The ICO Children’s Code was introduced in September 2020 by the UK data regulator. One year on from the 12-month implementation period, we are asking what is the Code's impact, and does it go far enough to protect children's privacy online? Why a Children’s Code One critical concern is that the internet was not designed with children in mind: yet UNICEF estimates that one in three internet users are children ...
With preliminary hearings now underway for Modules 1 and 2 of the COVID-19 Public Inquiry (‘the Inquiry’), its approach to expert evidence is emerging as an important issue for Core Participants (‘CPs’) ...
December 9, 2022 By: Thomas O’Connell and Natalie Bryans A Starbucks store in La Quinta, California was recently successful in defending itself against allegations that the store engaged in unlawful union-busting tactics ...
On 1 January 2023, the BVI Business Companies Act, 2004 will be amended by the: (1) BVI Business Companies (Amendment) Act, 2022; and (2) the BVI Business Companies (Amendment) Regulations, 2022 (together the “Amendments”). The Amendments will impact all companies incorporated or registered in the BVI (“Companies”) ...
The EU revenue cap which limits certain electricity generators' revenues has raised many questions within the energy sector. In Finland, the revenue cap will likely be implemented in the form of a temporary windfall tax which would apply to profits made in 2023. Our energy team's associate Nelli Rönkkö has summarised the key points regarding the implementation of the EU revenue cap in Finland ...
The Supreme Court will decide if historic holiday pay claims can be brought where there are gaps of three months or more between a series of underpayments. The outcome could have significant implications for employers across the UK ...
The American Bar Association (ABA) has issued its second formal opinion concerning Model Rule 4.2 in as many months. The so-called “no-contact rule” prohibits a lawyer from having contact with a represented party about the subject of the representation. The Rule does not, however, account for the “reply all” function in email communications ...
Dr Ingrid Fenech participated in the Society Education Annual Conference on Aspects of Maltese Company Law held on 29th November, where she delved into the recent amendments to the Companies Act introducing the notion of cell companies carrying on or engaged in shipping or aviation business ...
This is a question that arises with some regularity in trust administration, and one to which the English Court has offered a very welcome answer in the recent case of Sarah Butler-Sloss & Others v Charity Commission [2022] EWHC 974. This case has potentially wide-ranging implications and in this article we will focus on those relevant to trustees of Guernsey-law trusts ...
Earlier this year, the Hong Kong Court of First Instance gave its reasons for its decision in the matter of Re WSY.* As is becoming increasingly common, this case involved the issue of how to deal with the assets of someone who had lost capacity, what is known in Hong Kong as a mentally incapable person, or MIP. One of the issues was whether to make provision for religious charities from the MIP's assets. In this instance the relevant MIP was known in the proceedings as WSY ...
Treehouse Avatar LLC v. Valve Corp., Appeal No. 2022-1171 (Fed. Cir. Nov. 30, 2022) In the only precedential patent opinion issued by the Federal Circuit this week, the Court affirmed a district court’s summary judgment ruling that appellee Valve Corporation’s popular “Dota 2” and “Team Fortress 2” online videogames did not infringe Treehouse Avatar’s U.S. Patent No ...
Initially published by Thomson Reuters [23 November 2022], Shoosmiths partner Sam Tyfield comments on the implications of the recent call for regulation by cryptocurrency firms. Cryptocurrency firms and lobbyists have reacted to the collapse and bankruptcy of FTX by calling for regulation. When unpacked, however, their pleas to be regulated reveal an industry wanting regulation on its own terms while unwilling to face home truths about its faults and efficacy ...
The Malta Business Registry has published a notice informing the public of a key change to its online website company register portal. Access by the general public to the beneficial ownership details of companies registered with the Malta Business Registry has been removed following a judgement of the Court of Justice of the European Union ...
There’s a common quip in Washington that federal employees leaving their jobs to work in the private sector are “going to the Dark Side.” However, what is not so funny for federal contractors and former executive branch employees is when the application process for — or the performance of work at — the new job runs afoul of ethics laws and regulations. For example, Oracle America Inc ...
The Insolvency Practitioners Bill (‘the Bill’) is at its second reading in Parliament. The Bill is intended to partially transpose EU Directive 2019/1023 (‘the Directive’) on preventive restructuring frameworks, on discharge of debt and disqualifications, and on measures to increase the efficiency of procedures concerning restructuring, insolvency and discharge of debt ...
In a circular dated the 15th of November 2022, the Malta Financial Services Authority (“MFSA”) confirmed that electronic signatures which are done with a ‘qualified electronic signature’ shall be accepted by the MFSA ...
Alternative Dispute Resolution in Jersey In Jersey the courts do not experience the same delays as the English system. This year, in Jersey the family court has moved to a new location at International House – which has been specially designed to encourage parties to settle their matters outside the court. The new court provides various comfortable meeting rooms and parties are encouraged by the Registrars to attend court early to see if a resolution can be found ...
Recent upheavals sweeping the globe, including significant changes in social and familial structures and technological, political and economic shifts, have quite obviously also stoked the fire of underlying family tensions with incendiary results. Often the next generation fails to conform to the expectations of the wealth-originating generation and their goals and ambitions can diverge quite significantly ...
Kudun and Partners, Thailand Arbitration Center (THAC) and MDD Forensic Accountants hosted a panel discussion on “Successful startups – how to avoid common pitfalls and manage disputes in Thailand”. The panel was moderated by Emi Rowse Igusa, partner and Head of Japan Practice at Kudun and Partners, and included Kongkoch Yongsavasdikul, Partner and Co-head of the Startup practice at Kudun and Partners ...
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) guidance for sponsors was updated on 9 November 2022 with some helpful clarifications. In part 1, we detail the changes at the early stages of sponsorship. 1. Clarification of Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) exemption It is important that when assigning an Undefined Certificate of Sponsorship (“CoS”), you select the correct option with regards to the category of application so that the ISC can be paid if required ...
In the first part of our summary of the recent changes to the sponsor guidance, we looked at the changes relating to the early parts of sponsorship. In this part, we look at the remaining changes, including changes to salary levels and NMC registration for nurses. 1 ...
Last year a new landmark report was launched by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), aimed at changing the diversity of the people building the critical national infrastructure - as they have not always reflected the diversity of the people and communities who will ultimately use it ...
