Articles and Briefings

New HMRC guidance on GMP equalisation

25 Feb 2020

On 20 February 2020, HMRC published its first guidance on the tax treatment of adjustments made to pension scheme benefits to comply with the requirement to equalise GMPs following the Lloyds judgment handed down in October 2018.

Regulators warn firms about selling personal data

17 Feb 2020

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) have issued a joint statement warning regulated firms and insolvency practitioners of the need to be responsible when dealing with personal data.

Construction tax changes: government announces further changes to the off-payroll working rules (IR35)

13 Feb 2020

Changes to the off-payroll working rules - which will impact on the construction industry by placing additional obligations on medium and large developers and contractors (as well as some additional obligations on public authorities) who engage off-payroll workers and professionals – are due to come into force on 6 April 2020.

Can the ends justify the means?

12 Feb 2020

Can a director defend a misappropriation of monies claim by a company if, had the misappropriation had not occurred, the funds would have been lawfully transferred to the same person? Auden McKenzie (Pharma Division) Limited v Amit Patel [2019] EWCA Civ 2291

Brexit update: EUIPO confirms business as usual

07 Feb 2020

Following approval of the Withdrawal Agreement, the UK left the EU on 1 February 2020. We are currently in the transitional period (the "Transitional Period"), during which time EU law shall continue to apply to the UK.

The importance of the smaller details – how to run prize draws and competitions in the right way

06 Feb 2020

When you launch a prize draw or competition (whether this is on your website, via social media or by any other means), how much thought goes into the terms that apply or the laws governing these promotions? Do you check the finer details or are you focused more on the opportunity to increase sales or gain a greater marketing list by your latest in-store promotion? The rules surrounding competitions can often be forgotten about, but a recent ruling by the UK's advertising watchdog reminds us how important they are

Airbus SE Deferred Prosecution Agreement

06 Feb 2020

On Friday, Dame Victoria Sharp, President of the Queen's Bench Division, approved a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) between the Serious Fraud Office and Airbus SE. Under the terms of the DPA, Airbus SE agreed to pay a fine and costs totalling €991m as part of a €3.6bn global resolution for bribery offences.

Towards a radical overhaul of UK inheritance tax?

05 Feb 2020

Death and taxes may be the only certainties in this world, but exactly how tax is raised on death and on lifetime gifts is subject to tinkering and political debate. A new cross-party parliamentary report proposes radical changes to completely change, rather than just tinker around the edges, how inheritance tax would be charged in the UK and, if ever adopted, would have significant impact on your wealth and succession planning.

Non-traditional marks – still struggling with registration

03 Feb 2020

For nearly 30 years, more than just word marks have been capable of registration across the European Union (EU). The relevant statutory provision in the UK as to what can constitute a trade mark (at the relevant time) was section 1(1)(a) of the Trade Marks Act 1994 (the TMA).

Pension Schemes Bill – what changes can we expect?

01 Feb 2020

The Pension Schemes Bill 2019–2020, originally published on 16 October 2019, has been re-introduced (with some minor changes) by the Government following December's general election, and is currently progressing through Parliament.

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