Shoosmiths LLP

The EU’s much-anticipated AI Act has finally reached the statute book, with the legislation due to formally enter into force in early August. The arrival of the legislation represents a genuinely momentous shift in the focus of regulation of AI and its associated technologies, stepping away from the line of thinking that AI is just another category of software which should be subject to the same laws, standards and regulation as other, similar technologies...

The Chancellor’s statement on 8 July 2024 stated that mandatory housing targets will be restored as part of the reform of the National Planning Policy Framework in England and Wales. This is expected to be included in the King’s speech on 17 July. The planning regime in Scotland is devolved and it is the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) that applies. Challenges and court cases followed the publication of NPF4 in February 2023. This includes a decision in the relatively recent Court of Session case of Miller Homes v Scottish Ministers where it was stated that the effect of NPF4 Policy 16 “Quality Homes” is that housing targets no longer apply...

Shoosmiths and Castle Corporate Finance Limited (“Castle”) have advised the shareholder of Lexxic Limited (“Lexxic”, and its associated companies – the “Group”) in relation to the sale of the Group to Agathos Management LLP (“Agathos”). Lexxic is a UK-based provider of neurodiversity services to corporates, and partners with medium and enterprise customers to create Neurodiversity Smart™ workplaces, delivering psychological support services to neurodivergent talent within corporate environments...

London, 10 July, 2024 – Shoosmiths today announces its milestone results for the 2023/24 financial year. The firm saw a 6% jump in revenue, up to £206.7 million from £194.1 million last year. The revenue growth was a record for Shoosmiths, marking the first time it has crossed the £200-million mark. The firm’s profits also climbed to £66 million, a 5% increase from last year’s £62.7 million. Profit per equity partner (PEP) rose by 16% to £781,000 from £676,000 last year...