Sarah Cardell

Interesting article in today’s FT focused on the funding gap and possible solutions for UK government programmes. EY has issued a report which highlights the extent of the gap. See Mats Persson’s summary below where he highlights the need to focus on efficiencies - I would suggest energy efficiency should be a key component of this. Mats also highlights the opportunity for further private sector collaboration and identifies that the UK lags behind its G7 contemporaries in this respect. Now that is revealing.

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The UK’s Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act will take effect on 1 January 2025, introducing significant changes to competition and consumer enforcement. Explore our summary of the key provisions to stay ahead of the developments: https://lnkd.in/eZP868Js #CompetitionLaw #ConsumerProtection #DMCCAct

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The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has issued its judgment in Justin Le Patourel v BT Group PLC, dismissing the £1.3bn damages claim in its entirety. This landmark decision marks the first-ever opt-out competition collective action under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 to go to trial in the UK. Oxera provided expert economic analysis to BT and its legal team throughout the case. Congratulations to the Oxera team for their work on this significant case: Adam Hildred, Alec Eisenkolb, Andrew Mell, Antoine C., Asal Mohebbian, Beatrice Lombardi, Dan Marlow, Felipe Florez Duncan, Helen Jenkins, Joseph Bell, Michael Weekes, Peter Bajada, Quirijn Tanghe and Sophie Kümmel. Read more about the case here: https://lnkd.in/gxSX3VJy #ConsumerRights #CompetitionLaw

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Legal Practice Management (LPM) polled over 60 UK law firm leaders in their annual Frontiers report to learn:      •What the competitive landscape looks like   •How confident leaders feel about the coming year’s financials   •Which business transformation challenges are the top priorities to tackle   •Technology investment plans and challenges       Download the report for free today to discover what law firm leaders are prioritising for the next 12 months    https://lnkd.in/eYVS95q8      #legalsoftware #legaltech #lawfirm #lawyers #SMElawfirm #legalvalues #LPMFrontiers2024  

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Events yesterday in the US may have meant that it went under the radar that the UK Government announced yesterday that the new failure to prevent fraud offence (implemented by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023) will come into force on 1 September 2025. In order to help companies prepare for this, the Home Office has published new guidance (https://lnkd.in/eaPgEYJJ) providing advice on the steps that companies can take to develop or enhance their procedures to prevent fraud. This guidance is important as, under the new offence, large companies can be held liable for fraud committed by their employees, subsidiaries, employees of subsidiaries or other ‘associated persons’ intending to benefit the company, unless they have reasonable procedures in place to prevent fraud. Similarities can be drawn to the existing failure to prevent bribery offence and it is likely that courts will take into account the principles set out in the guidance when determining liability. Bakers' more detailed summary of this and what it means for companies, will follow soon, but reach out to us if you would like to discuss!

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The ICO has new direct marketing and regulatory communications guidance and it turns it, it's so not much WHAT you say, it really is HOW you say it. A MUST read for customer comms and marketing teams in FS, energy, pensions and comms sectors https://lnkd.in/eKnuGeWB

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Further to my comments in today's Financial Times on decommissioning in the UKCS, along with my Haynes and Boone, LLP colleague Jody Joy Anderson, we explore the question "Decommissioning in the UKCS: where are we now?" https://lnkd.in/eXihQGWy. #decommissioning #offshoreenergy #oilandgas #energytransition #haynesboone

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An important speech coming up from the Chancellor on: (1) the role of the FOS in redress; 2) the role of CMCs in complaints; and (3) the role of social media and internet platforms in combatting fraud. #fos #fca #appfraud #complaintshandling

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The SFO has published its new five year strategy. A few key points to note and consider for yourself contained in today’s City AM article. #RegulatoryRPC

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In advance of Pinsent Masons' AI conference on 4 July, Philip N. and Karl Simons OBE have produced this article published in SHP: The impact of AI on H&S management and legislative compliance #healthandsafety

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More new content to highlight for Lexis+ Competition - we are very happy to publish two new practice notes, written in partnership with Denis Fosselard and Fiona Garside at Ashurst, in relation to: 1. The EU Research and Development Block Exemption; and 2. The EU Specialisation Block Exemption These practice notes explain the key provisions of the block exemptions and should provide a useful reference tool for competition and commercial lawyers alike when dealing with these types of agreements. Links below (subscription required): The EU Research and Development Block Exemption 2023/1066: https://lnkd.in/ey9X6TE6 The EU Specialisation Block Exemption 2023/1067: https://lnkd.in/efJrbkfJ #competitionlaw #antitrust #blockexemptions #EUlaw #lexisnexis

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A very useful overview of the timeline for implementation of the DMCC. Parts 3 and 4 are of particular note for any customer-facing businesses...

