sets out UK approach to AI regulation

Published on 07 Jul 2023. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

How is the UK Government looking to regulate AI?

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Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill opens door for stricter regulation of news platforms

Published on 07 Jul 2023. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

How might the proposed Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Bill (the Bill) affect news reporting by digital platforms?

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Snapshots Spring 2023

Published on 31 Mar 2023. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.

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DCMS publishes new Code of Practice for app developers and app store operators

Published on 31 Mar 2023. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

What do app developers and app store operators need to do to comply with the new Code of Practice published by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)?

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New Metaverse regulation proposal to be discussed by EU Commission

Published on 31 Mar 2023. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

How does the European Commission (EC) intend to regulate the Metaverse?

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Online Safety Bill: Latest amendments increase focus on children safety

Published on 31 Mar 2023. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead

What is the focus of the latest round of amendments proposed to the Online Safety Bill and how will these impact online platforms?

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Snapshots Winter 2022

Published on 23 Dec 2022. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.

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W&I insurance: Key lessons from recent case law

Published on 22 Aug 2024. By Guinevere Lydia Wentworth, Associate and Charmaine Chew, Senior Associate

Recent case law has highlighted the importance of understanding how a buyer on a share or asset sale has valued the target business and the clear drafting of exclusions. This blog considers the key takeaways for both warranty and indemnity (W&I) insurers and insureds.

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New developments in AI may put law firms at greater risk of phishing fraud

Published on 28 Apr 2023. By Will Sefton, Partner, Head of the Lawyers Liability and Regulatory Group

As the computing power of Artificial Intelligence continues to grow exponentially, we consider how generative technology may expand the reach of traditional phishing frauds aimed at law firms.

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Silicon Valley, Signature and Credit Suisse: what do they all share(holder) in common?

Published on 28 Mar 2023. By James Wickes, Partner and Oliver Knox, Partner

In what has been termed "the biggest banking crisis since 2008", both Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) and Signature Bank have collapsed, and Credit Suisse has been rescued. Whether more banks are to follow suit is yet to be seen.

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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.

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Architects' Code reforms – it's important that you have your say!

Published on 08 Oct 2024. By Alexandra Anderson, Partner and Emma Wherry, Of Counsel

The Architects Registration Board (ARB) is consulting on a proposed new code of professional conduct for architects. The proposed new Code is shorter and simpler, but may be more complex to apply and more onerous. Architects should consider responding to the consultation by the deadline of 12 December 2024.

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Construction disciplinary trends analysis #3: fraud and dishonesty

Published on 12 Aug 2024. By Ben Goodier, Partner and Emma Wherry, Of Counsel and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

This article is the third instalment in our mini-series analysing trends in disciplinary decisions involving construction professionals, with insight from our specialist disciplinary team.

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Unpacking the Building Safety Act's industry overhaul

Published on 06 Mar 2024. By Zoe Eastell, Partner and Zack Gould-Wilson, Senior Associate

On June 28, 2022, the Building Safety Act 2022 received royal assent, bringing about the biggest change to building safety in 40 years.

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Construction disciplinary trends analysis #2: engagement letters – worth more than the paper they're written on!

Published on 21 Feb 2024. By Ben Goodier, Partner and Emma Wherry, Of Counsel and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

This article is the second in our mini-series analysing trends in disciplinary decisions involving construction professionals, with insight from our specialist disciplinary team.

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Construction disciplinary trends analysis #1: continuing professional development

Published on 16 Oct 2023. By Ben Goodier, Partner and Emma Wherry, Of Counsel and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

This article is the first in our mini-series analysing trends in disciplinary decisions involving construction professionals, with insight from our specialist disciplinary team.

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The El Niño year and impact on subsidence claims

Published on 13 Jul 2023. By Andrew Roper, Partner and Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer

Insurers should be bracing for a wave of subsidence claims arising from the increasingly warm weather. The UN’s World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has declared that an El Niño climate event is in progress, which helps explain why June 2023 was the hottest on record in the UK.

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Building on renewable energy #3 – Anaerobic Digestion

Published on 24 Sep 2020.

Anaerobic digestion is the process by which biodegradable materials are broken down in a controlled environment. Whilst being broken down, the materials emit gas (which can be used as a source of renewable energy), and produce heat (which can also be harnessed on or near-to site). The process also leaves a waste material (digestate), which can be used as fertiliser, contributing to the circular economy.

