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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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Mergers Deutsche Lufthansa/ MEF/ ITA conditionally cleared after phase II The Commission gave conditional approval to the planned acquisition of joint control of ITA Airways ( ITA) by Deutsche Lufthansa ( Lufthansa) and the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance ( MEF) ( M.11071). Lufthansa and ITA run a broad portfolio of domestic services, short-haul flights within the EEA, and long-haul connections linking the EEA with the rest of the world. Lufthansa also maintains a joint venture with United Airlines and Air Canada, under which they align pricing, capacity and timetables, and together pool revenues on transatlantic services......
Parliamentary process On 22 May 2024, the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, asked the King to dissolve Parliament so a general election could take place on 4 July 2024, and the King consented. As a result, Parliament was prorogued on 24 May 2024 and formally dissolved on 30 May 2024. The parliamentary timetable is set out below: 22 May: The Prime Minister asked the King to use the prerogative to dissolve Parliament 22 May: King Charles approved the request and a general election was announced nationwide 23 May: ‘ Wash-up’ period begins 24 May: Parliament is prorogued 25 May: Pre-election period of sensitivity begins (previously known as ‘purdah’) 30 May: Parliament is dissolved 30 May: Pre-election period starts 4 July: General election 17 July: State Opening of Parliament For an explanation of the ‘wash-up’ period and the period of...
Wilkinson, R ( On the Application Of) v London Borough of Enfield [2024] EWHC 1193 ( Admin) What are the practical implications of this case? The practical consequences are that principal local authorities holding title to parkland within their districts and in their area on long leases, which are held on statutory trusts for public recreation for the enjoyment of the public, also possess broad powers under LGA 1972, Pt VII to grant leases to companies and may dispose of such land under LGA 1972, released from statutory trusts under PHA 1875. Moreover, local authorities are not constrained in how they apply any receipts from entering into those leases, are under no duty whatsoever to re-invest the proceeds in the remainder of a particular park or in other parks locally, and may instead transfer the monies to their general funds. Given the financial position of many...
Wardle v HMRC [2024] UKFTT 543 ( TC) The taxpayer held a 15% stake in the LLP, established in June 2015 as a special-purpose vehicle created to build and operate a power plant in Hull. In August 2015, the LLP raised an unsecured loan from a funder and proceeded to enter into more than 50 contracts with a range of counterparties concerning construction, operation and financing of the plant. During 2016, the LLP applied to the Environment Agency for a permit to operate the plant, and that authorisation was granted in May 2017. Commissioning of the plant was formally certified as complete in March 2018; however, no electricity was generated on a commercial basis until June 2019. The taxpayer then disposed of his interest in the LLP in February 2020. He claimed entrepreneurs’ relief in respect of that disposal but, following an enquiry, HMRC...
Mergers The Commission cleared a joint venture, Jernbanebyen Holding K/ S ( Denmark), by NREP AB ( Sweden), Novo Holdings A/ S, Industriens Pensionsforsikring A/ S and DSB Ejendomsudvikling A/ S (all Denmark) after a phase I review—see further, Midday Express. The Commission received notification of Kiwa/ Adesso/ JV ( M.11601) under the normal merger procedure. NOTE— For merger investigations: EU mergers—ongoing cases tracker. State aid Approval, under EU State aid rules, of: a €3bn Swedish scheme for carbon capture and storage from biomass—see further, press release; Bulgaria’s plan to grant restructuring aid to Bulgarian Posts up to €25.5m—see further, press release; a €45m Portuguese measure to shift freight from road to rail—see further, Midday Express; and amendments to a German scheme compensating energy‑intensive companies for higher electricity prices linked to ETS‑driven carbon costs—see further, Midday Express. NOTE— For State aid...
The PRS is already subject to a planned collective lawsuit over its licensing administration and royalty distribution practices. In a statement, PACE Rights Management, an advocacy group for music rights holders, revealed that a cohort of UK songwriters and composers, among them Robert Fripp of the rock band King Crimson, has begun legal proceedings against their collective management organisation, PRS. The objective is to 'revamp the execution of procedures and policies' considered 'detrimental to their interests' and to PRS members broadly alike......
Zurich announced a new facility delivering one unified, integrated policy spanning construction, delays, operations, business interruptions, marine cargo and third‑party liability. It further extends to carbon capture, utilisation and storage technologies, creating a comprehensive, end‑to‑end solution for hydrogen production schemes and projects. Zurich fronts the initiative as lead insurer, with Aon appointed as the sole broker. Insurance is pivotal to enabling the net‑zero shift, offering both protection and specialist risk insight and expertise, observed Sierra Signorelli, chief executive of commercial insurance at Zurich Insurance......
