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Brexit: extension or no deal?
20 Mar 2019
The UK Prime Minister has written to Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, requesting an extension of the Article 50 notice period to 30 June 2019. During Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons, the Prime Minister confirmed her opposition to any further extension beyond that date. The Prime Minister has also confirmed her intention to bring the Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration (WA) back to the House of Commons for a third time, explaining that the proposed extension to 30 June would be to allow time to "enact our commitments under the Withdrawal Agreement into domestic law".
WBD supports Leeds Manufacturing Festival
20 Mar 2019
WBD is supporting this year's Leeds Manufacturing Festival (October 2019) which aims to provide young people, career advisers, teachers and parents a better understanding of what modern manufacturing is all about.
'How to be human in the age of the machine' launches International Innovation Week
19 Mar 2019
Algorithms – should we love them or fear them? Last night mathematician and science presenter, Dr Hannah Fry, kicked off WBD's International Innovation Week with a fascinating session on the good, the bad and the ugly algorithms that are all around us. 'How to be human in the age of the machine' was streamed across all of WBD's UK and US offices and asked questions such as whether you would trust an algorithm to send someone to jail? Or to diagnose someone with cancer?
Brexit: the long goodbye
15 Mar 2019
The Parliamentary week began with a stark choice between the UK government's Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration (WA) and a "no deal" Brexit. The week has ended with no real change. Next week, the government will seek for the third time to secure approval for the WA in order to obtain a short "technical extension" to the Article 50 notice period so that the necessary legislation can be passed. If the WA were to be rejected again, then the government would have to ask for a longer extension, and that request might be vetoed by any EU member state. Consequently, the House of Commons still faces a choice between the government's WA and "no deal".
WBD strengthens white collar crime expertise with new partner hire in London
14 Mar 2019
WBD has appointed Audrey Koh as a partner in the firm's London office. Specialising in white collar crime, Audrey will strengthen the firm's key sectors of expertise, in particular Financial Institutions, Energy and Natural Resources, Pharma, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Real Estate and Technology.
Brexit: going through the motions
14 Mar 2019
On 13 March the UK government tabled a motion to determine whether the House of Commons wished to rule out a "no deal" Brexit on 29 March. By a narrow margin of 4 votes the government's motion was amended to make it clear that the House of Commons wished to rule out "no deal" not just on 29 March, but at any time. The government then issued an instruction to Conservative party MPs to vote against the amended motion. Despite that, the amended motion passed with an increased majority of 43.
Phillip Hammond's Spring Statement describes a robust economy, but warns of disruption in the case of a "No Deal"
13 Mar 2019
Philip Hammond opened his Spring Statement by saying that last night's vote left a heavy cloud of uncertainty over the UK. But he went on to describe a remarkably robust economy which has grown for the last nine years and can provide a solid foundation for the future
Brexit: temporary tariff rates
13 Mar 2019
The UK government has published details of the temporary rates of customs duty it would impose on imports should a "no deal" Brexit occur. Under the temporary regime, the government expects 87% of total imports to be tariff-free.
WBD celebrates transatlantic and regional innovation with International Innovation Week
13 Mar 2019
From 18-22 March, Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) is holding an International Innovation Week. Now in its third year, the celebration will see 18 events taking place in the UK and US, looking at innovative technology that is transforming the legal industry and other sectors, how businesses challenge themselves to develop more efficient processes, and new ways of engaging with clients to embed a culture of innovation.