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Jessica Yates

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Stamp duty land tax (SDLT) avoidance and corporate property deals – the importance of timing!

Published on 21 May 2019. By Ben Roberts, Partner

The First-Tier Tribunal has, in a recent decision, caused something of a stir for clients and advisors familiar with the well-trodden (and, usually, tax-efficient) use of offshore unit trusts to hold UK property.

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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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The EU’s Work Programme 2025 – ePrivacy Reg and AI Liability Directive dropped!

Published on 09 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

What are the main takeaways for the tech industry from the European Commission’s Work Programme 2025?

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EU Guidance on the AI Act

Published on 09 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

How is the European Commission helping businesses interpret the EU’s Artificial Intelligence Act (AI Act)?

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The Online Safety Act: Illegal Harms Codes officially in force, focus now on children

Published on 09 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

What are service providers’ new obligations under Ofcom’s new Codes of Practice on Illegal Harms and its Age Assurance and Children’s Access Guidance?

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The UK Government’s consultation on Copyright and AI

Published on 09 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

How is the UK Government considering striking the balance between the protection of copyright in materials and the training of AI?

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UK’s new AI Cyber Security Code of Practice

Published on 09 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

How is the UK Government seeking to protect AI systems from growing cyber security threats, in particular in respect of deployable AI systems using GenAI?

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UK’s “AI Opportunities Action Plan”

Published on 09 May 2025. By Oliver Bray, Senior Partner, Technology, Media & Telecoms Sector Lead and David Cran, Partner, Head of IP & Tech

How will the UK Government’s new AI Opportunities Action Plan (Plan) impact businesses?

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Online Safety Act 2023: Children Codes published by Ofcom

Published on 06 May 2025. By Rupert Cowper-Coles , Partner and Mafruhdha Miah, Senior Associate

On 24 April 2025, Ofcom published the Protection of Children Codes and Guidance (the Codes), as part of the second phase of its three-phase process to implement the Online Safety Act 2023 (the Act). In-scope service providers are now required to complete their first children's risk assessments by 24 July 2025, and subject to parliamentary approval of the Codes, those service providers will need to comply with the Codes from 25 July 2025.

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Signed, sealed, (but not) delivered: why email wasn’t enough in Hughes v CSC

Published on 01 May 2025. By Matt Ward, Associate

Whilst notice provisions may not form the basis of commercial negotiations between parties to sale and purchase agreements, failure to consider the practical requirements of these clauses can have stark consequences. In the recent High Court decision of Hughes v CSC Computer Sciences Limited, earn out calculations were found not to have been validly served because they did not comply with contractual notice requirements. This case serves as an important reminder for transaction parties to ensure that notice requirements are carefully complied with.

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PLC QTRLY - Q1 2025

Published on 29 Apr 2025. By Connor Cahalane, Partner, Head of Public Companies and James Channo, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner, Head of Corporate

This is our regular quarterly update to help our listed company clients and other market participants keep up to date with key developments relevant to issuers on the Main Market and AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

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PISCES: New platform for intermittent trading of shares in unquoted companies

Published on 10 Apr 2025. By Janice Chan, Senior Associate

The Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System (PISCES) is a new initiative by the UK government, with support from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the London Stock Exchange, to enable private company shareholders to trade their shares on an exchange without the company going fully public.

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Six steps to AI Literacy (whether legally required to or not)

Published on 27 Feb 2025. By Paul Joukador, Partner and Praveeta Thayalan, Knowledge Lawyer

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.

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Model Articles again deemed suitable for sole director companies

Published on 26 Feb 2025. By Rupert Wyles, Senior Associate

A recent decision of the High Court in Re KRF Services (UK) Ltd [2024] EWHC 2978 (Ch) has provided further and stronger authority that the model articles for private companies are suitable for companies with a sole director appointed, clarifying the position following recent cases on this subject.

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PLC QTRLY - Q4 2024

Published on 23 Jan 2025. By Connor Cahalane, Partner, Head of Public Companies and James Channo, Partner and Karen Hendy, Partner, Head of Corporate

This is our regular quarterly update to help our listed company clients and other market participants keep up to date with key developments relevant to issuers on the Main Market and AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.