The digital bank said its latest safeguards, now undergoing staff trials and due to be introduced over the coming weeks, cover known locations, trusted contacts and secret QR codes. Explaining the move, Monzo said that when you manage your financial life on your phone, it can feel like having all your money in your pocket and taking it everywhere you go. The company added that the rise in phone theft only makes this worse, with one device stolen every six minutes in London last year......
Briggs Marine Contractors Ltd v Bakkafrost Scotland Ltd [2024] CSOH 63 What are the practical implications of this case? This ruling matters for advisers handling disputes subject to arbitration agreements. The court reaffirmed that it retains control over its own rolls, notwithstanding statutory mechanisms such as A( S) A 2010, s 10. Although an arbitration agreement may compel a sist, the court is not obliged to let proceedings sit on the shelf forever without considering whether that course is sensible and worthwhile. Practitioners should caution clients that the existence of an arbitration clause does not secure a perpetual stay. This decision highlights the need to set out specific, tangible reasons for leaving an action sisted when a motion to dismiss is tabled. It follows that a mandatory sist arising from an arbitration agreement co-exists with the court’s ongoing...
The study published 27 June 2024 A report released on 27 June 2024 by risk analysis consortium ORIC International and consultancy Sicsic Advisory Ltd revealed that one in five firms were not testing whether their key business services could withstand disruption from cyberattacks and other events. Despite progress in aligning with regulators’ resilience expectations, many organisations remain ill-prepared for such shocks. The two risk specialists conducted a 12‑month annual benchmarking survey of 35 insurance and investment firms to reach these findings. Martin Jarman, operational resilience lead at Sicsic Advisory, noted that while it may not attract the same spotlight as newer measures such as the Consumer Duty initiative, operational resilience remains firmly on the FCA’s and PRA’s agendas. The FCA and the PRA set out operational resilience requirements in March 2021......
Swiss Federal Court Dismisses Challenge to Arbitrator for Repeat Appointments ( A & B v C) — 4A_575/2023, Bundesgericht ( Schweiz) What are the practical implications of this case? The Swiss Federal Court has long been sceptical of attempts to demonstrate apparent bias by piecing together several circumstances, and this decision follows that approach. Procedural missteps that drew no timely objection are treated as irrevocably waived; parties cannot revive them later, not even as part of a broad, retrospective review of the arbitrator’s behaviour. As a result, allegations of bias that rest on a constellation of events or factors have become even harder to sustain. The judgment also considers repeat appointments. Under the 2024 IBA Guidelines on Conflicts of Interest in International Arbitration (‘ BA Guidelines’), three or more appointments by the same counsel or law firm within the previous three years appear on the Orange List...
With decarbonisation topping many agendas, businesses are understandably seeking to support the net-zero journey while also tuning in to consumer expectations around sustainability. Consequently, anyone approving advertising and marketing ( A& M) materials needs a firm grasp of the rules on environmental claims, and should take heed of examples from ASA rulings to date. In this article, we cover: the rules the ASA applies when assessing advertising complaints what we have learned from the ASA’s rulings so far what clients and their A& M teams need to know about making green claims What are the rules relating to environmental claims? The UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising and Direct & Promotional Marketing ( CAP Code) and the UK Code of Broadcast Advertising ( BCAP Code) set the standards the ASA applies when considering complaints and deciding whether to uphold them in its...
On 27 June 2024, the Court of Appeal held that the NCA acted unlawfully by declining to probe imports of cotton linked to forced labour in China’s Xinjiang region. Reversing a 2023 High Court decision, the appeal judges found the agency had misapplied its own investigative framework under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 ( POCA 2002) when dealing with suspected illicit assets. ‘ It’s a game changer’, said Matthew Banham of Seyfarth Shaw ( UK) LLP. ‘ Corporations now have an obligation to make sure they are not committing money laundering offences through their supply chains.’ Crucially, the court ruled the NCA does not need hard proof of criminal conduct before commencing a proceeds-of-crime inquiry. It further determined that criminal property—here, cotton produced through forced labour—is not invariably purified or legitimised by later payment of market price. Lloyd Firth of Wilmer Hale noted the...
Mergers The Commission approved KKR & Co. Inc’s takeover of sole control of Encavis AG ( M.11542) after a phase I review—see further details in Midday Express. The Commission has received notification of Blackstone/ Winthrop Technologies ( M.11548) under the normal merger procedure. NOTE— For current merger inquiries before the Commission, consult the EU mergers—ongoing cases tracker. State aid Commission launches consultation on new procedure for access to justice in State-aid related environmental matters The Commission has opened a consultation on a proposed procedure designed to enable public access to justice for certain Commission decisions on State aid measures, for challenges based on alleged breaches of EU environmental law. More specifically, under the proposal, eligible members of the public—ie environmental non-governmental organisations—would be able to request an internal review by the Commission of a State aid decision for purported violations of EU environmental law. Those eligible applicants would have a right of...
