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Lucasfilm did not benefit in any way at Tyburn Film Productions Ltd's expense, counsel said to the appeals court there on 3 December 2025, in part because it already possessed rights over Cushing's likeness and an agreement and consent from the Cushing estate to 'resurrect' him as Grand Moff Tarkin. Tyburn contends it earlier made an agreement with the late actor then, at the time, granting the company a veto over any use of his image prior to his 1994 death. That contract concerns a TV series titled 'Heritage of Horror', which never aired. Tyburn further asserts the deal permits it to effectively 'resurrect' Cushing using stand-ins and CGI to ultimately finish the programme then if the actor were to die whilst filming remained in progress...
Irish telecom operator Eircom’s damages lawsuit against BT Group over a public-sector contract must be carefully managed to trial to deal with confidentiality issues and other matters, a UK judge told the parties today. At the High Court in London today, a judge said Eircom’s damages action against BT over a public-sector contract needs tight case management through to trial to address confidentiality and related concerns. Eircom brought the claim after Ofcom in 2020 penalised BT for its behaviour during a tender. Speaking to both sides, Judge Adam Johnson urged them to resolve any confidentiality flashpoints themselves and signalled he had no wish to step in unless it became unavoidable. He also expressed confidence that parties would do everything possible to keep confidential designations to a minimum, noting this was necessary to maintain control over the conduct of the trial. He framed this as the
The following document is attached: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/274 dated 5 February 2026, revising Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1981, establishing a final anti-dumping levy on imports of ceramic tableware and kitchenware produced in...
Justice Richard Arnold granted AstraZeneca leave to appeal and permitted lorries carrying about 175,000 packs of Glenmark’s generics to move on to wholesalers, provided they did not reach pharmacy shelves while the case continued at any point during those interim proceedings. In this way, Glenmark could keep its first-to-market advantage, while causing only minimal detriment to AstraZeneca should the Court of Appeal later be persuaded to issue an injunction against supply. The judge said this approach maintained the status quo with the least possible prejudice to Glenmark’s position overall. The hearing was arranged at short notice, just days after the High Court refused AstraZeneca an injunction to block the diabetes generic from sale while the court considered whether the patents supporting the branded medicine were valid in law. Glenmark, Generics (UK) Ltd and Teva Pharmaceuticals have each begun proceedings in the UK to set...
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Darren Wang Yip Lui and four companies settled with Skatteforvaltningen (known as Skat) A confidential deal has been reached by Darren Wang Yip Lui and four companies with Skatteforvaltningen, as recorded in a High Court order dated 17 October 2024 that has only recently been disclosed. The resolution emerges midway through a sprawling High Court trial that began in April 2024. Lui and the businesses are among dozens of defendants pursued by Skat over a cum-ex trading arrangement that extracted billions via fraudulent claims for dividend tax refunds from the country’s treasury. Skat did not immediately reply to requests for comment on 2 December 2024. Lawyers for Lui and the companies stated they were unable to comment on the settlement owing to confidentiality duties. Lui and the companies have denied taking part in any fraudulent conduct. Cum-ex trading was devised to exploit gaps in...
Mergers The CMA has invited comments regarding the completed purchase by Topps Tiles Plc of certain assets from Tildest Realisations Limited (formerly CTD Tiles Limited)—see further, the relevant case page The CMA has invited comments regarding the proposed acquisition by Bidvest Group ( UK) Plc (phs Group) of Citron Hygiene LP—see further, the relevant case page NOTE— For all current mergers before the CMA, see further, the UK mergers—ongoing cases tracker Market studies The CMA has updated and revised its administrative schedule for its ongoing market investigation into the provision of public cloud infrastructure services across the UK. The CMA had planned to release its provisional decision for consultation during November or December 2024. The updated administrative timetable now indicates the provisional decision will be published in January 2025. Response hearings will also be held in February and March 2025...
According to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, former Conservative Party cabinet adviser Hayhoe is to lead an inquiry into a 'carnival of fraud', poring over billions of pounds' worth of personal protective equipment contracts. His review will cover PPE deals awarded during the coronavirus pandemic that the last administration wrote off. Addressing Treasury questions in the House of Commons, Reeves pledged that Hayhoe would pursue every lead in uncovering the fraud overseen by the previous government, notably within PPE procurement, where, she noted, ministers had advised dropping any moves to claw the funds back in full, as advised......
OPBAS The Office for Professional Body Anti- Money Laundering Supervision ( OPBAS), part of the Financial Conduct Authority, cautioned in a letter dated 29 November 2024 that firms engaged in conveyancing may wrongly assume other parties in the chain will tackle money laundering risks. OPBAS also urged supervisors to take a more robust stance. The office oversees 25 professional associations and supervisory bodies for lawyers and accountants, including the Law Society, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. Referring to conveyancing, it said there is further scope to strengthen risk management and raise the chances of disrupting money launderers. As the organisation noted, conveyancing covers private individuals, estate agencies and other participants such as lawyers and accountants who are subject to AML supervision. Given the complexity, it observed a risk of reliance......
