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The Times recognises RPC among Best Law Firms 2024
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.
Read moreSnapshots Spring 2025
A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.
Read moreSnapshots Winter 2024
A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.
Read moreSnapshots Autumn 2024
A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.
Read moreSnapshots Summer 2024
A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.
Read moreSnapshots Spring 2024
A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.
Read moreSnapshots Winter 2023
A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.
Read moreSnapshots Autumn 2023
A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.
Read moreSnapshots Summer 2023
A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.
Read moreSnapshots Spring 2023
A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.
Read moreSnapshots Winter 2022
A roundup of key legal developments for the modern commercial lawyer.
Read moreNetflix files lawsuit over 'Unofficial Bridgerton Musical'
On 29 July, Netflix filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Washington D.C. against two TikTok stars, Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, alleging that their Grammy-winning “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical” project infringed the hit show's intellectual property rights.
Read moreStream on! CMA halts plans to investigate music streaming market
The UK's Competition & Markets Authority recently published its interim report on the music streaming market, prompting mixed responses from the music industry. Record labels, publishers and streaming providers appear generally pleased with the findings, but various artists, musicians, songwriters and managers say they believe it has underdelivered.
Read moreParliamentary Group urges UK government to help musicians and crew tour Europe more easily
The All-Parliamentary Group on Music (a cross-party group of more than 100 MPS and Peers) together with representatives from the music industry set out the urgent steps the Government needs to take to help UK musicians following Brexit.
Read moreCMA ends its investigation into online console gaming subscription practices
The UK Competition Markets Authority (CMA) has now closed its investigation into subscription practices in the online console gaming sector after key players Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft committed to making improvements to their contract terms with a view to better protecting customers.
Read moreA "golden age" of television? - Government announces overhaul of broadcasting legislation
On 28 April the government published a white paper setting out its vision for the broadcasting sector. Plans include regulation for streaming services, changes to the public service broadcasting regime, and reform to broadcasting rights for major sporting events.
Read moreEurovision contestant and Rudimental come out on pop in copyright dispute
Coming out on pop: Rudimental's single Waiting All Night, composed by Eurovision 2021 contestant James Newman, was not the product of copying a song written in 2001 by a contestant on the Voice UK.
Read more(Sex) Pistols at dawn over Danny Boyle's new biopic series
Sex Pistols band members accuse frontman John Lydon of being No Fun and creating Anarchy for refusing to authorise licences for the use of the band's music in Danny Boyle's forthcoming TV series, Pistol.
Read more(Sex) Pistols at dawn over Danny Boyle's new biopic series
Sex Pistols band members accuse frontman John Lydon of being No Fun and creating Anarchy for refusing to authorise licences for the use of the band's music in Danny Boyle's forthcoming TV series, Pistol.
Read moreWho gets to deliver my news? - Ofcom starts its consultation on changes to media ownership restrictions
Ofcom is looking to update old rules governing media ownership in the UK to reflect consumers increased access to news online and the fragmented use of traditional media, and the implications of reform could be far reaching.
Read moreStreaming platforms to consolidate? "The stuff that dreams are made of"
Discovery and AT&T's WarnerMedia are merging to create a streaming behemoth named Warner Bros. Discovery, and Amazon is reportedly in talks to acquire Metro Goldwyn Mayer (MGM). Will this mark a trend in the consolidation of streaming platforms, and what are the implications?
Read moreCourt of Appeal upholds copyright infringement decision against digital radio aggregator
The Court of Appeal has refused TuneIn's appeal of a 2019 judgment finding that it had infringed the copyright of Warner and Sony by linking to online radio stations.
Read moreCourt of Appeal upholds copyright infringement decision against digital radio aggregator
The Court of Appeal has refused TuneIn's appeal of a 2019 judgment finding that it had infringed the copyright of Warner and Sony by linking to online radio stations.
Read moreUK Courts find hidden voice in film authorship dispute
The Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC) has found that there was there was an additional joint author of the Florence Foster Jenkins screenplay – in a decision of significant relevance to the film industry.
Read moreReproduction of infringing content online: who's liable?
Keyword advertising, search engine optimisation and liability for infringement via online marketplaces: In recent years, there has been a plethora of cases concerning the various ways that trade marks may be infringed, through use on the internet.
Read moreAll change! No extension means major changes for IP rights holders from 1 January 2021
Under Article 132 of the Withdrawal Agreement, 30 June 2020 was the last day that the UK could have requested an extension to the Brexit transition period. The COVID-19 outbreak prompted many to speculate that a request would be made but the deadline passed, without event.
Read moreSupreme Court resolves key construction and professional negligence issues in URS Corp Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd
The Supreme Court handed down its keenly awaited judgment in URS Corp Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd [2025] UKSC 21 on 21 May 2025. The dispute concerns whether a developer (BDW Trading Ltd) can recover the cost of remedying allegedly dangerous defects in two residential developments from the structural engineers (URS Corporation Ltd) responsible for their design. Our specialist construction insurance team consider the key points for insurers, brokers and professional consultants.
Read moreSurveying the risks: RICS proposed updates tackling financial crime
Financial crime is on the rise. In response to the new technologies criminals are using, such as AI and cryptocurrency, RICS launched a consultation calling on members, regulated firms and key stakeholders to respond to its consultation on proposed changes to "The Financial Crime Standard" (The RICS Countering Financial Crime: Bribery, Corruption, Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Sanctions Violation Professional Standard).
Read moreA guide to buying and selling English residential property
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.
Read moreArchitects' Code reforms – it's important that you have your say!
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.
Read moreConstruction disciplinary trends analysis #3: fraud and dishonesty
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.
Read moreUnpacking the Building Safety Act's industry overhaul
On June 28, 2022, the Building Safety Act 2022 received royal assent, bringing about the biggest change to building safety in 40 years.
Read moreConstruction disciplinary trends analysis #2: engagement letters – worth more than the paper they're written on!
This article is the second in our mini-series analysing trends in disciplinary decisions involving construction professionals, with insight from our specialist disciplinary team.
Read moreConstruction disciplinary trends analysis #1: continuing professional development
This article is the first in our mini-series analysing trends in disciplinary decisions involving construction professionals, with insight from our specialist disciplinary team.
Read moreThe El Niño year and impact on subsidence claims
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.
Read moreBuilding on renewable energy #3 – Anaerobic Digestion
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.
Read moreRising to the challenge, how insurers will adapt in 2025
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.
Read moreAnnual Insurance Review 2025
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.
Read moreEnergy
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.
Read moreSurveyors
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.
Read moreFinancial institutions
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.
Read moreTechnology
There have been a range of court judgments in recent years concerning the interpretation and scope of contractual clauses intended to limit liability.
Read moreToxic Torts and Legacy Exposures
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.
Read moreWarranty & Indemnity
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).
Read moreFinancial professionals
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.
Read moreAustralia
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.
Read moreAsia
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.
Read moreCanada
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.
Read moreGeneral liability
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.
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