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The ICO has published its new Data Protection Audit Framework - and, along with it, its expectations of compliance standards for organisations looking to achieve effective privacy compliance. There are a few surprises in there which are a bit too close for comfort! Please let me or another member of the team know if you have any queries #dataprivacy #cybersecurity #dataprotection #data #riskgovernance #innovation

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The extraordinary amount of power and water consumed by an AI/crytpo service/data centre does not seem to be among the factors considered by the Bank of England/PRA (or indeed regulators involved in the Digital Regulation Cooperation Forum). I fear these are 'externalities' that neither government nor any of the direct participants is really focused on - the implication being that customers/households will simply pay, either in utility bills and/or shortages... https://lnkd.in/etTrXnip

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Today the Department for Business and Trade has published new guidance on how to apply the Subsidy Control Principles. This guidance has been designed to address concerns about inconsistent approaches to the principles developing amongst different public authorities. It’s useful guidance providing an overview of the requirements as well as links to the relevant parts of the Subsidy Control Act 2022 and associated Statutory Guidance. It also reminds public authorities of the legal duty at Section 12 of the Subsidy Control Act. The full guidance can be found at: https://lnkd.in/e2t9bA_4 #SubsidyControl #Subsidies #PublicFunding #StateAid Jonathan Branton Alex Eaton Amanpreet K. Heather Brooks Gabriella Yuin-Li Rasiah

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Did we just hear about the return of UK data reform in the #KingsSpeech? Much of the focus, rightly, of the proposed Digital Information and Smart Data Bill will be on the potential benefits and risks of Digital Verification Services (which, amongst other things, is a key element of enhancing online safety of children under various global initiatives). But the briefing notes also say: "The Bill will ensure your data is well protected. We are modernising and strengthening the ICO. It will be transformed into a more modern regulatory structure, with a CEO, board and chair. And it will have new, stronger powers. This will be accompanied by targeted reforms to some data laws that will maintain high standards of protection but where there is currently a lack of clarity impeding the safe development and deployment of some new technologies. We will also promote standards for digital identities around privacy, security and inclusion." Sound familiar? https://lnkd.in/ef4fGA3W

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In the latest episode of the PrivacyRules #Privacyespresso series, we delve into a recent and pressing topic: the complaint raised by the Open Rights Group against Meta. Joined by Trevor Fenton, partner at Shakespeare Martineau, the exclusive UK member firm of the PrivacyRules Alliance. Trevor, expert in #privacy and #dataprotection, provides insights into this case, which mirrors actions in the #EU by NOYB against Meta. Key highlights: • Meta's data use for #AI training: Meta's plan to use personal data to train AI models has raised significant privacy concerns. This issue highlights the complexities of using vast amounts of #personaldata collected over nearly two decades. • Transparency and privacy notices: The challenge of explaining complex data uses in privacy notices is discussed, especially when notices are excessively long and difficult to understand. • Regulatory responses: Authorities, such as the ICO in the UK, may proactively prohibit certain types of data processing if they do not pass data protection impact assessments (#DPIAs). • Legal basis for data processing: The debate over using legitimate interests versus consent as the legal basis for processing personal data for AI training is explored, with authorities pushing for more stringent requirements. Trevor explains how these issues reflect broader challenges in the data protection landscape, especially with advanced technologies like AI. He emphasizes the need for transparency, informed consent, and the role of regulatory authorities in safeguarding personal data. Tune in to gain expert insights on this important topic and understand the implications for privacy and data protection: 👉🏻bit.ly/3SmBgTv

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In case you missed it - 2 x heat consultations came out earlier this month. DESNZ is consulting on consumer protections for heat networks (part 2 to an consultation response in Spring 2024) & at the same time, Ofgem is consulting on regulatory oversight & authorisation conditions for operators and suppliers of heat networks. Both consultations close on 31 January 2025. Regulation will step in through a phase approach starting from 1 April 2025 where existing heat networks will go through 'deemed authorisation'. Up next will be seeing the outcome of the heat networks zoning consultation - but in the meantime did you know that x 6 areas in England will be piloting new heat network schemes (Leeds, Plymouth, Bristol, Stockport, Sheffield, and x 2 in London)? Construction expected to start from 2026. The government also released maps this autumn showing new and potential zones - so heat networks could be coming soon, to a cinema near you... For summaries of the key points from both consultations, see the comments below 👇

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