A combination of government policy and consumer and shareholder pressure over recent years has led to many UK companies developing and implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes, which for some are becoming an integral part of their brand. A common aspect of many CSR programmes is a commitment to reduce energy usage, increase energy efficiency …
On 11 June 2013, the European Commission published a package of measures aimed at making it easier for victims of illegal cartels and other violations of European law to recover damages before national courts throughout the European Union.
The UK government launched a consultation on the prevention of illegal working on 9 July 2013. The proposed changes to the civil penalty regime signal a tougher approach to dealing with businesses that employ illegal workers and those who have overstayed their visas.
The recent decision of the Supreme Court in Vestergaard Frandsen A/S (now known as MVF 3 ApS) & ors v Bestnet Europe Ltd & ors[2013] provides a helpful discussion of the circumstances in which an employee can or cannot be held liable for a breach of confidential information. The Supreme Court said that, ultimately, liability …
Continue reading “Former employee slips through the net in breach of confidence claim”
Life for those who look after children can feel like one long risk assessment. When purchasing products designed specifically for children, parents expect the highest safety standards. Sarah Croft, of Shook, Hardy & Bacon International, assesses product liability issues and the regulatory environment for children’s products in Europe and the UK.
As readers of this magazine will know, legal professional privilege (LPP) is a shorthand expression for the main category of information that a court may not compel a party to produce, even if it would be relevant to a matter before the court. This article summarises the status of LPP in Scots law (including the …
Continue reading “Legal professional privilege in Scotland and elsewhere”
In the July 2012 edition of The In-House Lawyer, our colleagues discussed the importance of the first instance decision inCompass Group UK and Ireland Ltd (t/a Medirest) v Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust [2012]. On 15 March, the Court of Appeal reversed Cranston J’s judgment.
The Sentencing Council (the Council), an independent body that develops sentencing guidelines for the English courts, has just closed a consultation on proposals for new guidelines (the Guidelines) for the sentencing of environmental offences. There is no doubt that the Guidelines set out in the consultation, even if only partially implemented, will materially increase the …
Passive investments and cross-directorships among competing companies are common across numerous industries such as banking, airlines, energy and automotives. There are various motivations for these types of arrangements, such as a desire to invest in a familiar industry, or to spread risk, share know-how and form strategic alliances.
On 23 May, the Home Office published immigration statistics providing the latest figures on those subject to immigration control, for the period up to the end of March 2013. The statistics demonstrate that immigration abuse is being tackled. The Home Office states that while they continue to encourage the brightest and best migrants, who contribute …