Mergers The Commission has approved: the takeover conferring sole control of Nordic Paper Holding AB by Strategic Value Partners, LLC ( M.11773) following a phase I investigation—see further, Midday Express the acquisition granting sole control of EST Europe Holdings B. V.......
As he unveiled the organisation’s annual review, Richard Horne, who heads the government’s National Cyber Security Centre ( NCSC), issued a warning, noting that malicious cyber activity is becoming more frequent and sophisticated. According to the eighth annual review, its incident response team dealt with nearly 2,000 reports in the 12 months to August 2024 and marked 430 incidents as needing support from the team—up from 371 in the previous year. Close to 90 of these were classed as ‘nationally significant’, while 12 sat at the highest end of the scale and were judged severe—a threefold rise on the year to August 2023......
Tianrui ( International) Holding Company v China Shanshui Cement Group ( Cayman Islands) [2024] UKPC 36 What are the practical implications of this case? The Privy Council has now articulated the juridical basis on which a shareholder may bring a personal claim to hold a board to the company’s constitution, without resort to a derivative action, following an allotment of shares. As the judgment explains (paras [3]–[4]), authorities of the highest level — from the Privy Council, the UK Supreme Court, the High Court of Australia and other appellate courts — have long recognised that shareholders may proceed personally to contest such allotments, rather than by derivative action on the company’s behalf, notwithstanding that the directors’ duty to exercise the power of allotment for proper purposes is owed to the company alone, not to shareholders individually. Although that personal standing had rarely been doubted, the...
South Square Digest In this issue, Tom Smith KC and Adam Al‑ Attar KC explore whether amending the statutory majority in Part 26A of the Companies Act 2006 could further strengthen the international competitiveness of UK restructuring processes, while Rory Brown (who acted for the Appellant in Lifestyle v Ahmed [2024] UKSC 17) assesses the Supreme Court’s ruling on director’s liability. Also featured are two case notes on notable and timely rulings: Kireeva v Bedzhamov [2024] UKSC 39, a summary of the Supreme Court’s first cross‑border insolvency decision since Rubin v Eurofinance SA [2012] UKSC 46, and London Capital and Finance Plc ( In Administration) v Thompson [2024] EWHC 2894 ( Ch), addressing fraudulent trading, knowing receipt, and the bona fide purchaser defence. Click here to access the full December 2024 edition of the South Square Digest......
Aroma Franchise Company, Inc v Aroma Espresso Bar Canada Inc. 2024 ONCA 839 What are the practical implications of this case? The ruling confirms that, unless the parties stipulate otherwise in their arbitration clause, the Model Law’s objective yardstick governs both arbitrators’ disclosure duties and their potential disqualification in international arbitrations seated in Ontario. In the absence of express agreement to the contrary, that objective benchmark is the applicable test. As the Model Law is embedded in the international commercial arbitration statutes of every other Canadian province, and incorporated into the provisions of the Code of civil procedure of Québec, the judgment carries significance across Canada and will be relevant nationwide. The Court further determined that the application judge erred in relying on pre‑appointment communications between the parties to find a reasonable apprehension of bias, given those exchanges were never put before the...
The UK government has pledged to reset the financial services relationship with the EU Addressing audiences from the City in London, the Treasury’s economic secretary, Tulip Siddiq, publicly stressed that the UK should nurture strong ties with its nearest trading partner. Her comments coincide with finance minister Rachel Reeves’s planned participation in a meeting of EU finance ministers in December 2024. Siddiq previously met former EU financial services commissioner Mairead Mc Guinness earlier in 2024 and is due to meet the newly appointed commissioner, Maria Luís, as well......
What is the background? After Russia’s full-scale assault on Ukraine escalated on 24 February 2022, the EU stated on 28 February 2022 that Ukrainians would be granted temporary protection. Under strong public pressure, the UK government introduced three visa routes for Ukrainians, collectively known as the ‘ Ukraine Scheme’. Ukraine Family Scheme: opened on 4 March 2022 as a concession and incorporated into the Immigration Rules from 30 March 2022; it closed on 19 February 2024. It allowed Ukrainians to apply from overseas or switch in-country to join a UK‑based sponsor who was British, settled, an EEA national with pre‑settled status, or a person with refugee status or humanitarian protection. Applicants could join family members and include extended relatives and those relatives’ immediate family, so the relationship criteria were broadly drawn. Home Office visa statistics record 108,300 applications to the Ukraine Family Scheme, with most...
According to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, annual pension payments for around 112,000 former miners will rise by 32%, equating to an average uplift of £29 a week for each claimant. The government has further promised to examine the pension scheme’s surplus-sharing set-up to ensure miners and their families benefit more fairly in the years ahead, with conclusions due in early 2025. Recipients are spread across historic coalfield areas, including Yorkshire and the Humber in the north-east—which represents over 29,000 scheme members—and the East Midlands, which counts roughly 28,850 pension scheme members. Ministers have confirmed the increase covers all who are eligible across the board. ‘ Today, thousands of ex-miners and their families receive the pension payments they deserve’, said Ed Miliband, the energy secretary......
