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Press and Media

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 Disputes

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 Disputes

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 Disputes

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 Disputes

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 Disputes

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 Disputes

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 Disputes

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 Disputes

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 Disputes

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 Disputes

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 Disputes

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 Disputes

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 Disputes

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 Disputes

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 Disputes

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 Disputes

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

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Regulatory Radar: quick takes May 2025

Published on 12 May 2025. By Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory

Welcome to the latest edition of our bi-monthly Regulatory Radar: quick takes update, which collates the latest developments from across the UK’s regulators.

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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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Supreme Court resolves key construction and professional negligence issues in URS Corp Ltd v BDW Trading Ltd

Published on 09 Jul 2025. By Aimee Talbot, Knowledge Lawyer and Ben Goodier, Partner and Alexandra Anderson, Partner

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.

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Surveying the risks: RICS proposed updates tackling financial crime

Published on 02 Jun 2025. By Ben Goodier, Partner and Emma Wherry, Of Counsel and Catherine Zakarias-Welch, Knowledge Lawyer

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).

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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 Desk 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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Press and Media

Rising to the challenge, how insurers will adapt in 2025

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Simon Laird, Partner, Insurance Sector Lead

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.

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Annual Insurance Review 2025

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Simon Laird, Partner, Insurance Sector Lead and Robert Morris, Partner and Toby Higginson, Partner, Co-head of Clients and Markets (Insurance)

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.

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Energy

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Toby Savage, Partner and Alex Almaguer, Partner, Head of Latin America and William Jones, Of Counsel

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.

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Surveyors

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Alexandra Anderson, Partner and Katharine Cusack, Partner and Felicity Strong, Partner and Ben Goodier, Partner

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.

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Financial institutions

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Rebecca James, Associate and James Wickes, Partner and Ben Gold, Partner and Mike Newham, Partner and Carmel Green, Partner

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.

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Technology

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

There have been a range of court judgments in recent years concerning the interpretation and scope of contractual clauses intended to limit liability.

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Toxic Torts and Legacy Exposures

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Lucy Dyson , Partner

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.

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Warranty & Indemnity

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

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).

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Financial professionals

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Esme Watson, Senior Associate and Rachael Healey, Partner and David Allinson, Partner and Antony Sassi, Managing Partner

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.

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Australia

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

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.

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Asia

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Carmel Green, Partner and Antony Sassi, Managing Partner and Iain Anderson, Partner and Rebecca Wong, Partner

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.

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Canada

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

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.

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General liability

Published on 14 Jan 2025. By Charles Appleby, Senior Associate and Gavin Reese, Partner, Head of Regulatory and Fiona Hahlo, Partner and Mamata Dutta, Partner and Thom Lumley, Partner

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.