United Kingdom

Recent Articles

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  15/05/2025

  United Kingdom

  Digital identity in the UK: A new legislative framework under the DUA Bill

  IntroductionOn 23 October 2024, the UK government introduced the Data (Use and Access) Bill (the “DUA Bill”) to Parliament, outlining proposed reforms to the country’s data usage and access laws.  The DUA Bill is intended by the UK government to enhance the UK’s digital strategy and unlock the use of data, harnessing its capabilities to boost public services and contribute to the UK economy.In this Law-Now update, we examine the provisions of the DUA Bill that will create a legislative framework for digital verification services. Once it is formally adopted, the DUA Bill...

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  14/05/2025

  Europe

  Why all trade marks should be protected against dilution

  Trade marks with a reputation is a special category that enjoys a broad scope of protection.Even if those marks are used for products and services that are completely different from those of the trade-mark holder, excluding confusion over their origin, there will be trade mark infringement if the trade mark holder can show that the other sign’s use takes unfair advantage of or is detrimental to the distinctive character or the repute of the trade mark.This special protection of trade marks with a reputation prevents sneaky traders from using, for example, the mark Puma for food products,...

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  14/05/2025

  England and Wales

  What is a mistake?: claims for overpayment relief in L-L-O Contracting Ltd and others v HMRC [2025] UKUT 127 (TCC)

  It is important to understand how and when overpaid tax can be reclaimed. The rules and procedures for doing so can be varied. This case concerned the application of overpayment relief provisions. Specifically, whether ignorance of multiple dwellings relief (“MDR”), resulting in a failure to claim MDR within the standard timeframe and by the usual mechanism, prevented MDR being awarded by way of an overpayment relief claim. Although this case concerns stamp duty land tax (“SDLT”) it should be of wider interest to those claiming overpaid tax due arising from a mistake.Facts...

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  13/05/2025

  United Kingdom

  FCA policy statement PS25/4: Investment research payment optionality for fund managers

  On 9 May 2025, the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) published Policy Statement PS25/4, introducing changes to the way UK fund managers may pay for investment research. The new rules allow for a joint payment option for research and execution services, subject to a series of “guardrails”.These changes are in response to the 2023 UK Investment Research Review, which identified that MiFID II’s unbundling of research and execution costs had reduced research availability and created operational burdens, especially for smaller managers. The FCA previously consulted on...

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  13/05/2025

  United Kingdom

  The Oil and Gas Authority (Carbon Storage) (Retention of Information and Samples) Regulations 2025

  Today (13 May 2025), the Oil and Gas Authority (Carbon Storage) (Retention of Information and Samples) Regulations 2025 (the “Regulations”) came into force. The Regulations will apply to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and will be operative by virtue of powers conferred on the Secretary of State under the Energy Act 2023 (the “2023 Act”).In April 2023, we reported on the NSTA response to its consultation on information and sample related matters in carbon dioxide appraisal and storage and petroleum licences (link here) (the “2023 Consultation”)....

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  13/05/2025

  Scotland

  Stage 2 of the Housing (Scotland) Bill

  The Housing (Scotland) Bill was initially introduced in March 2024 and sets out enhanced rights for tenants and affects social and private landlords. The reforms include the designation of rent control areas and further conditions around eviction of tenants. As originally introduced, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and university-owned halls were specifically excluded from the proposed rules.Stage 2 of the Housing (Scotland) Bill is currently underway. It is at this stage MSPs propose amendments to the Bill and members of the appropriate committee decide by vote whether the proposed...

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