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UK M&A deal practice – an introduction for US-based buyers
18 March 2024We continue to see a lot of mid-market M&A activity in the UK driven by US-based buyers, including both corporate buyers and financial investors. Unsurprisingly, a lot of that activity is focused on sectors such as technology, creative and high-value manufacturing businesses.
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US/UK M&A: Risk Allocation
18 March 2024In our second article in the US/UK M&A series, we explore deal certainty, the different appetite for risk and measures that are used to apportion risk between the parties.
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EPO fee increases
15 March 2024The European Patent Office (EPO) is introducing a new schedule of official fees, which will apply to payments made from Monday 1 April 2024. The new fees represent an increase of, on average, 4%. There are, however, some notable exceptions, with the third, fourth and fifth year renewal fees increasing by 30%, 28% and 8% respectively. Subsequent renewals have not changed significantly. As such, the EPO appears to be targeting recovery of renewal fee income that has reduced in recent years, due to a reduction of the average time to reach grant.
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MAC to carry out rapid review of Graduate route by 14 May 2024
15 March 2024The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has been commissioned to make a rapid review of the Graduate route, with its report due to be published by 14 May 2024. Employers should plan for potential restrictions to this route or its abolition.
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EMI options: Top 10 mistakes uncovered on an exit – and how to avoid them
15 March 2024In this article we explore the key issues around granting Enterprise Management Incentive (EMI) options, an extremely popular employee incentive mechanism for qualifying small and medium sized companies, thanks to their unrivalled tax benefits and the flexibility permitted around setting their terms.
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Gender critical beliefs in the workplace
14 March 2024A flurry of recent cases explore the protection against discrimination available to employees when manifesting their gender critical beliefs – both at work and online. We consider the cases and offer suggestions about how to support all employees and avoid conflict.
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New Immigration Rules radically reform Skilled Worker route
14 March 2024This is the biggest reform of UK work routes since Brexit. The clear message from Government is that net migration must be reduced. Most changes affect Skilled Workers and come into force on 4 April 2024, however other work routes are also affected.
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Lewis Silkin has advised Finboot on its latest investment round
Deal
13 March 2024Lewis Silkin has advised Cardiff-headquartered tech firm Finboot on its latest funding round. The latest round of investment has been led by strategic investment company SABIC Ventures together with the UK’s largest investment service Wealth Club.
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Platform Workers Directive Suddenly Passed
12 March 2024The long-promised, interminably-debated and much-amended EU Platform Workers Directive has been passed. The final version delegates key decisions on who is a platform worker to the Member States, while strengthening controls over automated decision making and the need for human involvement in decisions affecting workers.
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AI 101: An Introduction
Podcast
12 March 2024Listen here for the first in our series of podcasts on all things AI in which we’re exploring the key legal issues arising from this hot topic.
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Lewis Silkin advises Seedlip founder’s latest venture on its first investment round
Deal
12 March 2024Lewis Silkin has advised non-alcoholic drinks start-up Pollen Projects on its first equity financing round.
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Unveiling the Struggles of Hong Kong’s Invisible Workforce
12 March 2024According to government statistics as of 2022, there are more than 338,000 foreign domestic workers (“FDWs”) in Hong Kong, which accounts for almost 5% of Hong Kong’s population. Nearly 10% of households in Hong Kong depend on FDWs for housekeeping and to look after their family members. As such, FDWs are more than just employees; they are the backbone of many households. However, despite the significant role they play in our society, FDWs face a myriad of challenges. This article explores the legal and social challenges they must navigate.
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Lewis Silkin has advised Next 15 Group plc’s MHP Group on the acquisition of Studio La Plage
Deal
11 March 2024Lewis Silkin has advised Next 15 Group plc, the growth consultancy, on the acquisition of award-winning multidisciplinary agency, Studio La Plage, by MHP Group.
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Workers' fight for the right to work remotely may have resulted in a hollow victory - Síobhra Rush comments for the Irish Independent
Press
11 March 2024The government's announcement means there are now penalties for those who do not follow very specific and detailed rules. Síobhra Rush explains why the law will make a bigger difference to employees at medium-sized and smaller firms.
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The government has brought the right to request remote working in operation - Síobhra Rush comments for Today FM
Press
11 March 2024Síobhra joins Matt Cooper to outline the key considerations around the new law, for both employers and employees.
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Remote working Q&A: a practical look at how employees can apply and what their rights are – Síobhra Rush comments for the Irish Times
Press
11 March 2024Official new code of practice sets out a right to request remote working but there is no guarantee it will be granted.
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In-House Employment Lawyers Coffee Break: Episode 5 - Controversial beliefs in the workplace and statutory guidance on fire and rehire
Podcast
08 March 2024Listen here for the latest developments and essential practical takeaways (short enough to fit into a 10-minute coffee break!). Lawyers from our IHELC team will discuss key developments in employment law with our usual pragmatism and insight, a touch of humour and a sharp focus on the in-house lawyer’s perspective.
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Budget 2024: Into the Chocolate Factory
07 March 2024“There is no life I know to compare with pure imagination!” So sang Willy Wonka, in both his Gene Wilder and Timothee Chalamet incarnations – I have no idea about the Johnny Depp version, that one looked terrifying to me. And the Chancellor seems to have been infected with the same Wonkaesque, starry-eyed enthusiasm.
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Varying a worldwide freezing order: timely collaboration and transparency is key – Lewis Silkin advises successful respondent
07 March 2024An attempt to vary a £88m worldwide freezing order to permit the sale of a significant London property was successfully resisted recently by the Claimant, represented by Lewis Silkin. We explore the issues arising in the recent High Court judgment, which confirmed the importance of timely collaboration and transparency when considering the variation of a freezing order.
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Remote working requests: frequently asked questions
07 March 2024As organisational and workforce attitudes to office attendance continue to shift, where are we with the law on remote working requests?