Malin Industrial Concrete Floors Ltd (in Administration) v Volkerfitzpatrick Ltd [2024] EWHC 2890 ( TCC) What are the practical implications of this case? It is settled law that the court will not move to enforce an adjudicator’s decision in favour of a claimant that is insolvent without first scrutinising the particular circumstances. Whether enforcement is appropriate will be shaped by several considerations: the nature of the insolvency procedure to which the claimant is subject; the presence of security for the judgment sum or for any cross-claim advanced by the defendant; and the wording and effect of the adjudicator’s decision itself. This decision offers a clear illustration of how the courts may evaluate these factors, while steering a course between the statutory adjudication framework (under the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996) and the requirements of insolvency law…...
L v HMRC [2024] UKFTT 1044 ( TC) An executive director taxpayer was entitled to base salary, a discretionary bonus and a long‑term incentive plan award. After being made redundant in April 2013, she brought proceedings against her employer alleging discrimination, harassment, unfair dismissal and unequal pay. The dispute was resolved in March 2014 by a settlement agreement under which the employer paid a lump sum expressed to comprise several elements: deferred cash compensation and incentive awards, a payment for injury to feelings, a sum in connection with the termination of employment, a payment to settle the discrimination claim, and an amount relating to the equal pay claim. Following the settlement, HMRC issued a closure notice amending the taxpayer’s self‑assessment return, treating those parts of the settlement attributed to financial losses said to flow from the employer’s...
Contractual interpretation and termination: Misunderstanding of contract terms leads to repudiatory breach ( BNP Paribas Depository Services v Briggs & Forrester) BNP Paribas Depository Services Ltd and another v Briggs & Forrester Engineering Services Ltd – [2024] EWHC 2903 ( TCC) What are the practical implications of this case? The judgment serves as a timely prompt to approach amendments to industry-standard templates with care. The court will apply the wording agreed, rather than what was discussed beforehand. Where a standard form underlies the bargain, bespoke conditions typically dominate, and, as between competing terms, the specific will trump the general. Exercise caution when modifying standard form agreements. The courts give effect to the language used. As a rule, pre-contract negotiations are inadmissible when construing the contract. Where a standard form underpins the deal, special conditions carry greater weight, unless displaced by the...
Antitrust CMA publishes an open letter to local authorities and local transport bodies regarding street furniture contracts containing exclusivity clauses The CMA has sent an open letter setting out the results of its recent engagement with JCDecaux, one of the biggest providers of street‑furniture advertising, to inform both local authorities and local transport bodies. It relates to street‑furniture contracts that feature exclusivity terms governing the display of advertising......
Rupert Grint v HMRC [2024] UKFTT 956 ( TC). In 2011, a decade after filming began on the first Harry Potter film, Clay 10 Ltd was incorporated to supply Mr Grint’s acting services. Mr Grint was the only shareholder, while his father, who was also his manager, acted as the sole director. The company received the actor’s existing and future rights, together with business information and goodwill, for consideration of £8.5m. That consideration was left outstanding on a shareholder loan account, with £4.5m treated as consideration for goodwill, records and rights. In his 2011–12 tax return, Mr Grint returned that sum as a capital gain and claimed entrepreneurs’ relief. HMRC opened an enquiry and, by closure notice, charged the £4.5m to income tax rather than capital gains tax, on the basis that the ‘sale of occupation income’ provisions in Chapter 4 of Part 13 of the...
Renaissance Securities ( Cyprus) Ltd v ILLC Chlodwig Enterprises and others [2024] EWHC 2843 ( Comm) What are the practical implications of this case? This case reaffirms the settled English law principles of interpretation, particularly in relation to arbitration clauses. The proper approach is to construe the arbitration clause in its entirety and by reference to the principal agreement that contains it, to determine, objectively, the meaning it would convey to a reasonable person equipped with the relevant background known to the parties when the bargain was struck, while disregarding prior negotiations and any statements of subjective intention. The ruling also offers guidance on how an arbitration clause and an ASI should be read in relation to third parties. In the absence of clear wording that a jurisdiction clause reaches claims against non-parties, the default position, when construing a...
Carozzi v The University of Hertfordshire [2025] IRLR 179 ( EAT) The EAT has decided that Elaine Carozzi’s allegations that managers at the University of Hertfordshire harassed and victimised her must be looked at again. Judge James Tayler explained that the tribunal below assessed whether the university’s behaviour was ‘because’ of her race, instead of applying the correct test of whether it was ‘related to’ race. However, this outcome does not disturb the earlier decision that set aside most of her claims, including every claim of religious discrimination and constructive dismissal. Judge Tayler stated that the tribunal’s mistaken approach to harassment was so serious that all rulings on the complaint about the claimant’s accent are unsafe and need to be determined afresh. His observations appear in a decision issued on 27 November 2024. Carozzi resigned while still serving probation, having been employed as a...
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When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...
This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...
Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...
I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...
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