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Recent insights
Property owners post-COVID: what rural land owners should know
21 Jul 2021
COVID has changed many people's perceptions and thoughts on how to utilise land. Our next webinar in our property owners post-COVID series delved into this topic, looking at changes to land, the strategic planning and partnerships which have grown over the past year. The panellists advised on how rural land owners can adapt and better use their land, while considering the risks in future planning.
The post-pandemic hybrid workplace and increased cyber risks
20 Jul 2021
The pandemic has marked a turning point in cybersecurity and law firms are a significant and growing target of cybercriminals. With many firms adopting a new permanent "hybrid" working system we consider the risks, how PII policies might respond to a cyber claim and what changes may lie ahead.
FCA unveils transformative business plan
20 Jul 2021
The FCA's business plan for 2021/22 marks the first for Nikhil Rathi since taking on the mantle of Chief Executive. In the speech given by Mr Rathi to launch the plan, he acknowledged the unprecedented challenges of the last 18 months but said that in order for the FCA to be an effective regulator it cannot simply respond to today's challenges – it must prepare for those of tomorrow.
FAQs - extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
20 Jul 2021
The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (the Scheme) has now been extended to 30 September 2021. This FAQ deals with the changes to the Scheme.
WBD cuts carbon by 39% and achieves fourth consecutive Planet Mark certification
19 Jul 2021
Womble Bond Dickinson UK (WBD) has reported significant reductions in its carbon footprint and has achieved certification to The Planet Mark for the fourth year running. The certification is based on WBD's commitment to continuous improvement in sustainability in its business operations by measuring, reducing and reporting its carbon footprint as well as engaging its key stakeholders.
Murky waters: record £90 million fine for dumping sewage
19 Jul 2021
A record £90 million fine has been imposed on Southern Water after pleading guilty to over 6000 illegal discharges of sewage and 51 breaches of environmental law. The illegal discharges occurred between 2010 and 2015 (over multiple sites), a total of 61,704 hours. To give this some context, this is the equivalent of 7 years continuous illegal discharge. This follows a fine of £2 million imposed on Southern Water in 2016 in relation to the pollution of beaches in Kent with untreated sewage.
Construction and the face covering conundrum
16 Jul 2021
There is a lot of discussion about masks at the moment as, from 19 July, we will not be legally required to wear these in England. The Government is leaving the decision on whether or not to wear masks down to businesses and individuals. But how do construction businesses make this decision? If you tell your workers "no masks at all", some (especially the vulnerable) may be anxious and refuse to work - but equally, can you really tell your workers "you must wear one" if the legal requirement to do so is lifted? How do you balance safety against risk?
Transport Decarbonisation Plan sets pathway for a cleaner and greener Britain
15 Jul 2021
Commenting on the new Transport Decarbonisation Plan announced yesterday by the Secretary of State for Transport and the Department for Transport, Kevin Bell, transport and infrastructure partner at law firm Womble Bond Dickinson, comments.
