Legal updates for IHLs

Legal updates for IHLs

Legal briefings and updates written by Shoosmiths specialists are among the best and most popular on the Legal Week Law website.

Its content manager called them 'direct and accessible', with punchy headlines and an 'easy style'.

In an article headlined Briefings at their brightest, Jon Levene has rounded-up the most downloaded pieces by Legal Week Law's 17,000 subscribers, half of which are in-house lawyers and company decision-makers.

European Commission consults on new technology licensing rules

The EC has conducted a consultation on proposed changes to the technology transfer block exemption (TTBE) and accompanying Guidelines, which exempt certain technology licensing agreements from the EU/UK competition law ban on anti-competitive agreements.

General Medical Council: Changes to GMC Fitness to Practise Rules

On 11 June 2012, the Medical Practitioners' Tribunal Service (MPTS) was launched to provide an impartial adjudication function for doctors as part of the GMC's fitness to practise reforms.

When disaster strikes ...

... businesses need to ensure that they are able to continue 'business as usual.'

Pension trustee decision-making: Fishing for a solution?

On 9 May, the Supreme Court gave judgment in the cases of Futter and another v HMRC and Pitt and another v HMRC. These cases are very similar and deal with decision-making by pension trustees.

All change, please: Defamation Act 2013

After considerable Parliamentary ping-pong and various political manoeuvrings in light of the Leveson inquiry recommendations, Royal Assent has finally been given to the Act that purports to balance protection of reputation and freedom of speech ...

References for ex-employees: an employers' guide to avoiding liability

Drafting references can be a legal minefield for employers. This has not been helped by recent confusion over whether ex-employees are protected against victimisation if they receive a negative assessment.

Retail travel: An opportunity for growth

Travel locations, such as airports and train stations, are one part of the retail sector which has held up relatively well during the economic downturn.

Further twists to service charge consultation

In the recent case of Daejan Investments Ltd v Benson [2013], the Supreme Court granted a landlord dispensation from service charge consultation requirements, overturning the decisions of the Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (LVT) and the Court of Appeal.

Sir Alex Ferguson's departure shows employers need game plan for succession

When a key employee leaves, even on friendly terms, employers can find themselves facing difficult practical and legal issues over who to replace them with. How can employers manage succession in an orderly way?

Bring your own device: ICO publishes new guidance

A survey by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has revealed that 47% of all UK adults now use their personal smart phone, laptop or tablet computer for work purposes - known as 'bring your own device' (BYOD).

Judicial review: It's about time

At present, an application for a judicial review of a decision made by a public body must be made 'promptly' and within three months of that decision being taken in any event.

Life cycle of a services contract: what goes around comes around

When negotiating a contract for the provision of services the legal implications of TUPE should inform the commercial position of the parties.

Growth and Infrastructure Act 2013

The Growth and Infrastructure Bill finally received Royal Assent on 25 April. Amending existing legislation, it introduces a number of reforms that will affect the planning application process.

New redundancy consultation requirements: some things stay the same

Although changes to the collective redundancy consultation regime introduced last month have been well publicised, some important things are not changing.

TUPE: duty to inform and consult does not apply if transfer never takes place

The Employment Appeal Tribunal has handed down a helpful decision on identifying the affected employees with whom information and consultation must take place on a TUPE transfer.