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BA’s jumbo fine significantly reduced
21 October 2020In what has so far been a torrid year for British Airways (“BA”), the ICO decision to significantly reduce the level of fine it intended to issue following their data breach in 2018 is likely to be seen by BA as a glimmer of hope.
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As “proper” Brexit gets closer, what do commercial lawyers need to consider?
21 October 2020Businesses are having a tough year with the pandemic and now the spectre of a no-deal Brexit (and even if we do have a trade deal with the EU, there are still going to be many changes) isn’t making thing easier.
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Supreme Court housing case could increase scope for positive action in employment
20 October 2020Social housing places can be reserved exclusively for Orthodox Jews, according to the Supreme Court in a case which may have longer-term implications for employers considering taking positive action as part of their diversity initiatives.
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Lewis Silkin shortlisted for five HK legal awards
Press
20 October 2020Market-leading employment and immigration law specialist Lewis Silkin has been shortlisted for five awards in the Macallan ALB (Asian Legal Business) Hong Kong Law Awards 2020.
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Migration Advisory Committee commissioned to report on Intra-Company Transfers
19 October 2020On 1 October 2020 the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) accepted a commission from the Home Secretary to review Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa arrangements. It has also been asked to consider what provision could be made to allow overseas businesses to send a team rather than one individual to establish a UK branch or subsidiary, or to carry out a secondment to work on a high-value goods or services contract. The report is due by the end of October 2021, with a revised route likely becoming available in 2022.
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Instagram vows to tackle hidden celebrity ads after watchdog probe: Geraint Lloyd-Taylor comments for City AM
19 October 2020Instagram has pledged to do more to prevent hidden advertising on its website and app amid concerns that influencers are failing to make it clear when they have been paid to promote products. In this article for City AM, Geraint Lloyd-Taylor comments on how collaboration between the CMA & the ASA is key to these regulations.
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Home working has its benefits - but ministers also see negative impact: Síobhra Rush comments for Irish Independent
Press
19 October 2020Thousands of people working from home have been told to stay put - and were offered a modest financial incentive to do so in this Budget. Síobhra Rush comments on the impact this is having on employers and their staff.
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There's no place like home - data protection implications of the move to remote working: Linda Hynes and Catherine Hayes write for PDP Journal
Press
19 October 2020In this article, Linda Hynes and Catherine Hayes highlight some important data protection implications of remote working for employers and the helpful guidance published by the DPC.
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Dispute Resolution Update - October 2020
16 October 2020Welcome to our October 2020 Dispute Resolution Update which collates some of our recent insights. We will be hosting our next dispute resolution webinar on the 5th November 'Trading through the pandemic: insolvency issues, risk and contractual performance.' You can find registration instructions here. Thank you for reading the October Dispute Resolution Update.
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Ireland’s Budget 2021: Key takeaways for employers
16 October 2020The Covid-19 pandemic and the threat of a no-trade deal Brexit are the overriding themes underpinning the government’s budget for 2021. According to Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, the government has set aside €5.5 billion in contingency funds due to the “unbelievable uncertainty” facing the country. In this article we highlight key points from the budget for employers to note.
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Sports Q&A - Should mediation be used more in sports disputes?
16 October 2020With sports disputes becoming more and more prevalent, it is more important than ever for parties to consider using alternative means to resolve disputes like mediation rather than the more traditional methods such as arbitration or court proceedings. However, whilst mediation is commonly used to resolve commercial disputes, it is not used as often in sports disputes despite its many benefits.
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What does the Covid-19 tier system mean for offices?
16 October 2020Regulations underpinning the 3-tier lockdown system are now in force in England, as part of the government’s efforts to step up its response to the pandemic. This article considers if the new regulations demand a stricter approach to office work and meetings.
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IR35: a welcome sigh of relief
15 October 2020New guidance released by HMRC offers some re-assurance to businesses looking to hire contractors through agencies or umbrella companies. Despite broad wording in the Finance Act potentially suggesting otherwise, HMRC guidance indicates that they will not require the new IR35 rules to be operated if the contractor is an employee of a third party such as a UK based agency or umbrella company.
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Privilege Denied – “Dominant Purpose” in Practice
14 October 2020In the long-running case of Financial Reporting Council v Fraser’s Group (formerly Sports Direct International Plc) numerous issues of privilege have arisen.
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Covert recordings – does use in court justify the risk?
13 October 2020With the ubiquity of smartphones, most people have the ability secretly to record a conversation or meeting, but in the context of proceedings before the court in England, key questions are: will the court allow covert recordings to be used as evidence? And will the maker of the recording risk liability to claims from the people recorded?
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Why pubs and restaurants are suing the Government over closures and the 10pm curfew – and if they could win: Alan Hunt comments for The i
Press
13 October 2020As hospitality venues across the country ramp up for a legal case against the government’s restriction measures, experts warn the case is nuanced and courts are unlikely to want to intervene.
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Lewis Silkin advises the founders of Public Digital on becoming part of the Kyu Collective
Deal
13 October 2020Lewis Silkin has advised the founders of its client, Public Digital, on the sale of a material stake in Public Digital to Kyu.
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Government announces extension to Job Support Scheme for closed business premises
12 October 2020The Chancellor has announced an extension to the Job Support Scheme targeted at businesses required to close entirely due to tighter local or national coronavirus restrictions. Under these proposals, the government will pay two-thirds of wages for businesses forced to close in the coming months as it seeks to slow the rise in coronavirus cases. This article looks at what we know so far and considers what affected employers should do now.
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Trading in turbulent times: has the bar got higher again?
12 October 2020UK businesses are facing a tough month. Uncertainty abounds with localised Covid restrictions on the horizon and a perfect storm is brewing: 29 September was a rent quarter day for many businesses and the furlough scheme is set to be withdrawn at the end of October. With 11% of the British workforce on furlough (according to ONS data), many are staring into the abyss.
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Coronavirus Job Support Scheme – FAQs for employers
09 October 2020The government’s new Job Support Scheme replaces the furlough scheme and starts on 1 November 2020. An extension to the Job Support Scheme has been announced aimed at supporting businesses required to close as a result of coronavirus restrictions. These FAQs cover eligibility, how the Job Support Scheme works, what you need to agree with employees, alternative resourcing options for employers and what we know so far on the extension to the scheme.