Insights & News

Lewis Silkin promotes three to partner across Employment and Commercial practices

Press Release

01 April 2021

Leading law firm Lewis Silkin today announces the promotion of David Samuels, David Hopper and Alan Hunt to its partnership, adding further strength to the firm’s market-leading Employment and Commercial practices.

CMA poised to get personal on pricing algorithms!

27 January 2021

The CMA has published an eye-opening paper on algorithms, showing how they can, if misused, reduce competition in digital markets and cause harm to consumers.

Tech Predictions 2021

11 January 2021

Yes, it’s that time of year to grab a cuppa and immerse yourself in learning about how tech might change your 2021. Now, we know it’s easy to be a little glum if stuck working from home, but amazing businesses thrive on a bold vision, focus, drive and positivity. That’s our spirit as we go into 2021. We hope you will join us on the tech discovery journey.

Fertile Ground for Potential Disputes - Dealing with Commercial Contracts During The Second Lockdown: Clive Greenwood writes for Caterer Licensee Hotelier News

Press

25 November 2020

Clive Greenwood article for Caterer Licensee Hotelier News discusses the impact of a second English lockdown on supply chain commercial contracts in the hospitality sector.

Law Commission gets set to tackle online abuse

21 September 2020

It will come as no surprise that the existing UK legal framework of ‘communications offences’ has not really kept pace with changes in the ways we communicate. The Law Commission points out that in some cases the laws fail to address harmful behaviours online, and in others they risk interfering with our rights to freedom of expression. So, what change is on the horizon?

Plans for new rights for consumers during trader insolvency

31 July 2020

Figures show that online sales have jumped from 19.9% of all retail sales in January to 32.8% in May 2020.

UK government publishes White Paper and consultation on UK Single Market

28 July 2020

Just when you thought the UK was leaving a Single Market, the UK government is worried about another one – the one within the four home nations of the UK.

Brexit is back! European Commission issues Communication on readiness for end of transition period

28 July 2020

After a few months where organisations’ attention has been diverted by the coronavirus pandemic, the deadline for an extension to the Brexit transition period has passed without one being agreed and the UK will leave the EU Single Market and customs union from 1 January 2021.

CMA’s proposed regime to ‘take on’ tech giants – a privacy perspective

14 July 2020

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority ("CMA") published its final report on its market study into online platforms and digital advertising, calling for "a new pro-competition regulatory regime to govern the behaviour of major platforms funded by digital advertising, like Google and Facebook". It is proposed that the new regime would be overseen by a ‘Digital Markets Unit’ which would be given powers of intervention.

CMA issues update on work of its Covid-19 Taskforce

06 July 2020

The Competition and Markets Authority has issued an update on the work of its Covid-19 taskforce, set up to identify, monitor and respond to competition law and consumer protection law issues arising from coronavirus and the measures taken by businesses in response to it.

Sellers watch out – EU approves new rules for consumer class actions

03 July 2020

Consumers will have enhanced rights to take collective actions against traders for breaches of consumer law in future.

Conditional payments - are you sure you will be paid?

01 July 2020

Consider this scenario: you enter into an agreement to design some plush new downtown apartments. Everyone knows they will sell like hotcakes when they’re completed. Little do you know that an economic downturn is around the corner, and instead of selling out in weeks, your beautifully designed apartments become luxury rentals instead.

Limits introduced on suppliers’ right to terminate for insolvency

29 June 2020

Clauses which allow termination when your counterparty enters into insolvency are commonplace, and are often inserted into commercial agreements routinely, without too much thought. It may come as a surprise, therefore, that these will now largely be unenforceable by suppliers of goods and services against their customers.

New advisory body for Scottish consumers

25 June 2020

If you sell goods or services to consumers in Scotland, take note as the Consumer Scotland Act 2020 has received Royal Assent.

Intelligent procurement of AI solutions

24 June 2020

The use of artificial intelligence in commerce, especially online commerce, is fast gaining traction, and sometimes in a manner that is not so visible to consumers or other purchasers.

Lewis Silkin writes Ireland chapter of ICLG's "Digital Business 2020"

Press

19 June 2020

Victor Timon, a commercial technology and data privacy partner in our Dublin office, has written the Ireland chapter of ICLG's "Digital Business 2020".

DaaS – the benefits are clear but beware how you contract for Device as a Service

17 June 2020

Devices as a Service (DaaS) is fast becoming the new normal way to purchase IT hardware. This ‘off-balance sheet’ solution is especially fitting in Covid-19 times where cash preservation is key.

New business to business (B2B) fairness and transparency rules apply to ‘online platforms’ and search engines from 12 July 2020

15 June 2020

New EU rules requiring online platforms (including e-commerce marketplaces and price comparison sites) and search engines to deal with their business users fairly and transparently, come into force in the UK and across the EU on 12 July.

"I’ve got technology... get me out of here!" : The privacy risks of an artificially intelligent exit to lockdown: Ali Vaziri writes for PDP Journals

Press

11 June 2020

Ali Vaziri looks at the privacy and data protection risks associated with the use of surveillance technologies, such as facial recognition and location and contact tracing systems, in the context of the current health crisis.

EU plans changes to e-commerce and competition law

10 June 2020

We recently reported on the ASAI's publication of its annual report, in which it said that at a time when online shopping and digital commerce are experiencing exponential growth and have played a key role during the pandemic, it wants digital platforms to engage significantly from both compliance and funding perspectives.