What does the Market Insights Trend Report cover? Click below to download the complete report in PDF form. The Market Insights Trend Report offers an in-depth review of the 14 RPs proposed in the UK in 2023. It shares insights on trends and what we, together with our contributors, expect to unfold in 2024 and beyond. Areas examined include: outlook for 2024 place of incorporation industry sectors classes of creditor relevant alternatives challenges use of cross-class cramdown ( CCCD) foreign law expert opinions sought on recognition legal developments in 2023 The report also sets out metrics for RPs including Fitness First, Prezzo and Adler ( AGPS Bondco). What are the highlights from the report?......
The Pension Regulator’s powers to issue mandatory fines ( Caldwell (trustee of the Smith & Wallace & Co 1988 Pension Plan) v The Pensions Regulator) Caldwell (trustee of the Smith & Wallace & Co 1988 Pension Plan) v The Pensions Regulator [2024] UKFTT 505 ( GRC) What are the practical implications of this case? This decision delivers a helpful legal review of the Pension Regulator’s application of mandatory penalties where trustees fail to produce a Chair’s Statement for a defined contribution ( DC) scheme. Since the duty was introduced by the Occupational Pension Schemes ( Charges and Governance) Regulations 2015, SI 2015/879—amending the Occupational Pension Schemes ( Scheme Administration) Regulations 1996, SI 1996/1715—there has been a significant volume of fines for non-compliance, alongside sector commentary that the Pensions Regulator has been overly heavy-handed in exercising this power. The Regulator has countered that position by...
Prospect v Evans [2024] EWHC 1533 ( KB) What are the practical implications of this case? Since the decision in Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunication and Plumbing Union v Times Newspapers Ltd [1980] 1 QB 585 concluded that trade unions could not sue for libel, doubts persisted about whether it was rightly decided. This judgment clarifies that trade unions can, in fact, bring defamation proceedings. It remains the position that certain organisations, including local authorities and unincorporated bodies, are still unable to pursue a defamation action. What was the background? Prospect, a trade union, issued claims for defamation and malicious falsehood against Mr Andrew Evans ( E), who was a member at the time of publication but is now a former member. E sought a declaration that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the defamation claim on the basis that the claimant union had no standing to sue in...
High Court defence On 7 June 2024, the insurer contended in a High Court defence that it is not responsible for paying any portion of the amount sought by Rise Aviation 1 ( Ireland) Ltd to compensate for the aircraft the Shannon-based company says is marooned in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine. In the recently issued defence, Fidelis stated that Rise Aviation, together with Deutsche Bank Trust Co. Americas acting as security trustee, are not insuring parties under Russian law. They are, instead, beneficiaries, the defence asserted, which means they have no right to seek an indemnity... The insurer further argued that no occurrence capable of triggering a payout has taken place. This, Fidelis said, is because the aircraft being held by the lessee, regional Russian airline Alrosa, does not amount to an insured risk. As the defence puts it, there has been no...
Former Greenergy trader Gianni Rivera was cleared of one count of fraud by abuse of position and one count of money laundering by jurors at Southwark Crown Court after five hours of deliberation Rivera, 40, is scheduled to return to court on 3 July 2024 for a costs application. Prosecutors had alleged he inflated prices charged to his employer and siphoned off funds from numerous biofuel transactions he arranged for Greenergy, a leading supplier. According to the SFO, Rivera secretly agreed agents’ fees with Dutch biodiesel broker Cees Bunschoten by folding a commission into the price of each deal. Taking the witness stand, Rivera insisted his dealings with Bunschoten were never concealed, and maintained the payments he received from a Dutch trader bore ‘no connection’ to the trades he executed on Greenergy’s behalf. In an email conveyed by his counsel, Jim Sturman KC of 2...
In approving the Raptors’ December bid to compel arbitration (but staying the action until arbitration is finished, rather than dismissing it, as the Raptors had urged), US District Judge Jessica GL. Clarke systematically struck out the Knicks’ catalogue of contentions raised since first suing last August to keep the dispute in court and out of arbitration. She wrote the matter concerns NBA competition and falls squarely within the sort of dispute about cheating to win over which the NBA constitution vests the commissioner with exclusive jurisdiction, and she stated in her order that the court need not deliberate over the hypothetical limits of the NBA constitution’s arbitration clause because this case clearly appears squarely within its intended scope......
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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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