Alerts
Alerts archive 2010

EPCs and DECs - more changes ahead

A new EU Directive has now been passed and must be brought into effect in the UK by 9 January 2013, although the government has hinted that certain changes may be implemented sooner. Find out what this means for you and your business.

Coalition Watch - edition 2

Welcome to the second edition of the Public Law & Regulation team's Coalition Watch alert series.

Maker of VODKAT fails to convince Court of Appeal that extended passing off is now too broad

The Court of Appeal has upheld the High Court judgment that Intercontinental Brands (ICB) passed off its VODKAT product as vodka and this caused, or was likely to cause, damage to Diageo, manufacturer of the SMIRNOFF brand of vodka.

Summertime blues

In its June Budget, the Government announced that it would look at a new, simpler approach to restricting pensions tax relief for high earners. The move reflected feedback received from many in the pensions industry about the complications of the previous Chancellor of the Exchequer's approach.

How effective is your retention of title clause?

Suppliers of goods often get a rough deal when their customers become insolvent because they are unsecured creditors. Retention of Title (RoT) clauses can provide some protection to suppliers.

From RPI to CPI - Implications for staff transfers from the public to the private sector

The Government Actuary's Department (GAD) has confirmed that it will not issue bulk transfer terms or start new broad comparability testing until the issues arising from the CPI changes have been worked through. This could have practical implications for many public-to-private outsourcing exercises.

Coalition Watch - edition 1

Welcome to the first of the Public Law & Regulation team's Coalition Watch alert series.

Borrowers 0 – Lenders 3

There have been three judgments dealing with Consumer Credit Act test cases that lenders need to be aware of. Dealing with allegations of payment protection insurance premium mis-selling, mis-statement of APR rates and breach of the Insurance Conduct of Buisness Rules.

Update on Department of Health papers and consultation timetables following the White Paper

Since our previous alert on the Coalition Government's White Paper on Health, 'Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS', the Government has been delivering with zest on its promise to publish a suite of consultation papers and other documents on the proposed reforms.

You never give me your money...

Obtaining financial compensation in public law cases has always been difficult. 

The Renewables Obligation Order 2011: phased offshore accreditation and requirements for sustainable fuel

In an annual review of The Renewables Obligation Order 2009, the Department of Energy and Climate Change is proposing a number of significant changes.