Insights & News
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How to avoid a right to work check headache when BRPs are phased out
27 November 2023The Home Office intends to phase out biometric residence permits and other physical immigration documents from 1 January 2025. Although details of the process are still awaited, employers should take the opportunity now to review the volume of repeat right to work checks are due on 31 December 2024 and aim to minimise bottlenecks with processing these.
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Lewis Silkin strengthens Dispute Resolution practice with addition of partner Fraser Mitchell
Press Release
27 November 2023Lewis Silkin has today announced the appointment of Fraser Mitchell as a partner in the firm’s Dispute Resolution group.
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VSP update – A trio of recent developments for Video Sharing Platforms (and a glimpse ahead to what enforcement under the Online Safety regime might look like)
27 November 2023The Online Safety Act 2023 recently received Royal Assent and Ofcom has begun the process of consulting on various codes of practice. Most, if not all, Video Sharing Platforms (VSPs) will be caught by the Act, However, in the meantime, VSPs still need to comply with the existing Video Sharing Platform rules, and recent activity from the regulators indicates that they are keen to remind VSPs that they can’t sit on their laurels until the Online Safety regime kicks in. Regulatory activity can also be taken as an indication of how enforcement action may be approached under the Online Safety regime, as there are many parallels in the regulations.
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What the appointment of a previous incumbent as housing minister means for planning: Sara Hanrahan comments for Planning Resource
Press
24 November 2023The reappointment of a former Westminster City Council planning committee member as housing minister should herald broad continuity with the approach of his predecessor, say observers. But Lee Rowley will have his work cut out overseeing secondary legislation to implement the measures in the recently passed Levelling Up and Regeneration Act.
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Who’s Who? - ‘Principal Accountable Person’ under Section 73 of the Building Safety Act 2022
24 November 2023Lewis Silkin recently advised on a dispute between an intermediate landlord (IL) and their management company (MC) over who the Principal Accountable Person (PAP) was under Section 73 of the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA). By no means an easy task…
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IR35: offset mechanism to be introduced for the off-payroll working rules
23 November 2023The Autumn Statement 2023 contained an announcement that a new offset mechanism will be introduced for the off-payroll working rules, which will help end users and fee payers where HMRC has disagreed with a status determination.
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Sara Hanrahan featured in PCD Club’s November issue
Press
22 November 2023Sara Hanrahan interviewed for PCD Club’s ‘Meet Our Members’ feature. In the 35th edition of PCD Club’s digital magazine, Sara discusses her passion for sustainability, helping junior lawyers excel in their careers and her greatest achievements to date.
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No mention in the King’s speech: a non-starter for non-compete limits?
22 November 2023The government’s planned reform to non-competes was conspicuous by its absence in the King’s Speech on 7 November 2023. There is now much greater uncertainty as to whether any legislation limiting non-compete restrictions to a period of three months will make it to the statute books.
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Deliveroo riders not entitled to collective bargaining, Supreme court rules – Colin Leckey comments for Reuter
Press
22 November 2023The Supreme Court finds that Deliveroo riders are not in an “employment relationship” for the purposes of European human rights law. Colin Leckey commented that the decision provided certainty for platform economy companies with highly flexible operating models in which individuals have genuine freedom about whether and when to work.
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Supreme Court throws out Deliveroo rider status challenge
21 November 2023The Supreme Court, upholding earlier decisions by the Central Arbitration Committee, High Court and Court of Appeal, finds that Deliveroo riders are not in an “employment relationship” for the purposes of European human rights law.
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Lewis Silkin successful in Deliveroo Supreme Court rider status challenge
Press Release
21 November 2023By a unanimous 5-0 verdict, the Supreme Court ruled that Deliveroo riders are not in an “employment relationship” for the purposes of European human rights law, and cannot proceed with an application for recognition of their trade union.
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UK to pare back new takeover screening powers - Wendy Saunders comments for the Financial Times.
Press
20 November 2023The deputy prime minister has said the UK's investment screening powers are to be pared back to make them more "business friendly", less than two years after they have been introduced. Wendy Saunders comments on how the refinement of the scope of the NS&I regime will boost confidence in the UK as an investable jurisdiction.
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The role of immigration law in advancing DE&I initiatives in global mobility
17 November 2023Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives are no longer just buzzwords but are becoming essential elements of success for companies in all industries. Companies are recognising the value of diverse talent and the need to promote equitable opportunities in their global operations. Immigration law is a cornerstone of the legal framework and can play a pivotal role in shaping the demographic composition of a company.
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Lewis Silkin has advised Brandwidth Marketing Limited on its acquisition of Williams Commerce Holdings Limited and Cloudfy Limited
Deal
17 November 2023Lewis Silkin has advised Brandwidth, the digital experience specialists owned by Next 15 Group plc, on the acquisition of ecommerce specialists Williams Commerce (“WCL”) and B2B ecommerce platform, Cloudfy, as part of a long-term strategy to deepen its complete digital experience capabilities.
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Lewis Silkin has advised Splendid Communications on its acquisition of DIY Creative, the third agency to join the Splendid Collective
Deal
16 November 2023Lewis Silkin has advised media consultancy Splendid Communications on its acquisition of DIY Creative, streetwear fashion and action sports specialists, having recently also advised Splendid on its acquisitions of leading culture and entertainment PR agency, Riot Communications and youth, culture and music specialist Kingdom Collective.
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Government legislates to preserve EU-based discrimination law – what does this mean for employers?
16 November 2023The government has published draft regulations amending the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that discrimination protections derived from EU law are preserved after Brexit. Some of these changes are significant because they involve rights that have not regularly been applied in practice in the UK.
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Holiday pay regulations and the Worker Protection Act - In-House Employment Lawyers Coffee Break: Episode 2
Podcast
15 November 2023Listen 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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Financial promotion exemptions for high net worth individuals and sophisticated investors: HM Treasury publishes its response
15 November 2023HM Treasury has published its Response to the Consultation: Financial promotion exemptions for high net worth individuals and sophisticated investors (Consultation) which set out proposals to reform exemptions in the Financial Promotion Order 2005 (FPO) relating to high net worth individuals and sophisticated investors.
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Comparison between the Digital Services Act and the Online Safety Act 2023
14 November 2023The Online Safety Act recently received Royal Assent and is likely to come into force late next year. The Digital Services Act comes into force in EU member states, as well as the EEA in early 2024. How do these regimes overlap and differ and how can UK companies comply with both (particularly when many may think they are not in scope for the DSA, but they may well be)?
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AI and the impact it will have on the future of the music industry - Cliff Fluet writes for UK Music’s 2023 Economic report
Press
14 November 2023Cliff Fluet contributes a piece on AI and the impact it will have on the future of the music industry. The piece highlights the importance of understanding the benefits and tackling the downsides of AI, as well as ensuring that laws look to protect image, personality and other economic rights that attach to creatives.