Insights & News

FYIP: Diversity in the Legal Profession with Ashton Chantrielle, Barrister at 8 New Square

Each month we interview thought leaders in intellectual property, talking about how they were introduced to this area of law, their careers, the legal and commercial issues their industries face and what the future may hold.

Lewis Silkin has advised the shareholders of PR agency Cirkle on its acquisition by Huntsworth

Deal

Lewis Silkin has advised its long standing client, Cirkle and the shareholders of Cirkle, an Employee Ownership Trust and Founder Caroline Kinsey on its acquisition by Huntsworth, the international healthcare and communications group. Cirkle, which serves clients such as AkzoNobel, Pepsico, Dreams, Dyson and GSK with consumer, corporate and B2Bcommunications was recently awarded PRCA’s Medium Consultancy of the Year.

Paternity leave and pay

Inbrief

The law relating to paternity leave and pay is not as developed or as complicated as maternity legislation, but employers still need to be aware of the legal position. In this Inbrief, we summarise the rules and look at some practical issues.

Lewis Silkin has advised Next Fifteen Communications Group Plc’s Brandwidth Marketing on the acquisition of Cubaka Limited

Lewis Silkin has advised its longstanding client, Next Fifteen Communications Group plc, the digital communications and growth consultancy group, on the acquisition of Cubaka Limited, an award-winning social media agency.

Flexible working - the right to ask

Inbrief

Employees seeking a better balance between the demands of work and personal life may seek a change in their working arrangements – for example, through part-time working, job-sharing or a change in working hours. While there is no right to insist on working in a different way, there is a statutory right to ask for a flexible working arrangement and to have that request seriously considered.

Parental bereavement leave

Inbrief

As of 6 April 2020, working parents who lose a child under the age of 18 or have a baby stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy have the right to take two weeks’ paid bereavement leave. This Inbrief summarises the rights introduced for both leave and pay, the notice requirements and the practical implications for employers.

Court of Appeal lifts restriction on employers responding to industrial action

The Court of Appeal has ruled that UK legislation does not prevent employers from taking steps falling short of dismissal in response to industrial action. The UK may be in breach of its international commitments over trade union rights, but it is for Parliament and not the courts to address this sensitive issue.

Gender pay gap reporting 2021: our analysis of the latest results

Employers had until 4 April 2022 to publish their gender pay gap statistics relating to 5 April 2021. Now that the results are in, we’ve taken a look at what they reveal.

A historic and pivotal moment for the future of cryptoassets, payments and money in the UK?

What happened? And so 4 April 2022 may come to be seen as a pivotal turning point for the future of cryptoassets in the UK.

10 things we’ve learned from the new Covid guidance

1 April marked another milestone in the loosening of Covid restrictions. Universal free testing has now ended, and the new guidance sees Covid being treated in (almost) the same way as other respiratory illness.

How to mitigate the risk of employment claims about working during Covid-19 – a table

Our table for employers sets out the practical steps to take in order to reduce the scope for claims from employees arising out of working during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Termination of employment

Inbrief

Terminating employment can create a plethora of unwanted issues for the employer, including claims of wrongful or unfair dismissal.

Whistleblowing

Inbrief

Workers who “blow the whistle” on their employers have the right not to be dismissed or otherwise penalised as a result.

Coronavirus vaccination - FAQs for employers

On 21 February the government launched its “Living with Covid” strategy”. As a result of this, many of the Covid measures in England have changed significantly with implications for employers wishing to adopt a particular stance on vaccination.

Coronavirus – FAQs on workplace policies and decisions for “Living with Covid”

On 21 February the government launched its “Living with Covid” strategy. As a result, many of the Covid measures in England have changed significantly. Despite this deregulation, difficult questions for employers on a range of employment law issues remain. Many decisions previously dictated by law and guidance are now in the hands of employers and individual employees to make.

Gambling Advertising: ASA and CAP move the goal posts for footballers and celebs

Following an 18 month consultation period, the ASA today announced that it will be changing the rules when it comes to who can appear in gambling ads.

Lewis Silkin has advised Havas Group on the acquisition of award-winning digital agency Search Laboratory

Deal

Lewis Silkin has advised its longstanding client, Havas Group, on the acquisition of Search Laboratory, an award winning integrated digital agency with offices in Leeds, London, Austin and New York.

The new High Potential Individual and Scale-up routes

New Immigration Rules were laid in Parliament last month, setting out the details of the new Scale-up and High Potential Individual routes due to be launched later this year. We take a look at these from the perspective of employers.

Ensuring your prize promotion is a win-win. Key points for promoters to consider when planning a promotion

A prize promotion can be a great way for a promoter to engage with customers - and potentially find new ones. But getting it right isn’t always easy.